Volunteering as a family is an excellent way to teach children compassion, according to Parents Magazine.
Kids can get involved with volunteer activities at any age, increasing the likelihood that they will continue to volunteer later in life.
To start with, be on the lookout for projects in your church or community that are easy, one-time commitments that can involve the whole family.
Charity walks are a great example of something even the little ones will enjoy. Food drives are another. Children can help gather a bag of canned goods for the local food pantry.
Check with the local animal shelter to find out their current needs. Animal shelters, in particular, often need specific things such as cat and dog food, cleaners, pet beds, or leashes. Shelters also often have dog-walk programs where everyone in the family can walk a dog for an hour or so.
Other places to contact include the local children's hospitals or nursing homes. Children's hospitals might welcome gently used books or DVDs. Nursing homes sometimes have visitation programs where children can meet and learn something about an older person's life. However, for security reasons, hospitals and nursing homes often don't welcome individual volunteers. You can, however, contact a group such as Volunteers of America to see the many ways you can help. Go to voa.org to find a local chapter.
Families don't even need to connect with a large organization. They can hold their own car wash, for example, and donate proceeds to a shelter or another local charity.
Once you find something that you enjoy doing as a family, you might be able to make an ongoing commitment. Even if it's not a formal arrangement or event, parents can help spread the spirit of volunteerism in their children on a daily basis by teaching them to pick up trash in parks, serving in their church, or tutoring younger students after school.
