Having recently commemorated the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy, we wanted to share with you a moving book suited for 8-10+ year olds.  The book is 14 Cows for America, by Carmen Agra Deedy. The book recounts the experience of a young man from New York who travels back to his hometown, a remote tribal village in western Kenya. There, he tells his family and the other Maasai people that “he has brought with him one story.  It has burned a hole in his heart.”  Everyone sits quietly in disbelief as he shares the tragedy of 9/11.  Beautiful illustrations bring to life the exquisite Kenyan landscape and the Maasai community’s great sadness upon hearing of the story.  To honor and comfort America, the village plans a special ceremony to present their greatest gift to an American diplomat — 14 cows.  This magnanimous gesture helps a to heal a heartsick nation and spread hope and friendship.  This is a lovely book that views 9/11 from a completely different perspective.

You can find other book recommendations by going to YesKidzCan!’s Book Review.  And, if you have a reading suggestion that helps teach kids about charitable giving or acts of kindness, please share them with us, and we will add them to our listing!

© YesKidzCan!, 2011

Our thanks to all YesKidzCan! supporters for bringing “Giving Experiences” into your lives! 

Warmest wishes for a Happy ThanksGIVING!

For many of us, it is never too early to start thinking about creative and meaningful gifts for the holidays.  If you want to spread holiday cheer to gift recipients as well as people in need around the world, then this resource is for you:  Shop With Meaning!

This website highlights a product each day that generates a donation off each purchase.  They feature all types of transaction-based giving including one-for-one products (buy one give one) and products where a donation for a charity is raised based off of the sales price.

Here are some examples of what the site features:

Apparel – You can buy “pink” items that support breast cancer research to crochet hats made by women in Uganda who will earn family income from the sales.

Beauty and Wellness – Try out Soapbox soaps, a one-for-one manufacturer, where they give a bar of soap to a needy child every time you purchase one for yourself.   Or, how about Radiant Cosmetics which donates proceeds to help end human trafficking.

Shoes – Check out  BucketFeet Shoes where artists design one-of-a-kind shoes creations with a percentage going to support kids through art, music, and sports.

This site encourages us to think differently about our purchase decisions and offers a fresh way to bring new meaning to shopping for the holidays or year round!

© YesKidzCan!, 2011

Whitney Elementary School in Las Vegas, Nevada is not your typical school.  It is a remarkable place filled with resilient kids and dedicated teachers and administrators who go beyond what is expected of them — way beyond.

Whitney is a school that serves 650 students — most of whom are homeless or on the verge.  Many of the children live in group homes with multiple families, have no electricity, heat or running water, and do not know where their next meal is coming from.  School cafeteria workers have shared that they often see children grabbing packets of ketchup so they would have something to eat for dinner.

Thankfully, the school is lead by a veritable angel, Principal Sherrie Gahn.  Her philosophy is to 1) provide these kids with some constants in their lives and 2) teach them that they are people of character, their living situation does not define them, and they can grow up to be and do anything.

Gahn and her staff dedicate themselves to fulfilling their philosophy of hope and promise by doing the unexpected.  The school seeks out community support to provide food, clothing, and classroom supplies and directs families to resources like free health clinics.  As she put it to a reporter from the Las Vegas Sun, “The academics won’t come if a child is hungry, has a stomachache, or needs eyeglasses.”

And, the schools support does not stop when summer comes around.  When most kids start getting excited for summer break, Whitney students can start acting out because school is often the only place where they can count on a meal or consistency.

Whitney Elementary is way more than an educational institution.  Whitney Elementary is a place that schools all of us on what it means to break traditional molds, be advocates, and help make the future brighter for those who may not have seen one for themselves.

© YesKidzCan!, 2011

Around Thanksgiving, there are many worthwhile actions to take to help feed the hungry such as volunteering at a shelter and serving meals, organizing a canned food drive, or assembling holiday food baskets for families in need.

Another worthy option is through FEED Projects, an organization with the mission of creating good products that help FEED the world.  The group sells FEED bags, t-shirts, cosmetic cases, bracelets, and other items and builds in a set donation into the cost of each product.  When you select your item, you will see information about how your donation is helping to feed the hungry.  For example, one style of bag will feed a child in Africa with lunch for an entire year through the United Nation’s World Food Programme.  A different tote will support school nutrition and education efforts in the United States.  A Japan-themed t-shirt will help support disaster relief efforts in the tsunami and earthquake torn areas of the country.

FEED Project uses environmentally friendly and artisan-made materials as well as fair-labor production.  All cool products that help provide warm meals.  Something different to consider doing in the spirit of this Thanksgiving holiday!

© YesKidzCan!, 2011

Winter’s a-coming!  Time to make sure the kids have all their cold weather gear!  Unfortunately, not everyone is in a position to dress their family warmly.  It’s hard to believe, but 1 in 5 children in the U.S. live in households whose earnings fall below the poverty level (2010 U.S. Census).  To make matters worse, we have experienced some of the century’s worst storms, expansive unemployment, and depleted budgets for agencies that support those in need –  extreme circumstances that make meeting basic needs (like warm clothing) a challenge for many families.

In times like these, we need organizations like One Warm Coat that works to ensure that anyone who needs a coat has one.  Providing something as simple yet necessary as a warm coat helps people live better lives.

One Warm Coat helps individuals, groups, and companies collect and deliver coasts to local agencies that distribute them for free.  You can get information for your area by entering your zip code.  In addition to outgrown coats, you can donate sweatshirts, sweaters, gloves, and hats.

So many of us and our kids toss on our fleece sweatshirts or bundle up in our down jackets without giving it much thought.  This season may be a good time to remember that many families have to choose between paying their rent and buying a warm coat for the winter.   Here’s a real opportunity to take the chill out of the air this winter with warm hearts!

© YesKidzCan!, 2011

You know those times when you have done something nice for someone, they say thank you, and you reply, “You don’t need to thank me!”  Well, here is a situation where you won’t be saying thank you for an act of kindness because — you can’t! There is a good-deed doer who sneaks around (in the best way possible) and leaves thoughtful messages, unexpected gifts, and cheerful reminders without so much as a calling card or expectation of acknowledgement.

This stealth operator is Patience Salgado (a.k.a. Kindness Girl).  A 35-year-old mom, Patience writes about her secret missions on her blog.  And she comes up with some wonderful and caring surprises.  For example, she once placed $5 Starbucks gift cards on  bus stop benches.  On the first day of school, she wrote messages along the campus sidewalks such as, “Don’t be shy, we’re all new friends.”  She has even tied a note card to a flower in a public place that read, “It’s going to be okay.”  Or, she has tucked gift certificates for ice cream in the pocket of a new backpack at a store.  And, Patience wants you and your kids to duplicate her missions!  Now, how fun is that!  You can actually encourage your kids to sneak around and be secretive — all in the name of generosity and kindness!

© YesKidzCan!, 2011

Did you know that duct tape has been shown to help in the aftermath of an earthquake?  Hand-made soap can help save manatees?  And, cinnamon buns can create a supply of back packs for kids in need?

This makes perfect sense to recipients of our Social KidPreneurz Awards Program — where caring kids use their entrepreneurial skills for good!  Read on to learn about one of these award winning efforts!

Abigail (age 11) of Bethesda, Maryland, loves making stuff out of duct tape.  Wallets, pencil cases, purses, totes, bookmarks!  She recruited a classmate to help make duct tape items (probably 50 when all was said and done) and sell them at a neighborhood stand that her family helped set up.

On the morning of the event, Abigail and her friend were a little shy at first — getting a feel for how to engage passers-by.  But after a few attempts, they started waving and smiling at cars, carrying their products to greet weekend joggers, and even engaging Abigail’s younger brother to make a huge sign and flyers to put on the windshields of neighborhood cars. They had quite an operation going!  And who could ever predict that their customers would include toddlers to senior citizens.  Several were so tickled by what they saw that they told Abigail to keep the change or made a donation without asking for a product in return!

You can watch Abigail’s success here!  And successful she was!  She donated $200 to the Save the Children’s Japan Relief Fund.  And while the financial donation deserves significant kudos, according to Abigail’s mom (a third grade school teacher), the success went deeper than feeling terrific about the donation.  She emphasized that the project was great fun to do with a friend and also helped build confidence in the kids.  Just goes to show it’s not your grandfather’s duct tape anymore!  Congratulations to Abigail for finding the creativity and compassion in duct tape!

© YesKidzCan!, 2011

YesKidzCan! has been so pleased to have been part of Pass the Music On! — a regional community service campaign that has encouraged students in Maryland and Virginia to donate their gently used band and orchestra instruments so that less fortunate kids can have the chance to make music part of their lives.

The 2011 campaign recently culminated at the end of October with presentation ceremonies and concerts at two deserving schools (Lansdowne Middle School in Baltimore, and Lindale Middle School in Anne Arundel County, Maryland).  Each school received dozens of instruments that were cleaned up and fixed by Music & Arts, the largest band and orchestra instrument retailer and lesson provider in the country.

Students unloading instruments

In addition to students getting to help unload a truck carrying their instruments, an event highlight was a concert by rock band The Alternate Routes.  Students were not only invited to sing along, but the Lindale Middle School jazz band and orchestra were also spontaneously asked to play back-up by the group’s lead singer, Tim.  At the end of the concert, the band was surrounded by students who wanted autographs, photos, and time to talk shop!  Thirteen-year-old Yasuah from Lansdowne Middle School

The Alternate Routes & fans!

plays the saxophone and was eager to talk at length with the band’s drummer, Richard — a memorable exchange for both of them!  Because of the band’s generosity, high energy, and unquestionable talent, The Alternate Routes has earned an enthusiastic fan base in the Maryland area.  We extend our sincerest thanks to band members Tim, Eric, Mike, and Richard.

Because of a successful partnership (with co-founders  Music & Arts and YesKidzCan! in support of Music 4 More and sponsored by the Yamaha Corporation of America) Pass the Music On! has made it possible for  kids –  who otherwise would not have had the opportunity — to experience the joys of music.  Now that’s music to our ears!

© YesKidzCan!, 2011