Donating and Volunteering as a Family
/Here are some tips on child-friendly ways to positively impact your community!
Donating
Make small, recurring donations.
Most grassroots organizations need the support of grants to continue running. When applying for these grants, they are usually evaluated on the frequency of their donations, not the total amounts. Even if you made a larger end of year donation, see if you can also make small, recurring ones. Involve your child by having them collect pocket change, coins you find around the house or on the sidewalk, and put it in a jar to donate each month. Even if it’s only $5, your continued engagement makes a big impact (and always check if your company matches donations - you might be able to double it!).
Give as directly as possible.
Donating to grassroots organizations put resources right into the hands of people who know the best, direct ways to serve your community. There are also great opportunities to “shop” for others who are in need of certain items. For example, you can send book bundles on Open Books and choose which books you’d like to give with your donation. Including your children in this process empowers them and shows them concrete ways to help others.
Volunteering
Check if there is a demand for volunteers and the work that you are doing.
Sometimes when volunteer work is offered, very little ends up impacting your community because it’s primarily a promotional opportunity. There can also be an overwhelming number of volunteers for one effort, but a huge need in the community that is lacking the help it needs in other areas. Look for organizations that describe how the service opportunity directly contributes to their work and is clear about who they need. The Love Fridge has weekly sign ups for picking up and distributing their recurring donations. By helping organizations transport items, you can bring your child along in the car safely and remotely, while still making a big impact.
Contribute your talents!
If there’s something you love to do and are very skilled at, like gardening or cooking, seek out volunteer opportunities (that you can do safely) where you can utilize those skills, like cleaning up your public park or preparing or delivering meal kits for a meal center. These are great opportunities to give your child small tasks or have them mimic you and learn more about those skills through experience.
Contributing Items You Already Have
Donate to your local mutual aid organizations.
Especially after the pandemic, many communities have created mutual aid organizations to pass around items or services to address specific individuals’ needs. Finding one in your area or around the city can give opportunities for you and your child to connect with new neighbors in a positive and personal way. Here at the Trails School, we have the Trails Community Network that you can always utilize to pass or receive items from our Trails family.
Ask what’s needed.
Especially during the holiday season, organizations can be overwhelmed with items people want to give away but aren’t necessarily the items that are needed. When you think about contributing extra food, clothes, supplies, or toys to an organization, check their website and see if they have a list of most needed items. CAWC has a wishlist of specific items they’re looking for - even the sizes of diapers that they need! Use these lists to look around the house with your child and find the items that you are willing to pass along. You can easily turn a housekeeping task into an indoor scavenger hunt that’s helping your community!