If you’re fortunate enough to be able to give to a person and make their day or life a little easier, it is an empowering feeling. It’s also one of the many reasons people give back to those in need. With the global pandemic, it’s even more important to think about others in our communities, and you don’t need to travel far! Those in your local communities are in need too.
If giving back is already something you do, keep doing it! But if you are looking for more ways for you and your family to give back to your community, we have a few suggestions to help get you started.
What is charity?
Charity is the generous and thoughtful actions of individuals and organizations to give back and support those who need help or assistance. It is something each of us has done before, and as a community, during times like COVID-19, we should focus on doing more.
Supporting our local communities and showing support by shopping local is another way to promote your community and help small businesses thrive during these unpredictable times. There are many benefits of buying local, and teaching your kids how to shop in their community includes lessons that you can teach them at an early age.
Where to donate?
If donating is something you would like to do, there are many organizations and charities that accept and need donations. Canada Helps is an excellent organization to find a charitable organization in your province and town. But don’t forget to check if any organization in your neighbourhood is in need as well.
Donating doesn’t always have to be about money. You can donate your time by volunteering; you can donate food to a food bank or clothing to women and children’s shelters. Before you throw out old clothes, household items, or your kid’s toys, consider that by donating these much-needed items can breathe new life into them and is a thoughtful action for those in need.
Where to volunteer in your local community?
No money? No problem! There are many ways you can show your support to those who don’t have as much as you. If you aren’t in a position to donate your money, volunteering your time is another great alternative. Volunteering can appear in many ways. You could give your time in a kitchen making meals, coordinate charity events and even volunteer your professional experience to help further initiatives that will have a more substantial impact on the community.
If you’re looking for where to get started, the Pan-Canadian Volunteer Matching Program is a great place to start. There are over 75,000 volunteer opportunities that can be narrowed down by your interest and skills.
Read more: What high school students need to know about volunteering.
Teach your kids to have empathy for others
There is never a bad time to start encouraging your family to participate in charitable acts, and kids can be the most affected. Continuously talking to and encouraging kids to be mindful of other people’s thoughts, ideas, and emotions can help them build compassion for others. This is especially true when teaching kids about the importance of compassion during the pandemic, in an effort to help deepen their care for the world around them.
You may even inspire your family and friends to donate to a charitable cause too. Having a shared goal within your family or friend group to raise money for a cause that has a special significance to your group can create a lasting bond.
Help your kids understand the importance of giving back to the community
Giving back is one of the core understandings when kids first start learning about money along with spending, savings and investing. It isn’t always easy for kids to grasp the concept that some kids don’t have as much as them. But with time, you can help them understand that their charitable actions can help make someone’s life a little easier.
The best example is around the holidays when organizations are running a toy drive. Take your kids to the store and have them help you pick out a toy for a kid their age. They may really want to keep the toy but help by explaining that the toy they are giving away is going to make a kid like them very happy.
But it doesn’t have to just be in the holiday season. No kid likes to play with the same toy all year round. Maybe you can make it a family event where once a month, you find some way to either donate or volunteer. It doesn’t have to be big but consistently showing your kids how great thinking of others can be.
Show your kids how to make positive changes with Mydoh
Volunteering or donating your time, money, or unwanted items are great ways to give back to your community, and there is always more that you can do. Kids naturally love to help others, so getting them involved in donating to charity or volunteering when they are young is a great idea. They get to see that the positive change their actions make, and they may even continue to support charities and volunteer for the rest of their lives.
Continue to actively teach your kids about social responsibility by using Mydoh, so they can learn how to manage their finances and make an impact in the community.
Download Mydoh today to learn more.
This article offers general information only and is not intended as legal, financial or other professional advice. A professional advisor should be consulted regarding your specific situation. While the information presented is believed to be factual and current, its accuracy is not guaranteed and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the author(s) as of the date of publication and are subject to change. No endorsement of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products or services is expressly given or implied by Royal Bank of Canada or its affiliates.
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