Once the issue of greatest concern is determined, work together to find out which public services addressing the cause are locally available. Perhaps something as simple as running errands, raking leaves, bringing in their mail, or reading to them would change the entire scope of their world. If your child is involved in a youth group or organization that is performing a public service, such as a food bank or a book drive, encourage their participation and take an interest in how it is progressing. Holidays present the perfect opportunity to teach your kids the gift of giving. Volunteering in soup kitchens, creating or helping with a toy drive, and visiting nursing homes are excellent opportunities to reach out and learn the balance of giving as well as receiving.
Many ministries have volunteer opportunities specifically for the holidays.
For example, Samaritan's Purse, a nondenominational organization, has Operation Christmas Child, a program for delivering shoeboxes of materials to children who are victims of desperate situations around the world. Occasionally, parents are reluctant to unmask the harsher side of life to their kids, and certainly each family must decide what and how much is appropriate, taking into consideration such factors as the child's age and his or her ability to deal with emotionally charged situations. There is no need to make a young teen feel the pressure to solve all of society's ills. Rather, parents should strive to show them the rewards in being part of a much larger team working to ensure the Statue of Liberty's declaration to all people, one helping hand at a time. Try one of these opportunities to gift your young adults with the unforgettable experience of giving.