Don't forget the small stuff!

When trying to help our children learn the value of serving others, I think we all tend to look at the big service projects, thinking that we need to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and care for the sick. Of course we do! But don't forget that the little stuff counts too. You are probably helping your children learn about service more than you think. Family chores are self-help, but also service oriented. Caring for a neighbor's pet while they are away, bringing in the groceries from the car, running downstairs for a jar of tomatoes and sharing a favorite toy are all baby steps, but legitimate forms of service. So, let's not be too hard on ourselves. Our kids are learning each day. And in the long run, perhaps those day to day projects will end up being the biggest shapers of character after all.

Thinkin' Globally

My husband and I have been trying to find a way to send our teenagers to a third world country. No...not to stay! Though it's tempting at times. We're thinking hard labor service. You know, work the grouchies out of them, help them learn to look outside of themselves, develop some deep gratitude for all they have, and really help someone or many someones in a way that will change lives and lift communities.
So this is what we found. There are several local organizations who take teenagers on two week-ish excursions to roll up their sleeves and do some good in this world. (While I know there are many other groups that do such things, I think I'd feel better working with a local group. Paranoid, I know.) Some of the places they go have been Bolivia, Tonga, Kenya, Mexico, Fiji, Brazil and Peru. While there, they may do all kinds of things like build schools, orphanages, dig wells, anything that will help the locals pull themselves out of despair and poverty. Most of these groups also include a day or two of sight-seeing. Because they are non-profit, those going can solicit help to pay for it from individuals and businesses who can write it off as a charitable contribution. Each group is chaperoned by several adult volunteers. In our case, either my hubby or I would go too.
Some of the groups we have found are:
http://www.ays.org/
http://www.hopeprojects.net/
http://www.youthlinc.org/
We're thinking we'll take our oldest in 2011. Extra bonus...he can do his Eagle project for scouts as part of his trip!

Kiva

I love the concept of micro loans. Small loans given directly to poverty stricken individuals or families in 3rd world countries who cannot get loans elsewhere. As a rule, these people could lift themselves out of poverty if just given the chance. While there are many groups that will take your money and put it to good use in a micro loan capacity, usually you do not know who you are loaning to. A while ago I stumbled upon an on-line organization which matches donations with those needing them in a wonderful way. At Kiva, you pick the specific person or group you want to help. Each has a profile so you know who they are, where they live, what their life is like, how much they need and what they need the money for. You can donate in increments of $25 and even see how much they have raised so far. And here's the best part. The loans are due within one year, you can watch as they repay, and you get your money back! While you always have the option to take that money out, I believe the exciting part is that you can use those same funds to simply re-loan to another person.

This year our family voted on what to do with a small jar of charity money we had accumulated throughout the year. We chose to give it to Kiva. Together we read through many deserving candidates and voted to sponsor an industrious single mom in Tanzania. 26 different lenders helped raise the $825 she needed to buy a second sewing machine and supplies for her small tailoring business. It will be exciting for us to watch as she succeeds in moving forward and repaying her loan. We look forward to using that same money to sponsor another next year. I love how this is connecting my children to someone across the world in such dramatically different circumstances than ours. For us, this is win/win!

For more information about Kiva, go to http://www.kiva.org/.

Community Service

Looking for a service project? I found a great local volunteer website. It includes all kinds of different organizations that can use a wide range of service for all kinds of ages and groups. Just click on "volunteer opportunities" and then on the volunteer links on the right hand side. http://www.211ut.org/.

Service From Little Hands

One super easy but effective idea for holiday service (any holiday!) that even little kids can do is to make or color some simple decorations and give or take them to elderly neighbors or to an assisted care center. Maybe spend a little time and sing a few carols too! The older generation always loves to have little ones around. It will surely brighten someone's day. I hope someone thinks to do this for me when I'm in my declining years!

Trick or Treat for the Food Bank

My sister shared an idea that the teenagers do in her area on Halloween. Instead of trick or treating for candy, they ask for food items. Things that each of us have in our pantry's; canned goods, cereal, pasta etc. and then they donate it to their local food bank. I thought it was a great idea. Older kids can get together to trick or treat...and fulfill a service in the process.

Serving the Hungry

One really good idea for family service is to volunteer at the local food bank. There are several ways to do this. You can always take in donations of canned goods, and even do a separate project to collect the food first. They also always need help sorting the donations at their facility, especially during the holiday season, as that is when people tend to donate the most. When our family went a few years ago, we put together a few orders for families with mobility issues and then drove boxes of food to four different families that night, all over the valley. Our kids were invited into each of these homes and were thanked profusely for the help. There was one lady we helped that night whom I will never forget. She was a Russian immigrant and insisted that we try some of her special cake. She was just so thrilled for the company, probably more than the food. You should have seen her face light up when my son (about age 8 then) said the only Russian word he knew to her (goodbye). It was so very rewarding for us and for the kids to step outside of our comfort zones just a tad and serve a few people who were strangers in need. If you decide to do this, call their number first to schedule the time. The Utah Food Bank is located at 1025 South 700 West, and their phone number is 908-8660. I highly recommend it!