Volunteering

These gifts pull double duty. Find something for everyone on your "nice" list, and your hard-earned money goes to a good cause like AIDS research, help for endangered animals, support for the homeless, and much more. This year, bring a little joy...

Teach Kids About Giving to Charity Piggybank on It If the dollar amount that's appropriate for your child to spend seems too little to buy what he might consider to be a decent present, suggest that your child pool his funds with a sibling (when...

Dog-Assisted Therapy If you and your dog both like people and enjoy volunteering, you might enjoy dog-assisted therapy work. Therapy dogs come from all walks of canine life, from the tiny to the tall, from stock dogs and hunting dogs to conforma...

Adopt-a-Pet from the Humane SocietyDirections It is not necessary to buy expensive pets from a pet store or breeder. The Humane Society in your town or county has many homeless animals that would make wonderful pets. Visit the nearest animal she...

Senior Center HelperDirections Most communities have senior centers where older citizens congregate, participate in organized activities, and enjoy each other's company. A Center Director usually plans the activities and supervises them. There a...

Holiday BasketsMaterials Basket Ribbon Liner or cloth napkin Assorted holiday foods Assorted small, useful gifts Directions Before you start, contact your local Social Services agency for families, elderly folk, and handicapped people who would...

Aide to ElderlyDirections Many elderly people would appreciate help with household chores and errands. Here are some services that you could offer: Taking out the garbageHousecleaning Exercising the dogGoing to the Post OfficeWashing laundrySwe...

How to Become a Charitable FamilyGiving your kids a context for giving and making the experience real are behaviors that will help you become a charitable family. Charitable families are highly conscious of opportunities to give, and they make th...

How to Donate - Hurricane Katrina ReliefThese agencies are accepting contributions for aid to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. AmeriCares88 Hamilton Ave.Stamford, CT 06902800-486-4357www.americares.org American Jewish World Service45 West 36th ...

Tips for Young ActivistsAre you ready to make a difference in the world? Whether it's a cause you're working for, the need for a new stop sign in the neighborhood, or a school rule that needs to be made (or changed), keep the following tips in mi...

Talking About Volunteering ON THE MENU: Talking About Volunteering FOR AGES: Five and up There's no doubt about it -- it feels good to give! A recent landmark psychological study shows that people feel the best about themselves and about life whe...

Disaster Relief: What Your Family Can Do to HelpWhen your kids see people in obvious need of help, they may ask, "Is there anything I can do?" The answer is, yes. When I was a child, I remember the news being flooded with pictures of starving Afr...

Breaking the Ice on Volunteer Visits If you and your children are planning to visit a nursing home, community center, or homeless shelter you may be feeling a little uncertain about what to do or say in the presence of strangers. Here are some su...