Giving Back to Your Community - It's Everyone's Responsibility

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When did you learn that giving back to your community was important?

For me, I'm not sure I learned it until college, when I took a course in World Religions and volunteered at a soup kitchen. As a mom, though, it's important to me to teach my kids as early as possible how important giving back to the community is.

I also believe that we need to realize that a big, grand gesture isn't always necessary (or appropriate) even little things matter. Things like:

• dropping off old towels to an animal shelter,
• volunteering your expertise to a non-profit,
• donating gently used toys to a childcare center, nursery or play area  or
• taking a meal to a sick friend 

I'd love to share some of our family's favorite foundations, charities and organizations to support in our community:

The Breastfeding Resource Center - The BRC is a nonprofit corporation committed to providing expert clinical and educational breastfeeding services.

Ella's Retreat  Ella's Retreat is a non-profit organization that provides housing and logistical support for families with children receiving proton therapy treatment at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)

Cradles to Crayons  - Cradles to Crayons (C2C) strives to provide children up to age 12 living in homeless and low-income situations with the essentials they need to feel safe, warm, ready to learn, and valued

The Joy of Sox - The Joy of Sox's mission is to provide socks for the homeless. They started in Philadelphia and are planning to help provide socks for the homeless all across the United States.

I am fortunate to have time to volunteer at both of my children's schools . . .directly in the classroom and through each parent organization. Making time to volunteer plays into our family's decisions on work arrangements and activities.

I tell my children that no matter how bad they think they have it - there is sadly, someone worse off than they are. They are fortunate to have a roof over their heads, food on their table and clothes on their backs.  It is a family affair to gather up our too-small or not-right clothes and unloved toys to give to those that have so much less.

These days so many of us take so many things for granted. We live in a world that blasts us with media images of more and bigger and better. Positive change starts with community. A strong community is made up of people that support it.  If we all work together - giving what we can where we can. . .we can ALL make a difference.

How do you and your family give back to your community? I'd love if you would comment and/or share a link with your favorites.


Don't forget to help Walgreens help others! Visit their Facebook page here to learn about their charitable partners and decide which cause Walgreens will donate to with a quick vote. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.