This season of giving reminds us to be generous to those we love, and also those we don't even know. In this article, I'll discuss a few ways to get your children or your class involved in some "giving" activities to help celebrate this season. Oh, and I also include a few Thanksgiving websites for lesson ideas and planning for the traditional teachings about this holiday, too.
You might want to investigate some of your local food banks, the Salvation Army in your area, or other community activities which are organized to support those in need during the holidays. In our area, a local radio station does an annual "Stuff a Bus" campaign. They literally stuff a bus with donations of food, clothing, and other items. They broadcast from the bus for three days and encourage donations. Each year the bus is overflowing at the end of the drive!
Food banks are always in need. Second Harvest is a national organizations that organized food drives around the country. Check here for a link to your local area: http://www.secondharvest.org/
The Salvation Army is another reputable organization to get involved with. They are "dedicated to caring for the poor, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, loving the unlovable, and befriending the friendless". They collect each year, and their donations to seniors, disaster relief, and the needy can make a big difference in the local community. Here's a link to the national organization, but you'll probably find a local branch in your phone book: http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/
Check with your school policies regarding having classes collect items and donate them to a local charity. If it is okay at your school, what better way to make your students aware of the power of giving?
Another great way to give is to the US Marine's Toys for Tots campaign. Each year the Marines collect new, unwrapped toys to donate locally to families in need for the Christmas holiday. Check out a local Toys for Tots event here: http://www.toysfortots.org/home/faq.html.
There are many other ways for your children to get into the giving spirit for the holidays. In our school, we had a Mitten Tree each year. Children donated hats and mittens which were used to decorate the tree until the holiday break, and were then donated to needy families. Our local PTO organized a food donation at both Thanksgiving and Christmas. Some of our students visited area nursing homes and performed holiday music. Some chose to volunteer at the community Thanksgiving Dinner held annually at a nearby church. The opportunities are endless, and easily found if you want to involve your class in any of them.
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