The holiday season is upon us and many families choose to get involved in programs and projects that give back to their community. It’s a great way to teach your children the value of volunteering and to keep them grounded in a culture that often stresses excessive consumerism.
SHARE A TALENT
According to the Corporation for National & Community Service, a new federal study shows that one in four Americans volunteered through an organization and three in five helped their neighbors last year.
Often youngsters get involved through a community, religious or extra-curricular program. The Mike Risko Music School in Ossining often gives kids the opportunity to get involved in volunteer projects. “We believe giving back to the community is critical,” says Miriam Risko. Through their band, The Mike Risko Band and the music school, the Riskos and their students have performed at area nursing homes, the Ossining Children’s Center, PTA’s, the Briarcliff Chamber of Commerce and local fundraising events. “It’s a great experience for youngsters and they can also mention their volunteer efforts on their student resume,” says Risko.
EXPLORE AN INTEREST
As a young summer camper at Muscoot Farm, Xerxes Libsch, now 17 years old, noticed that rain water was washing massive amounts of manure into a nearby stream that led to the public reservoir system. He decided to do something about it.
Libsch reached out to knowledgeable groups such as the EPA and Audubon Society for advice and support in overhauling the farm’s vast gutter and sewer network to redirect two tons of manure each year. In the end, he completed an estimated $60,000 to $70,000 project on a donation basis, including 2,600 volunteer man-hours. Libsch has been awarded the 2016 Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes for his efforts. “My vision for the future is having a genuine purpose and doing something that I believe in,” says Libsch.
GET STARTED NOW
According to Volunteer New York! a volunteer organization based in Tarrytown (volunteernewyork.org), there are many volunteer opportunities open to youngsters in Westchester County. Consult their online search engine to explore causes that accept young volunteers. Consider your child’s interest and match them with a volunteer opportunity. Volunteer New York! cites the following organizations as open to working with volunteers of all ages.
• Interest: Medicine
The American Diabetes Association (diabetes.org) is committed to preventing and curing diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.
• Interest: History
The Bedford Historical Society (bedfordhistoricalsociety.org) is a non-profit, educational organization committed to preserving local history, educating students and interpreting collections for the benefit of residents and visitors.
• Interest: Hunger
Family-to-Family (family-to-family.org) located in Hastings-on-Hudson is a grassroots hunger relief organization that links American families
with “more” to rural American families with “profoundly less.” Service projects include adopting families, providing birthday kits for low-income families and providing support for families in disaster regions.
• Interest: Animals
The mission of the SPCA of Westchester (spca914.org) in Briarcliff Manor is to ensure the humane treatment of animals throughout Westchester County and to bring people and animals together.