'Tis the Season for Thanks & Giving

We briefly discussed volunteer opportunities earlier this year, but the holidays are a good time to introduce your kids to giving back.  Shayne recently wrote to us inquiring about volunteering with young kids.  She writes:

Our family has been trying to come up with a way to volunteer our time this holiday break.  We were thinking something along the lines of driving gifts or food to home bound seniors.  Does anyone know of a program or church that facilitates this sort of thing.  Any other ideas for local volunteering with young kids?

Comments

[OldMama]

NW Pilot Project has a Christmas stocking program for the seniors they serve. Community groups,schools, Girl Scout Troops make and donate stockings packed items like gloves, stamps, crossword puzzles from formerly homeless or at-risk seniors. They may need help delivering the stockings. Call Dena @503-227-5605.

[scotti]

Hands on Greater Portland is the metro area volunteer center (serving Multnomah & Clackamas counties). They are a great place to find volunteer opportunities and information. www.handsonportland.org
Right now they have a wonderful list of holiday volunteer opportunities for November & December:
http://handsonportland.org/AboutUs/index.php/holiday_volunteering07.htm

[scotti]

Just a clarification - Hands on Greater Portland serves Multnomah & Washington counties.
For those folks in Clackamas county - contact Clackamas Volunteer Connection:
http://www.clackamas.us/socialservices/vc.htm

[AnEmily]

Loaves and Fishes http://www.loavesandfishesonline.org has opportunities to deliver food to homebound seniors during the holidays. If they have enought drivers already, which is likely, there are other opportunities for volunteering at www.donatedinner.org
In fact, the whole meals on wheels experience is a great way to volunteer with your still-at-home-kids all year long. It just takes an hour and a half to deliver food on your route. And you can deliver as often as daily, or once a week, or once a month. They are a great organization!

[Kristin]

Something that my two sons and I did last winter was walk door-to-door in our neighborhood collecting cans of food for the hungry. It was a great experience for my sons (my older son wanted to go again and again) and we got to know our neighbors better. We'll do it again this year.

[Karen]

Just a question--has anyone tried delivering meals on wheels with their youngest ones? My daughter is three and I thought it would be a great idea, but the person who answered when I called to volunteer all but told me it was impossible because of the timeing of the routes, etc. Might have just been someone who never saw it work though. Anyone have experience in this area?

[AnEmily]

Karen,
The Loaves and Fishes based in the East Portland Community Center was very accommodating when I delivered with my then two-year old. He was excited about doing it at first, but then he wanted to wait in the car more and more. They were very kind about fixing my route so that I didn't have any apartments or stops that would make it impossible to leave my son in the car. I just ended up with houses in familiar neighborhoods, so I could have an eye on the car at every stop. It was a lot of fun, really! He was in preschool last year, so we stopped delivering, but I've got him home with me this year and am considering doing it again. He asks about it once in a while and even recognizes homes we've been to when we're out driving around. Hope it works out for you!

[olivia]

Our North Portland mama yahoo group (mamananda) had a recent conversation about volunteering this season. Some ideas / organizations included:

- Children's Relief Nursery, which provides free family support services for children and parents to high-risk families in Multnomah county. Volunteer opportunities here: http://www.crn4kids.org/volunteer.html

- Oregon Food Bank. Here is info on food drives. Drive info-- http://www.oregonfoodbank.org/events_and_food_drives/food_drives/faq.html

Most wanted food info--
http://www.oregonfoodbank.org/events_and_food_drives/food_drives/most_wanted_foods.html

- Oregon Food Bank. Beyond food drives, volunteers can contribute by providing nutrition education, repacking/organizing food, or advising in the gardens. Volunteer info here: http://www.oregonfoodbank.org/make_a_difference/volunteer/

- Adopt a Family or Adopt a Classroom. One of the mamananda group members found a post on craisglist that suggested ways to help children at the Portland Head Starts and/or their families: http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/vol/484576533.html

The Mamananda yahoo group suggested hosting food drives whenever they have a coffee playdate or gathering, and they are also considering adopting a family/classroom via the head start program mentioned above. If anyone is interested in collaborating with the North Portland mamas -- let me know and I will be sure pass on info!

[fionnsnana]

Hi Shayne!
St. Andrews Church on Alberta serves Thanksgiving dinner at the church, and does St. Vincent de Paul food/ clothing deliveries for Christmas. You can come in to help get the boxes ready, or deliver them, or both. I don't know much about it yet; this will be our first year doing it. I just know the folks there are nice...super progressive community.

http://jpconsulting.net/facilityscheduler/user_cal_month.asp?NCD=12/20/2007

Happy holidays

[Karen]

I work at the Children's Relief Nursery mentioned in Olivia's list and can personally attest to the great support provided to families. I know that we are in need of more people to "adopt" the families in our program for holiday giving. Let me know if you want specific information.

[olivia]

fionnsnana -- Could you send another link? The one above didn't work for me. I am interested!

[urbanMamas]

Mamas,

The Activistas are going to ADOPT-A-FAMILY this year and gather in holiday spirit on 12/16/07. Save the date! http://urbanmamas.typepad.com//urbanmamas/2007/11/adopt-a-family-.html

[fionnsnana]

Oh sorry!

It seems better to just go to their website, and select "Calendar," then click the arrow on the right for December's page.

http://www.standrewchurch.com/

Thank you.

[TJ]

I second Hands On Greater Portland. They rock!