The Family Quilt

I love this idea! This article explains how you can host a cookie decorating party and donate the cookies to a shelter or other community organization. You can download a helpful guide on this page. If you’re not sure what ingredients to assemble, you can buy a kit with the essentials here.

Candace Fleming’s Boxes for Katje is based on an experience the author’s mother had following World War II when she sent toothpaste, a pair of socks, a bar of soap, and a note of good wishes to Europe. In Boxes for Katje, an American girl named Rosie who lives in Mayfield, Indiana, sends a box to Katje, a girl who lives in war-torn, poverty-stricken Olst, Holland. When Katje sends Rosie a letter of thanks, an exchange between the two towns is set in motion. The book’s message of giving and meeting others’ needs and themes of friendship and hope make it a great book to discuss with your children.

This Homeschool Share unit study on Boxes for Katje includes suggestions for activities you can do with your child and discussions you can have together about generosity and other topics highlighted in the book. The book was also featured on Reading Rainbow and is available on video.

If Boxes for Katje inspires your kids to send a box or care package to someone, you might consider putting together a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child. Check the care packages category on this site for additional ideas.

A Colorado youth’s heart was touched when she became aware of poverty’s effects on other children in her community. She and her mother started a charity called A Birthday for Me to provide parties and presents for homeless and low-income infants and children. You can read more about Micheli and the organization she initiated here.

This is such a wonderful model of a child seeing a need in her community and taking action to solve the problem. Micheli didn’t let her age or the lack of an existing organization stop her, and her enthusiasm and compassion will hopefully inspire others.

From the article:
Adults or children who want to help with the next birthday party or those who want to donate money, toys, entertainment or other birthday services should e-mail Micheli at abirthdayforme@gmail.com.