The Busy Family's Guide to Volunteering: Do Good, Have Fun, Make a Difference as a Family!

by Jenny Lynn Friedman

Volunteering is an important way to cultivate compassion, gratitude, and empathy in children and to bring families together in meaningful ways. For busy parents who want to spend time with their kids while still contributing to their community, family volunteering is an opportunity to combine two commitments into one. This book is perfect for every family because it offers flexibility volunteer for long-term projects or one-time events. Whether you have a two-year-old or an eighteen-year-old, you'll find everything you need to know to have a fulfilling and fun volunteer experience, from finding the right opportunity for your family to answers to hesitations you may have. The perfect book for families who want to do good things for their community, spend quality time together, and have fun! The Busy Family's Guide to Volunteering shows you how to access the resources and information available to find volunteer opportunities that meet the needs of your family. Every family can begin volunteering together today with the wonderful ideas provided, such as

Genres: Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2003

Reviews

[Emily Geddes]

A thorough and detailed resource for families who want to make volunteering a part of their lives. First, Ms. Friedman provides information on the "how"s and "why"s of volunteering with kids of all ages, and assures readers that there's something for everyone to do. Then she lists volunteer opportunities grouped by general topic or area. (For example, in the chapter "People-to-People Ties" she includes ideas for serving senior citizens, the sick, those with disabilities, and children and families.) Each section includes general ideas as well as specific organizations and websites to research. She also lists books for kids to read on the topic and tips to make the experience more rewarding and successful, with sidebars relating other families' personal experiences.

Other general groupings are:
* "Healing the Earth" which includes animal rights, preserving parks and wilderness areas, clean-ups and recycling, and environmental activism
* "Fighting Poverty" by donating food, serving the homeless and supporting international relief efforts
* "Building Community" includes volunteering at your neighborhood schools, supporting local libraries and the arts and culture in your area, and teaching children and adults to read
* "Social Action" offers ideas for supporting the political process and candidates, organizing fundraisers, and taking up specific causes

There's also a chapter on volunteer vacations and another on how choices about where we shop and what and where we donate money or items can also be effective ways to help others and affect change.

Of course, this is only a starting point. You'll have to see what speaks to you and exactly what is available in your area as well as any restrictions local organizations have (for example, to volunteer at our local food bank, you must be at least 15 years old, so that's off the table for my family with young kids for right now). But Ms. Friedman has provided more than enough to get you started so you can find a volunteer opportunity (or two - or more!) that will work for your family.

For more book reviews, come visit my blog, Build Enough Bookshelves.

[Jennifer Daniel]

A great resource for families who are wanting to make a difference in the world. I found loads of stuff to investigate further, because we have so much free time on our hands. I do beleive in living my favorite quote, "Be the change you wish to see in the world." - Ghandi