Issue Date: April 27, 2008
Encourage kids to care
Kids who volunteer just one hour a week are 50% less likely to engage in risky behavior.
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You hear a lot of grumbling these days about how kids think only of themselves. It doesn't have to be that way: Several studies show that altruism can start as early as 18 months of age, and kids who volunteer have better grades and fewer discipline problems and are less likely to abuse drugs, alcohol or cigarettes than their more self-centered peers. Here are some tips on how to raise caring kids:
CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME
Early on, reward your child's impulses to aid other people. Kids as young as 3 can sort silverware or help you with the laundry.
KNOW THY NEIGHBORS.
Reach out to neighbors; work together to clean up a park or organize a giant yard sale to raise money for charity. Adopt a grandparent in the area who may need assistance or an occasional visit.
PICK A PASSION.
Many adolescents have strong feelings about the environment, racial inequality or other issues that inspire social action. Their Internet savvy makes it easy to find ways to make a difference. DoSomething.org lists opportunities for teens, and USAFreedomCorps.gov finds dozens of volunteer opportunities by ZIP code.
Contributing Editor Ann Pleshette Murphy is the parenting expert for ABC's "Good Morning America."
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Fundraising 101
Want to raise money for a person in need, whether it's for medical costs or other expenses? Some tips:
Read about general guidelines and effective fundraising ideas at StepbyStepFundraising.com or FundraiserHelp.com.
Open a bank account solely for donations using the beneficiary's Social Security number. (If he's a minor, then a parent or guardian has to open the account.) Banks might have other requirements for this type of account.
Keep accurate records of the money received, deposits made and payments given to the beneficiary.
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Volunteer to raise "helper" puppies
Train dogs to help others in need.
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Volunteer puppy-raisers for Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) get puppies off on the right paw so that the highly trained dogs can provide assistance for people with disabilities.
Each year, the non-profit CCI places about 650 8-week-old golden retriever, Labrador retriever and golden/Lab mixes in qualifying foster homes to be socialized and trained according to CCI guidelines. Volunteers pay for the dogs' medical care, toys and food.
When a dog is 14 to 18 months old, it is returned to a CCI training center, where advanced education begins and a thorough medical screening is performed.
Only about 200 of the trained dogs team with a person seeking an assistance dog. The dog and its new owner train together for two weeks. Upon successful completion of the program, they graduate. However, some dogs do flunk out of the program and are put up for adoption, with the dog's original foster family getting first dibs.
"Raising a puppy is fun," says Paul Mundell, CCI's national director of canine programs. "The hard part is giving up the puppy. But you are giving another person his independence."
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Do good for your body
Get fit and do good by signing up for a fitness event for your favorite charity. From 5Ks to marathons, you can find events to get you started or to take your fitness level up a notch.
"Pick one that motivates you personally," says Tommy Owens, head run coach with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training (teamintraining.org) in Atlanta. If you are just starting out, choose a short event, like a 5K, that's about six to eight weeks away. And find one that has training programs, which can include scheduled group runs.
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