During the holiday season, we put our dollar bills in the Salvation Army’s red kettle as we go into the grocery store or give a one-time check to one of the many organizations whose appeals stuff our mailboxes. Giving these gifts around the holidays are wonderful expressions of caring. But what about the rest of the year? If our children see us do this once a year, what message does that convey to them?
There are so many ways to teach your children to make giving to others an all-year practice.
Here are just a few opportunities to engage in with your child that can teach them about the gift of giving.
1. Help your neighbors out. You and your child can bring their garbage cans in or take their newspaper to their doorstep in the morning. If you have elderly neighbors, bring them a meal or a pot of soup. These little things go a long way in teaching your child about giving back to and caring for your community.
2. Volunteer with your child. You and your child can make giving real by volunteering at a local organization. Here are just a few that are in need of help now and all year round:
In Fairfax County, 89,000 people, including 38,000 children struggle with hunger, especially on the weekends when they don’t have access to free breakfast and lunch at school. Once a month in Herndon, you and your child can help by volunteering at the Weekend Food for Kids program that provides nutritious food for kids over the weekend. For more information, click here.
FACETS is a program that helps homeless families in Fairfax County find homes. If you would like to get involved in their holiday gift drive now or activities at other times of the year, click here.
3. You and your child can pick out a favorite local, national, or international charity and sign up for monthly giving. Have fun exploring websites and making a list of the charities that interest you most and let your child decide which one to give to. Make a ritual of sitting down with your child to write your check once a month and to discuss how important it is to share what you have with others. Heifer International and UNICEF are two such organizations.
Note: Crossroads Family Counseling Center has volunteered to collect gifts for Our Neighbor’s Child (another place for you and your child to volunteer!). ONC provides gifts to 2,000 children of low-income families in western Fairfax County. If you would like to join us, please feel free to take one of the ornaments from our giving tree in the waiting room. You can also contact Martha FitzSimon with any questions, martha@crossroadsfamilycc.com and 703-850-6649.
