The Holiday Season is typically a time of year that is filled with excitement and cheer for many families. For kids, the Holiday Season is equated with a time of gift giving and receiving. However, not all families are so fortunate, and although we as adults are aware of this, children usually are not. Therefore, the Holidays are generally a great opportunity to teach kids about the gift of giving. Kids volunteering in Montreal is a great way to get everyone involved!
Although it can be a difficult conversation to have, make sure you are raising a socially conscious family that is aware of the conditions around them. Together, have conversations that encourage children to share what causes they are passionate about and act on it collectively. As a family, do some research on the causes and organizations around you. Then, brainstorm what ways that you would all like to contribute to this cause. It is important to help children understand that giving back is not necessarily equated to monetary value; there are many other ways in which families can help out. Here are just a few...
If your child’s birthday is right around the corner – consider asking party guests to donate to a charitable cause that your child has chosen instead of buying them gifts. Another alternative to this idea is to ask guests to bring gifts that will be donated.
Playing off the birthday party idea – perhaps encourage children to share their “wealth”, so to speak, by asking them to donate one item for every new item that they receive. Start this project at the beginning of the month and collect donation items in a box. By the end of the month, your child will be able to see the difference that they will make in someone else’s life. This method works with toys and clothes alike.
There are many different programs of this type that share a similar goal – which is to ensure that families receive help through the generosity and kindness of others. Taking on this project as a family helps other families in need, by providing them with all the basic necessities that they might need over the holidays. i.e. bedding, diapers, winter clothing, etc.
The Holidays can be a lonely time for many people in elderly care. Visiting a residence and bringing the joy and laughter of children to seniors is a great way to spread the cheer of this joyous season.
By bringing your child to a local shelter, they can experience first-hand the kind of impact that they are making. Whether it be a homeless shelter, a soup kitchen, a women’s shelter, etc. having your child participate and volunteer their time is a priceless donation. In other words, when people see kids volunteering in Montreal, their hearts will be touched in many ways. Want to find places that will let your children volunteer? Keep reading!
The Friendship Circle allows kids, teens, and young adults to simply spend time with a child with special needs. Unfortunately, to give back is typically associated to donating money, food, or clothes. However, more often than not, the most priceless gift that one has to offer is their time and kindness. Moreover, they host a plethora of different events, and have different programs that children of all ages can take part in. You can contact them to find out more here.
The Kids Cook to Care organization shows children between the ages of 6 and 16 what a difference one can make in the world through food! Their mission is: “To build a global community through hands on food creation opportunities that empower children to make a difference in the world.” Kids volunteering in Montreal should definitely consider this cause! All this to say, if you’re looking for an opportunity to give back to the community as a family unit, email yum@kidscooktocare.com to find out how you can help!
The Adopt-A-Family program matches donors with families in need in an effort to make Christmas a more enjoyable time of year for all. More importantly, in 2017, they were able to provide Christmas gifts and grocery cards for 1,186 families. Most importantly, although this is a Christmas program, but donors of all background are welcome to join the cause. For more information, email aaf@childrensfoundation.org.
The Montreal SPCA allows families to help our in many ways; by donating food to the shelter, by becoming a foster family, by adopting a new family member, or by volunteering at the shelter. Why not make it a family affair by attending the shelter with your child. So, to find out more on how you can help here.
The Yellow Door’s vision statement is to “empower older adults and young people to initiate and engage in community and creative projects that promote social inclusion, combat urban isolation across all generations, and spark positive societal change”. As a result, they host weekly activities that are open to all ages! To find out more, you can contact them at admin@yellowdoor.orgAll this to say - giving back to our community should not only be associated to the Holidays. Although this time of year brings warmth to many hearts, we should always look for ways to help others year-round. For example, a part of the Laurus Lifestyle involves giving back to our community. Firstly, We do so through our Refugee Camp Program, where we host various refugee families over the summer; and secondly, we host a yearly #KIDSCAN fundraising campaign to help raise money and awareness for The Bell Fund. Above all, we hope to instill this love of giving back in all the children that walk through our doors, and to foster a warm and welcoming environment for all. With your help, we hope to see kids volunteering in Montreal over the holidays!
