Comments on: Seeking Advice On Giving Back

By: thistle

thistle — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 04:55:56 +0000

i have a friend who just had her dog go thru a training program sponsored by St John’s ambulance that deems him now a therapy dog and makes him eligible to visit nursing homes…might be an interesting thing to try if the dog is temperamentally suited…maybe to visit and play with kids too…not being able to have a pet cos of living situations is a hardship that we normally don’t think about…my clients always like it when i bring one of my dogs to work…my GSD used to go all the time and chase balls endlessly for the guys in the backyard (my office is in an old heritage house)…just a thought….

thistles last blog post..I Can Handle a Little Housekeeping But Not Much More…

By: movin' down the road

movin' down the road — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 01:36:40 +0000

um. write checks until he's old enough? movin' down the roads last blog post..Ten things I’m supposed to like, but don’t

By: judy haley (coffeejitters)

judy haley (coffeejitters) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:32:07 +0000

Gilda's Club was created in honor of Gilda Radner to provide a safe, fun, helpful (and non-religious) environment for people living with cancer and their loved ones to get help, information, and just connect with each other. they need all kinds of volunteers for everything from cookie baking, to vacuuming the carpet, to teaching yoga, scrapbooking, or journaling classes. You might even be able to get your son involved in helping with the cookie baking. they also have a lot of kids activities. They have branches all across the country, but I'm not sure if they have one in your neck of the woods. there are other similar organizations but I can't think of their names of the top of my head. judy haley (coffeejitters)s last blog post..A Blessing

By: Tricia

Tricia — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 05:22:28 +0000

You guys are wonderful and there are so many great ideas here. My mom also called to tell me about an organization she had contact with today called dogs deserve better (www.dogsdeservebetter.com) that needs people to help collect outdated pet food from stores, etc.

I’m not sure yet what I’m going to do with Aaron, but you guys provided some great suggestions for me to research, and l inks. I don’t want to do something that’s a one-time-shot for the holidays, but instead I’m looking for something we can do on an ongoing basis, like once a month. I don’t want him to think community involvement is only a holiday-associated thing that we enjoy once a year.

As soon as we decide on an activity and I finish doing some research, I’ll of course post about it. Of course, of course!! If you have any other suggestions, please let me know. I’m really leaning toward doing something that includes one of our dogs. I’m already training with him, and Aaron LOVES dogs, so maybe combining the concepts could work really well.

By: Smart Mouth Broad

Smart Mouth Broad — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 05:21:25 +0000

Since one of your hot buttons is violence against women, it made me think of Children's Home Society. I guess because many of the children are there due to violence to them and in the family. I'm not sure what their policies are about young volunteers but it might be worth checking out. I have a friend who adopted twins at 18 mos from there that were neglected by drug-addicted parents. Because they were twins, they were there for 6 months before anyone took them. Everyone wanted one of them. No one wanted both. So their home was CHS for 6 months. Volunteers come in and play with and take care of the children. Smart Mouth Broads last blog post..NEW GIRL IN TOWN

By: steenky bee

steenky bee — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 02:09:06 +0000

I vote humane society or animal shelter. What about nursing homes or senior centers? If you'll recall I did some hard time for my crime at the senior center and children just make their day. I think they also have volunteering at children's museums or schools. steenky bees last blog post..Fattie: Week 5 (Good Goals / Bad Hair Judgement)

By: patois

patois — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:54:42 +0000

Our local Humane Society lets kids volunteer with their parents to play with the dogs. Another idea, if you have a dogger of your own who is friendly, would be to take her with you to visit senior centers. I think it's absolutely fabulous that you're doing this. patoiss last blog post..Haiku: Courage

By: Lori

Lori — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 22:02:07 +0000

I have a 2 and 3 year olds and we are planning on doing a couple of things as well. They are each going to pick a name off of an angel tree and they will shop for the child they pick. I am hoping that they can each pick someone their age. I want them to think about giving instead of recieving. My children already have plenty of toys so instead of buying them more "stuff" we will take a portion of what we would normally spend on them, give it to our little ones to use to buy gifts for another child. Like I said we have plenty of toys already(and they are in great shape) and we know they will be getting lots of gifts from others. So to make room for getting new toys, they are each thinking about what toys they would like to donate to a womens shelter. They will help clean up the toys. Plus we will donate the clothes that don't fit them anymore and that are in good shape. I am going to have them make cards to go with these items also. Since my little ones like to help me in the kitchen, we are going to make some special cookies and treats to give to students at the school, that I work at. Plus they will make some cards to go with the treats. In years past, we that work at the school, have asked the community for Christmas tress, lights, ornaments, tree skirts..ect..things that they want to get rid of but are in good shape. We then put together a tree and decorations for students that otherwise would not have a tree. We also have Santa come and one of the local churches donates gifts and on our last day of school before Christmas we have a party for the young moms and their children. I am going to try to incorporate something my little people could help with in this. I have thought about having my little people help round up food items to donate to a family in need. I think it's great that you want to teach your son about giving. And I do agree that it might help with the funk you've been in. Thank you for reminding me and others about how important it is to give and that it's never to early to teach it to our children. Loris last blog post..Perspective

By: Dave Fowler

Dave Fowler — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 19:27:39 +0000

I’m afraid I haven’t got any suggestions myself, sorry. But I’m afraid I don’t know more than a dozen of the people who live on my street. Life seems to hectic. Not a great excuse really.

In my former profession I had cause to visit Women’s Rufuges quite a lot. It’s a sad site that greets especially as there are often children involved. At least I knew the women and children were safe there, even if it wasn’t the right outcome.

By: WickedStepMom

WickedStepMom — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 18:49:24 +0000

A food bank is always a good one. Or getting involved in Toys for Tots. Its sponsored by the Marines. And I think Aaron would dig it because he could help other kids get toys for Christmas. http://www.toysfortots.org/ The are always in need of people to sort through toys or pick up deliveries. Plus, you would work along side Marines and so that should be pretty safe.

WickedStepMoms last blog post..Favoritism