https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 17 Apr 2026 20:05:07 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/volunteering#post-2314247 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 20:01:55 +0000 mrs.shinerbock 2314247@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A few other ideas - have LO help bake cookies and take them to your local fire/police station. Do something nice for one of your neighbors - shovel snow or rake leaves. Make packets with travel sized toiletries and a few snacks to give to the homeless. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/volunteering#post-2314236 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 19:55:54 +0000 babypugs 2314236@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@winter_wonder: @looch: @yoursilverlining: Y'all, these are all wonderful ideas! I agree; the earlier the better, and these are opportunities that won't hinder anyone else. I guess I was worried about her being in the way or causing slow downs, but these are all totally doable. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/volunteering#post-2314223 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 19:46:12 +0000 yoursilverlining 2314223@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't think any age is too young to volunteer! The more you do it, the more a normal part of life it is. LO and I have done a lot of animal involved volunteering since she was very little. Buying food for shelters (LO gets to pick out the food, we take it in together, etc), dog rescue transport together and more. We go through her toys and clothes to pick things out to give (works best to have her pick through things that no longer fit, are "baby" toys, etc). We also shop angel trees for toys, and LO gets to pick them out and "helps" me wrap them. We do similar for charity food drives - I tell LO what we need and she gets it off the shelf at the store, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/volunteering#post-2314217 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 19:44:08 +0000 looch 2314217@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've brought my son to a beach clean up, he had a blast, he was around 2.5 at the time. </p> <p>You can do walk a thons, there are always things like that going on where I live. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/volunteering#post-2314195 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 19:28:46 +0000 Mae 2314195@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't volunteer as much now as I would like to in the future but I do charity shoots occasionally and when LO is old enough to be helpful for an hour (5 or 6 maybe?) I'll take her with me so she can see what I do and why we do it. Also when she's a bit older I plan to have her help me shop for toys for charity and drop them off. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/volunteering#post-2314166 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 19:02:56 +0000 winter_wonder 2314166@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This might not be exactly what you're thinking about...but, I think it's nice when younger people go visit and volunteer at long-term care facilities. Even just visiting/chatting can really go a long way to brighten someone's day!</p> <p>I also know that older adults tend to really enjoy this (oftentimes they rarely see younger people, especially children). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/volunteering#post-2314162 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 19:00:22 +0000 mrbee 2314162@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@babypugs: We bought a little litter picker upper thing, kind of a robot claw sorta deal. I have my kids hold the trash bags and point out the trash, and then I grab it with the claw and put it in the trash bag of the kid who spotted the litter! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/volunteering#post-2314158 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 18:59:13 +0000 babypugs 2314158@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: That's a great idea! Kids already love picking up everything when they're walking... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/volunteering#post-2314144 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 18:51:34 +0000 mrbee 2314144@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@babypugs: The most success we've had is with picking up litter! We have to do it together though, because people throw some nasty/dangerous stuff on the sidewalk/streets around here!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/volunteering#post-2314140 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 18:48:37 +0000 babypugs 2314140@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My hometown has been badly affected by a flood, and we've been out of work all week. Almost everyone that has stayed safe and dry has spent most of the week volunteering (we have an awesome community!). I've seen lots of kids as young as 3 helping out. It got me thinking--what are some great ways that you can teach your kids about community and service? What are some service opportunities that you feel are appropriate for preschoolers or toddlers? How young is too young? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/volunteeringcommunity-service-with-a-lo#post-1703123 Mon, 16 Jun 2014 13:39:24 +0000 yoursilverlining 1703123@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Community service is an important part of our lives too, and sometimes that we feel is extremely important to have LO participate in.</p> <p>Right now, LO enjoys going to the pet store to pick out food/treats for the animal shelter and enjoys taking her items to the shelter and giving them to the dogs/cats there. We tell her she is helping our the animals, and she really gets excited!<br /> A local group in our area made Valentines to pass out at nursing homes so LO partook in that too. I’m toying with the idea of having her start to make a few Valentine (or Christmas holiday) cards a week year round, so that we have plenty to give out in December/February.</p> <p>We also go through and cull out old toys and clothes and donate those to a shelter for domestic violence victims. Of course, LO doesn’t really understand the whole concept yet at 2 years old, but she understands needing to share her toys with kids/babies who need toys too. </p> <p>Sometimes libraries need helpers, and community gardens are a great idea too. I bet putting together meals for meals-on-wheels (or a similiar program) would be doable with a LO in tow, especially if your LO likes being worn. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/volunteeringcommunity-service-with-a-lo#post-1703109 Mon, 16 Jun 2014 13:33:06 +0000 rattles 1703109@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had been looking for something to do with my LO too, and we just started once a month at a nursing home. A local mom's group hires a guitarist to come and play kid's songs and the kids sing with the residents and dance around in the middle. It's perfect for this stage (18 months). We also adopted a family at the holidays each year and plan to have her help shop for the kids. I figure that as her skills change, so will the ways we volunteer, but like you, it's important to me to have that be a part of our family life. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/volunteeringcommunity-service-with-a-lo#post-1703095 Mon, 16 Jun 2014 13:30:13 +0000 Zbug 1703095@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: community garden is a great idea!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/volunteeringcommunity-service-with-a-lo#post-1702699 Mon, 16 Jun 2014 11:22:44 +0000 looch 1702699@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I brought my son to a beach clean up last fall, he was probably 30 months or so? He loved picking up stuff and putting it in the bag, but I didn't do nearly as much as I would have been able to had I been on my own that morning.</p> <p>I am also planning to bring him to a community gardening event, I know he'll love that, he even has his own gardening spade! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/volunteeringcommunity-service-with-a-lo#post-1702695 Mon, 16 Jun 2014 11:19:56 +0000 Zbug 1702695@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Since I'm not currently working, I would really like to do some volunteer work. The problem is that the weekends are busy, and I don't want to give up that family time. I would love to volunteer during the week, but it would need to be something I could do with LO (8 mo) in tow. Anyone volunteer with a baby?</p> <p>Along the same lines, I would like LO to grow up understanding the importance of community service. Thinking ahead to the future, I would love for us to do some community service that she could actually participate in once she's a bit older. Ideas I've thought of include visiting nursing homes, donating toys/clothes, adopting a family for the holidays, making cards for seniors. Any other ideas? Does your LO participate in any community service activities? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-not-planning-on-teaching-los-about-charityvolunteering/page/2#post-1367274 Wed, 22 Jan 2014 14:02:19 +0000 Arden 1367274@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: I agree. People volunteering simply for the sake of checking the box will probably result in both them and the charity getting nothing out of the experience. I think people need to find something they can be passionate about. </p> <p>I guess my problem is with the attitude of indifference that I see sometimes, the sort of "it's not my responsibility to do anything" outlook. If someone wants to make the world a better place and is still searching for their own way to do that, that's great! At least they are working towards finding their niche, their part of the solution. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-not-planning-on-teaching-los-about-charityvolunteering/page/2#post-1367258 Wed, 22 Jan 2014 14:00:21 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 1367258@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Freckles: TBH I have no idea. Just recently I had a convo with an American who lived in the UK for a couple of years. Her experience was so different from my friends' who has been there for 8 years. One woman was talking about lots of government assistance including paying fam members to care for their disabled kin already on assisstance and the other works at consulting group non-profit and regularly interacts with the Queen's daughter. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-not-planning-on-teaching-los-about-charityvolunteering/page/2#post-1367230 Wed, 22 Jan 2014 13:55:24 +0000 sunny 1367230@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I enjoyed volunteering as a teen. I wasn't able to commit to the hours of a part time job, but volunteering 1-2 hrs on a weekly basis was doable. I continued even through the first year of my first real job. I did it until I didn't love doing it anymore. At this point in my life I just don't have the extra hours so we give through money rather than time. However I would like to demonstrate to my kids that giving is more than writing a check once a year. </p> <p>Above all I just want my kids to be compassionate, caring individuals. I hope that giving is part of that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-not-planning-on-teaching-los-about-charityvolunteering/page/2#post-1367199 Wed, 22 Jan 2014 13:49:34 +0000 looch 1367199@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've calmed down a lot and I think I am ready to participate civilly in this thread.</p> <p>I hate that volunteering has become something where people feel they need to put a tick in the box. If it makes you feel good and it is a good use of your time, that's a win. If you just go because you feel you have to and you're in a sour mood, it's not helping anyone. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-not-planning-on-teaching-los-about-charityvolunteering/page/2#post-1366719 Wed, 22 Jan 2014 12:13:47 +0000 Freckles 1366719@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: Do you think maybe it's because Sweden has great social programs (funded through taxes) that people don't feel the need to do more? I would think the situation over there vs. US is pretty different. </p> <p>@ElbieKay: I agree with you. :heart: I'm sure all of those things could be considered contributions to society.</p> <p>This is not to say that all people feel this way, but people have to admit that volunteering makes you feel good and it's a way to pat yourself on the back for helping out those in need. Instilling altruism in my LO would be more important to me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-not-planning-on-teaching-los-about-charityvolunteering/page/2#post-1366555 Wed, 22 Jan 2014 11:35:08 +0000 MrsH 1366555@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cranberryapple: We will instill volunteering becuase I do think it is important for kids in middle school and high school to volunteer. It teaches a lot of values and promotes social growth of the child. I do agree with your DH though - right now the taxes I pay far outweigh any benefit society would obtain from me volunteering my time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-not-planning-on-teaching-los-about-charityvolunteering/page/2#post-1366401 Wed, 22 Jan 2014 10:47:03 +0000 T.H.O.U. 1366401@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree that "volunteering" can be in many forms. I don't think I will be taking my daughter out to a Habitat for Humanity build or anything like that but I will teach her how to be a good citizen. </p> <p>Little things like the girl scout, "Leave it better then how you found it" by picking up an extra piece of trash out of the park. Or volunteering to make cookies for a sick friend. Or as others have suggested donating gifts or goods. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-not-planning-on-teaching-los-about-charityvolunteering/page/2#post-1366329 Wed, 22 Jan 2014 10:21:10 +0000 Boheme 1366329@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2: Excellent point! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-not-planning-on-teaching-los-about-charityvolunteering/page/2#post-1365997 Wed, 22 Jan 2014 08:23:04 +0000 Mamaof2 1365997@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In this day and age volunteer work is very important to colleges and scholarships!</p> <p>My DSS is applying right now and has been rejected for several scholarships due to zero volunteer experience. He was also told by the Army ROTC interviewer that his lack of volunteer work really pushed his application to the bottom of the pile.</p> <p>Just something to think about - as I am sure 18 yrs from now it will still be just as important! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-not-planning-on-teaching-los-about-charityvolunteering/page/2#post-1365908 Wed, 22 Jan 2014 05:29:25 +0000 ElbieKay 1365908@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think that it's important to be grateful for what you have, but I think there are various ways to act on that. I agree with @Looch's sentiment about some volunteer opportunities being a waste of time. A lot of charities have a high overhead cost too. And there are ways to be thoughtful about your lifestyle that can make an impact.</p> <p>During college I volunteered to tutor at a disadvantaged elementary school but I saw different kids every week and did not feel like I had much impact on any one kid. During my late 20s I was on the board of a small opera company and honestly it was really a way for the director to earn a(n admittedly meager) salary though it did provide some young singers with the opportunity to perform and bolster their resumes. I'm not sure if those versions of volunteering had any more or less impact on society than when I write checks to support friends' fundraising causes or when I simply spent a lot of time when I was unemployed hanging out with my best friend to help her with her new baby. And I did not own a car from ages 22-34 which was a lifestyle choice that had a relatively positive impact on the environment.</p> <p>I don't think you have to spend Thanksgiving at a soup kitchen or make your kid donate his birthday presents in order to be a thoughtful and contributing member of society. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-not-planning-on-teaching-los-about-charityvolunteering/page/2#post-1365764 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 22:54:13 +0000 wonderstruck 1365764@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it's important for my kids to realize that not everyone is as lucky as them, and to help each other out - goes pretty much hand-in-hand with the kindness and empathy that I want to instill in him. I don't plan on going too nuts with it when he's little, but things like picking out some toys he doesn't play with anymore and explaining how they can help other kids is something I definitely plan on doing.</p> <p>My parents have sponsored a child (now a young man) in Kenya since I was 7 or 8, and growing up it was quite a revelation for me to see how different his life was - although hypothetically I knew about 3rd world countries, it was much more real to me when we were receiving letters from him hoping to get rain so they would have food to eat, raving about the new cooking supplies the money we sent paid for, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-not-planning-on-teaching-los-about-charityvolunteering/page/2#post-1365763 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 22:53:37 +0000 blackbird 1365763@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Maybe you guys just need to find something you feel strongly about? It's not always volunteering for the poor and underprivileged or planting trees, but like Danielle said, children's cancer organizations, animal societies, mental health groups, veterans orgs, art related stuff for students, etc. The list goes on and on. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-not-planning-on-teaching-los-about-charityvolunteering/page/2#post-1365754 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 22:46:36 +0000 Arden 1365754@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cranberryapple: I'm glad to see your reply! You seem open minded and hopefully this thread provided some good concepts to share with your husband. There are so many different ways to serve the community around us, I'm sure you'll be able to find one that fits your personalities and outlook. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-not-planning-on-teaching-los-about-charityvolunteering/page/2#post-1365745 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 22:41:55 +0000 daniellemybelle 1365745@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>One of the bloggers here posted about an awesome tradition of donating birthday gifts to the children's hospital. This is something we plan to do as well every year. Honestly, I don't see how something like that could possibly conflict with the idea of being a productive member of society, no matter how you look at it. Like someone else said, teaching our daughter about empathy is very important to us. @cranberryapple: Perhaps something like what I described would be a good compromise for you? I can't imagine your husband arguing that children with cancer should pull themselves up from their bootstraps! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-not-planning-on-teaching-los-about-charityvolunteering/page/2#post-1365652 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 21:51:13 +0000 matador84 1365652@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used to teach history and a part of it was on civic virtue and what makes a person a good citizen. Part of the state standard I had to teach included things like serving on a jury, paying taxes, obeying laws, and volunteering are all parts of rights/responsibilities of citizenship and civic virtue. </p>