volunteering with children? (Scranton: home, neighborhood, school)

[WatsonWest]

Along the volunteering thread...
I would love to know if there are any types of volunteering that I could get my girls involved in too. They are 8 & (almost)6.

I usually try to do the toys for tots type of things with them - let them pick out toys for their age groups to donate. It's interesting working up a story to get around Santa not being able to get gifts to some children.

I want them to not feel entitled & to get a sense of satisfaction for doing things for others. They are young now, but I want it to become a part of life for them.

Obviously it would be something that I would join them & not just set them loose. I've wanted to find something to do for a while but didn't know where to start. The other volunteering thread got me thinking again. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I don't know where to start looking.
BTW I live in Scranton so it would have to be something near me.
Thanks ahead of time!

[kvysmom]

I used to volunteer at the Veterans Center downtown. On weekends, they run bingo each day and sometimes a family would come in to volunteer. Most of the volunteers there are older, but when young children are around it really picks spirits up! They could help pass out the cards, pass out refreshments, help set up & clean up or even help a resident with playing their card.
Now i know the Veterans Center has some recent health issues that may prevent you from taking your children there, but really any nursing home would have a similar need, and there are no shortage of them in Scranton.
I hope you and your family find something that works for you and the community!

[I LOVE PA!]

I remember when I was a kid in Catholic School, there was a group of us that would gt together and sing at the local nursing home once a month. They had a big brithday party once a month for all the people who had birthdays. I can still remember how excited they were when we came....some even had their cameras and took our pictures and wanted their pictures taken with us. In months to follow, we would se our pictures in the hallways. After we sang a few songs we were encouraged to just chat with the folks. I don't think anyone was ever as excited to see me since...honestly. It seemed to have a huge impact on the folks there. I still remember how good it made me feel. As I got older, a friend and I used to also help out in the kitchen pouring juice in cups and putting lids on them and making sandwiches.

[W-B proud]

You should see if one of the local hospitals has a "candy striper" type program. Maybe the girl scouts or boyscouts?

[WatsonWest]

Thank you for the ideas.
It's given me somethings to look into. I'll probably be making some phone calls to see what they can get to do.

[poconosmama]

Some kids at our school work at the soup kitchen on weekends, make visits to the nursing home and senior center, or just help out families in their neighborhood.

[I LOVE PA!]

Watson...I would think that at the age of 8 & 6, actual manual labor in a soup kitchen is out, but there are some seniors who would love to chat with a child or read a book to them or play a game. Perhaps contact the Dept. of Aging in your area and see if they could offer suggestions. Or even the Senior Centers.

[Pupmom]

Contact the Volunteer Action Service in Scranton - it's on Spruce St. www.vacnepa.org -they have a brochure "Youth Community Servie Opportunities."

[WatsonWest]

Originally Posted by Pupmom

Contact the Volunteer Action Service in Scranton - it's on Spruce St. www.vacnepa.org -they have a brochure "Youth Community Servie Opportunities."

This info is great. I'd never heard of them.
Thank you so much!

[nkotb]

I LOVE PA and I were on the same page !! Walk into a nursing home and ask the 'boss' which patients don't get visitors, volunteer to be a 'special visitor' then at home your kids could make cards and drawings to take on their next visit. Your a good Mom !!! There should be more like you !!