Any families do volunteer work?

[subtlycrunchy]

Hello,

When you don't have any money to donate to your favorite causes, what are some ways you and your kids still give back? I am looking for some specific organizations where parents AND kids are welcome to volunteer around the holidays (especially those located in NH). So far I have found Families in Transitions in Manchester and Concord. They welcome kids to help sort clothes and goods for their thrift shops and help sort food for the food pantry. Are there any soup kitchens that welcome all ages participation? What about nursing homes? I've called a few other places and either I am just getting put through to the wrong person or they don't understand what I am asking. Any suggestions?

ETA: This is for an article I'm writing for a local NH parenting mag.
Thanks!

[Mama Coltrane]

Well, my DS 5 and DS 3 and I go to a nursing home in Glencliff, NH at least once a month to visit with our adopted grandma Ruby. She is 96 and never had any kids. We go to all of their holiday parties at the nursing home too. The next is at halloween.
Anyway, I just called the human resouce director and asked if we could volunteer. I went in to meet her with my boys and then she picked out Ruby for us.
It has been very sweet for us and I think for ruby too.

[subtlycrunchy]

Originally Posted by Mama Coltrane

Well, my DS 5 and DS 3 and I go to a nursing home in Glencliff, NH at least once a month to visit with our adopted grandma Ruby. She is 96 and never had any kids. We go to all of their holiday parties at the nursing home too. The next is at halloween.
Anyway, I just called the human resouce director and asked if we could volunteer. I went in to meet her with my boys and then she picked out Ruby for us.
It has been very sweet for us and I think for ruby too.

Thanks Mama! That's actually really useful information for me!

[nhplantlady]

Nursing Home Too

My mom's group was looking for an indoor place to show off our Halloween costumes last year and then started going once per month. The Merrimack County Nursing home...I think the residents like our visits. I'd like to volunteer more places but there aren't many I can think of that are really kid (Toddler) friendly.

The kids don't see it as volunteer work yet but I hope to instill this value in them as I did a lot of volunteer work before the kids arrived.

[svmaine]

I was feeling a bit guilty that I'd done nothing since my 2 years in Peace Corps and then remembered that almost every year I donate/get sponsors for the Salamatu Foundation started by my best friends mom. She has an auction every year and I auction off one of my pictures and tomorrow I'm heading off for the annual walk-a-thon, with the babe on my back:. And a few years ago I raised money and did a hike in the White Mountains for the Elizabeth Stone House in Boston.

Phew!! I'm definitely will be getting the kids more involved as they get older, volunteering is a must in our family!!

[nancy926]

DH and the kids volunteered at a local 5K, helping with one of the water stops. My older DD liked it so much that she and I volunteered at a local 5K/10K race. We ran the only water stop. It was such a small race that I let DD pour and give out all of the water. Afterward, they chose her to pick out names for the raffle drawing. She's already talking about next year!

[box_of_rain]

When my oldest son was homeschooling, we did a Meals on Wheels route every Friday. The recipients of MOW loved chatting with James and he loved asking them questions and petting their dogs and cats. Some of them would even have a little treat ready for him when we arrived, or a toy basket in the corner so I could sit and chat for awhile.

It was really wonderful and I really miss it. I know there is a great need for Meals on Wheels volunteers, at least here in Vermont. Someday when life slows a bit I will definately do it again.