As kids are inundated with gifts during the holidays, many forget to count their blessings. By encouraging them to volunteer in the community and serve others in need, they will be reminded about the true spirit of giving. Volunteering shows children how sharing their time helps to create a better community.
Families can get creative and hold a bake sale or car wash to collect funds for their favorite charity. Those who prefer to work within an organization should keep in mind that many agencies require volunteers to submit an application and attend an orientation or training session. Here are some ways for families to give back:
Organize a food drive
Food banks always need to replenish their shelves, and collecting food for the hungry is an activity that is easy for kids to understand and can be done even with very young children. Collecting canned goods and nonperishable food from neighbors and friends and delivering them to the Hawaii Foodbank for distribution helps to feed the hungry during the holidays and into the new year. To help in the Foodbank warehouse, you need to be at least 18 years old. Canned meat, canned meals like chili and stew, canned vegetables and fruits, and rice are requested.
Call Hawaii Foodbank at 954-7869 or email volunteer@hawaiifoodbank.org. To download an instructional community food-drive packet, visit hawaiifoodbank.org/pdf/2015%20Packet.pdf.
Spend time with elders
Sing Christmas carols at a local senior home or make some holiday cards to distribute. Here are just two facilities that are seeking help spreading cheer:
>> Lunalilo Home invites families and groups to share their talents with kupuna, whether it’s singing, dancing, arts and crafts or floral arranging. Playing cards and board games or just talking story are also encouraged. To schedule, call 395-4065, email jill@lunalilo.org or visit lunalilo.org.
>> Lanakila Meals on Wheels needs people to deliver meals to seniors. Drivers must be 18 years old, but the whole family could be involved. Visit lanakilapacific.org/programs/lanakila-meals-on-wheels or call 356-8519.
Support the troops
Say thank you to our servicemen and women by finding volunteer opportunities in the military community.
>> Teens interested in volunteering at one of the local military installations can sign up through the Red Cross at hawaiiredcross.org. Opportunities include shadowing health professionals in the hospital, greeting and escorting hospital visitors, and delivering holiday cards to service members. Vist rdcrss.org/1NslyOf or call 734-2101.
>> The Adopt a U.S. Soldier program allows families to show support for deployed troops. Families can adopt an individual military troop member and support him or her by sending weekly letters or cards or even care packages for the length of his or her deployment. If you prefer a simpler option, Project Frontlines offers the opportunity to send a one-time letter or package or shorter-term “adoptions.” Visit adoptaussoldier.org.
>> To donate to the military food pantries, call the Chaplains’ Food Pantry at 655-0149 or the Army Services YMCA Food Pantry at 624-5645, or visit asymca.org/honolulu-hi/programs. Nonperishable items are accepted at 1586 Tremble Road, Building 585, on Schofield Barracks (next to the commissary and arts and crafts building).
Help local keiki charities
Plenty of agencies are dedicated to helping needy children and their families. Call your favorite or consider one of these:
>> HUGS, an organization that serves families with seriously ill children, has junior volunteer opportunities for teens ages 15 to 17. One-on-one buddies are needed for the respite program. Younger children can create birthday or other greeting cards or help with on-site projects, but they must be accompanied by an adult. Visit hugslove.org or call Jeanette at 732-4846.
>> Make-A-Wish Hawaii has volunteer opportunities for teens ages 16 and older, for special events and assistance with administrative tasks. The agency grants wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. Visit hawaii.wish.org.
>> Ronald McDonald House Charities of Hawaii, which provides housing for seriously ill children and their families, seeks groups to prepare meals for the families staying at the house; children under the age of 14 need to be accompanied by an adult. Bake nights, where families sign up to bring in ingredients and make cookies or other treats at the Ronald McDonald House, is another option. Call 973-5683 to schedule a time slot. A wish list is provided on the website at ronaldhousehawaii.org under the “how you can help” tab. Email info@rmhchawaii.org.
>> Easter Seals Hawaii offers volunteer opportunities for teens, ages 16 and older, to work with kids with special needs. Volunteers under the age of 18 need to be accompanied by an adult. Call 529-1708 or visit easterseals.com/hawaii.
Pets need love, too
Families can volunteer at animal shelters or offer foster care for animals in their home:
>> At Oahu Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, keiki can volunteer to assist with cleaning, grooming, socialization and exercising of animals; adoption events; and office administration. Children under the age of 15 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian; volunteers must be over 18 to work in the dog kennels. All volunteers receive a short orientation and on-the-job training. Animals can also be fostered at home. Call or text 754-1519, email outreach@oahuspca.org or visit oahuspca.org.
>> The Hawaiian Humane Society allows parent-child teams to volunteer to work in the cat house or with smaller animals and to assist with adoptions. Keiki, ages 8 to 13, must attend training with an adult to be eligible to volunteer (an additional training session allows the keiki to work with dogs, walking and washing them). Volunteers 14 or older may work independently at the shelter but must be able to work a three-hour shift weekly for a minimum of three months. Call 356-2222 or visit hawaiianhumane.org.
Care for the aina
Taking care of the land is something kids can learn from an early age. Here are a few suggestions to get started:
>> Sustainable Coastlines hosts beach cleanups, or you can clean up your neighborhood beach on your own with the keiki. Visit sustainablecoastlineshawaii.org; under their services tab there are DIY cleanup instructions.
>> 808 Cleanups mission is to empower communities to restore the island’s beauty through beach, hiking-trail and marine-debris cleanups. Visit 808cleanups.org.
>> Malama Na Honu has positions for Honu Guardian volunteers at Laniakea Beach to offer educational outreach about the protected species. Minors are welcome as long as they are accompanied by an adult. Visit malamanahonu.org or email info@malamanahonu.org.
>> Malama Maunalua offers volunteer opportunities for families, including pulling invasive alien algae from Maunalua Bay, bringing bags of algae back to shore and helping load the bags onto trucks. Visit malamamaunalua.org, email anna@malamamaunalua.org or call 395-5050.
