November isn't just for giving thanks — it's also the beginning of the giving season, when nonprofits mail their end-of-year fundraising letters and adults write checks to support their work. Most kids don't have checkbooks, though. So how can the younger generation support those in need? And how can parents help their children see the value of giving to others without expecting to receive something in return? To answer those questions, we compiled this list of ways families can give back to their communities. We started by emailing dozens of Vermont-based nonprofits to ask for specific suggestions of ways kids can support them around the holidays besides just giving money. Then we asked Kids VT readers to share ways they volunteer with their families via social media. We condensed all the great ideas we received into this nifty list. We hope it inspires your family to lend a helping hand in the coming months. 1. Grant someone's wish. Many organizations ask for holiday gifts on behalf of kids and families who can't afford them. Lund, an organization that serves women, children and families, posts a wish list on its website and, in December, designates four days for people to bring in their unwrapped gifts, says communications director Charlotte Blend. The Humane Society of Chittenden County posts a wish list that includes pet food and cleaning supplies, says volunteer and community outreach manager Erin Alamed. Through Facebook, Kids VT reader Vicky Sullivan Sinagra gave us this tip: "The St. Albans Free Library puts the age, gender and wish lists of children on the fireplace for people to take and return with the gifts." Check with your local library to see if it has a similar program. 2. Love your neighbor. Through Facebook, mom Tiffany Ovitt McCormick suggests doing good deeds around the neighborhood. "Help shovel a yard, rake leaves, stack firewood," she said. 3. Hold a denim drive. Collect old pairs of jeans to help keep people warm this winter by organizing a denim drive. The Blue Jeans Go Green program explains how on its website, bluejeansgogreen.org. Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity's volunteer coordinator, Allison DeVoe, says the denim is "upcycled, turned into insulation and sent to our affiliates for use in our homes. Habitat for Humanity receives this recycled insulation at no cost." 4. Prep some food. Sian Leach, community outreach and volunteer specialist at the Committee on…
November isn't just for giving thanks — it's also the beginning of the giving season, when nonprofits mail their end-of-year fundraising letters and adults write checks to support their work. Most kids don't have checkbooks, though. So how can the younger generation support those in need? And how can parents help their children see the value of giving to others without expecting to receive something in return? To answer those questions, we compiled this list of ways families can give back to their communities. We started by emailing dozens of Vermont-based nonprofits to ask for specific suggestions of ways kids can support them around the holidays besides just giving money. Then we asked Kids VT readers to share ways they volunteer with their families via social media. We condensed all the great ideas we received into this nifty list. We hope it inspires your family to lend a helping hand in the coming months. 1. Grant someone's wish. Many organizations ask for holiday gifts on behalf of kids and families who can't afford them. Lund, an organization that serves women, children and families, posts a wish list on its website and, in December, designates four days for people to bring in their unwrapped gifts, says communications director Charlotte Blend. The Humane Society of Chittenden County posts a wish list that includes pet food and cleaning supplies, says volunteer and community outreach manager Erin Alamed. Through Facebook, Kids VT reader Vicky Sullivan Sinagra gave us this tip: "The St. Albans Free Library puts the age, gender and wish lists of children on the fireplace for people to take and return with the gifts." Check with your local library to see if it has a similar program. 2. Love your neighbor. Through Facebook, mom Tiffany Ovitt McCormick suggests doing good deeds around the neighborhood. "Help shovel a yard, rake leaves, stack firewood," she said. 3. Hold a denim drive. Collect old pairs of jeans to help keep people warm this winter by organizing a denim drive. The Blue Jeans Go Green program explains how on its website, bluejeansgogreen.org. Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity's volunteer coordinator, Allison DeVoe, says the denim is "upcycled, turned into insulation and sent to our affiliates for use in our homes. Habitat for Humanity receives this recycled insulation at no cost." 4. Prep some food. Sian Leach, community outreach and volunteer specialist at the Committee on…