Community Service Ideas?

Doing a litter clean-up in the local wash/riverbed or park works well. My sister has done this with her two boys (they keep bags in their car) and they actually now look for trash to pick up. Donating to the good will or another local charity, and having them pick out a few things to donate as well, will show that they are fortunate kids and there are always others who need more than they do. Good luck!

You might want to think of finding out about the local women's shelter. They usually train people to work from home on their crisis lines.

If you have older kids too, you can be back up support for lemonade stands and the like as they raise money for charities. Or organize with other mothers around the neighborhood for a combined family garage sale then give the proceeds to some cause.

My friend knits hats for poor people in other countries.

I like to nurse and work on children's book series that bring up important family and community topics. If you write at least 2 pages a day you will have time to write a whole book in one year or even a good step into reading mini-series.

Just some ideas.

Hi J.:

There are many ways your children will see you doing good for others. At the market if there is an ederly person who needs help reaching for something, you can help. Or help loading their grocercies in their car. You can take a meal to a sick friend.

You can also call your local senior center and ask if there are any elderly persons who need help with their grocery shopping or a ride to the doctors, or even just sit and chat and make them lunch. Elderly people are so forgotten and have wonderful stories to tell.
Best,
L. B.

Hi J.;

I raised four children. My 25 yrs old daughter was married,I have her in Girl Scouts group,Soccer,Music lesson, Art Lesson. She played 5 musical instruments when she is growing up and she is gifted child and she is selected to be in that program. My second son is 21 yrs old, lived and studied in NY as Video and Games Designer. He is also in Boy Scout,socccer,band,art. He is more artistic son so I have him some art lesson most of the time and that's why he ended up to study art because that is his passion and he loved art. My third daughter is 16 yrs old and already in Junior College. She passed the California High School proficiency Exit Exam and she passed so she was enrolled in Junior College. Also gifted talent and played 5 musical instruments,I have her working out with her Gold Award in Girl Scouts since I am a Girl Scouts Co-Leader,she played and try different sports,art and she was in the High School Marching Band. My four son is 14 yrs old and freshman in high school. He played 5 musical instruments also and loved and has a passion in music. He is also in Boy Scout and I am helping him to reach his Eagle Scout which the highest award in Boy Scout. I am also a housewife during I raised and stayed home with the children. I have a routine with them to do their homework first then extra curricular activities and that's why they're well expose with lot of positive ways to do while growing up. You can a Girl Scouts Co-Leader. You can go to your school and ask if it is okay to bring the infant to help as a volunteer because I done those things when my third infant was in stroller and fourth child. As long as you can bring your infant and take it with you all the time and keep on eye on her. I am sure they're lot of things to do in school because they needed a lot of volunteer to help them or even a room mother to help a kindergarden teacher. Check with your local school that is close to your home. Good luck and I am sure you will be a wonderful mother and show the good example for your children because this is all I do when the children went to school full time and I help in school. I even help PTA to be in their program as Art Docent to teach art to school after we are sent to be train and go back to school and teach this children with art. I done that for 15 yrs because my 4th child was graduated 8th grade already. They don't do those in high school but I am still volunteer and help my son Marching Band with fund raising and chaperone with their competition and etc.,

A.

I usually donate household items to local shelters. Several times a year when grocery shopping I buy double, then I take the extra to our local food pantry as a donation. If you belong to a local church ask if they have any programs that you might be able to assist from home.

Putting together care packages at home is always a good way to start. We did this over christmas and involved our 2 year old and she really got into it! YOu can also make phone calls for certain organizations or mail out flyers for them. Also writting encouraging letters to our soliders overseas is a wonderful "community service."

When my daughter was an infant a I started a block party for our street. It's become an annual thing and has really built community on our street. It's a small thing, but makes a big difference, for you and your neighbors.
E.

If you can rally a group of friend to help you I know of a great cause. I am part of a moms group in Hermosa Beach and I used to organize charities. We collected lightly used clothing and toys (this gets you kids involved) and donated them to a women's shelter, made meals for other moms who recently had babies, and our biggest success was buying 25 Jansport backpacks and stuffing them with all the school/craft supplies a child could ever want! We took the backpacks to an "inner-city school" and they were VERY appreciative.

Good luck,
S.