Do you want to have a positive impact on your community while instilling good values in your children?

Volunteer. Volunteering as a family introduces children how to give back … and it’s fun!

The USA Freedom Corps Volunteer Network helps you find service projects in your area. You can also contact local volunteer centers, libraries, churches, community and senior centers, police and fire stations, and park services.

Here are some terrific volunteer ideas for your family:

• Join a Habitat for Humanity build. Your family can help another family’s home ownership dream come true.
• Even more exciting for kids is KaBOOM! Your family can take part in a one-day playground build that will serve local children for years to come.
• Participate in a reading program - you and your children can read books to seniors and younger children. Visit the National Endowment for the Humanities We the People Bookshelf for reading suggestions.
• Collect food for your local food bank. Through your church, scouts, or on your own, your family can help keep the shelves well-stocked.

Volunteering as a family will bring you closer together. The opportunities are endless, and you’ll be surprised by what you can do to help your community.

Read more:

• Selecting volunteer projects for your child
• Teaching charity to our children

In USA WEEKEND, Ann Pleshette Murphy discusses how to encourage kids to care. She reminds parents that various studies have shown that altruism can start as early as 18 months of age. 

Additionally, Murphy notes that research shows that kids who volunteer have better grades fewer discipline problems and are less likely than their ego-centric peers to abuse alcohol drugs and tobacco. In fact, kids who volunteer just one hour a week are 50% less likely to engage in risky behavior. Murphy provides these 3 tips for parents to help get their kids to care:

1. Reward your child’s impulses to aid other people in your own house.
2. Reach out to neighbors to work together on service projects or to help those in need.
3. Pick an area of interest that inspires the individual to take social action.