Tomorrow our church has the biggest fund raiser of the year. Every year we have a church picnic where anyone in the community is welcome to come and have hamburgers, brats and hot dogs. We have done this for several years. This year we are adding both a live and silent auction.

Getting ready for this takes much time and energy, and of course, volunteer work. We have worked at this function, in some form, virtually every year. My kids work as well. Yesterday Hannah and I were at church separating the things that would go in the live auction and what would be in the silent auction. Tomorrow she will wait tables (clear away trash) and run errands. If Sammy were home, he’d be doing the same thing, and has done so in the years prior. They will also see me making food for the picnic (everything is donated) as well as making items that will be auctioned off.

At Easter time, our church provides breakfast for the choir members and their families. They sing at two different services with only an hour break in between so everyone is invited to breakfast. The food is all donated, but we do everything from set up to dishes. Our kids help to set up, wait tables and do dishes.

My kids do not get paid anything for this. They receive praise and thanks from the people at the picnic, but that’s the extent. We use times like this for teaching opportunities for our kids.

They learn to give back to their church and community and to not expect anything in return. Both of my kids have huge entitlement issues, so it’s a nice reality check for them. Sammy also owes community service, so it’s a great way for him to work off his time.

What you can have your child do depends on where the child is at emotionally. Here are some suggestions:

• Rake leaves

• Yard work

• Shoveling snow

• Planting flowers

• Adopt –A-Highway program for trash pick up

• Playing games with residents at a senior center

• Miscellaneous work for a farmer (hay baling, rock picking)

• Volunteer at an animal shelter

• Volunteer at a local thrift store

• Volunteer at a hospital - older kids can work in the neonatal unit holding babies

• Be part of a reading group at a library

Whatever you or your child chooses, it’s a great way fro them to learn about giving back to their community, and maybe take part in some things that they missed out on earlier in their lives. They may even learn some skills that will be useful to them later in their lives.

20 ways for teens to volunteer

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