More ways children can help others. How children can volunteer and show they care about the people around them.
What are acts of kindness? Can you show you care about others?
Are you willing to work without pay and without recognition to help someone?
Yes, any person can volunteer for the sake of others. He may only need pointing in the right direction. Listed below are some categories of people to help and ideas of helpful acts of kindness.
Someone you don’t know:
Beware of strangers. Always be certain that work you choose to do is in a public place and has the okay and guidance of a parent. (You should not be fearful of someone you don't know, but rather be careful while you are being caring!)
Look around you. Who could use a helping hand? Who is working or needs directions in the store?
Does someone carrying a package need help with holding a door? Offer your assistance.
Do you see someone who needs a smile or a simple greeting? A “Hello. How are you today?” might change their day for the better.
- Pick up trash along the street.
- Sweep the sidewalk.
- Plant a tree.
- Wash the neighbor’s windshield.
- Offer to clean or fix something.
Your act must be a gift and not for pay. It is a good deed –a thing you must do for the sake of another alone.
Someone in need:
Provide a bag or basket of food for a needy family. The Salvation Army can usually accept and distribute the food to someone who needs it.
Check with a homeless shelter or soup kitchen to see how you can help--besides donating money.
Ask your parents for used items and clothing that you can take to a donation center to give to the poor.
Donate some of your games, toys, clothes, or shoes to a family that has a lot of kids.
Someone not in financial need:
There may be a person you see that has plenty of money, but just needs friendship. This person may only need someone to sit with a talk to on a lonely day.
Maybe your parent will allow you to invite the person for a family meal at your house. Invite the person along on a family outing to a museum or to a park.
Maybe you can encourage him or her by making and leaving on their doorstep a note, a drawing, a craft item, a small vase of flowers, a basket of fruit, or some small thing that you think they might enjoy.
Plan a tea party for some of the ladies in your neighborhood to be held in your back yard.
Someone related to you:
What person in your extended family has a need that you could fill?
- Do you have an aunt that loves flowers? Send her some packages of flower seeds.
- Does Grandma love to tell stories? Gather up a group of children and arrange a story hour.
- Do you have a little sister who would like to have a tea party with her friends? Arrange one for them.
- Does the neighbor need his dog fed while he’s away? Offer to do it for him. Refuse pay.
Someone you have never met:
Be on the lookout for someone who could use encouragement and cheering up. Go and do what you can for them. Try to remain anonymous.
Send a card or note of encouragement to to "Any Patient" to children's ward at a hospital. Sign “Someone who cares” instead of your name.
Fix some cookies or brownies for a neighbor who is moving in. Offer to help carry boxes. Chip in on chores.
Try to get in a habit of looking for ways to help others in the course of your normal day. Kids do care and they can volunteer too!
