Spring Into Service - Family Style

There are small ways you can teach your kids that service and compassion are two of the most important aspects of life. Your biggest teacher on these qualities will be by example. Show them how great it feels to serve. I learned to help others by watching my parents give selflessly day after day. You don't have to have a ton of money to make a difference in your community.

1. Take a garbage bag on your family walk or Pokemon Go travels.

Help clean up your neighbourhood by simply taking a garbage bag on your walks or Pokemon hunt. You can buy a gripper arm to pick it up without ever touching it by hand and kids may even have fun seeing who can fill a bag first or who can work the gripper best.

2. Be A Cookie Ninja

I have great memories baking cookies with my daughter and then we would package them in homemade gift boxes and drop them at people's doors to add a little sweetness to their day. We dropped some off at the local Fire Station, Police Station and Hospital to thank staff for all they do to help our community or we would place them on the doorstep, ring the bell and then hide while they found their treats and a note of love from "The Cookie Ninjas". It brought kindness to a lonely widow or frazzled mom while making life long cherished memories with my daughter.

3. Visit a local Seniors Care Facility.

Many who live in long term care facilities have few visitors as family lives far away or have passed on and no one is left to show they care. You can make all the difference in a lonely elderly resident and help brighten the day of staff who are overworked and understaffed that wish they had more time to spend visiting with those they care for. Consider sharing your talents by making cards, performing songs or reading books to a senior who is lonely and you will enrich your life with the wisdom, stories, gratitude and spirit of those you give your time to. I spent many hours as a child and early teen visiting a local nursing home with my mom. I learned to love those who have lived long lives for the strength, soul and heart they have had to survive their journey.

4. Volunteer at a local animal shelter or pet store

If people are not your kids passion then what about giving love to those four legged creatures in need. Many animal shelters welcome community members to come cuddle, walk and play with the animals waiting for adoption. Get some free Pet Therapy and give some love to an animal who needs it.

5. Go through your closets, craft and toy rooms

One person's junk is another's treasure. An outfit you haven't worn in five years that is hanging at the back of your closet could be just the confidence boost a single mother building her life after leaving an abusive relationship needs to be successful at her next job interview. The toys your kids have outgrown and you keep tripping over in the basement could be bringing a smile to the face of a child who had to leave all their toys behind as their family escaped their war torn country. Turn up the tunes, open the closets and have a day of gathering your slightly used gifts for another. See which family member can find the most things to give or finally organise that craft room while you feed some children's imagination with the supplies you donate.

6. Decorate Placemats Or Cards For Local Meals On Wheels

Have a craft day when it's rainy and make placemats or cards for Meals on Wheels to give to their clients. It could brighten an entire day for a lonely senior and build some wonderful memories for you and your kids.

7. Grow A Garden And Donate Some Of Your Vegetables

A local food bank, soup kitchen or shelter would be a great place to donate some nutritious homegrown vegetables or fruit. A neighbour or friend who is struggling, someone who has been sick or an elderly neighbour may also find your garden gift to be hte miracle they were praying for.

8. Knit hats, mitts or blankets for a local shelter, to give to the NICU to keep premature babies warm or to keep in your car to give someone who is in need

9. Make Blessing Bags For Homeless

Gather a few essentials that you buy at the dollar store or have in the pantry and place them in a ziploc or backpack to give to local shelters, hand to a panhandler or person in need.

10. Give Your Time

Make a Minute To Win It or Field Game day at a local park for those in your neighbourhood who may not be able to go to fun summer camps or amusement parks and won't be vacationing this summer. My daughter and I made our own games as a craft day and then invited the children who lived near us to the "carnival". It didn't cost much as we used recycled crafts stuff from our craft room. A hoola hoop and brown packaging paper we painted a clown and cut out the mouth to throw bean bags through, a ring toss with colourfully painted empty duct tape rolls and other inexpensive homemade games. Donate time to a child, youth, struggling parent or senior in your neighbourhood and soon realize the more love you give, the more love fills your life.