We all want to instill a sense of service to others in our children. But, let's face it - teens always need service hours for some organization or another, and many teens volunteer for this reason alone. Yes, that may be the reason they sign up. But, in my experience, most teens leave their duties with the sense that they've given something back.
Here are some ways that your teen can volunteer this holiday season (and beyond). These can be done individually, or he or she can grab a group of friends, teammates, or group members to share in the experience.
- A food pantry or food bank. Many smaller food pantries are drained of resources at this time of year. Your teen can either collect items to donate to a local food pantry or serve directly at the food bank.
- Does your teen take great photos? He or she can serve as a volunteer photographer at a local non-profit holiday event, such as a Breakfast with Santa-type event, or at a senior center.
- Speaking of senior citizens, your teen can organize a group of his or her peers to sing carols or play instruments at a senior care facility.
- Many children's hospitals and care facilities have special events for the holidays. Your child can help with that.
- Is your teen a member of their school's theater class or club? He can organize a holiday skit or play for younger community children or senior citizens.
- Arts and crafts lovers can do the same type of thing - host a craft event with senior citizens or younger community children. This can be simple, like a seasonal coloring sheet or small craft, or elaborate, like gingerbread house building.
- Looking for something simpler? Your teen can participate in a holiday fun run benefitting a cause.
- Is your teen handy? He can help hang an elderly neighbor's or single mom's holiday lights or shovel their snow.
- The pet lover in your life can volunteer at a local animal shelter, or simply collect and donate pet supplies.
- If your teen is willing, he can exchange one wish list item for a donation to a charity of his or her choice.
