10 ways your family can serve others

Service is important. It has been something that has always been an integral part of my life, and now that I have kids, it is important for me to teach them about service and why we should give it as often as we possibly can. Did you know that Family Volunteer Day is coming up on November 18? It is a global day of service created to encourage families to volunteer together in support of their neighborhoods and communities — not only on the day of the event but also throughout the holiday season and every day during the year. The holiday season is such a perfect time for us to give whatever we can, whenever we can. Our time, talents, clothes, food, and anything else we can do.

Family Volunteer Day is sponsored by Disney and generationOn and occurs annually on the Saturday before Thanksgiving; this year’s date is November 18. The great thing about this day is that it provides families with volunteer opportunities to experience the benefits of service to others. It doesn’t matter if you have done family service regularly, or if you are new to the game. There is something for everyone and a way to help that will touch the lives of those around you.  Be sure to check that out, and you also read these 10 ways your family can serve others:

1. Pick one day each month and plan a family service project
2. Stop and help with yard work in a neighbors yard
3. Take dinner to a family in need
4. Go through your clothes, toys, books, etc and donate unused items to shelters, etc
5. Ask friends and family members to go through their unused items and collect them and donate them as well
6. Put together kits and find out where you can donate them to be used overseas (like hygiene kits, newborn kits, etc)
7. Make homemade cards and bake cookies and take them around to your neighbors and see if they need anything
8. Volunteer to babysit for a friend or family member so they can have a date night (this is great for your kids to get experience)
9. Organize a food drive (especially around the holidays) and donate the food to a local food pantry
10. Write encouraging notes and leave them anonymously on your friends and neighbors doors

It doesn’t take much for your family to make a big difference in someone else’s life. Be a good example to your kids and teach them why service is important. I have a very strong conviction about service and the effect it has had on not just the lives of those you serve, but your life and the lives of your family. Be sure to visit http://www.generationon.org/fvd and search the Family Volunteer Day page, families can volunteer through local service projects in their own neighborhoods or find more than 100 DIY projects. We found over 250 opportunities to serve close to us and my kids are thrilled to go through the list and put some of the opportunities on our calendar. This is something we are going to continue doing throughout the year.

What does your family do to serve others?