International Volunteer Day

December 5th, 2015 is International Volunteer Day

Last week was a time to be thankful and appreciate all we have. Tomorrow is the day to get out there and help others, or thank people who volunteer!

The International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly through Resolution A/RES/40/212 on 17 December 1985. Since then, governments, the UN system and civil society organizations have successfully joined volunteers around the world to celebrate the Day on 5 December.

Quote from United Nations

I love my children dearly and am so thankful for their good health and intelligence. However, on the days when I hear whining about what I’ve cooked for dinner, or see every toy they own covering their bedroom floor as they claim boredom, I feel like I have work to do on their global awareness.

There are so many ways to get out there and teach your kids to pay it forward! Start locally. Take your children to a nursing home to play board games with the residents. Go shopping together for local food pantries or put care packages together and deliver them to the homeless. Let your children help you box up clothing and toys they have outgrown and donate them to a local family shelter or thrift store.

You can also visit the website for your city or county. Many have sections dedicated to volunteering like on Seattle.gov. Here they list both local and global volunteering websites like United Way of King County and Volunteer Match.

If you have teenage children, Volunteers of America for Western Washington has a Youth Action Team. Your child can send in an application and become part of a leadership program. If they are younger than 16, you can volunteer together.

For younger kiddos, it helps to focus on their interests. This time of year they are probably making out their wish lists. Take them shopping to donate gifts for a toy drive. One tip I learned from our Nana is to have them pick out a toy for a child their age and gender, then that same toy can end up under the tree for them too! You can get more tips and ideas on the PBS Parents website for serving the community, volunteering and how to teach your child to be grateful.

How do you and your family volunteer? Add your comments below…

International Volunteer Day