Teach your child empathy, tolerance and good citizenship by encouraging them to donate this holiday season. Consider your child’s interests and match them with a donation need in the community. Making a donation together is a good way to introduce volunteering.
ELIMINATE HUNGER
Most children can relate to feeling hungry, and helping to feed others less fortunate can be a powerful lesson. Organize a food drive in your neighborhood, school or workplace – or simply make a personal donation by taking your child shopping for items to donate. See the Food Bank’s website for to find the most needed items and other tips and suggestions.
Food Bank for Westchester, 200 Clearbrook Road, Elmsford. 923-1100. Foodbankforwestchester.org.
CARE FOR ANIMALS
Most kids adore animals. While children can volunteer on site, the SPCA also has need for pet supplies and household items. You can shop with your child for cat and dog food, or cat and dog toys, all of which the center can use. You can also go through your linen closet with your
child to select old sheets (not fitted), towels and blankets (no comforters) to donate.
SPCA of Westchester, 590 N. State Road, Briarcliff Manor. 941-2894. spca914.org.
DRESS UP
Getting dressed for school might be an easy task for your child, but explain that some children don’t have proper clothes to wear. Shop your child’s closet together and set aside items to donate that are too small. The Sharing Shelf collects gently used or new clothing in sizes newborn to XXL. They also accept gently worn shoes, strollers, pack-n-plays and new school supplies.
The Sharing Shelf, 47 Purdy Ave., Port Chester. 305-5950. TheSharingShelf@fsw.org.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Most kids really enjoy their very special day – their birthday. Explain to your child that not every child gets to celebrate their birthday in style. Consider joining the Birthday Giving Project sponsored by Family-to-Family and put a birthday in a box. Have fun putting together items that can help a kid with ‘less’ have more on their birthday.
Family-to-Family, P.O. Box 255, Hastings-on-Hudson. 478-2641. birthdays@family-to-family.org. family-to-family.org.