Helping others helps your children develop compassion and empathy. Considering the needs of others is an important life skill that will serve your children throughout their adult lives. Just as parents teach their children to have compassion for siblings and friends, they can also teach children to have compassion for those who are less fortunate.
Many families teach their children to help others by volunteering in their church, school or community. Consider volunteering to serve as a family with your favorite organization. If you're already a volunteer, for a specific organization ask if the organization allows children to serve. Some organizations have minimum age limits due to insurance regulations.
There are many organizations in our community who help provide services to those in need. Reach out to one or more of these local organizations and you'll help someone in need in our community to enjoy a brighter holiday season.
1. The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lynchburg provides a safe and friendly space for children in the community to learn, be creative, and have fun with afterschool programs and mentoring. The clubs are in constant need of supplies and tools to adequately support local youth, who truly need and deserve help. Check out The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lynchburg Wishlist for requested items and donate today.
2. Central Virginia CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is a program that helps abused and neglected children find the support they need as they move through the court system. CASA volunteers act as the child's spokesperson. Additional volunteer opportunities with CASA include: helping with the newsletter, recruiting volunteers, providing data entry, helping with fundraising, and making a financial donation. In addition, your purchase of a starfish necklace or ornament can make a difference in the life of a child, one at a time. Visit the CASA website to donate or learn more about the volunteer opportunities.
3. Lynchburg Daily Bread has provided a hot meal in a Christian environment to the needy of the Lynchburg area for 35 years. In addition, Lynchburg Daily Bread offers meals at multiple outreach sites in the greater Lynchburg area. Each day, 10-12 volunteers prepare, cook and serve the meal to the homeless and hungry of our community. The greatest need of volunteers is on Sundays and Mondays. You can also help with a cash donation or a gift of food or supplies, including: trash bags, foam plates, plastic silverware, cleaning supplies, and personal hygiene items. Visit the Lynchburg Daily Bread website to donate, volunteer your time, or for a complete list of needed supplies.
4. Jubilee Family Development Center was founded in 1999 in response to the community’s overwhelming need for a program that would target at-risk youth and offer them programs and services to help develop their academic and social skills.Jubilee provides high quality academic, athletic, and occupational programs that foster personal, social and spiritual growth and the stability of families. Programs include: Youth Educational Support Program, Summer Enrichment Camp, adult classes and workshops, 3 Point Play Program, athletic and STEM programs, and more. Visit the Jubilee Family Development Center website to donate, volunteer your time, or find a list of needed supplies.
5. Lynchburg Humane Society offers many opportunities to volunteer for individuals 14 years or older, if you are under the age of 14 you can still volunteer when accompanied by an adult. Some of the volunteer opportunities currently open include: cat playmate, humane educators, kennel assistant, dog socializing, adoption counseling, dog walking and outings, help with off-site events and foster care. You can also help Lynchburg Humane Society with cash, stock, and vehicle donations. Visit the Lynchburg Humane Society for more information about volunteer opportunities.
6. Meals on Wheels of Greater Lynchburg provides nutritious hot meals to people in need of all ages in the Lynchburg area. Last year, more than 900 volunteers delivered over 75,000 meals to those in need. Additional volunteer opportunities include: monthly Animeals delivery of donated pet food to Meals on Wheels recipients, delivery of Christmas gifts in early December, delivering birthday boxes throughout the year, holiday deliveries, blizzard box deliveries, and providing tray favors such as cards, notes, magnets, or decorations. You can also help with a financial contribution. Visit the Meals on Wheels website for more information about volunteer opportunities.
7. HumanKind is a human services organization that strengthens individuals and families through care, counseling and education. One of HumanKind's upcoming signature annual fundraising events is the Lynchburg Turkey Trot for HumanKind, a 5K run and walk which takes place on Thanksgiving morning. Volunteer opportunities with HumanKind include: assisting with programs on a regular basis, donating canned and non-perishable foods and household goods, and helping run events such as the Turkey Trot, Executive Spelling Bee and other annual events. HumanKind also accepts financial contributions. Visit the HumanKind website for more information, to volunteer, or to register for the Turkey Trot.
8. Gleaning For The World is a top-rated charity that helps people here in Central Virginia and around the world, providing milk and juice to needy families in Central Virginia, disaster relief in the United States and all over the world, assists refugee families with food and household necessities, helps the homeless with food, blankets, and programs to help them get back on their feet, assists Central Virginia veterans with personal care items and snacks, and helps provide food for American families in need in partnership with churches, food pantries, and soup kitchens. Nearly 2,000 volunteers assist with Gleaning For The World programs, including scout troops, families, church and youth groups. Visit the Gleaning For The World website to learn more about volunteer opportunities or to make a financial contribution.
In addition to serving as a volunteer, you can also consider a financial contribution to an organization whose mission or goals matches your family's values in memory or honor of a loved one. This is another way to teach your kids the importance of helping others.
As you are out and about running holiday errands, look for other ways to help: food drives at local grocery stores, toy drives at local retail stores, clothing donation boxes in the community, and giving trees at churches and other public locations. This year, celebrate the holidays by helping those who are less fortunate and teach your kids about love, compassion, and caring for others.
