Earth Day (April 22) is always bursting with volunteer activities centered on local environmental issues. But you can plant the idea of environmental stewardship in your children without participating in a service activity. This year's Earth Day theme, called A Billion Acts of Green®, emphasizes that making little changes in our daily life can be the most effective way to help the planet. See the resources below.

Talk About It.....

 

While you're studying how your habits could change, discuss the importance of living as sustainably as possible. These questions can get the conversation rolling:

 

• What good things are we already doing in our day to help the earth?
• What simple changes can our family make to take even better care of our planet?
• Why is it important to be good about: recycling? composting? turning off the lights? taking shorter showers? turning off the water while brushing our teeth?
• Why is it sometimes hard to make even small changes like these?

Learn about it.....   

 

There's a whole crop of resources to teach children about the environment - from plants and animals, to pollution and energy. Here are some we recommend. 

• A great list of kid-friendly environmental websites can be found at the Natural Resources Defense Council. Guide your children to sites that fit their interests and ages.

• The Story of Stuff is an ingenious 20-minute film about where things come from and where they end up, and the social and environmental implications. While watching together, talk about whether consumerism has gotten the better of your family! Or check out Loop Scoops, fun, PBS-created videos that also get you to consider the stuff in your life.
• The book 365 Ways to Live Green for Kids: Saving the Environment at Home, School, or at Play--Every Day! by Sheri Amsel offers simple ideas for how kids can protect the earth. 

We need your help! 

Doing Good Together inspires and helps families to volunteer together, in the interest of raising children who are compassionate, socially aware and instilled with the lifelong habit of giving. To realize our mission, we need volunteers ourselves! Special needs are our event and fundraising committees and someone to help us develop a social media strategy. We'd especially love your contribution if you enjoy fostering collaborations and helping businesses, organizations and individuals find ways to give back to the community. Experience with fundraising, development, event planning, event sponsorships, corporate and community partnerships, promotions, or marketing is helpful but not required. Please contact Jenny at jenny@doinggoodtogether.org.