Volunteering opportunities?

[zoe398]

I've a nearly 9 y/o DD. I'm very interested in getting her into some sort of community service once a month. We've had the discussion many times about how lucky we are and there are those very unfortunate ones we must help, BUT until she sees it for herself, I think she had no real empathy. What have ya'll done with your children or what might you suggest as a good activity for a 9y/o? Thanks!!!

[bugmenot]

Maybe a community soup kitchen or homeless shelter?

[mom2olivia]

Does she like animals? How about the local animal shelter? They can always use volunteers. Maybe start with the animals and then when she sees how good it feels, she'll be more inclined to do more for the human race?

[joyfuldoula]

how about visiting your local nursing home? Our church youth group goes about once a month and the residents absolutely LOVE IT! Just go room to room and chat for a few minutes or so with people.

[nolonger]

I have found that many places where adults can volunteer can't accept kids for insurance reasons. Our local zoo does have volunteer apportunities for kids, but they require the parents to purchase uniforms and other supplies that my family can't afford, so it's taken us awhile to find some successes.

ds will be volunteering at the food bank this week. dd frequently volunteers for a dune restoration project.

Please don't give up if the first few places you try are not able to take her because of her age or if you first few ideas do not speak to her heart. Community service is an important part of her education. Kudos to you, mama, for helping her with the leg work.

[Teensy]

I've taken my oldest to work at a soup kitchen. He rolled the silverware and filled glasses of tea, that sort of thing.

Other ideas I've thought about trying: making sandwiches and brownies to take to people working on a Habitat for Humanity project, stocking the shelves at the food pantry (we buy groceries to donate a couple of times a year - I always let the boys pick some of the items too), picking up litter, delivering meals for Meals on Wheels, holding a lemonade stand or bake sale to raise money for a charity.

When I was in high school we volunteered at a children's home (orphanage) - we tended the young kids on the playground to give the housemom a break.

[Katheda]

please delete, thank you

[zoe398]

Thanks so much...I would love to hear any more opportunities your children have had.

Is she involved in scouting at all? My oldest loves the Girl Scouts and her troops are always involved in several community service projects each year. If she is crafty, she can get involved with Project Linus and make blankets for ill children. Newborns in Need is another organization that is in need of things that a 9 year old can accomplish. I agree with the pp suggestion of visting a nursing home in that the elderly love the company of children but thee are smells associated wth nursing homes that might make her uncomfortable.

Kelly- Do you know of these programs here?

[Justmee]

:

Does she swim / like water? I used to work at the Y and we used volenteers when we had special swim. They were swim buddies (ie: just swimming with a child with some type of disability, or splashing w/ them, not responsible for anything at all except being friendly).

[kennedy444]

How about visiting the elderly at a local nursing home?

When my dd was 9 or 10 she made bookmarks, sold them and then we brought the money to the local animal shelter.

[ediesmom]

Every other sunday morning we wake up at 5 to be at the soup kitchen at 6 to make breakfast. Edie has been doing this since she was two. Community service is a way of life in our house. She's nine now and can crack the 30+ dozen eggs in about 35 minutes (i time her to put a fun spin on it). She knows what needs to be done there and will gently remind me to do little things, or do them herself. (I'm on staff there and do the weekend breakfasts, although I volunteered for the previous 14 years before joing the staff)

In addition to the soup kitchen, she is adept at envelope stuffing, and can sit with a group and talk and stuff envelopes for hours. She loves to make copies and help desgn flyers as well. I have made sure that she is a huge part of her community. Its second nature here.

A really great way for your daughter to be involved is to go to PTO meetings with you. She can help with bake sales, design flyers, make copies, set up chairs, help the babysitter (endless opportunities)

Instead of asking what she can do, I think you need to just think of the very few things she can't. No volunteer firefighting at age 9, sharp knives probably won't do, she can't drive a car. All other things are workable.

ediesmom