Have you seen those commercials on TV for Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks where you could win an XO Lap Top on specially marked boxes? The commercial features a young boy carrying a green and white lap top across his town, then across the plains of Africa to hand to another young boy in an African school. My kids get a kick out of that commercial, not only for the cool green and white computer but also because they think it’s neat to see what school is like in Africa.
Did you know that 83 percent of kids believe that they can help children in other countries in addition to people in their own communities? That’s according to the “Kids’ Altruism Indicator” conducted in partnership with Parenting magazine. Betty Crocker Fruit Flavored Snacks wants to make it easy for kids to give back locally and globally.
Now through May kids in the U.S. have an opportunity to instantly win a laptop from specially-marked packages of Betty Crocker Fruit Flavored Snacks. For each laptop won, Betty Crocker Fruit Flavored Snacks will donate a laptop to a child in Africa. It’s that simple.
I honestly feel that community service should be encouraged in our schools. I know some organizations like the National Junior Honor Society require community service. I also know that some churches require community service before a child can be confirmed.
Our middle school has a beach clean up once a year. Groups of volunteers from the school (children and teachers) wear gloves and grab some trash bags and clean up a beach area within walking distance of the school. My kids have done it a few years now. It’s amazing the stuff they find from car tires to shopping carts tossed into the Hudson River.
Last year my daughter put up signs in the buildings in our condo complex looking for donations of used blankets, sheets, pillow cases, cleaning supplies, office supplies and new or used pet products and food to donate to our local animal shelter. She was able to collect a few things including a huge dog crate. We love animals and often donate food and other supplies whenever we can.
In our community there is not many organizations that will take children under the age of 14 or 15. That makes it hard for younger children to find aways to help out in the community. So far all we’ve found is the summer reading program at the library. My daughter signed up to be a reading buddy where she read to a younger child or had an older child read to her to help them practice reading. To be a Ready Buddy you need ot be in at least 6th grade.
I know many children like to help out others in their community. Therefor you really need to get creative to come up with something your child can do before they are old enough to volunteer elsewhere. Ideas such as collecting food to donate to a local food bank, helping to promote a community blood drive and collecting stuffed animals to donate to children who are faced with tragic situations (house fire, car crash, parent’s arrest) are fantastic for younger children and for the whole family.
To learn more about the Win One, Give One campaign please visit www.WinOneGiveOne.com. There you can find out how the laptops positively impact the lives of the children and to learn ways parents can talk to their kids about giving back.
Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks wants to know how YOU and your family give back to your community. One lucky She Scribes reader will win an XO Lap Top ($199.00 value). Thank you Betty Crocker!
The XO Lap Top are built with rugged plastic exteriors, 1 GB of memory and 4 GB of Flash storage. They have built in wireless broadband and are designed to be extremely power efficient. It’s the very same computer that is sent to children in Africa. It’s about the size of a small textbook. It has a unique screen that is readable under direct sunlight for children who go to school outdoors. The screen even swivels back and forth. It’s extremely durable, brilliantly functional, energy-efficient, and fun.
To enter please tell me about how you and/or your child gives back to you community. If you prefer to do a video explaing how you give back you are welcome to e-mail it to me or the link at SheScribes “at” Optonline “dot” net.
Normally I give extra entries if you subscribe to She Scribes, Connect on Google Friend Connect, Like on Facebook and Follow on Twitter. This time around I want entries to be more focused and I want more emphasis put on the main entry requirement rather then extra entries. This is a very important compaign so I think having people tell me ways they give back is more important then whether or not you follow me on Twitter. I hope you know what I mean? You are more then welcome to subscribe, connect, like or follow me. I would l♥ve that very much.
This giveaway is open to US residents only and will end on April 2, 2011 at 11:59 PM (EST). The winner will be chosen from all eligible entries by impartical voters (my kids!). The winner will be notified via e-mail and will have three days to reply with a name, mailing address (no PO Box) and a phone number (for shipping only) or a new winner will be chosen.
Other great giveaways are found on the right side bar under “Win It”.
Kimberly
*I was not compensated forthis post, nor did I receive anything in exhange. I posted this for the benefit and enjoyment of my site readers. Betty Crocker will be supplying the prize.
ellen says
I give back I guess alot of ways- I volunteer daily (M-F) at the food giveaway (got off early since we had unpacked it all on Friday!) To the same food giveaway, I am a gardener, and donate fresh items straight out of the garden.
I donate to Locks of Love when my hair is long enough- so does my husband- he raised $200.00 when his hair was auctioned off at the local Eagles Club!
The same place runs Toys for Tots.. all year long I enter contests in order to donate as much as I can. This is one of those contests. I think this would be an awesome first computer for some lucky child. This could really make a difference in some kids life.
My own daughter is grown- but when she was home, we volunteered together and I hope I taught her to give back. She is now an RN and cares for other people.
I think giving back is important not only to others but to ourselves. We were put here to be part of the solution and being kind to others. Thanks for the chance on behalf of Toys for Tots!
Michelle D. says
I give back to the community by volunteering for the Minnesota Humane Society (www.mnhumane.org) at about 75% of their adoption days and expo events (at the booth raising money for them). I love doing this and using my marketing abilities to give these wonderful cats and occasional dogs good homes. Thanks for the chance to win this! I also babysit many kids, on the side of my fulltime career. So, if I win I’d give it to one of the kids I babysit for.
Colleen Turner says
We make sure to buy toys for Toys For Tots every year and all of our used toys, baby clothes and adult clothes get donated to a place called Casa House, which assists women and children who are running away from abusive homes. I also give money every year to Hospice.
Margaret Smith says
We try to encourage our children to help out at church and to help our at school when they are asked. My husband and I try to help out wherever we can, to help set examples for our kids and to show them what giving of yourself means. My husband also joins a team yearly, pulling a large airplane to help raise money for sick children. The whole family and some friends go each year to cheer him and his team on.
We may not be able to give much money at times for needed causes, but we feel that giving some of our time to help out is also important.
Thanks so much.
rickpeggysmith(at)aol(dot)com
jackceepee says
My child and I give back to our community by working with children at a local non-profit organization during the weeknights. We teach children the importance of good sportsmanship, conflict resolution, teamwork and caring for one another. We also give theim snacks and encourage each of them. thank you, Jack Palmer jcpalmer@localnet.com
Selene says
As ham radio operators, my husband and I give back to the community by helping with communications at fund-raising events by health organizations and charity groups, by being trained storm spotters always on alert, and by being prepared to provide emergency communications in the event of a disaster or terrible weather event.
videog1rl2 says
I don’t have any children, we’ve been unable to have children but I taught special needs kiddos until 2008 when one of them gave me viral meningitis and now have an incurable illness that I’m trying to bring awareness to through my good deeds. I have what is called Intracranial Hypertension. I work with a nonprofit, called Kids Defense Team and we send teddy bears, blankets and other items to children that are ill. This allows me to give back to the children that I miss so much. I hope to be able to start a chapter here in Texas where we can go read to them in the hospitals or help with their school work when they are home sick or in the hospital.
Marianna @ Green Mamas Pad says
We give back to the community via the schools. My husband is on the Board of Education (volunteer position). He dedicates a lot of time to this as he wants to see our school system do well. We are both on the PTO at our boys’ elemntary school and we try our best to participate in every fundraiser they have.
Now that we are done having children, we have donated a lot o baby toys and clothes to our Goodwill store here in town.
Rita M says
We donate as often as possible to a local shelter which provides temporary housing for women & children who are in abusive relationships… everything from food to baby clothes.
rmelton[at]hotmail[dot]com
tlak says
give ime and use of property to handicap kids
screemeroo says
I volunteer at the library as well being as vice-president of the Friends of the library. Also, I belong to a volunteer group that goes out in pairs from 10:00 pm to 3:am on weekend nights to act as extra eyes and ears for our local police department.
sandy says
volunteer at the va and local shelter..donate clothes and food
nickieisis3 says
We volunteer at church.
nickieisis3atgmaildotcom
Sunny says
My daughter gives back to the community by volunteering at REINS…a nonprofit horse back riding ranch that caters to autistic and other disabilities. She loves the kids and of course the horses. She is only 13 will be 14 in July.
She has been there for a year and she wants this to be her life work. She is my hero.
I have fibromyalgia and when she was younger I thought since she saw me have my bad days she would be turned off with people with disabilities. Not so…she say she loves to help them have some amount of joy in their lives and even some of the kids even ask for her as a side walker. We just brought a whole bagful of bubbles for the kids. It works with their eye hand coordination. Can you tell how proud of her I am??
LOIS PAYTON says
We do everything, volunteer and donate food, clothes and time and I bake at our church Nettleton Baptist Church, GOD BLESS YA’LL
Jenni says
We donate food and clothing to the shelters.
Adrienne gordon says
we are active in the relay for life and in our community we do a trash cleanup in our village.
Jacob LaFountaine says
Food drives, give money, give away clothing
ShootingStarsMag says
I try and give back in different ways. Right now, I help with my local chapter of GLSEN. That is the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network. They do a lot of good to help people that identify as LGBTQ, especially when they are underage and still in school.
I also volunteer with the teens at my local library. I love to read, and I love that these teens are spending time at the library and having fun with the activities and sharing their love of reading (for the most part) and even writing and just having fun.
Mary Beth Elderton says
I’m doing the same with my grand-kids that I did with my son–we buy a couple of extra things every trip to the store–extra can of something, extra boxes of mac and cheese–then save them to go to the food pantry once a month. We’ve contributed many items like jewelry and small electronics to fundraisers for various causes. In my old neighborhood, we took household items to the Pregnancy Assistance Center, where young couples can get help to start their own households–I also organized donation drives at my school to help the same cause. I’ve always included the kids in these activities–now the grown ones are very active in their communities, too.
deb c says
I give back by volunteering every week at the mission house, do neighborhood food drives, donate all my clothes and household goods we are no longer using, and volunteer for
Habitat for Humanity( we have built two homes and a third project will start up in the fall). This week one of our friends is going to a local prison to minister to the prisoners and we are all baking dozens(and dozens) of cookies for her to take. We try to give bake every chance we get. It just feels good.
DARLA KIDDER says
As a family we help out at our church’s food pantry handing out food to the needy and we help out at a local soup kitchen feeding the homeless families.And at the end of every month we donate our time to the church’s mobile medical clinic .
luckylady4163@yahoo.com
Angie B. says
Every few months my son and I will go through our clothes, shoes, and his toys and donate them to someone we know in need or at the local homeless shelter. It’s not much but working 2 jobs I do what I can and try to let my son know that it’s important to give to those in need and he gladly gives without hesitation.
DEBIJOT says
I started teaching the kids when they were very young that giving is most important. Every year, before Christmas, we all take a load of toys to Toys For Tots. They love to do this.
Also, on a more personal level, I am giving a kidney to my younger sister. She became diabetic when she was only five. Her kidneys have not fared so well and she will be starting dialysis soon. I have now finished all the pre-screening and everything is looking good. My mother instilled in us that giving starts at home.
Dee says
We volunteer for the town’s Little League. We donate food and money to the Food Bank. I secured a donation of an i Pad for my students with Cerebral Palsy. My 8 year old has decided to give up a dollar of his weekly allowance for Lent. With that money, he is going to donate that money to the local Food Bank. My 13 year old has participated in the 30 hour famine that my church does to raise money for kids that are hungry.
Kristi C says
My family volunteers at the local no kill animal shelter every week by walking and socializing with the dogs. We also donate to the angel tree and Toys for Tots.
The Knapps says
We give back to our community by participating in Toys for Tots each year & we go through clothes/toys a few times a year and donate to shelters.
barb g says
I donate tons of food & hba products to our homeless shelters. Also extra review items I give to them. They love getting all of the goodies.
Dluxe Dana says
Throughout the year there are so many different causes I try to get my children involved in. As a freelance writer for our local newspaper, I always have the inside scoop on what charity events we can attend and whatnot. {Plus my business donates to area cancer foundations and local outreach programs when we can on a quarterly basis} The one my kids love the most is a holiday stocking stuffer we actually did for the first time in November 2010. The kids got to go to the $1 store and buy tons of stocking stuffers for children in need. They spent one morning with other families in our area stuffing stockings to the brim with the goodies they bought! They were thrilled with this experience and we can’t wait to do it again this year. For this time of year, Spring, we actually contribute to our community on a daily basis. Our backyard lines up to the Mecklenburg County Greenway, a paved hiking and biking trail for the community that runs well over 5 miles. Every time we take a walk, which most times can be daily, we clean up the trash along the way. Even with city workers doing the same thing monthly, it’s amazing the garbage people leave behind and accumulates on such a beautiful trail! Not only is this helping in our own backyard, it’s helping keep our community trash free and keeps the kids nice and busy as we appreciate nature daily! 🙂
Danetta says
We donate a lot of things to the local woman’s and children shelter. We donate things like books, clothes, food, and toys. We also donate items and help out the school when they have donation drives.
tmichelle79@gmail.com says
Well my kids’ current thing is going through their toys and clothes to pass on to other Children through our local Freecycle group.
Also, we believe that small things make large impacts. When we go to the park, we pick up trash while we walk around. Same thing at the beach.
Susan says
I don’t have children, and I’m disabled. Something I can do is genealogy research. I give back by doing genealogy for people. So many people wonder where they came from, and I can answer their questions after doing their family tree. On Saturday, I handed a genealogy to a woman who learned that her maternal line came to America from Germany in the early 1700’s. Her 2nd great grandfather was a Captain in the War of 1812. Just these 2 facts and much more made her so happy. The look on her face was priceless when she said she couldn’t wait to call her sister with this news. It’s a win-win situation. I love doing it for people, and they are thrilled with the results. My next project is doing her husbands.
Crystal F says
I help out at our school’s backpack for kids program. I help back the backpacks and deliver them to the students on Fridays. It breaks your heart to realize that even in your neighborhood, there are kids going without food. Thank you!
Mami2jcn says
From the time I was a little girl, my mother has always taught me to be charitable and help others who are less fortunate. My mother grew up very poor in South America. So when I was a child, we would volunteer at our church’s soup kitchen, lend our time to an organization that helps people with Down’s Syndrome (we had an annual festival and my mother would help the people off the buses and I would help out with the carnival games), and at one time we even volunteered our weekends at the local courthouse to be present during supervised visits between divorced fathers and their kids. My mother would be the court supervisor (unpaid) and I would try to play with the kids to make light of a difficult situation. We also visited strangers in nursing homes and drove cancer patients we didn’t know to chemotherapy.
My mother has always volunteered her time, and recently she was volunteering at a hospital until her back problems prevented her from doing so. I would like to win this laptop for her. Her computer is very old and she really needs a brand new laptop. She would really appreciate the meaning behind this, too.
Thanks so much for the chance!
NJJ says
I volunteer at a local health care facility twice a week One day is spent helping children and the other day is spent helping Seniors 🙂
Lori S says
I do a variety of things. I save all box tops and donate them to a school. I coupon of course and buy items that are cheap or free and donate them. At work, I am part of a Children’s Miracle Network community and I am active in trying to raise money for this group.
I also feel very strong about recycling. In my neighborhood there are not a lot of people who recycle. I take their cardboard from their garbage (on the street not in the can) and place in my recycling.
Thanks!
Ginasweepsit says
We have three boxes in our kitchen. One is marked “kids”, one is marked “animals”, and one is marked “food”. Whenever we go to a store, no matter what one, we always pick up what we call “one extra”. Sometimes it is an extra can of food, or a pack of stickers, or some dog treats…then when we get home, we put them in the box the item(s) belong in. It doesn’t take long at all for the boxes to fill and then we drop them off at either the animal shelter, the food bank, or the women & children’s shelter. It doesn’t take a lot of effort or a lot of money to help someone else. If you bought a “one extra” for someone (or something) else instead of buying a magazine, or Starbucks, or something impulsive for yourself, it would really help others…..and that just makes you feel good!!!!!
Jen L says
I have 4 children under 9 and 3-4 times a year we go through clothes, toys and books theyno longer want or don’t fit and we bring them to the local women’s shelter. The mothers and kids are always happy to receive something. I also work for a food broker and we get tons of food samples like bread, fish, cakes. When our sample storage have more than what we need for meetings, I drop off the extra at the shelter. It feels good to be able to give back and they appreciate it a lot.
jen.processorATgmail.com
Melissa G says
My daughter is nearly 11 and she has the biggest heart. Megan on her own decided she needed to give 10% of her earned money back to church. She is also a regular volunteer at Ronald McDonald and a local nursing home. We make donations to church, school, and local auctions through our own personal business 🙂 thanks!
Denise B. says
I don’t know about giving back to the community, but we believe in helping others who are in need of some kind of help like buying and handing some food to a homeless person on the street.
Monique Rizzo says
We donate time at our local food bank once a month.
Thanks for the chance.
mogrill12@yahoo.com
Leanne M says
I volunteer at the community police station and at my kids school.
Amy Brewer says
We give back by showing the kids how great giving is. At our schools they collect money for Cancer patients who are children and the kids go around and ask family and friends for change or what ever they can afford. My kids have even put in their own money. We do help out with a couple elderly people that are in my neighborhood and I try to encourage the age old saying, respect your elders. We will stop by to see if they need anything or just want to get out and go for a ride just to do it. The kids enjoy listening to their stories like I do. We also give to St. Judes every year and I am so happy to do that. My kids tell me all the time that they are going to do that when they get a job because their hearts go out to them.
Candace says
I like to get my kids involved in helping out others. I feel that it’s very important for them to be involved at a young age. I collect personal hygiene and food items from my great couponing deals. When I get a plastic bin full, my husband takes my 4 yr old and drops the items off a our local battered women’s shelter. I also get collect pet food and other items and then my husband takes my 4 yr old to drop the bin off at an animal rescue center. He loves going to see the animals there! I also take my 4 yr old shopping with my at Christmas time to buy toys off of a wish list for the kids at our local Ronald McDonald house. He loves to come with to drop them off!
My teenager daughter has many more chances to volunteer. We serve food to teenagers at a detention center on Thanksgiving. It was a real eye opener for her. She also helped my serve food to homeless at a rescue mission last summer. She is required to “work” a certain amount of volunteer hours for Key Club so she also likes to help out in our church nursery.
Sarah Hirsch says
My kids and I participate in various fundraising activities, including selling items for girl scouts and our synagogue, and attending events raising money for cancer, the library, and other causes. My kids visit retirement homes with their youth groups to bring cheer to the residents. We donate toys and clothing and just try to be good people and help out when we can.
ria says
We donate clothes and toys to our church charity.
rmartinclarke @ gmail.com
gis lewis says
At tax time I donate my time/services for free and I help donate my computer skills for those who don’t know how.
gislewis at gmail dot com
Sonya Sparks says
We stress volunteering. We do a lot with our Church and Gracie loves to help with all the activities we hold. I think the Easter Egg Hunt is one of her favorite though. She helps paint faces. It doesn’t take a lot if everyone does their part.
Anne says
It is hard to find places to volunteer for younger children. My teenagers volunteer at our local dog shelter. They let anyone 14 and up walk the dogs, which the girls love to do. To get my youngest son involved the whole family volunteers at a local nature center. They let us all work together on things like maintaining a trail, keeping bird feeder stocked and helping out at weekend events.
Denise S says
At Christmastime my children and I fill shoe boxes with items to be sent to third world kid’s via Samaritan’s Purse. They enjoy picking things out for the boxes and it teaches them about giving.
lazybones344 at gmail dot com
CaseyDeuce says
We try to give back as much as we can, but sometimes the fact that we’re financially strapped doesn’t make it easy. My daughter takes so much pride in her Daisy troop and the good that they do in our community. I constantly clip box tops to give to her school. I also take all our outgrown or unneeded clothing and shoes and donate them wherever I can as well.
Lindley A says
We collect Box Tops and other labels to help out our school, as well as donating old clothes and toys to local charities. My kids and I also visited a women’s shelter to donate some extra hygiene items we had been collecting.
Faythe A says
before my hubby & I were both disabled we volunteered doing a lot of things with school aged kids. I would help in the lower grades with reading or what ever the teacher needed help with that day. Hubby did a lot of volunteering with after school sports activities & making sure every kid who joined got to play & were treated equally. He also stressed on how important it was to treat every child as an equal even if they had a handicap and would not tolerate any bulling.
now we donate time when we can, but mostly items, food and funds for where ever it is needed in the communities near by. since we are rural there are 3 bigger communities we frequent & try to share equally.
since we have disabilities that are considered invisible, we also spend time educating others to not condemn someone they think is slow, or taking a spot they don’t have a right too without trying to find out if they can help the person first.
anna t. says
I volunteer for kitchen work at my church. I am a bible study leader. I serve the homeless meals at our local IHS. I donate my used but still usable clothes to Goodwill. I always fill a showbox full of items to donate to Samaritan’s Purse for less fortunate kids. I donate food items to our local Food Drives.
Kristen says
We organized a group of people to revitilize a school garden last summer.
debi says
I give back by supporting our youth. I promote young people and their goals toward education. djackson1958@hotmail.com
Carrie K says
I give back by supporting my husband’s volunteer fire department, and helping them with fundraisers.
Jennifer T. says
I give back my donating my time to others. I volunteer at our local food bank, I deliver meals to our elderly and sick neighbors. I give back by donating items that I can to others. Old clothing that is still in good condition gets donated. I also donate all my old books to a local library. Each year I donate my hair to locks of love.
I am teaching my three young children that it is so rewarding knowing that you have helped someone when you can.
Jim W. says
My kids volunteer at the senior center
Danyale says
my niece takes toys she gets for holidays and birthdays that she never plays with or never opens which is alot because she gets so much from everybody and around christmas especially she takes and gives to the local community homeless shelter to give to needy children that have no home or christmas to enjoy.
Eileen says
Honestly, personally I have been unable to do a lot to give back due to poor health, but my husband does a lot by helping to coach teams, even when our children have not always been on those teams. (for about 9 years). The best I can do is cook or bake for school or fundraiser groups in our community or help moms catch a break by watching their kids for a couple hours. My teen daughter has been part of an ambassador club to help at the food pantry, raking leaves for elderly, and mentoring younger kids at outings. She also has taught Sunday school…so am very proud of her part in helping our community. I do wish I could do more.
thanks and what a wonderful program… I enjoyed reading how so many help in their own communities!
Stacie Frost says
My only child Sidney has an auto-immune disorder called Alopecia Universalis. (total hair loss) He lost all his hair right around the time he turned three, he is now seven. Because of the hair loss, people usually think he has a terminal illness. While he has been picked on from time to time by some kids, most adults show him kindness and love. Often times, they will try to give him money, buy him toys, cookies, even extra happy meal toys in his happy meal, a nice man even gave Sidney his watch (thinking that he had little time left to live). I ALWAYS tell people about alopecia and that my sweet little boy is very healthy…he just has no hair. And still, people still want to give. Sidney (my son) and I sat down together and decided that we should be giving to those less fortunate, so now, when things are given to him, he passes it on. We have a local shelter and we make a trip about every other month to donate things that Sidney has been given and non-perishables I get from couponing. Taking Sidney to the shelter and letting him see first hand that there are those less fortunate really opened his eyes. He now gives part of his allowance to the shelter and the other part once a year to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation. He has a huge heart and a very giving soul. I think that comes from people being so giving towards him. I hate it that he has lost all his hair, but I love that he gets to see a side to people that most of us never see…a caring, sharing compasionate side. He is my little hero.
I’m sorry for rambling! :o) Thanks for entering us in this giveaway!
Love,
Stacie and Sidney
savingmama at live dot com
sherri crawford says
i give back by donating to goodwill and women’s crisis center a lot
Mocha Dad says
I participate in the annual AIDS Walk, Volunteer at my church and at the homeless shelter, mentor kids, and make donations to several charities throughout the year.
victoria lester says
My daughter and myself have both given back to the community. My daughter actually is involved with an after school recycling program along with her friends. I have volunteered in different areas over the years for my community. For an Entire year I worked with helping the Blind when I lived in Canada, Candian Institue For The Blind (CNIB), I also have volunteered my time to assist in the McRest program in the USA which assists those who are homeless with food and shelter. I also have volunteered with “Paint The Town” through my work, in addition to other fund raising events at work to help communities.
Daniel M says
we’re always running charity drives at our church
Debbie C says
We have a local charity, almost statewide actually that runs a telethon yearly. It is a decades long tradition now and we save coins all year to give to the fire station volunteers who collect at traffic lights and door to door.
dchrisg3 @ gmail . com
Tonya Dean says
We collect and donate old clothes, bedding, shoes and tons of other stuff and give it to our local crisis center. They help a lot of people.
tdlsfm(at)gmail(dot)com
spring chicken says
We give food to our church’s food pantry on a regular basis and we also donate clothing to our local Salvation Army.
Shanna says
I am newly enlisted in the MN Army National Guard , and am set to leave this summer for 6 months for training.
Tina M says
I give back by giving the money to my church and giving away the food to the food bank
stephanie hodges says
I adore to volunteer; however, my daughter and taking care of the ranch takes alot of my time. So I try to find various ways to give back to my community.
One thing I have always done since I was a little kid is donate to the batter women’s shelter. When I lived in California, the place new us by name by visiting up to two to three times a month in volunteer/donation. We would take tours of the homeless shelters and learn various ways they kept themselves entertained as kids didn’t have the luxury of pack man’, tv, or even getting to have pizza/movie night every friday.. So, these trips and donations help us (my siblings and I) to appreciate what we had.
Now that I am Oklahoma, I got in touch with a local shelter here for women and children to go to for safety. So I just donated a queen matress, some baby bottles and sortment of toys and clothes. At least make a point to donate a large amount 3 to 4 times a year to that shelter. Then I try to donate to the animal shelters. Lord knows how over crowded they are and in need of all supplies from food to bedding to medical care.
I often enter giveaways to donate as well. Some people don’t like that I do that. But for me, if I can’t use it and it is a great product worth entering for, I will donate it to a charity or organization. I have won some newborn outfits that was more the size of premies when my daughter was a newborn. The hospitals could greatly use premie outfits.
I love doing the tree wish gifts when xmas comes around. I set aside at least $50 for tree gifts.
My husband is a Marine. Toy for Tot drive is every year. I have done toys for tots every year since about 11 years old due to being in a Harley Owners Group (HOG) that we do annual bike runs and also high school JROTC to run toy drives.
I don’t like to always discuss my donations as I think a person should do it for the humanity and good deed without wanting something in return. It is wonderful to read everyone’s posts and know we have such wonderful people that makes this world go around.
clc_little_britches @ yahoo dot com
Martha Payne says
I give back by investing my time into my children. Our children are the future, so I try to make sure I am there for them to help them make good, informed decisions and guide them on a good path in life. Thanks for the contest! codisweepstakes2 (@) gmail(dot)com
Erica C. says
We walk dogs at our local animal shelter and donate food and toys often to local drives.
Amanda says
I give back to the community by working with children with disabilities in my profession. I work as a therapist in schools in the classrooms of children with special needs. I support the teachers in trying to include the kids as much as possible in daily school activities and also promoting their independence. I am not alone….we all work as a team. I love all of these children and always have them on my mind and am always thinking of how I can help them the most to by happy and engaged at school just like any other kid. A lot of times these are the kids that are picked on in school b/c of their disabilities. It is awesome, therefore, when these children finally accomplish something we have been working on for a long time such as feeding themselves or writing their name. The smiles on their faces and that of everyone working with them is so rewarding. Amanda, Maizuru@aol.com
happi shopr says
I give back through our church, our local food bank, helping hands and our Undy 5000 – Dallas team.
Jill L says
I believe that God works through us to help others Now I have seen some really good times in my life and some really low times. I know what it feels like to worry about how to put food on the table, or if there’s going to be enough to pay to mortgage. I know the sadness of losing a child. While I hated going through those trials, they have really made me want to reach out to help others going through tough or stressful times. Since we are a really tight-knit family, my kids are involved in so much of what we do.
– We have walked for several years for the March of Dimes in memory of our daughter who was born premature. She was born at 27 weeks and we were blessed with 39 days with her before she passed away. My kids all help to go out and raise money and of course walk with us on the big day. We have walked for 5 years and each year been the town’s number one team raising over $5,000 each year. My kids really love getting involved with this.
– While helping to raise so much money is impressive, I think the one project that we have done that will really help to have a lasting impact on the kids is one what we did for a homeless shelter. We made personal hygiene bags for 35 men. While I did receive some donations. we used lots of coupons to find the stuff. I spent less than $50 on the all of it. The kids helped me hit every sale for months to buy deodorant, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors and shaving cream. We made scripture cards to stick in each bags to help give them hope and wrote letters to each man. I spent the most money on making drawstring bags to put all their stuff in. I think it felt like Christmas morning for all of us as we packed up the van to drop all the stuff off. I think it humbled all of us to see the old blankets and sleeping bags on the ground of the church. My husband had just gotten a job after being laid off for a couple of months and we were pretty broke, but to see this just really put things into perspective.
– Invite people who might not have family over for the holidays.
– Make meals for sick friends or those going through some hard times
– We adopted a little boy in Honduras that we send money to each month and send letters and encouragement to. The kids are so amazed at how little he has. We have his pictures on our refrig so that w can keep him in our prayers.
– We use our coupons to get really good deals on food to donate to the food pantry.
– Volunteer online for a bereaved parenting board to help moderate messages and help give support to other moms. Also have been helping out with a bereaved group in the community.
– My kids help me clean other people’s houses when they are sick or overwhelmed.
– At Christmas time, the kids get to pick an angel off the giving tree to give to and they also use part of their allowance that they save up during the year to donate to a charity of their choice.
It is so easy to get involved and help others. It doesn’t require a lot of money, just love and a belief that you can make a difference.
Aleksandra says
My 3.5 year old is disgusted with trash. Everywhere we go she says “look,someone dropped garbage on the ground.” We carry extra bags in the car along with gloves to pick up random trash at playgrounds and local parks. Thanks for the great topic!
Patricia Treskovich says
I donate to the food bank and charities like kiva,com, heifer,com, solesforsouls,com animal shelters
Tammy Darling says
I have been helping a neighbor learn to read. As a family, we helped refurbish our local park. We painted some of the play structures. My son was gopher for some of the men doing construction repairs. My kids can’t wait to do it again! When our garden is in, we take food to an elderly neighbor. I like to keep our family involved in helping others whenever we can.
lace says
We give our time at church events and donate items to local shelters and pregnancy center.
Dana says
My family gives back by helping to clean up our cities parks, by volunteering to help bring food or watch other’s children if the need arises. We also donate to help with school fundraising auctions. Thank you for the chance!
mistysunrise says
My daughter Chloe, started donating her clothing to shelters, after she saw the devastation of hurricane Katrina. She was only 3 at the time. She asked me “Mommy, why dont those people have homes anymore?” I explained what happened. She looked at me really sad with tears in her eyes. She asked me, “Mommy can I give the babies and kids, some of my clothes, and toys?”
When my daughter asked me that, my heart burst. I knew she was going to be a kind hearted angel. Every year we gather up her gently used toys and clothing, and take then to a different shelter each time. It has sort of become a tradition for us.
When she grows up, she wants to become a vet. She has said this since she was around 4. She will be 9 in June. I want her to learn as much as she possibly can, and I think having her own laptop will help.
Thank you very much for having this giveaway. 🙂
intime says
My kids give back by holding a “bake sale”. Neighborhood children will all bake goods (with paretns help), like yummy brownies, rice krispie treats and different flavors of koolaid. They sell it and donate the money to the food bank
Sarah says
In the past year, I have worked with a local coalition that provides tax services to qualifying people and a group that rescues dogs from a high-kill shelter.
AMY W. says
My husband and I are in charge of the youth program at our church. Every Wednesday and Sunday we pick a lot of them up for Church and Club. A lot of them don’t have very much, and unfortunately neither do we. We have been blest by learning to use coupons. Every week I am able to get free or very cheap groceries that I am able to pass on to these kids and their families. I was also able to get some free toys with coupons and by winning some giveaways and was able to help some of the kids have presents for Christmas year and have already started for next year so that we can help more. These kids are really where my heart is. My husband and kids are always looking for bargains and ways to help too. This year my kids sold cookies to their grandma and grandpa and aunts and uncles to raise money to buy a goat for a needy family. They have really big hearts and are always willing to give whatever they have to help someone else. I would love to be able to surprise them with a laptop. Another way we give back to the community is through recycling and this was mostly in part of my oldest daughter who is very passionate about it. Every year we are also involved with Relay for Life, and donate to our local Children’s Hospital. I am teaching my girls to crochet, so that they can donate baby blankets. Two of my four children we’re born premature and had to spend a lot of time in the NICU of our Children’s Hospital. I thought the gifts that people donated were so nice and thoughtful, and I want to give back now. Another charity that is close to my heart is our local pregnancy center. My family donates Bibles, baby clothes and maternity clothes for these young mothers. The center provides them with housing if they have no where to go and teaches them how to be a good mother and helps them find a job. Thanks for taking the time to read this and offering this great giveaway!
jen says
i’m the webmaster for an animal rescue
Jennifer J says
I volunteer at my local animal shelter & homeless shelter.
AMD says
I volunteer at the ASPCA and donate to the WHO’s Campaign to End Fistula, a cause I feel very strongly about. But in my day-to-day life the way I give back to my community is through my job. I’m a teacher.
Like most teachers, I take my responsibilities to my students, their parents, and taxpayers very seriously. I try to educate my pupils to be critical thinkers that can engage with society in a positive way no matter what career they choose. But I’m also the sort of teacher who tries to be a friend to my students. Don’t get me wrong, I believe in discipline and respect, but I teach teenagers who are often going through the most tumultuous time in their lives. You can’t pass an exam on the Civil War if you can hardly make it through class without crying. Pressures to make good grades and to be well-liked by their peers can be exacerbated by family crises, tragedies like the death of a friend, or the stresses that come from having your first romance. For some of my students, I seem to be the only person they know who will listen to them without judging them, berating them, or dismissing them.
I’m nearing thirty, I have a master’s degree, and I make about $20,000 a year. But I have the best job in the world. I get to teach history, and make a couple of hundred new friends every year.
Kat Emerick says
I don’t know if this is helping but, my granddaughter gets her hair cut (so far twice) and donates it to the Lock Of Love for children that has cancer. They make wigs for the little girls.
Jaque R. says
My children and I volunteer at the local Deaf school. We tutor elementary children in reading and language skills. My eight year old daughter is amazingly patient. 🙂 Thank you.
Laura says
We visit the nursing home and sing for the residents and we donate clothes to the local thrift clothing store
Susan Smith says
We give back by donating toys and clothes to Goodwill and buying toys to donate during Christas. My son volunteers helping children through his school. I give back by volunteering at the school. We also spend time at the local Assisted Living Center where my Mom is living at.
Diane Baum says
To teach our children (now 22 and 24 ) about giving back , my hubby and I attempted for them to grow up in an atmosphere filled with doing community service.We also tried to show them through our actions about giving to others. My hubby and I do a lot of volunteering through our Temple. Some of other activties with my sons help include a ball, pop and sock drive for the Oakland County Shelter Home, a book drive for a Detroit Public School, Preparing and serving meals to a homeless shelter, being involved with the Alzheimer Association, collecting presents for a boy with Cancer…
We started when they were young by taking them with us to take meals on wheels to home-bound seniors. I wasn’t certain if it would continue, once my sons got older. I am proud to say that when my oldest went to Oakland University, he joined the community service fraternity. My greatest hope is that they will pass this tradition on to their kids!
Tara L says
Me and my son try to do little things to help out our community. We go to fundraisers forlocal groups and schools and donate money or items. When there are good sales on things like cereal and hygene products I usually buy alot of extras and donate them to the food pantry or church group. My son is a cub scout and they do different things in the community to help out. I think it is good to teach kids the importance of giving back to your community and help others out without expecting anything in return.
Kendra says
we volunteer, knit and crochet for various charities, raise money for the homeless shelter and try to help whoever needs it!
thanks for the entry!
tina reynolds says
I have taught my kids to give back in many ways they bag up toys and clothes for other children of their own. They also in the winter help go out and hand out blankets and gloves to the homeless thanks for the chance eaglesforjack@gmail.com
susan smoaks says
I give back to the community by helping out with a few charities that I am involved in. The first one is church. We live in a very small town and almost all of our neighbors live below the poverty level. We help them as a church with money to pay light bills and with food. I donate toys and food and clothes whenever I can. I also help with a prison ministry. There are a lot of men and women in prison who have children. Each year I buy Christmas cards when they are very cheap after Christmas and then donate them to prisons before the next Christmas.
kathy pease says
when we go grocery shopping i use a lot of coupons and buy way more food than we eat..like once a month i go through our pantry and bag up a few bags of groceries and we give them to our local food shelf.we believe giving should not be just a holiday thing it should happen all year long 🙂
R Hicks says
We give back by participating in various causes. Sometimes it is participation in runs, yard sales to raise money for causes, or even visit nurrsing homes. All add character to the kids
ardy22 at earthlink dot net
forreall says
I try to teach my kids even though we might not have a lot right now we can always help others who have less by giving toys and clothes that we don’t use or can’t wear anymore to others who can really use them. I also tell them that we can give are time to help others to.
Last year my 11 year old was on a travel baseball team and they were going to coopers town and they need to raise the money to go or the parents had to pay the fee of 750.00.
We worked very harsd on fundraisers and earned the money 3 weeks before the due date. On the next practice the coach was reading off all the names of the boys who were all paid up to go and my 11 year old realized that one of his friends was not on the list yet. We found out that he still haD 300.00 to raise my 11 year old knew that his parents could never pay that and the reason why he didn’t get to go to the fundraisers all the time like he did was because his parents each worked 2 jobs to support thier family and couldn’t get him there. So my 11 year old volunteered his time every weekend at the remaining fund raisers and raised 300.00 which he gave to the boy so he could go too.
Chrysa says
We collect food for our local food bank. When we can get great deals at the grocery store we buy as much extra as we can to help them stock up!
Gaines Simmons says
We donate our time and money through various religious and secular organizations. I have joined, followed, liked, and subscribed. gainessimmons@aol.com
Judy Bradley says
Besides church donations, I also do volunteer work at my church, babysit for my grandchildren free so my daughter & dil are able to work and volunteer at school. I also have “adopted” a friend at an assisted living facility whom I visit & take on errands, etc. I also make a habit of befriending other elderly ladies & calling them so they do not feel alone. I do not have a lot of money, but I do donate to a couple children’s charities.