Besides parenting, few things nourish our souls more than serving others. There are so many ways to volunteer! In high school, I was a “buddy” for kids with developmental disabilities. I sang in the choir that visited seniors. I read to the blind. I helped at the women’s shelter, manned phone banks and gardened for a local bookstore. Post-kids it was meal deliveries to friends having babies or in ill health. And, of course, then came the endless vortex of school fundraisers and events.
But how do parents share that spirit of service with kids? Start early! For each child’s first birthday we threw a large party. For my eldest’s in December, in lieu of presents, guests brought gifts for foster children. For the second child, we fundraised for a puppet troupe that, in turn, treated us all to a show. Need more ideas? Explore Hands On Portland, a local nonprofit that matches volunteers with opportunities: www.handsonportland.org.
Serving others serves us all!
Submitted by Kandy

May 19th, 2009 | Category: Metro Parent