Children’s Charities to Add to Your Christmas List

Dear Diary,

My sister had the following conversation with her 10-year-old son:

Mother: I’m taking you and your brother to Dollar General to buy a present for Toys for Tots–a charity that give gifts to less fortunate children.  You’re going to spend your own money.

Son:  Dollar General?  That’s wack!  If I’m going to buy a gift for a kid, I’m not going to be at Dollar General.  You can take us to Toys “R” Us to get a good gift.  And while we’re there, we can check out some of the things on my Christmas list.

My sister smiled, happy that her child was so generous.  Her story made me think of how I would teach my daughter to give back during the holiday season and all year round.  I found the following children’s charities to add to our Christmas list.

Hope for Ghana

One day while at the pediatrician’s office, I noticed a billboard in the waiting room soliciting donations for Hope for Ghana.  For $3, you could purchase a Hope Band to support the Ryvanz-Mia orphanage in Africa.  Our doctor, Steve Greene, MD, started the charity in an effort to build a library and computer lab in the small village.  Dr. Greene travelled to Ghana while in medical school and has made 11 more trips since then!  You can follow the construction project and meet the children your donations is benefiting on his blog.

Jarrett’s Joy Cart

While working as a television reporter in Lexington, Kentucky, my close friend and co-worker Marvin Bartlett published a book in 2002 called Jarrett’s Joy Cart. He was inspired by a little boy named Jarrett who battled cancer and spread joy and hope to others.  Jarrett started a toy drive and distributed gifts to kids on his floor.  He told Marvin, “People ask me why I started giving toys to sick children in the hospital. It’s because some adults did the same thing for me. I thought it was so nice that I wanted to do it, too. It made me feel better. It took my mind off my sickness. It kept me from feeling sorry for myself.”  Today, this mission is directed by his parents, Jennifer and Doug Mynear, and continues with the help of many dedicated volunteers.  Jarrett’s Joy Cart makes weekly visits and passes out a new toy or gift for to 60 patients, ages 0–18, both inpatient and outpatient.  The charity also makes an annual donation to the Indian Summer Camp’s Arts and Craft Program, which serves Kentucky’s pediatric oncology patients.

KaBOOM!

I live within walking distance from a popular park.  Swings, sliding boards and see saws are basically in our backyard.  In the summer, we eat dinner at the picnic table.  In the fall, we point out the changing colors of the leaves.  I think I enjoy the trips across the street as much as my daughter does.  That’s why I support KaBOOM!,  a national non-profit dedicated to saving play for America’s children.  Their mission is to create great playspaces through the participation and leadership of communities. Ultimately, they envision a place to play within walking distance of every child in America.  The founder and CEO Darell Hammond was called to action after reading a Washington Post article about two children who suffocated while playing in an abandoned car because they didn’t have anywhere else to play. SInce then, KaBOOM! has 2,000 playgrounds nationwide!

Reach Out and Read

Reach Out and Read is an evidence-based nonprofit organization that promotes early literacy and school readiness in pediatric exam rooms nationwide.  They charity gives new books to children and advice to parents about the importance of reading aloud.  Reach Out and Read builds on the relationship between parents and medical providers to develop critical early reading skills in children, beginning at 6 months of age. The charity serves more than 4 million children and their families annually. These families read together more often, and their children enter kindergarten better prepared to succeed, with larger vocabularies and stronger language skills.

Hey DFTM members–What children’s charity are you supporting this holiday season?  How are you teaching your little ones to not only receive but give throughout the year?