A Heart of Service

Teach your children to have a heart of service for those less fortunate.  According to an article in the December 2010 issue of Good Housekeeping magazine, parents must get their kids off of the couch and into helping their community by steering them to generation.org.  This new site is part of the Points of Light Institute, which earned four out of four stars from Charity Navigator.  GenerationOn is the largest youth volunteer service organization in nation and they've got the resources, ideas, and directions to get every child interested and involved.  Some top picks for family service projects, from generationOn vice president of family and youth Kathy Saulitis:

1. Give Hope: Have your kids imagine a children like themselves (say, a 9-year-old boy) who is less materially blessed, and then brainstrom what small gifts might make him happy.  Fill up a hope chest with somw of these items.  Instructions on building, filling, and distributing chest are on the site,as are ideas on finding deserving recipients.

2. Share Comfort: Ask your children to think about the things that they use dailyto stay clean and healthy (like a toothbrush, shampoo, soap, etc.), and have them to imagine being homeless and doing without them. Use generationOn's online gide to assemble a nd distribute Healthy Kids Kits to homeless kids.  Not only will the recipients benefit, but so will your children as they build empathyand is able to take pride in helping others throughout the year.