Summer

my beautiful and wise cousin, carolyn, sent me this quote which i wanted to share with you all.

"i truly believe it is one of the greatest gifts we teach our children to show them through actions that they can make a positive difference in the lives of others" - sandra magsamen

this summer keep your families busy doing just that.

scroll the (over 100) activities listed on the acmesharing.com website. i know that my boys and i will be; planting an organic garden, having a canned food drive and baking dog biscuits for the rescue shelter - no name just a few.

happy summer.

Signed Sealed and Delivered

here is an amazing and totally easy family project that you can do immediately. in fact your kids (age depending) might even be able to do most of this without you.

1. grab an empty shopping bag.

2. clean out your pantry of canned or boxed food you won't eat.

3. leave the (now full) bag next to your mailbox this saturday and your mail carrier will pick it up for you.

the united states postal service is running the STAMP OUT HUNGER program for every community nationwide. they will get this food to the local food bank and help countless people.

here is a link for more details: usps.com

the lesson: talking to kids about others who might not have enough food is an intense topic. know your child and what he/ she is capable of hearing/ understanding and think about how to share this information without scaring them. sometimes it's enough to say, "we have a lot and some families don't".

***added bonus: those oreos will no longer be there to mock you as you stare at them each morning while wearing yoga pants.

Out of the Box

making family time for EXTRAS is a constant uphill battle, i often feel like Sisyphus. but when you see the effects of "extras" like giving, it seems incredibly worthwhile; the kids are engaged, they feel useful and they carry with them a new confidence.

this summer, i challenge you to THE BOX PROJECT. this non profit pairs you with a family living in poverty in the USA. each month, based on the recipient family's needs, you and your family send a box, some months it's filled with food, other months medical supplies and another time may be books and toys - each month might be a combination of all of the above.

i love that it's a scheduled amount of time for your family to set aside each month to focus on others in need. there are letters and pictures exchanged and a real bond forms between the two families.

here's a link: www.boxproject.org

the lesson: a family just like ours is less lucky than we are BUT we can help.

***added bonus: a project to keep them off of the video games at least one day a month this summer.

'Wich Craft

my kids eat the same lunch almost daily. peanut butter and jelly sandwich for one, and soynut butter and jelly for the other (who has a strict "no nut" policy at school, and yet, somehow they always let me in!). 

making lunches is a deeply tedious task and one of my least favorite mom jobs.

BUT since we're doing it anyway, here's a kooky idea...

what about a sandwich assembly line? a loaf of bread, a jar of PB, a jar of jelly, a butter knife and some ziplock bags. you and your kids can whip out a dozen sandwiches in no time flat.

take them to a shelter, a food bank or just hand them out on the street to those who look like they could use it. it is really fast and really fun and makes a really big difference to the people who are hungry. 

the lesson: if we can help, it's our job to do so. this is the same lesson written here again and again but it's the lesson i really want my kids to own.

***added bonus: while you're at it make a few extras and stockplie for the week's lunch boxes.

Take Out

picture this: squirming toddler in arms, holding hands with 6 year old, pushing VERY full grocery cart out of store, navigating my way through parking lot and speed bumps. homeless man walks up asking for help. sheepish smile and eye-contact avoidance as i say, "sorry" and keep juggling. less than a moment later, 6 year old says, "mom, i thought you were all about helping people".

YIKES! 

this just reinforced what i knew but mostly forget, which is that our kids look to us for clues on how to treat others.

SO, to rectify this shameful memory, i have a plan of action. care to join?

i'm taking my kids to a restaurant that sells GIFT CARDS. buying some, and then WITH MY KIDS, handing them to a person(s) who looks like they need some food. or i can get a few and leave them in the car for when those moments may arise.

if you want to incorporate your child's giving/ spending into this activity, ideas for their own money are; a penny jar (see "penny for your thoughts" post below), money from allowance (one third for saving, one third for spending and one third for donating is a good rule of thumb) or birthday cash all work well.

alternately, a simple but always effective plan, bake or bring leftovers to a person in your neck of the woods. BRING YOUR KIDS WITH YOU. pack it as if you were going to have a brown bag lunch, plastic utensils, a drink and napkins.

in both cases, if you or your children feel apprehensive approaching recipients, it is perfectly acceptable (and maybe even suggested) to stay in the car and pull up near them.

the lesson: need i say it? your kids will see you treating people in need with compassion. they WILL follow your lead.

***added bonus: you'll avoid being shamed (take it from one who knows).

here are some links to restaurants that sell gift cards:

baja fresh

subway sandwiches

koo koo roo (in los angeles only)

starbucks

coffee bean and tea leaf

domino's pizza

it's in the can

clearly not the most glamorous nor innovative philanthropic event, but a can drive is true americana. invite your child to make fliers (or print out a dozen copies on your printer) and deliver them door to door amongst your neighbors. these fliers should look something like this:

hi neighbor,

i am collecting cans for the local ___.

i will be back tomorrow around __ pm to pick up any canned food that you can spare.

thanks for your help.

sincerely,

your child's name.

when you go back to collect, don't forget some empty grocery bags, and a radio flyer wagon if you have one. once you and your child have delivered the cans, the next weekend's project can include teaching them to write thank you cards to those neighbors who were kind enough to participate.

if you are unable to find a recipient, any local church or temple will gladly take whatever you've collected and get them into the right hands (and mouths).

the lesson: talk about food. what they like best, when they feel most hungry, what they know how to cook, or what they want to learn to cook. talk about how your child never has to think about when their next meal will be or from where it will come; how some families aren't quite so lucky and how we can help those in need.

***added bonus: since getting yourself to the gym is your worst enemy, you will work those triceps lifting bags of cans for the afternoon!