Charity work

[SimplyMum]

Ok, anyone do Charity work? What kind? Do you do it with your children? how old are they? When did they start?

I want to get into some Charity work. I want to do mainly for DS- he is currently 22 months old. Is this too young? Where do I start? what kind of charity work would be best for a 22month old?

[leane7]

Whilst I was pregnant & on maternity leave I did some volunteer work at my local St.Vincent De Paul charity shop. I basically just volunteered a few afternoons per week & I enjoyed this work. I got to meet many types of people, learn how to use a till & got a few bargins at the same time. I am not really sure what to recommend that can involve a 22 mnth old though?

Have a look on seek.com.au under Volunteer work & you might get an idea of some of the charity work out there that you could involve a child. Maybe something to do with animals?

My mum used to volunteer with St.Johns. They have a program where you visit elderly people that do not have any family close by. You have to commit 2 hrs a month to visiting them. She did this for a few yrs & enjoyed it. Also the old ppl were happy to get a visit. Maybe you could involve your child in something like this?

[bipster]

We started our own not for profit organisation last year. We all have children of varying ages, my now youngest was around 22 months when we started. The best project with a child that age is to start or help at a playgroup, we established a new young parents playgroup in town as there weren't any here but any sort of playgroup will benefit your community because they provide great support for mothers.

Some of our other projects have included holding a photography workshop teaching mums how to photograph children; holding a moulin rouge themed 'girls night out' as a fundraiser for a cambodian orphanage; publishing a book of children's stories and art; rebuilding a local playground; and collecting blankets for hospitals in mongolia; our next project will be fundraising to improve local parenting facilites.

Most of the organising we do from home by phone or email and we hold meetings at each others homes so the children can play safely. Then the events are on the weekend so husbands can help with the children.

I'm sure there are lots of local charities that would love to have you on board. What are you interested in?

[SimplyMum]

I can't say I'm really interested in anything that would help out a charity where my son can benefit too.

My motivation mostly is for my son to get involved with the community in a giving way. We don't have money to donate to fundraisers but I thought we could offer our support by giving our time.

Perhaps the visiting the ederly might be a good way. I wonder if they would be interested in having kids help in this way as well. Like a surrogate grandchild I suppose.

Or the animals, that might be a nice idea. DS LOVES animals. I might ring the local rspca. what could a 22month old do with a dog that would help the rspca? Help walk him? Is not quick, we'd be travelling at 1km p/hr!!! He can't really throw a ball just yet. And I'm not sure how he would go cleaning out a cage!!! I might ring anyway.

By the way, I am studying accounting and work in the accounts department of a campany. Whatever it is I do, I want Ds to be involved as well so accounting wont really come into play here.

[~J'dore~]

We volunteer to help support newly arrived refugees, we offer them budgeting advice, give them info and help with learning how Aussie systems work (doctor's appointments, finding jobs, centrelink even just how to use a gas oven!) And most of all friendship.

It's a great cause, these beautiful people have gone through so much just to get here and it can be so overwhelming for them trying to adjust.

We have 3 kids, 4 1/2 years, 2 1/2 years and 8 months and they all come with me/us when we visit and help. We have been doing it for approx 1 1/2 years.

If you want more info about how to get involved feel free to pm me:)

P.S. I think it's wonderful that you want to help other's less fortunate and to teach your child to do so too.:thumbsup: