Make the world a better place with your kids. Looking for ideas or places to volunteer or ways to spread kindness? Here are some ideas that any age child can participate in locally, domestically, and internationally!
Local Ideas
- Generations United: They provide support to individuals in and around the North Fair Oaks area of Redwood City, and they are in need of families packing bag lunches and delivering to their offices for them to give to people in need. You can pack food as a family at home and deliver it to them and know they are going to people in our community in need. They also have other opportunities throughout the year that include the Dia de Los Muertos event, Thanksgiving meals, and holiday sponsorship to provide gifts.
- Street Life Ministries: (serves the unhoused in Redwood City, Menlo Park and Palo Alto) - You can pack hygiene kits at home and drop them off in the donation barrel outside the Mission/Global Hub office at PCC church located on 3560 Farm Hill Blvd. in Redwood City. Items to go in the kits are lotion, soap, shampoo and conditioner, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush, shaving kit, socks, and Kleenex.
- Lifemoves: They are having a sock and shoe drive (new items only) and they are looking for socks and shoes for all ages. They ask for no blue or red. Sign up Genius link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0d4faba62caaf49-newshoe. They also have various drives throughout the year. You can contact Meg G at meggie1216@att.net if you would like to donate or check out other opportunities.
- Ehpcares Hunger Program: (in Palo Alto) They have a holiday wish list for children and families in need. You shop for the items such as canned food, hygiene products, or gifts. https://www.ehpcares.org/holiday-giving.html
- Dreams33: A local agency that provides support to youth in foster care. A few times a year they have events to purchase gifts directly for youth.
- Miracle League: Brings together children and young adults with learning or developmental disabilities to play baseball. No matter what an individual's abilities are, they are welcomed into the community where the volunteers and buddies will work to support them so that they are able to have the best possible experience. Adult volunteers or children buddies are needed! Visit the website for more information: https://miracleleaguesfpen.sportngin.com
- One Life Counseling Center: They have many opportunities to give back to our local community. They typically collect clothing or other tangible needs for specific individuals. They also are in need of brown bags or plastic grocery bags.
- Create a Smile: Partner with RCFD for their 2022 Holiday toy and book drive.
- Help Plant Trees: They lead regular planting events from October through April. (This is best for older children and requires parent supervision and involvement at volunteer events but allows children to attend.)
Additional Ideas
Operation Christmas Child
With Operation Christmas Child, you pack a shoebox that gets shipped overseas to a child in need. You shop for toys, toiletry items, clothing, and/or stuffed animal. Fit it all in a shoebox. Even write a note to a child to include in the box. Register the box online and then drop off at a donation site. Get a tracking number and you get to see which country your box ends up in. National Collection week is November 14-21, 2022. So start shopping now and look up local drop-off sites online!
Write an Encouraging Letter
Top 3 places that will deliver a letter to someone who can use some encouragement:
- Letters for children who are refugees.
- Letters for seniors.
- Letters to help encourage someone diagnosed with depression.
Provide Birthday Supplies for a Child in the Hospital
The Confetti Foundation helps families shift their focus from their child's sickness to celebrating a birthday. Shop with your child to pick out birthday supplies for others in need.
Donate Hair (Wigs for Kids)
There are many places where you can donate hair and you can research many options. Wigs For Kids is one that does not charge recipients for the wigs. *Note that they need 12-inch ponytails or longer.
When visiting events and local businesses, be sure to tell them Macaroni KID sent you... and don't forget to tell all your friends!
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