In the age of social media, instant gratification, and individualism it’s important for parents to find ways to get their kids involved in their local communities. Community service or volunteering is one of the best gifts you can give your children. It can help them become more confident, learn how to build relationships, develop a spirit of compassion for others, and directly contribute to the community they live in. Through being a volunteer, your kids will learn lessons and skills that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. They will learn social skills such as teamwork and group problem-solving.
Being a volunteer offers kids the opportunity to meet people from many different backgrounds and can give your child a broader awareness of diversity. Children with parents who foster a sense of social responsibility in their children from a young age are more likely to carry that volunteer spirit with them into adulthood.
There are endless volunteer opportunities available to sign your kids up for. But, if you want your kids’ hearts to be in making your community better, the best way to volunteer is to lead by example. Volunteering as a family can be a unique bonding experience that creates memories that will last a lifetime. Teaching your kids to roll up their sleeves and help out in the community takes less time than you might think. Just 2 hours, once a month, can make a monumental impact on your community and in your children’s lives.
Here are just a few opportunities available in the Jenkintown area to start immersing your kids in the joy of service:
The Abington Art Center hosts everything from local art exhibitions to classes and workshops for artists of all ages. AAC instills the joy and delight of fine art into each of their special programs. Those looking to support the arts in the local community can volunteer for a variety of opportunities including summer camp internships for teens in grades 9-12.
The Breathing Room has been supporting cancer patients and their families by giving them a bit of “breathing room” from their daily struggle against cancer. Today, the BRF supports over 1,100 Philadelphia-area families. Volunteer roles come in all shapes and sizes depending on the needs of each individual family and can include practical help like making meals or yard work to helping out at fundraising events.
The Jenkintown Food Cupboard is managed by the Jenkintown United Methodist Church and supports and provides nutrition staples to nearly 100 Montgomery County families each week. The food cupboard distributes an average of 17,000 pounds of food each month. The cupboard relies on volunteers to help with tasks such as deliveries, stocking, setup, distribution of food and clothes to patrons, clean up, as well as a variety of administrative tasks.
Cradles to Crayons
This organization provides for low-income and homeless children with everyday basics. At the Giving Factory, you and your kids can help make KidPacks during a two-hour shift to sort clothes, supplies, and toys that make their way to the girls and boys through the Giving Corps. They accept volunteers from age 6!
Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership Streamside Spruce Up
4th Saturday of Each Month
Start: 10:00 AM 1:00 PM
Volunteers can assist in any of the following areas: trash pick up, removal of invasive plants, repair of deer fencing, planting, and more. Location Changes Monthly, for up-to-date location visit https://ttfwatershed.org/events/ and to sign up please contact Ryan Neuman atryan@ttfwatershed.org
North Penn VFW Post 676: Cemetery Cleanup for Memorial Day 2020
MAY 2, 3, 9, 16 AND/OR 17
8 AM – 3 PM
VFW Post 676 is responsible for replacing over 8,000 flags at veteran gravesites at the Hillside and Holy Sepulchre cemeteries for Memorial Day. Volunteers can also assist with cleaning up the post for the Memorial Day ceremony. Please report to Mr. Thomas Hermansen at VFW Post 676, 2519 Jenkintown Road Glenside by 8 AM SHARP!. Please email Mr. Hermansen at tomchermansen@yahoo.com or 610-506-8350 with any questions. Volunteer Opportunity is for students in grades 9-12.
Central Perkiomen Valley Park Schwenksville, PA
Park volunteers are needed to help with flower gardens and general maintenance including painting, pruning and landscape cleanup.
