WordPress database error: [Table './quadium_wrdp27/wp_postmeta' is marked as crashed and should be repaired]SELECT post_id, meta_key, meta_value FROM wp_postmeta WHERE post_id IN (8485) ORDER BY meta_id ASC
I love the Boys & Girls Club of America (BGCA) and the services it provides for the community. They provide a safe place for kids who might otherwise be at home by themselves while their parents are working, and give them one-on-one attention they might not otherwise receive. I got the opportunity to volunteer with the Boys & Girls Club while in college, and it is so rewarding to see how those involved with the program can really have an impact on children.
The Boys & Girls Club teaches kids values, and one value that they teach is giving. This holiday season, that’s something I’m really focused on teaching our boys. I want them to love giving and thinking of others. The BGCA has put together a list of tips for helping teach your kids about giving – here are my favorite four tips from the list:
- Talk about giving. Tell your kids which causes you’re supporting this year and why. Better yet, make the choice together. Or give each child a portion of what you plan to donate this year and allow him or her to choose the charity.
- Read books about giving. Try The Mitten Tree by Candace Christiansen, I Can Make a Difference by Julie and Amanda Sexson or a selection from Learning to Give’s Annotated Bibliography of Children’s Literature.
- Volunteer together. Whether serving a meal at a soup kitchen or lending a hand at an animal shelter, volunteering helps kids learn compassion – and it’s a great way for families to spend time together. Check with your child’s school, your religious institution, a local Boys & Girls Club or The Volunteer Family for project ideas.
- Encourage routine volunteering. Contributing regularly to an organization they choose can be meaningful, showing kids that they have the power to make a difference. This is especially true for teens. Support them by providing transportation or extra allowance for expenses, if needed.
This year, Boys & Girls Club has made it SO easy for you to give with their second annual Give the Gift of a Great Future Holiday Campaign. You can play their Giving Game and donate something to kids that the Club helps. In a matter of a minute or two I was able to play and donate an art kit! It’s a great way to let your kids make a difference and to bring up the subject of giving to integrate it into your children’s lives on a longer-lasting basis.
Note: I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Boys and Girls Club. I received a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.
Giving is a really important value to me. Thanks for this post about the Boys and Girls Club. I think it is a great organization, and I have donated to them in the past. :)