Volunteer Training

Get your kids to give their time

By Linda Kozlowski

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At three years old, my son made the worst sandwiches in the world. The bologna would hang off the bread, the cheese ended up in a ball, and the lettuce, well, that was typically picked off the floor and thrown away. Never mind that it would take a full five minutes to get one that was presentable; one would get done. Only forty-nine to go!

I say these words with pride because those 50 sandwiches would eventually end up at our local homeless shelter. A side of chips, cookies, and an apple rounded out a meal that was welcomed by the shelter's clients.

As your kids move from working by your side to independent efforts, you'll see the concept of doing volunteer work become an integral part of their lives.

My sons and I have been volunteering in various capacities for most of their lives. Sometimes it only involves helping me gather items for the Goodwill truck, at other times we bring food to our local church, and sometimes it's making sack lunches for 50 people.

As a Christian, I carry a little voice inside me that nudges me to teach my sons the value of volunteer work, the value of helping those who are economically "least among us." Jesus tells us in Matthew 25:40, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." I welcome, and nurture, that comforting voice inside me.

Ways to Raise Volunteers

Raising volunteers is a process that can begin when children are quite young. For preschoolers, I've found that home-based efforts are ideal. For that, you want to consider your child's personality and stage of development. If your child is mastering the concept of sharing, have her help gather her old toys for donation to a local women's shelter (which also accommodates many children). If your son loves to help in the kitchen, bake some cookies together and deliver them to your local police or fire station.

When your volunteering takes you out of your home, go ahead and let your kids be spectators. The first few times my sons and I dropped off our sack lunches, they stayed glued to my side, and that was okay. After a few visits they would wander a bit and respond with smiles as the people greeted them warmly. The connection I witnessed happening still brings tears to my eyes.

As the process continues with grade-school children, more challenging projects may suit them better. At this age they clearly understand the value of money and can be encouraged to raise funds for worthy causes. Shoveling, mowing, and making cookies for bake sales are all ways that money can be raised for a crisis they see in the news. Again, think about what your child uniquely offers the world. Does he love animals? Animal shelters would welcome simple catnip toys made by your children. Does she have a medical condition that brings her to the doctor? Raise money to buy small gifts to be given to children who are brought into the emergency room at your local hospital.

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Originally published in: Christian Parenting Today, Page 30

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