Miriam’s Kitchen – Give to the MAX DAY! Tis the Season! It’s almost here and let it start with you!
by Sue Scheff on Nov 08, 2011
I know, the economy is bad, people have lost their jobs, parents are struggling to keep their home, food banks are begging for donations and volunteers are becoming scarce. However, there is one gift that never stops giving; and that is giving. When you give to others, the gift you receive is priceless.
Chris Abraham, a volunteer of Miriam’s Kitchen, asked me to share their “Give to the Max Day” which is November 9th. How can YOU make a difference?
• Starting at midnight on Wednesday, November 9, local residents will donate online to help raise millions of dollars for local nonprofits as part of the first annual Give to the Max Day: Greater Washington.
• Give to the Max Day is a massive one-day regional online fundraiser that will unite local Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC communities to support nonprofits serving the area.
• As part of Give to the Max Day: Greater Washington, nonprofits large and small can earn their share of $125,000 in cash awards, including up to $25,000 for nonprofits with the most individual donors and the most money donated.
• Homelessness in Washington, DC, the Nation’s Capitol: there are more than 6,500 homeless men, women and children in Washington, DC on any given night. Of those, nearly 2,000 are chronically homeless–meaning they have been homeless for a year or more, or four or more times in the past three years.
• Miriam’s Kitchen provides free, homemade meals and high-quality support services to more than 4,000 homeless men and women each year in the Nation’s Capitol, Washington, DC. Their core programs are meals, case management, Miriam’s Studio, and Miriam’s Cafe.
• Homelessness at Miriam’s Kitchen: on any given day at Miriam’s Kitchen, 82 percent of their guests are chronically homeless. In fact, the average length of homelessness of the guests is 5.5 years
• Nearly 80 percent of Miriam’s Kitchen’s guests live on the streets of DC, in parks around the city, under the bridges along the Potomac River, and in emergency shelters.
• Miriam’s Kitchen’s guest demographics: 95 percent of Miriam’s Kitchen’s guests are male, 60 percent are African American and the median age of our guests is 50.
• Mental illness and addiction at Miriam’s Kitchen: Many of Miriam’s Kitchen’s guests suffer from severe mental illnesses and addictions, making them the most fragile and hardest to connect with social services.
Be a part of making a difference.
Give to the Max Day is a one-day fundraising event on November 9, 2011 that will unite local Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC communities to support nonprofits serving the area. The goal of Give to the Max Day is to have 35,000 people give to their favorite regional charity, raising more than $3 million in donations and grants in just 24 hours! You can also find more info at give2max.razoo.com
Homeless in America:
• There are 671,859 people experiencing homelessness on any given night in the United States - roughly 22 of every 10,000 people are homeless
• 18 percent (124,000) experience chronic homelessness in the United States:Chronic homelessness is often the public face of homelessness, involving either long-term and/or repeated bouts of homelessness coupled with some sort of disability (physical or mental). People experiencing chronic homelessness often end up living in shelters and consume a plurality of the homeless assistance system’s resources
• 37 percent of the homeless population are people in families: Families become homeless as a result of some unforeseen financial crisis – a medical emergency, a car accident, a death in the family – that prevents them from being able to hold on to housing. An estimated 85,000 families experience homelessness each night.
• 50,000 young people are homeless long-term: Young people often become homeless due to some familial disruption, including divorce, neglect, or abuse. An estimated 50,000 youth experience long-term homelessness.
• 20 percent of the homeless population is made up of veterans: There are approximately 131,000 homeless veterans, accounting for 20 percent of the entire homeless population. Veterans often become homeless due to war-related disability. For a variety of reasons – physical disability, mental anguish, post-traumatic stress, etc. – many veterans find difficulty readjusting to civilian life.
• Non-chronic single adults: Survivors of domestic violence and former prisoners re-entering society are among the other groups of people that often experience homelessness
• Lack of affordable housing leads to homelessness: Homelessness occurs when people or households are unable to acquire and/or maintain housing they can afford. The main reason behind this inability to acquire/maintain housing is the scarcity of affordable housing in the United States – particularly in more urban areas where homelessness is more prevalent.
Visit http://www.miriamskitchen.org/ for more information.
Tags: Community Help, Community Service, Donating Food, Donations, Give to the Max Day, Miriam's Kitchen, Soup Kitchens, Volunteering
Teen inspiring teens: Prudential Spirit Award
by Sue Scheff on Sep 26, 2011
As a parent, you strive to raise your children right and you teach them the value of giving. Throughout the country and the world there are so many opportunities for youth to get involved in and help others. Over the past 16 years, The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards have been given to nearly 100,000 middle and high school students across the country for helping the less fortunate, promoting health and safety, protecting the environment, and many other volunteer activities.
The search is now on to identify thousands more who have made meaningful contributions to their communities over the past 12 months, as the prestigious awards program kicks off its 17th year!
In honor of this school year’s application period, I had the chance to interview one of last year’s High School National Honorees, Justin Churchman. Here is what Justin tells us about his experience and why he encourages more teens to get involved with this year’s awards program:
- What has being part of The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards meant to you?
Being surrounded by other community volunteers for several days was amazing! It give me an opportunity to share ideas, problems and concerns with other volunteers my age. It is inspirational and affirming, at the same time, to see what other teens are doing around the world and to realize that you are making an important contribution as well.
As a national winner, the experience has been incredible. When you look at the resumes of the teens from throughout the country, you see that kids are not letting anything hold them back – not age, gender, where they live, money and sometimes, adults! We are the generation who will be leading this country and programs like Prudential are making it clear that giving back to the community HAS to be a number one priority.
Application forms for the 2011 Prudential awards are available now online at www.prudential.com/community/spirit and the deadline is Nov. 1. I hope you will encourage your readers to apply!
- What is the number one reason you would encourage your peers to get involved?
The world is not going to be a better place if we don’t get involved. People don’t have to go to Mexico and build a house or to India and build a well. They can look in their neighborhoods for a senior citizen who can’t mow their grass anymore. They can walk down the street to a school where kids are working hard to learn to read and spend an hour helping. They can organize trash clean ups or clothing drives. And if everyone would just spend an hour or two, unselfishly being there for another person, they would be amazed at the changes inside them – and they will be back.
- Has this experience brought about new opportunities for you?
Being a Prudential winner introduced me to some of the most amazing teens in the country. I’ve met super achievers who are passionate about changing the world and I’ve met regular kids who are passionate about improving a specific part of their city. It has created networks where I can find support – both financial and physical – and a place I can turn to if I need motivation. I have also gotten some support for my favorite project, building houses in Mexico, at www.casasporcristo.org, and through my new online site https://www.giveback.org/pages/MyGiveBack/MyCauseIntro.aspx
- How did you go about selecting a volunteer project?
I built my first house when I was 12 by joining a school-sponsored project. I knew that was going to be my passion, so I just made sure I stayed involved with Casas por Cristo, the organization building them. In the early years it was tough, fund raising and organizing and convincing adults I could do the job, but now that I have proven myself it is easier. As for other projects, I just look around. Really, every community has the same needs. There is always trash to be picked up or families in need of food and clothing. There are always younger kids who need an older kid to hang out with or to help them with homework. I just see a need and do my best to find a solution.
- Why do you feel volunteering should be a part of every teen’s daily life?
I think every teen should be volunteering because we are the next generation of leaders. We learn what we need to in school to get a career and we learn from our families about relationships. We learn from spending time in the community what it takes to grow a community strong and how to find solutions to social problems. Of course, it makes you happy to volunteer, and it rewards you like nothing else can.
As Justin mentions, the search is now on to identify thousands more who have made meaningful contributions to their communities over the past 12 months, as the prestigious awards program kicks off its 17th year!
Justin Churchman, an inspiration to teens
Get out there and get involved by visiting the official website at http://spirit.prudential.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/spiritawards.
Tags: Parenting Teens, Prudential Spirit Awards, Teen Volunteers, Teens, Teens Inspiring Teens
Volunteering in America and Your Teens
by Sue Scheff on Aug 31, 2011
Community service is not only a way to give back to your neighborhood and community, it is a way to feel good about yourself. Making a difference is actually helping you and especially your teens with building self esteem. Feeling good about yourself helps you to make better decisions in life. Paying it forward is a lesson all parents should teach their children from a young age. Giving to others is a gift to yourself.
Did you know that your family could be leaving an important mark in American history, simply by giving time and service to your community? The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the federal agency for volunteering and service, released new data on volunteerism. Volunteering in America is the most in-depth report on national service – spotlighting:
· Who volunteers
· What cities have the highest rates of volunteerism
· How Americans are serving their community.
In 2010, volunteers devoted nearly 8.1 billion hours — giving time, expertise and “sweat hours” valued at nearly $173 billion. Of these volunteers, 22.7 million were Parents who dedicated 2.7 billion hours of service to communities across the country. Volunteers are working to tackle some of the nation’s toughest challenges: tutoring students, preparing and distributing food, providing disaster relief, and helping veterans and families of active military.
Check out this infograph for a great visual: http://www.volunteeringinamerica.gov/Infographic.cfm
CNCS recently gave me the opportunity to conduct an exclusive interview with Robert Velasco, II, who was designated Acting CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) by President Obama on May 27, 2011. CNCS is the federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in results-driven service through its Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America programs, and leads President Obama’s national call to service initiative, United We Serve.
1. How important is it to instill the value of volunteering to our teens early on?
Volunteering is a habit and – just like with reading, eating healthily or being active – often the “hard sell” can backfire. You can have a bigger impact by setting an example by volunteering yourself, and then gently nudging your teen towards trying specific service opportunities that meet their interests. Maybe your outdoorsy teen could improve a hiking trail, your promising athlete could help coach and mentor younger children, or your artist or computer whiz could lend their talents to a community organization or religious group. Volunteers of any age stay hooked when they’re able to find fun and rewarding ways to use their skills to help others. Visiting Serve.gov is a great way to find a volunteer opportunity that fits.
2. Are there any statistics as to whether volunteering as a teen leads to higher success in their futures?
Research studies of service-learning, an educational method that intentionally connects community service to classroom learning, demonstrate that service-learning programs can have positive impacts on youth in three general areas: academic engagement and achievement; civic attitudes and behaviors; and social and personal skills. The National Research Council identifies service-learning as one of the most effective strategies for improving student engagement and academic learning. Service-learning is one of the most effective and positive interventions for youth from disadvantaged backgrounds because it builds social networks, trust, confidence, skills, and other tools that can help youth succeed in school and in life.
3. What are some ways teens can encourage their peers to get involved?
A great way for your teen to stick with volunteering is to encourage him or her to bring a friend (or two) when they start. Having a peer to try new things with can make any activity more fun and working alongside someone who is also new to volunteering takes the pressure off. Teens can see each other try new things – and sometimes fail – and learn from early missteps. Part of the fun of volunteering is stepping outside your everyday life and trying to find your own answers to challenges instead of always asking someone else. If your teen is a regular (or semi-regular) volunteer, then you can suggest they invite other friends, or new arrivals to the school, to go with them and see if they like it.
4. How many hours are teens putting into volunteering today?
More than four million 16- to 19-year-olds volunteered last year, according to the Corporation for National and Community Service’s “Volunteering in America” report. All told, they contributed 377 million hours of service, with a particular focus on education and youth service activities. The top places where teens volunteer include schools (30%), religious institutions (30%), social service organizations (14%), and hospitals (10%).
5. What are some personal benefits that teens get out of volunteering? And do you find volunteering also influences teens to perform better in school?
When teens take on an issue in the real-world, they gain skills such as initiative, problem-solving, collaboration, compassion, and planning. Volunteering often provides a perspective and a community connection that are invaluable both in school and beyond. Studies have shown that high school students who participated in service-learning and service are more likely to be engaged in a community organization and to vote years after their participation in the program than those who did not participate. Other studies have found that high quality service-learning strengthens academic achievement. A large-scale Michigan study found service-learning to be positively correlated with test scores on fifth grade state achievement tests in writing and social studies. Three separate studies–in Philadelphia, Denver, and Hawaii–found that service-learning students developed better problem-solving skills and understanding of complex issues.
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Tags: Community Service, Community Service Hours, Sue Scheff, teens volunteering
Summer is almost here: How you can make a difference in a child’s life?
by Sue Scheff on Mar 16, 2011
The time is NOW! Yes, many people are struggling with today’s economy, but one way to feel fulfilled is to give a piece of yourself and your family to a child that has none. You don’t have to have a million dollars to give a child a fun summer. Just being there, playing ball, swimming or any other family activity is what many children crave.
If you or someone you know is able to host, please sign up now. In 2010, The Fresh Air Fund’s Volunteer Host Family program, called Friendly Town, gave close to 5,000 New York City boys and girls, ages six to 18, free summer experiences in the country and the suburbs. Volunteer host families shared their friendship and homes up to two weeks or more in 13 Northeastern states from Virginia to Maine and Canada.
Thanks to host families who open up their homes for a few weeks each summer, children growing up in New York City’s toughest neighborhoods have experienced the joys of Fresh Air experiences.
More than 65% of all children are reinvited to stay with their host family, year after year.
“It is rewarding to see the smile on our Fresh Air child’s face as she enjoys the simple things we take for granted…”
Friendly Town host families are volunteers who live in the suburbs or small town communities. Host families range in size, ethnicity and background, but share the desire to open their hearts and homes to give city children an experience they will never forget.
Hosts say the Fresh Air experience is as enriching for their own families, as it is for the inner-city children. There are no financial requirements for hosting a child. Volunteers may request the age-group and gender of the Fresh Air youngster they would like to host. Stories about real Fresh Air host families and their New York City visitors are just a click away!
Click here to learn more about becoming a host or call (800) 367-0003!
Fresh Air children are boys and girls, six to 18 years old, who live in New York City. Children on first-time visits are six to 12 years old and stay for either one or two weeks. Youngsters who are re-invited by the same family may continue with The Fund through age 18, and many enjoy longer summertime visits, year after year. A visit to the home of a warm and loving volunteer host family can make all the difference in the world to an inner-city child. All it takes to create lifelong memories is laughing in the sunshine and making new friends.
The majority of Fresh Air children are from low-income communities. These are often families without the resources to send their children on summer vacations. Most inner-city youngsters grow up in towering apartment buildings without large, open, outdoor play spaces. Concrete playgrounds cannot replace the freedom of running barefoot through the grass or riding bikes down country lanes.
Fresh Air children are registered by more than 90 participating social service and community organizations located in disadvantaged neighborhoods in the five boroughs of New York City. These community-based agencies are in close contact with children in need of summer experiences in rural and suburban areas. Each agency is responsible for registering children for the program.
What do Fresh Air children enjoy?
- Playing in the backyard
- Laughing in the sunshine
- Catching fireflies
- Riding bicycles
- Learning to swim
- Running barefoot through the grass
- Gazing at the stars on moonlit nights
- Building sandcastles
- Making new friends
- Simple pleasures of life away from the inner-city
The Fresh Air Fund at the Five Boro Bike Tour
Join The Fresh Air Fund at the Five Boro Bike Tour on May 1st! The largest recreational cycling event in America, the TD Bank Five Boro Bike Tour, leads bikers on a 42-mile fun course through the city and you can be a part of it! The Fund provides guaranteed entry into the event in exchange for a fundraising minimum. What better way to bike through an amazing route while knowing that the money you raise will help children from low-income communities who live throughout the city. Along the way, bikers will enjoy entertainment, rider photos, bike repair, medical support and the company of thousands of well-wishers! Click here for more information about the race! If you have questions or are interested in participating, please call Kate Brinkerhoff at (212) 897-8890 or email kbrinkerhoff@freshair.org.
Tags: Community Service, Community Volunteers, Parenting Blogs, Parenting Resources, Parenting Teens, Sue Scheff
Paying it Forward: Starts in Your Community – Local Dentist Donates to Troops and Needy Families
by Sue Scheff on Nov 08, 2010
It’s official! Krantz Dental Care of Mandarin (Jacksonville) has done it again!
Doubling their intake from last year, Krantz Dental Care of Mandarin, collected a new record of 1,400 pounds of Halloween candy for our troops serving overseas. “It’s a win-win situation,” says Dr. Alan Krantz. “We get to promote a healthy Halloween for children, while at the same time, are able to let our troops know we are thinking of them. Some of the children even wrote notes to be included with the candy—it was extremely touching to read their messages.”
All last week, children brought in their candy to Krantz Dental Care and received $1 for every pound. In addition, Krantz Dental Care donated an additional $1 to Feed a Needy Neighbor, a Jacksonville program that helps local families. Local schools got involved this year with Durbin Creek Elementary, Pine Forest Elementary and Creekside High School collecting 650, 62 and 85 pounds, respectfully. Nice, big checks went to each of those schools and Feed a Needy Neighbor received a check last week for $1,440 from Krantz Dental Care. Also part of this promotion, was free dental exams for those families who participated in this annual event.
Located at 12058 San Jose Blvd., Suite #102, Dr. Alan Krantz can serve all of your family’s dental needs. “We have practiced in Jacksonville for 16 years and it has always been important to us to give back to our community. It is a priority for us,” said Business Manager Adria Krantz. For more information, visit their website at www.krantzdentalcare.com.
Are you new to the area, or looking for a new dentist? Krantz Dental Care offers free exams for new patients. This includes an exam, x-rays as needed, and an oral cancer screening. For kids it also includes a braces evaluation. Click here for more information.
Congratulations to everyone that donated and to Krantz Dental Care who has proven again, it is better to give!
As the holidays are approaching, find a way to pay it forward to someone that needs that extra help. Encourage your teens to get out and get involved in their community, it also promotes their self-esteem to give back.
Tags: Community Service, Teen Depression
Sue Scheff: Teens Helping Special Needs Teens Through Friendship and Acceptance – Circle of Friends
by Sue Scheff on May 13, 2010
Being a teenager can be difficult. Keeping up with the trendy clothes, hair styles and hanging with the cool group is all part of being a teen in high school today. However when it comes to teens with special needs, having a friend is one of the hardest parts of going to high school.
Circle of Friends is changing that one school at a time. Circle of Friends is a social skills programs for teens and adults with disabilities such as autism, through understanding, acceptance, friendship and inclusion. Going into local high schools, teens are changing lives. They provide valuable support and friendship to those with disabilities. Teens and adults that were once isolated and lonely with their disability are now experiencing living through Circle of Friends. From a simple phone call, to going out to eat, Circle of Friends is providing a sense of normalcy to people with disabilities.
Special events are planned such as dances and organized outings to the movies and shopping help these disabled people learn better social skills and enhances their communication skills with others. Circle of Friends helps make dreams come true for these otherwise isolated teens and adults with disabilities.
A priceless gift that Circle of Friends creates is the gift of giving. Teens that take part in Circle of Friends are influenced by bringing an awareness of understanding and acceptance to those that have disabilities. It is true, it just feels good to give!
Encourage your school and community to open a local chapter today. Read Ella’s story. Learn more, click here.
Watch video and be inspired to start your own chapter today! Read more.
Tags: Autism, Autstic Teens, Community Service, Sue Scheff, teens volunteering
Sue Scheff: Easter Seals – Walk With Me Broward – Happy Easter
by Sue Scheff on Apr 04, 2010
As many celebrate this Easter season, there are many people that suffer with disabilities and have silently suffer. The mission of Easter Seals South Florida is to provide exceptional services to ensure that all children and adults with disabilities or special needs and their families have equal opportunities to live, learn, work and play in their communities.
Easter Seals has many events to raise money and awareness to those with disabilities. Coming soon is Walk With Me Broward 2010! This is a great experience for the entire family. On April 24th, 2010 at Markum Park in Weston, there will be a 5K Family Fun Walk.
Registration begins at 8:00am and the walk begins at 9:00am.
Money raised through Easter Seals Walk With Me will support a variety of local services in South Florida including: Children’s Therapy Services; programs for children with autism spectrum disorder; Child Development Center; Culinary Arts High School program; Adult Day Care for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss; and in-home respite care.
For more information contact Paula Mejia at 305.547.4713 or pmejia@sfl.easterseals.com.
If you are located in Dade County, keep May 15th, 2010 open for Easter Seals Walk With Me Miami 2010. Read more.
Tags: Parenting, Sue Scheff
Sue Scheff: Help Support Josie Ratley and her Family through local fundraisers
by Sue Scheff on Mar 29, 2010
Josie Lou Ratley, 15 year-old that was nearly beaten to death on March 17th is currently still in a medically induced coma after two surgeries. The judge has issued a gag order on this case and talking about the details, however the community of South Florida is continuing their prayers, supports and fundraisers for the benefit of the Ratley family. No matter what the circumstances, a beautiful teen is fighting for her life and needs all the emotional support we can give.
Recently a Facebook Group, Pray for Josie Lou Ratley was created. They are already 700+ supporters and growing each day. If you haven’t joined yet, please take a minute to show your support and become a member to support the recovery and assistance to the Ratley family.
Here is a list of what is happening this week to support Josie Ratley. As many know, the family does not have health insurance and the proceeds will help them with the high medical expenses.
CJ’s Drafthouse
March 29-31 and April 2, 6-9 pm
Deerfield Beach, FL
Janel Rena, The Discount Diva will be selling gift certificates for local restaurants and services to raise money for The Josie Lou Ratley Fund. Purchase GCs at a reduced price, help the Ratley Family and support local businesses all at the same time!
THINK - Is there a birthday gift you need to purchase? Mother’s Day is around the corner (pamper her with a beauty gift card). Graduations will be here! Teacher Appreciation Week is coming in May. It is National Volunteer Week in April, who do you know that helps other selfishly? You don’t need a reason to give, however the results are so rewarding. In this situation, you will not only be giving to someone you care about, you will be helping a family in need and a teenager that is fighting for her life.
Stop by and see Janel at CJ’s Drafthouse, Mon/Tue/Wed and Fri this week between 6 and 9 pm to support the Ratley Family!
Gift Certificates for only $5 (Value $20-25):
Carlucci’s (Cypress Creek & 95)
Champps.com (Cypress Creek & 95)
FirstWatch.com (Glades & Andrews)
LeBistroRestaurant.com (Sw10th & Federal)
Mojo’s Barber Shop (Glades & 441)
MoonliteDiner.com (Cypress Creek & 95)
Nail Mirage- Manicure (Hillsboro & Powerline)
Payzins.com (Sample & University)
RedsBackwoodsBbq.com (Palmetto & 95)
ShootersCafe.com (Oakland & Intercoastal)
For only $10 Value ($25-50):
BabyBootCamp.com (Coral Springs)
BeaconLightBarberandSalon.com (Lighthouse Point)
BodyHeatTanning.net (Coral Springs)
JazziHair.com (Boca Raton)
Hair Mirage (Deerfield Beach)
For only $15 (Value $50 and more!):
Empire Appraisal (FREE Home Appraisal)
DeerfieldJazz.com (1 month Jazzercise)
MartinoTire.com ($$$ toward services)
Mobil Auto Detail (Car Cleaning)
CJ’s Drafthouse (954) 428-9129
33441 E Hillsboro Blvd
Deerfield Beach, FL
For more information and updates, join Pray for Josie Lou Ratley Facebook Group today.
Watch the slideshow of a few of the generous vendors listed above.
Tags: Bullying, Community Service, Facebook, Parenting, Sue Scheff
Sue Scheff: Hope for Haiti – We have come together as a nation, now we must come together as a family
by Sue Scheff on Jan 21, 2010
George Clooney, Ellen, Justin Timberlake, Jennifer Hudson, Bruce Springsteen, Rihanna, Bono, Justin Timberlake, Sandra Bullock, Taylor Swift, Mary J. Blige, Adam Lambert, Michael Douglas, Christina Aguilera, Alicia Keys and many, many more will be on the phones on Friday, January 22, at 8 p.m. EST. This is a commercial-free telethon across ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, the CW, CNN, BET, HBO, MTV, VH1 and CMT.
What a perfect opportunity to get your kids involved and help others in need. Get your teens involved! Teach them how they can make a difference. Do they receive an allowance? Do they have jobs? Encourage them to give what they can and feel good about paying it forward.
Teaching our children young and by example will make them a better person and help them to understand how fortunate we are. When disasters happen, we need to come together not only as a nation, but as a FAMILY.
So this Friday night, make it a party at your home! Put the TV on and make the call to donate and have a chance to talk to one of your favorite celebrities!
Watch video intro and also on Examiner.
Tags: Hope for Haiti, Parenting, Sue Scheff
Sue Scheff: Haiti Crisis, get your family and kids involved
by Sue Scheff on Jan 17, 2010
The world is coming together to help the many victims in Haiti. This natural disaster has left many homeless, hungry, without water and destroyed much of what little many had. Many organizations, such as the Red Cross, are diligently working to bring relief to Haiti.
What can you do? Donating money is always needed (if you prefer to make a $10 donation by text message, send the word “HAITI” to 90999), however some people are financially strapped and/or you may have children/teens that would like to be part of helping these people in distress.
In South Florida, Fill The Truck For Haiti Initiative, has begun. You can encourage your family, friends and neighbors to collect are non perishable food items, toiletries, bed linen, first aid kits, new items of clothing, cots, bottled water, towels, flashlights and batteries, children formulas, diapers etc. For more information call, 754-214-3895. They are also looking for volunteers.
Encourage your teens to find ways online locally that they can get involved in. Giving back, volunteering and just being part of helping others can help everyone! Pay it forward, the rewards are priceless.
Also on Examiner.
Tags: Community Service, Parenting, Sue Scheff
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