https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 12 Apr 2026 01:34:55 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/volunteering-with-children-around-the-holidays#post-2647274 Thu, 03 Nov 2016 10:56:53 +0000 MamaG 2647274@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Last year at the holidays we did two things with our then 4+ year old:</p> <p>1) made cookies and took them to the local fire department to show them our thanks for their service.</p> <p>2) Visited a local nursing home and delivered "blessing bags" (this was a group activity). The blessing bags were socks, a personal care item like lotion and a book like a puzzle book or reader's digest or other magazine. We spent time giving them to the residents and sang a few Christmas carols. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/volunteering-with-children-around-the-holidays#post-2647254 Thu, 03 Nov 2016 10:39:17 +0000 T-Mom 2647254@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have volunteered at a Toys For Tots drive. We donated toys and then participated in the hand-out event. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/volunteering-with-children-around-the-holidays#post-2647153 Thu, 03 Nov 2016 08:58:59 +0000 lilyann 2647153@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Following as well. We want to incorporate more volunteering this year. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/volunteering-with-children-around-the-holidays#post-2647152 Thu, 03 Nov 2016 08:58:49 +0000 Mrs. Yoyo 2647152@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Following too ... I've been thinking about this a lot lately. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/volunteering-with-children-around-the-holidays#post-2647147 Thu, 03 Nov 2016 08:56:54 +0000 Mama Bird 2647147@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Following for ideas! I really like these suggestions. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/volunteering-with-children-around-the-holidays#post-2647114 Thu, 03 Nov 2016 08:28:59 +0000 yoursilverlining 2647114@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Another thought - nursing homes can always use homemade cards and things from children, to give to residents who don't have family (or family that visit), or just to brighten up the space! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/volunteering-with-children-around-the-holidays#post-2647111 Thu, 03 Nov 2016 08:27:59 +0000 yoursilverlining 2647111@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I volunteer with LO, and 4 is definitely old enough to get it! A lot of places have minimum age restrictions for children volunteering there (like at the soup kitchen, for example), even if the child wouldn’t be doing any work and would just be there with an adult, so that’s an off the bat question to ask. </p> <p>LO and I have sorted through her old clothing and toys and donated them to a local DV shelter – with that one, LO does all the picking, most of the putting into bags and we deliver the stuff together. </p> <p>I also make Thanksgiving dinner and deliver it to a local homeless veterans shelter and LO helps me buy the food, cook the food and deliver it. </p> <p>There are also organizations like Samaritan’s Purse; but I personally prefer to pick non-religiously affiliated groups if possible. </p> <p>Also, you can also sponsor foster children through DHHS for the holidays. Last year I picked a girl that was LO’s age and a younger boy and LO picked out the gifts. It was a good opportunity to ask about being fortunate and about giving back.</p> <p>Oh – and since you are local. One of my favorite organizations is Amistad (in Portland on State St.). It’s a member-run shelter and recovery center. They have showers there for use by members/public who are homeless and always need toiletry items, silverware and stuff for their kitchen, etc. So that’s another one that’s easy to buy for (I just let LO pick whatever travel size shampoo/conditioner/body wash she wants to at Target, we talk about issues and then drop things off together). (travel sized items are preferred to large sizes) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/volunteering-with-children-around-the-holidays#post-2647080 Thu, 03 Nov 2016 08:05:36 +0000 Mamaof2 2647080@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just joined a Local chapter called Kids Care - its all about families helping other families - we have done 2 things</p> <p>1. Feed my Starving Children (this was for kids 5 and up) - we scooped/weighed/packed bags of manna </p> <p>2. New/Used toy and clothes drive - we brought stuff we didn't use anymore and sorted all the donations.</p> <p>Both went great! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/volunteering-with-children-around-the-holidays#post-2647074 Thu, 03 Nov 2016 07:55:41 +0000 winniebee 2647074@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would like to take my older son to volunteer at some point over the holidays - something that would help him understand the importance of giving back to the community, helping those less fortunate, etc. He's 4.5 so I think he could understand it. Have you volunteered with your child? If so, what did you do and how did it go? </p>