What: Ask a local organization if you can sponsor a class, come in and read books to the kids or throw a party for a holiday. Some organizations need volunteers to help the children with homework and/or projects. Chapman Partnership suggests hosting a game night, or putting together a group activity for their youngest residents.
Where: Afterschool programs, daycare centers, foster group homes, shelters.
Reading in a Classroom
What: Read an age-appropriate book (approved by the organization).
How:
Find a fun book. It can correspond with a holiday or season. Talk to the teacher to make sure it's appropriate for the age of the kids and the subject.
Create an easy (and not too messy) craft project to go along with the theme of the book. There are lots of ideas online. Bring friends to help with the project.
Bring enough copies of the book to give out to all of the kids in the classroom. Check Scholastic and other discount bookstores for good prices.
Holiday Parties
How:
Get together with a group of friends or family to run the party.
Bring games like Bingo, Pin the Tail on the Donkey, Simon Says, Hulahoops, Easter Egg Hunt, etc that you can do in small groups.
Have inexpensive prizes that the kids can pick out for playing the games.
Bring healthy foods. Many kids don't have access to fresh foods and it's a good opportunity for them to try new things. (Fruits, vegetables, cheese, healthy dips like hummus)
Supply festive plates, napkins and decorations.
Have someone dress up as a character from the holiday (Santa, Easter Bunny, etc.) to give out gifts.
Add other fun activities like a face painter, tattoos,
If you know someone who take great photos, families would really appreciate pictures of their children. You can get inexpensive wood or foam frames to put them in.
"Joy of Giving" Event Idea
What: Touch A Heart Foundation sets up a “shop” the week before Christmas at the Florence Fuller Child Development Center. The children in the after-school program come and pick out gifts for their caregivers and make cards to go with them. The volunteers help the kids find items they like.
How: Create an event like this.
To save money on buying the gift items, you can do a collection of “regifts” from family and friends. See list below. Everyone has a few items in their house that they got as gifts or bought but don’t use. Just make sure you have plenty of gift items so the kids have lots to choose from.
Other supplies needed: shopping bags and tissue paper, blank cards and crayons or markers.
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