Happy New Year

Hoping that you all had a wonderful Holiday and a safe New Year.


As 2009 gets started I reflect on how fast 2008 went. It is amazing how much can get accomplished in a year, the goals we achieve, the people we are able to help, and the lessons that we have learned in one year. A lot can be achieved when we all work together.



We have a lot planned already for this year. Here are a few ideas we have come up with and would love to see if any of you are interested in helping us out...

Start a Blanket Drive for Warm Wishes Organization in honor of Valentines Day (Feb 14th) For more information on how to start your own blanket drive go to Warm Wishes Or to contribute to our Plainfield IL Blanket Drive feel free to e-mail me at: Sales@LoveToPromote.com

April 22nd is Earth Day - Here are a few ideas for you and your children to get involved.

For more info go to Earth Day Network

Save Energy by switching your
Inefficient Incandescent Light Bulbs!

Every day is Earth Day. ~Author Unknown





Adopt A Park or Pond With Your Family and Friends



On April 22nd gather everyone you know and choose a local park or pond
grab some garbage bags, rakes, gloves, and help to get that area clean.
You can commit to just this one day or once a month. Teaching your children that we are all responsible for keeping our Earth clean!



These were just a few ideas we had for our family this year. We would love to hear what ideas you have feel free to e-mail us with any events that you want our Blog readers to know about. I hear that SOS Children's Village was a great success we are pleased that so many people were able to help such a worthy cause.

Wishing you all a Happy 2009 keep coming back to our Blog for more Volunteer info!
Leslie Prohaska & Family

How to Teach Your Children to Be Charitable

• Spending time with your child by going through their clothes from the previous year can be both fun and charitable. Make it fun with the little ones by playing a shopping game have them go through their clothes that you have pre-sorted and know that no longer fit your child and have them pretend to buy these clothing items for someone in need. Have play money handy and a shopping bag. You can have them count out a certain amount for each bag and designate which bag will go to Charity A, B, or C. Teach your child that though these clothes no longer fit they will fit another child that might need them.
  
  
• Go through the cabinets with your child and collect canned fruits and vegetables or other non-perishable items that can be donated to a local food bank or pantry. Again if you have younger children this is another opportunity to play a game and have them shop in your pantry for someone less fortunate. Letting your children know young or old that their are families that struggle to put food on the table and that by giving food from your pantry you will be feeding a family and making them feel loved and cared for.
  
  
• Take your child to the local toy store and have them pick out an item for a less fortunate child. Many programs that work with children, including shelters and mental health centers, accept new toys year-round. Or donate a toy that you have purchased to Toys for Tots for more information about this organization click on this link. www.toysfortots.org
  

Talking to your children about charities and let them decide which one they are most interested in some charities help other children, and some help animals though each one is different the common denominator is that they are volunteers helping other people.

Ideas From - The Volunteer Family Organization

• Make pillows, cards, games, or stuffed toys for children who are sick in the hospital
• Make booboo bunnies for children to receive at a health clinic or at school
• Collect items to make baby bags for poor mothers who recently had a baby -- can contain diapers, baby bottles, pacifiers, burp rags, formula, baby food, etc.
• Plan and share craft projects with other children
• Plan a special event outing or field trip for kids in a low-income preschool
• Bake and decorate cookies with children
• Read with children at a local hospital or wellness center
• Help children at an after-school program develop their talents -- have rehearsal time and hold a talent show
• Hold a drive to collect sunscreen/flip flops/healthy snacks/school supplies for children
• Teach children a special skill or recipe
• Hold clothing drives and donate clothes that are in good condition to those in need
• Re-paint or rebuild playground equipment
• Teach music lessons to children in need
• Lead a craft project with children that will help elderly in a nursing home
• Have a birthday supply drive to give a child in need the party supplies necessary for a birthday party
• Make, buy, or donate toys for children in orphanages or shelters
• Sort through clothing, toys or books others have donated for children in need
• Play basketball or other sports with children in need
• Write letters to local and governmental leaders about the need to protect children from abuse and neglect
• Donate your hair for children with cancer or other medical conditions
• Read books to a sick child
• Befriend a disadvantaged child
• Put together a baby layette for new moms
• Help new mothers with the first 12 weeks postpartum
• Make a first-day-of-school package with school supplies
• Conduct a fundraiser to help send a child to summer camp
• Make care packages (i.e. sunscreen, stationery, stamps) for children at camp
• Talk as a family - and with other families and children - about what it means to be “safe kids”
• Write letters to or for sick children
• Organize a teddy bear drive
• Draw pictures for Save the Children
• Donate and sort books, clothes and party supplies for disadvantaged children
• Select and wrap gifts for the holidays
• Teach computer skills to children
• Donate your favorite (healthy!) snack to give to children in need

This information was borrowed from www.TheVolunteerFamily.org
Find this and many other wonderful voluteer sites under our Links section.