WHY TEACH VOLUNTEERISM TO KIDS?

Are only rich people philanthropists? Do philanthropists only give money? Can a kid be a philanthropist? The answers are no, no, and yes. Philanthropy is giving - support, kindness, care, aid, assistance, concern, goodwill, generosity, and yes, money as well. As an educator I think kindergartners make the best philanthropists. Why? Because they give the best hugs. Yes, one can volunteer hugs. Kids are great, they don't care who you are, if you treat them nicely they gang up on you and hug you 'til your legs are numb for a week. Can you imagine how an elderly person in a nursing home who rarely gets touched feels getting one of those hugs? For them it's a wonderful gift. Why, because it's love you're giving and volunteering is all about love.

Philanthropy and volunteerism are not about grand gestures. I always tell my students that small gestures can a make just as big an impact as huge and complex projects. Kids often feel they are too young and powerless to contribute to a cause. Yet kids have enormous power. Many times it's easier for a child to get donations of money or goods than it is for adults simply because they're kids. As adults we're looked upon with suspicion, kids are viewed completely opposite by donors. It's the "awwww" factor. So to paraphrase the late Anita Roddick, founder of the Body Shop, if you think something small can't make a difference, sleep in a room with a mosquito.

Though I mentioned money above, you don't have to give money. Actually I don't believe in kids giving money except in certain situations, I'll get into that some other time. Money is too impersonal and kids can't relate to it. They don't see where the money goes and therefore don't make a connection. The connection is the most important part of volunteerism for kids. It is what motivates them. For example, my son and I buy a donut and a coffee for the homeless man who hangs out in front of our local 7-Eleven whenever we see him there. We talk to him while he eats and have gotten to know him quite well. He has a name, David. Now when my son sees David he sees him as a human being; and this former scary guy who sits on the sidewalk sees my son and I as friends. Connection made.

We all have busy lives - two jobs, kids sports, dance, drama, drama queens, dinner, cleaning, grocery shopping, doctors appointments. I understand, but helping others should be another naturally occurring thing on that list. It should be something fun that you do as a family, not tedious because the aim is to instill volunteering as a lifelong interest in your your kids. Just like sports, good hygiene and eating habits. There many things out there for families to do that are interesting and fun and save lives at the same time. Parents often complain to me that their kids are too entitled. Well to counter that we need to teach our kids a little more selflessness, but in a sly way so they don't realize that its happening. Parents don't need to lecture, but they do need to educate their kids how the have-nots survive. It doesn't have to be depressing, or promote guilt, there are other ways of accomplishing selflessness.

When discussing with kids how they should feel when they are 'doing a good deed' I use this example. You've been invited to a friend's birthday party, you spent all day picking out the perfect present. We're at the point in the party where your friend is opening their gifts. They pick up yours and begin to unwrap it, you can tell when the wrapping is off that they love what you got them. You know that feeling of joy and excitement you feel when you see your friends face...that's the feeling you should get when you volunteer to help someone. You should feel proud that you took the time and did the right thing. You are a good person.

I have seen all kinds of kids grow and change and improve so much because they were given the power to make change. They felt in control and knew they made a difference by the response they got. Everyone wants to feel empowered and needed, especially children. It's good for the soul. Volunteerism is a saving grace for all concerned, no one loses, no one comes out feeling bad. So, if volunteerism is such a confidence builder for kids and families why don't you try it. Let me know how it goes.