| Doing Good Together Newsletter |
| Helping strengthen kids and communities through family volunteerism... |
|
We know what you're thinking: If it's fall, can the season of boots and snowsuits be far behind? This may be a good time to remember that teaching kindness to your children needn't involve leaving the house to do structured projects. There are countless ways to weave "kindness reminders" into your everyday routine. Impromptu activities that make another person smile can be just as valuable as the most thoroughly researched volunteer project.
Jenny Friedman, Executive Director
|
|
|
|
|
Committing Acts of Kindness
| Make a Difference.....
 These little actions can be especially fun for families with children:
- On your next walk to the park, pick up trash you see along the way. Throw away any litter you spot in the park before you start playing.
- Hold the door open for someone.
- Pay for the person behind you line at a coffee shop.
- Next time you bake, drop off homemade treats for a neighbor or friend.
- Leave an anonymous bouquet of flowers for a neighbor or friend.
- Make a card to thank someone or cheer them up.
- Leave the exact change by a vending machine for someone to find.
- Anonymously mow a neighbor's lawn, rake their yard or shovel their sidewalk.
Brainstorm other ideas with your kids, or visit randomactsofkindness.org or
helpothers.org to find activities that inspire enthusiasm in your family.
|
|
A World Peppered with Kind Acts
| |
Talk About It.....
Showing consideration provides a great opportunity to chat with your children about the value of kindness.
- Talk about brief encounters you've had with people (sometimes even strangers) that made you feel great. Ask your children about examples in their life.
- Talk about how the world would look if everyone practiced kindness each day.
- Read a quote about kindness aloud. Ask your children what they think it means and if they believe it's true. Sample quotes:
- "If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion." (The Dalai Lama)
- "You can't live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you." (John Wooden)
- "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." (Maya Angelou)
- "Be kind, for everyone you meet is
 fighting a great battle." (Philo of Alexandria)
- Talk often about the benefits of being kind. Give examples of the chain reaction that kindness can spark.
Learn About It.....
I Know a Lady (Greenwillow Books, 1992). Ages 4-8. Kindness is celebrated in this book about a young girl who expresses her admiration for a thoughtful elderly woman in her neighborhood.
|
| Inspiration | |
"That best portion of a good man's life; his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love."
--William Wordsworth
|
| News from DGT | |
YOU'RE INVITED!
The annual Doing Good Together fundraising gala is set for Friday, October 14, 2011, in downtown Minneapolis. Everyone is welcome (and encouraged!) to attend. The event is free, and we'll be featuring our traditional Wall of Wine Raffle, a live and silent auction, and fabulous entertainment. Complementary hors d'oeuvres, desserts and wine will be generously provided by Isaac Becker of 112 Eatery and Bar LaGrassa. Becker won the 2011 James Beard Foundation's award for Best Chef in the Midwest.
Your generosity will enable us to help more families raise caring, compassionate children who give back to their community. Visit our website for more details.
|
|
Doing Good Together is a nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization that provides information and support to help people raise compassionate and socially conscious children through family volunteerism.
Copyright © 2011 Doing Good Together
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
