https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 10 Apr 2026 02:57:01 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ways-to-teach-charityempathy-this-holiday-season#post-2361853 Wed, 18 Nov 2015 16:00:39 +0000 daniellemybelle 2361853@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: That's so great that you did that! It does sound like a big commitment. Is that just in Dallas? That wasn't on the list of the organizations that are formally supported, at least not in Austin. We moved just a few months ago by the way! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ways-to-teach-charityempathy-this-holiday-season#post-2361182 Wed, 18 Nov 2015 10:32:10 +0000 Anagram 2361182@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh and the IRC also used to have a volunteer program where you could could actually help refugee families in person with jist a few days a month--show them how bank accounts work, show them how to get around a grocery store, explain where trash in their apartment goes, etc </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ways-to-teach-charityempathy-this-holiday-season#post-2361177 Wed, 18 Nov 2015 10:29:43 +0000 Anagram 2361177@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: I didn't know you were in Texas now! When I lived in Dallas, I used to adopt a refugee family through the International Refugee Committee, an organization that helps resettle refugees from other countries. It was quite a financial commitment though, since it was a family--like one year I got a family of 4 (with a toddler and baby) and they needed quite a bit--a stroller, vacuum, sheets, clothing, diapers, some Tupperware type bowls, and a bunch of other stuff. I was single at the time and enlisted all my other single friends to help me buy all the items. We were able to buy all their needed items and get them a $300 gift card to Target. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ways-to-teach-charityempathy-this-holiday-season#post-2361110 Wed, 18 Nov 2015 09:50:55 +0000 daniellemybelle 2361110@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Eko: I actually was able to find the two refugee organizations that are supported by the state here in Texas (that will no longer be taking Syrian refugees) and we are going to try to start volunteering! I am looking forward to LO having the chance to interact with people different than us. So if anyone else was interested in helping refugees directly I would recommend looking into that.</p> <p>We are also going to do Operation Christmas Child thanks to @regberadaisy's suggestion! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ways-to-teach-charityempathy-this-holiday-season#post-2361079 Wed, 18 Nov 2015 09:33:20 +0000 Eko 2361079@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am not positive on what you can do specifically for refugees, but I would check to see if there is a Catholic Charities or something similar and ask if there is something you can contribute too.<br /> We send care packages to military overseas every Christmas. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ways-to-teach-charityempathy-this-holiday-season#post-2361004 Wed, 18 Nov 2015 09:05:34 +0000 daniellemybelle 2361004@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@HLK208: That's so sweet &lt;3 Good job mama!</p> <p>@kiddosc: That's great! I think even if they don't understand it's good to start the tradition! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ways-to-teach-charityempathy-this-holiday-season#post-2360152 Tue, 17 Nov 2015 16:22:21 +0000 kiddosc 2360152@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did gifts for two kids around his age through a church last year. He went shopping with us to pick them out and then came along to bring them to the church so he understood that they were going to someone else. I don't know how much he understood at 2.5, but we'll continue the tradition this year and hopefully he'll understand more. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ways-to-teach-charityempathy-this-holiday-season#post-2360134 Tue, 17 Nov 2015 16:18:32 +0000 HLK208 2360134@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We give snacks that we have with us (I know that doesn't seem like much) to the homeless that we see on the street - it's something we do every day though. My son is 6 and he always says, "I made a good choice" afterward. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ways-to-teach-charityempathy-this-holiday-season#post-2360070 Tue, 17 Nov 2015 15:54:40 +0000 .twist. 2360070@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: I wasn't sure if you wanted something specific. I know it's on a lot of peoples minds! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ways-to-teach-charityempathy-this-holiday-season#post-2360049 Tue, 17 Nov 2015 15:48:16 +0000 regberadaisy 2360049@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: I donated $7 for a tracking label that tells you where in the world your box is delivered to. But in the thread I started about operation Christmas child, someone posted a link that showed a video of kids recieving boxes in past years. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ways-to-teach-charityempathy-this-holiday-season#post-2360043 Tue, 17 Nov 2015 15:45:32 +0000 daniellemybelle 2360043@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@.twist.: Thanks for those ideas! I'm not looking for things that are refugee related - I think it is easier for LO to understand doing things in our community. I totally agree that donating is more age appropriate!</p> <p>@regberadaisy: That's so awesome! You don't know the child that gets your box, do you? I feel like a picture might help LO get it more.</p> <p>@jlm22: Those are great ideas! Thanks :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ways-to-teach-charityempathy-this-holiday-season#post-2359763 Tue, 17 Nov 2015 13:04:32 +0000 jlm22 2359763@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What about a random act of kindness every day? (baking cookies for a neighbor, writing a nice note to a teacher/grandparent/etc, dropping off toys/clothes to a shelter)</p> <p>ETA: I post to fast. Just saw the post above mine :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ways-to-teach-charityempathy-this-holiday-season#post-2359756 Tue, 17 Nov 2015 12:55:32 +0000 regberadaisy 2359756@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We started operation Christmas child this year. We explained to our 3.5 year old that there are a lot of kids that do not have all the things she does. Such as food, toys, etc. We told her that we will go to a store and pick out some items for a little girl her age and filled a shoebox then send them out. I asked if she would draw this little girl a picture too. She was very excited to pick out some gifts for her and made her a card. I'm sure she does not understand completely right now, but we plan to make this a yearly thing.</p> <p>We also sponsor a local family during the holidays. She will come with (when possible) to drop the gifts off. She has seen some of the gifts we bought and asked who they are for. We have told her it's not for her, but for a family that needs a little help. Someone that we want to make Christmas special for.</p> <p>We are also going to start dropping off some canned goods quarterly at the city mission. </p> <p>As she gets older I think volunteering at a soup kitchen is a great idea. We did that as a family years back and I hope we can again soon.<br /> I have a family member that takes her kids with her to deliver meals to the elderly via Meals on Wheels. I think that's a great idea too if you're a SAHP and have your own car. She's always said the elderly love seeing the little kids!</p> <p>We are not well off by any means, but we are a lot luckier than a lot of people in this world. It's not much but I believe every little bit helps. They are never too young to be taught to be grateful! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ways-to-teach-charityempathy-this-holiday-season#post-2359745 Tue, 17 Nov 2015 12:48:19 +0000 .twist. 2359745@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There are tons of "random acts of kindness" ideas on pinterest. </p> <p>A few I really like are: </p> <p>1: Leaving dollar bills around the dollar store (or loonies if you're a canuck!).</p> <p>2. Donating books or toys you no longer read/play with to a shelter (rather than, consignment). </p> <p>3. Donating colouring books to a hospital waiting room.</p> <p>4. Instead of donating your unwanted stuff, give it away for free on craigslist. </p> <p>5. Clear out your closet and donate clothes, shoes, jackets, to a homeless shelter. </p> <p>These are obviously not refugee related, but I think donating is a great way to teach kids about the needs of others. I'm not sure, so much, about actual volunteering at such a young age. Which is why I personally am starting with donating and visiting places who need a pick me up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ways-to-teach-charityempathy-this-holiday-season#post-2359741 Tue, 17 Nov 2015 12:47:15 +0000 rattles 2359741@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: that's who we went with too. My moms group has ended up doing regular seasonal events with them, which has been great for both sides I think! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ways-to-teach-charityempathy-this-holiday-season#post-2359725 Tue, 17 Nov 2015 12:36:42 +0000 daniellemybelle 2359725@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rattles: Caroling at a retirement home is a great idea! I may see if my mom's group wants to do that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ways-to-teach-charityempathy-this-holiday-season#post-2359671 Tue, 17 Nov 2015 12:12:46 +0000 rattles 2359671@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did Angel Tree (I tried to find a kid her age and then took her to help shop) and caroling at a retirement home at that age. The soup kitchens and food banks near me didn't accommodate little ones well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ways-to-teach-charityempathy-this-holiday-season#post-2359651 Tue, 17 Nov 2015 12:03:40 +0000 daniellemybelle 2359651@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Everything with the Syrian refugees combined with the irony of the Christmas story (a young Middle Eastern couple unable to find shelter) makes me want to not just pay our values lip service this year. I'm not sure that serving at a soup kitchen or something would really be the best way to teach a 2 year old - but maybe I'm wrong? There is of course Angel Trees and that sort of thing which we probably will do. Just wondering if any of you have any other suggestions! </p>