charity begins with kids
Filed Under Tips & Tricks | December 6, 2011
The wrapping paper covered shoe box is divided in half with a slot on each side. All year it has been receiving monthly deposits. Half of our kids’ (they’re five and eight years old) allowance is designated to charity. This weekend, following the last deposit for the year, we sat down to figure out where this year’s donations would go.
First we brainstormed – who or what might need our help? Sick children, poor people, animals, the environment, people in other countries…
Once they couldn’t think of any more ideas, they ranked their ideas based on where they most wanted to help. This was a tough exercise; “But it’s all important!”, the 5-year-old exclaimed. It’s a sobering, but valuable, realization for them that there is so much need.
Having chosen a general area (or two) to donate to, we talked a little bit about their choice so they had a clearer idea of what type of charity they were looking for. What would be the toughest thing about being poor as a kid? Going hungry; no place to sleep; no Christmas presents. Why are some of the damaging things being done to the environment a problem? Animal extinction; rising ocean levels; pollution.
And then it was research time. The eight-year-old was set loose to do some online research, after first having a quick refresher on online safety. After a few false starts (search criteria way too broad) we talked about the five “W’s” (who, what, when, where, why), and he was able to use these to find a few charities. Meanwhile, we did some research with our five-year-old and gave him three charities to choose from.
With charities chosen, the kids set to work writing/drawing letters to send with their donation. We do this for two reasons; First it reinforces their reasons for giving. Secondly, we know (from personal experience) how much these letters/drawings from young donors make the day of the very hard working staff of charities.
We trade them a cheque for their toonies and loonies, and their donations are popped in the mail. At this time of year we know it will take longer than usual to get their thank you letter. The timing however, should be impeccable, arriving just as they are making their first 2012 charity deposit in the shoe box. A great affirmation of the good they can do!
For their age choosing charities was more than sufficient, but as they get older we’ll be teaching them how to assess a charity: Does it honour the Donor Bill of Rights? Are financial records provided online? Do third parties like MoneySense rate it highly for using donations efficiently?
Our hope? That they’ll never stop giving.
Yo Mama, looking for other ways to get your kids thinking of others this season? Here are a few more ideas:
2 Responses to “charity begins with kids”
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Thank you for the inspiring thoughts! At Buddings, we’ve had our thinking caps on about the types of giving we’d like to do, and the ways we can contribute, and the thought of getting the kids involved in this way makes a tonne of sense!
This is a lovely tradition you’ve set up with your kids.
Thanks,
Talia
Thanks for the great read. I’ve been wondering about how to make it real when talking to our kids about giving and charities. Love this.