Volunteering with Children | Ways to Give Back

For the month of November, VolunteerSpot will be featuring posts from guest bloggers on ways to give back. Today Stephanie Hansen of The Daily Blarg, discusses how important it is to give back to the community, and to teach your children to do the same .

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Giving Back this Holiday Season

By Stephanie Hansen

I am not sure about you, but it is the time of year when I start to think about all the things I have to do, buy, and find just to get ready for the holidays. I often forget to sit back and be grateful that I am able to provide so much for my family. Part of being thankful is giving back to the community. 

 

We are trying to raise our children to be loving, caring, and giving members of society. This can be difficult during the holidays when they are inundated with media talking about the “must haves” of the season. Children can easily be encouraged to “want, want, want” without regards for anyone else.

Last year, I was fortunate enough to participate in a Toys for Tots fundraiser with The Social Media Club of Salt Lake City. We were able to collect hundreds of toys for children in our local area. I was so pleased to have been given the opportunity to deliver the toys we collected with my family. I could tell by the look on my children’s faces how surprised they were that some kids would only be getting Candyland or a new Tonka Truck for their holiday celebration. 

I was able to share our family’s experience in collecting and donating the toys via Whrrl. 

More check-ins at Toys for Tots Donations

Powered by Whrrl

This year I am looking for new and creative ways for our family to give back. What are some traditions you and your family have around the holidays that encourage a spirit of giving?  Do you volunteer at a local shelter or food pantry?  Do you donate gifts to family’s in need? 

See VolunteerSpot's National Family Volunteer Day article for even more family friendly volunteering ideas!

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Stephanie Hansen quit the fast paced corporate world 4 years ago to focus on her true love, chauffeuring, also known as, raising teenagers. She blogs at The Daily Blarg and can be reached via Twitter and email.