It is never too early to teach children to be grateful for what they have and to teach them the importance of volunteering to help others. Unfortunately, due to liability issues, many places where people can volunteer will not allow people under the age of 16 or 18 to volunteer. These include places like homeless shelters and hospitals. However, this doesn't mean that there isn't anything that your child can do to help. Here are a few ways that your children can help other children in a homeless shelter without actually volunteering in the shelter.
Make Tied-Fleece Blankets
If your children can tie knots, they can make tied-fleece blankets. Tied-fleece blankets can be made from fleece material and then donated to a homeless shelter. Many shelters will distribute them to children who will then have a colorful blanket to call their own. Follow these steps to help your child make tied-fleece blankets:
- Start out with two pieces of fleece, about one yard in length. You can make them larger if the homeless shelter you are donating them to has a lot of teenagers or even needs adult blankets. Lay the first piece of fleece so that the wrong side of the fabric is facing upward. Lay the second piece of fleece flat atop the first piece with the right side face up. This ensures you will see the right side of the fabric on both sides of the blanket.
- Trim off the edges of the fleece so your two pieces are the exact same size.
- Cut a three-inch by three-inch square of fabric off each corner.
- Cut three-inch slits every inch to inch and a half along all four sides of your fleece blanket. Make sure you keep both pieces of fleece aligned so your cuts are evenly spaced on both pieces of fabric.
- Starting at one of your cutout corners, tie the slit in the top piece of fleece to the corresponding slit in the bottom piece of fleece. Double knot it for added security. Continue this all the way around the blanket.
Let Your Children Write Notes or Letters
It is always nice to hear how important and special you are to someone else. Unfortunately, children living in a homeless shelter may not always feel like they are important. Their parents may be busy trying to work and provide for their children or are dealing with their own issues. Allowing your child to write encouraging notes to these kids or even draw pictures that can be displayed in the shelter can be a great way to uplift other children. If possible, distribute these notes and pictures to homeless shelters along with paper, pens, and crayons. This way the children in the shelters can write or draw their own pictures and notes that they can distribute to others in the shelter.
Help Organize Donations at Their School or Church
Another way your child can help other children at a homeless shelter is by helping to organize a donation event at their school or church. Many homeless shelters are in need of children's pajamas, clothes, socks, shoes, games, toys, and school supplies. And homeless shelters always accept food and toiletries. While your child can't volunteer directly at the shelter, they can organize an event at their school or church and ask other children to participate and donate to the cause. They can then sort through what was received and help drop off the donations to a homeless shelter in need in your area. This is a great way for kids to get involved in their community.
Children learn by example. If they see that you make volunteering a part of your life, they are more prone to do so. Starting children volunteering at a young age can be rewarding and help instill this value into them. Though volunteer options can be limited for children. you and your child can help other children with a little creativity. Contact a shelter like Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities for more ideas.
