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MAKE A DIFFERENCE: Ways for Families to Give Back

By Erin Stolle, Publisher - Macaroni Kid Alpharetta/Roswell/Milton October 17, 2016

As my kids get older, I feel like my mind is constantly spinning with the question of how I can teach them to be more service-minded. Let's face it...we're blessed to live in this community and have so many wonderful opportunities available to us. It's important to me for my children to not become entitled, but instead to appreciate what they have and think about how they can share their love, time and resources with others. 

Though they are still too young to volunteer in a soup kitchen, or work at a food pantry, there are still ways that we, as a family, can do something to make a difference. Not only will it impact the lives of others, but it just might build some pretty amazing character in all of us, too.

Are you looking for ways for your family to make a difference in our community? Following are some opportunities you may want to consider. i'll be adding to this list as I learn of more opportunities, but if you have a favorite organization or activity you like to do with your family, please share it with me by emailing me at erins@macaronikid.com.

NORTH FULTON COMMUNITY CHARITIES

NFCC Warm Coat Drive

New and gently used coats are needed for children of all ages and adults.  The month of October is the perfect time to clean out closets, collect coats and jackets, mittens and caps. Many local families in need look to us this time of year to provide essential outerwear for their children and themselves.  Share the Warmth! Click here to find a drop off location close to you and to learn more.

NFCC Thanksgiving Food Drive
NFCC’s annual Thanksgiving food distribution day helps over 900 local families in need celebrate the blessings of Thanksgiving in their homes. We need your help. Donations of non-perishable Thanksgiving food items and grocery store gift cards in $25 increments are needed this November! Click here to find a drop off location.

NFCC Toy Drive
Most of the families approved for holiday assistance this year will be served in our Santa Shop.  With the help of volunteer personal shoppers, parents of children 1-18 years of age “shop” at no charge in our Santa Shop. We anticipate over 2,000 children will be supported by Santa Shop this year. Your help is needed to bring the magic of Christmas and the holiday season to children of all ages. Click here to find a drop-off location, dates and toy ideas.

Volunteer in NFCC Office, Food Pantry, and Thrift Store - Ages 13+
Children between the ages of 13-15 are welcome accompanied by an adult. Individual teens over 16 years can volunteer without parental supervision. Groups of teens (16-18 years of age) must have an adult chaperone for every group of four. 

KATE'S CLUB

Adopt a Meal
Kate’s Club provides a meal for each program at no cost to our members, so we are always in need of meal donations! Volunteers prepare and serve lunch for the kids at weekend programs and provide home cooked family dinners for New Family Orientations and Family Nights on weekday evenings. Adopting a meal is a great service project for a work team or family and no training or screening is required. To sign up to adopt a meal, please click this link.

Supply and Snack Drives
Hold an art supply or snack food drive at your business, school, place of worship, scout troop or club. Kate’s Club maintains a list of currently needed items. 

PEBBLE TOSSERS

Pebble Tossers Inc. is a nonprofit youth service organization and family volunteering resource that makes it easy to find fun, age-appropriate service projects for kids and teens in Metro Atlanta.

Pebble Tossers has done all the leg-work for you, helping you Find, Take Action, Record,  and Reflect On, fun volunteer projects with local, pre-screened organizations in need of assistance. Pebble Tossers®Projects are age appropriate and cover 12 major cause areas including The Arts, Animals, Citizenship, Education & Literacy, Elderly, Environment, Families in Crisis, Fragile Children, Global Awareness, Homeless, Hunger, and US Troops & Veterans. 

Pebble Tossers additionally hosts monthly Community Service Projects where kids can volunteer and learn about other local nonprofit organizations and their missions to improve our community.

OTHER IDEAS TO TEACH KIDS ABOUT GIVING BACK

  1. Bring a plate of goodies to a fire or police station with a note of "thanks."
  2. Visit a nursing home and spend time with the residents. Make cards or bring flowers to hand out.
  3. Donate toys and clothes your family has outgrown.
  4. Write a letter for The Big Thank You campaign.
  5. Host a lemonade stand or bake sale to raise money for a favorite charity.
  6. Organize a toy, food or coat drive in your neighborhood, school, or organization.
  7. Help a neighbor! Bring in their trash cans, or help rake and bag leaves.