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HAVE A FAVORITE FAMILY CHARITY

Very few activities can bring a family closer together than the act of giving. We have found that having a favorite family charity is a fun way to do just this. Whether there are just two of you or ten, the idea is to get everyone in your family involved in the selection and ongoing giving process. (Obviously, if you live alone, you can do the same thing by yourself or with a friend.)

Our favorite family charity is Children, Inc., out of Richmond, Virginia; (800) 538-5381. It’s an organization ideally suited for this purpose because it’s easy to get everyone involved. Your family gets to meet, through the mail, a special child whom you all get to help and, and this is important, get to know. Both you and your kids can send letters, photos, and pictures back and forth to the child you are helping and meet a new friend in the process.

Almost any charity can be an ideal opportunity to bring a family closer together. Rather than simply writing a check and putting it in the mail, bring your family into the process. Get a corporate brochure and show your children who it is you’re trying to help and why. Discuss the work that the organization is doing and applaud it together. If you are sending money, let the kids see you write the check. Maybe they can put the check in the envelope, or the envelope in the mailbox. Share with them where the money is going and what it is going to do. Ask your children who they would most like to help and why. Is it children, the elderly, the homeless, or the hungry? Or would they like to make a contribution to the search for the cure for cancer or blindness? Would they like to help stray animals or community development? This strategy gives your family the opportunity to discuss the needs in your community and in our world. It’s a demonstration of your love. It’s fun and rewarding, as well as helpful.

If you can’t afford to give money, your family can still come together around giving. Perhaps your church or local shelter needs some help. A church in our neighborhood makes bag lunches for homeless people every Saturday. What a great way to spend a morning with your family.

What you do isn’t as important as doing something. Giving of any kind feels good and brings people together, especially families. I hope you’ll give this strategy a try. It will bring your family closer together and reinforce your most important values, and if each family does its own little part, we can make the world a better place.