Volunteering as a Family

by Mary Lebeau

Charity may begin at home, but it doesn’t need to stay there. Increasing numbers of families are giving to their communities as a unit—and finding they reap the benefits as well.

College freshman Anna MacDonald travels from campus to her Durham, N.C., home three times a year for Host Week. During that week, she and her parents Katy and Roy eat, sleep, and spend time with their “guests”—homeless families sheltered in their church, which is part of the Family Promise network.

The MacDonalds prepare meals, make beds, play board games, or help search help wanted ads. Teen-age son Zack also pitches in, moving furniture to provide a sleeping area in the church. “We’ve learned you cannot measure the quality of life through economics,” Anna says. “Life is complex, and we’re all a community.”

True quality time

“Many people find the barrier to volunteerism is available time,” says Bob Goodwin of the Points of Light Foundation. “People don’t want to take time away from their families.”

The simple—and often overlooked—solution is to include your children in volunteer activities. “Volunteering together is true quality time, teaching values and selflessness,” Goodwin says.

“We like doing things as a family,” says Sandy Lish of Walpole, Mass., who attends walkathons with her husband and children. “The walks are something we can do together, and we can teach our children at the same time.”

Though her children are too young to grasp the concepts of philanthropy, Lish explains the walk in terms they understand. “We tell them the March of Dimes helps babies be healthy.”

“Any time a child is old enough to grasp the concepts of self versus others, it’s not too early to teach charity,” Goodwin says.

Fringe benefits

Charities aren’t alone in benefiting from family volunteerism—the family benefits as well. “Volunteering together helps strengthen family connections and improves communication,” Goodwin says.

Cathy Law of Englewood, Colo., finds including her children in her senior meal delivery rounds has taught them a variety of life issues. “They’re very tolerant of changes that occur when people grow older,” she says. “They’ve been introduced to different cultures, and ways to live.”

How do you choose a charity? Well, there’s no reason why charitable work shouldn’t be fun. If volunteering is something the children enjoy doing, they’ll continue doing it even after they’ve grown.

Parenting expert Sally Jones of BHG.com suggests choosing a volunteer activity that reinforces your family values. “Children should get the sense that giving back is important, so seek out a charity that’s important to you,” she says. Churches, civic groups, businesses, and schools often provide opportunities for volunteerism.

And don’t forget the role you play in your child’s volunteer activities. “There’s no replacement for good modeling,” Goodwin says. “Parents who volunteer leave an impression on their children. This may serve to lay the foundation for subsequent participation by the child.”

Mary Lebeau writes from her home in New Jersey.

first appeared: 10/5/2003