Tiny Altruists
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This craft was made to support Operation Sock Monkey which helps bring joy to kids who live in areas affected by natural disasters, disease, turmoil, and political instability worldwide  

June 21, 2017

​One of my family’s core values is to help other people. It can be hard to find “hands-on” ways to develop this kind of empathy in young children. I want them to grow up not just thinking about it as something to do for the holidays. I want it to become a life-long habit. People are hungry, need shelter and comfort all year long. I’ve come up with a list of ways of things we like to do and are planning to do this summer.

Monthly Grocery Donation

Each month we like to put together enough food to feed a family our size a full meal. They help pick out the groceries at the store, bag them and drop off where donations are collected.

Toy Purge

We talk frequently about how important it is that we share what we have with others. The kids have picked out toys they are ready to donate. It’s not limited to just the Goodwill. During times of crisis from the aftermath of severe storms, to rescue responders who need a distraction toy are a few examples. Some new and unopened toys can usually be taken to the local children’s hospital as well. They are eager to help knowing that their toy will be given to someone who may have no toys or might make a very sick child smile.

Cards for Hospitalized Children

Even if your child cannot write legibly yet, they can help draw a picture or place stickers on cards. While Noah was in the hospital, I remember thinking how sweet it was that people took time in their day to write a card to someone they did not know that needed a little lifting up to their day.

Soup Kitchen Helpers

While mine are too young to serve meals, our local soup kitchen offers a variety of projects that can include small children such as gathering summer supplies to be handed out to the homeless, holiday boxes and opportunities to decorate the inside of the building.

Ronald McDonald House

Kids can go with you and pick out what’s needed at the store and tag along for the drop off. There is always a need for household supplies such as toilet paper, paper towels, coffee, etc.

Donating/Gifting Money to a Charity

We talk to our kids about the charities we donate to and do not limit it exclusively to the one dearest to our hearts. There are so many options out there and it is not possible to contribute to them all, but we try to help those less fortunate locally, globally and through relief services. We have also donated money from garage sales and craigslist sales to them. When we had our last garage sale, we set up flyers including the website of Children’s Neuroblastoma Cancer Foundation and why that organization is important to us.

We have not started an allowance at our house yet, but I have heard of families who suggest a percentage of the child’s allowance go to a charity of the child’s choice.

Another idea is to ask in lieu of gifts for a birthday party, to support a charity of their choice or donate toys given to a children’s hospital or an organization that will distribute to children in need.

Little Loving Hands

Each month a kit is shipped to your home with pre-paid postage to return your finished craft to various charitable organizations. All crafting supplies are included.

I really like the explanations of each organization and how they are broken down to a child’s level. They include questions on the back that are good to think about and discuss. We have put together crafts for children in orphanages in India, birthday kits sent to disadvantaged children, gifts to babies in need and their mothers, and kits for hospitalized children to participate in a special theater show. I have learned about so many wonderful organizations through Little Loving Hands. You can read about our experience with it here.

Habitat for Humanity

Although they are too young to actively participate in building a house, seeing their father help build is a good way to lead by example. They can help pull supplies like water and food to be dropped off to help the volunteers. That’s an important job!

Including them in our own projects

I’ve had my kids pick out fabric and yarn for the pillowcases and hats I make for pediatric oncology patients and NICU babies. Liam is interested in learning how to sew so I also plan on letting him help with some of the basic steps this summer.

No matter what we do, we always make sure to talk to our children about how we hope it will support others. We take time to think about what kind of feelings those we help may be going through. I think it is important to get them started at a young age to not only think of themselves and hope this way of life will stick with them as they become adults.