How We Do: Community Service for Kids

Summers get long at my house. We are always fighting the words, "Mom, I'm bored!". Although that phrase is a great opportunity for me to enlist their help in cleaning the house, I wanted to fill the time with something that was going to help shape the kids' work ethic and give them the rewarding feeling that comes from giving back to the community. Our church sponsors a thrift store called Renew. The entire store is ran on donations and volunteers. I saw a perfect opportunity to get the kids involved and help maintain my sanity through the summer. Sorting clothes and hangers, dusting items, sweeping floors, and calculating change are all kid level jobs that, with adult supervision, contribute to the success of the store.

So all summer long Thursdays at our house are Thrift Store Thursdays!

                                                                                

Some work harder than others, but getting to pick one thing to buy before they leave is great incentive.

Other community service projects for kids:

Vacation Bible School Volunteer

Sunday School Classroom Assistant

IDNR Kids Volunteer Program http://dnr.state.il.us/volunteer/kids.htm

Science Center Helpers (14 years old and older) si.sciencecenter@gmail.com

Williamson County Child Advocacy Center "Kids Got Talent" www.wcocac.org

Free Babysitting for a Parent's Night Out (13 years and older)

Toy Donations or Toy Drive

Raise money to donate to local charities

Feel free to share your kids volunteer opportunities!