Dec
27
Did your kids get holiday money this year? They probably have big plans for what to buy — as they should! It is exciting to have cash to spend! At the same time, you could use this as an opportunity to teach your kids about spending some and donating some.
One way to do this is through Youth Give. Youth Give was created to help children, youth, and families easily donate to charities they care about in a safe and secure way. Youth Give helps families create “Giving Accounts” to help make philanthropy an ongoing part of their lives. A Giving Account is a personal philanthropic account used to make donations to individual charities. It’s like having your own personal foundation. It can be opened for a newborn, a toddler, teen, or college student. You or anyone you invite can add money to the account which is held for future giving. The account owners can donate online to a cause of their choosing from a menu of vetted organizations.
Kids can contribute as little as one dollar to get it started. And, every penny goes to the selected charity. And Youth Give’s list of nonprofit recipients is expanding nationally and globally.
So, consider making a Giving Account part of this year’s holiday tradition. It’s a great way to help your kids set their own course as budding philanthropists.
© YesKidzCan!, 2011
Dec
20
There are a lot of social gatherings around holiday time. This year, turn one of your gatherings into a giving experience. Here are a few ideas:
Holiday Game Party: Hold a game party for kids and friends. Pick your
favorite board game, try charades, organize a Wii competition, or open up a box of trivia. The twist is that to participate in the gathering, guests must bring an item to donate such as canned food, clothing, or a toy. As hosts, you and your kids can select the type of item you would like friends to bring. Let everyone know what charity will receive the donations.
Holiday Cooking Party: There are a lot of great aromas coming from kitchens 
this time of year. When you and your kids are making holiday cookies, consider baking an extra dozen or two to give to a local shelter or senior center. Or, invite friends and their kids to help make bread, soup, or a holiday specialty. You can make enough so that everyone goes home with a dish and has an extra goodie to donate.
Just a few ideas to have good fun this holiday season!
© YesKidzCan!, 2011
Dec
16
“Tis the season for shopping. So, why not shop and give to charity at the same time? NonprofitShoppingMall (NPSM) makes it easy to do just this. NPSM lets you shop online for the items you normally buy, the brands you regularly choose at the prices you normally pay. Then, a donation is made to charity you select from a list of participating nonprofits. The retailers who participate on NPSM pay a commission for the sales and a significant portion of those payments go to the nonprofit you have selected. Stores include GAP, Nordstrom, Staples, Target, Macy’s, Barnes and Noble, eBay, Crate and Barrel, and more! It’s do-good multi-tasking: holiday shopping and charitable giving!
© YesKidzCan!, 2011
Dec
13
Now here’s a fun and meaningful idea for you and your kids this holiday. Have your kids be elves! No green tights required! At participating post offices around the country, you can be part of Operation Santa and read letters that needy children have written to Santa Claus. You can take home a few letters that move you, and go out with your kids to buy gifts. Simply send them in the US Mail marked, “From Santa.”
If your local post office does not participate, visit Be An Elf for other ways you and your kids can serve as Santa’s Helpers. For example, you can drop off presents to an orphanage, an inner city elementary school, or a homeless shelter that supports families. Or you can make a donation to Be An Elf as well!
Enjoy your holidays, and at the same time, help make them a little brighter for those less fortunate.
© YesKidzCan!, 2011
Dec
9
Sending out holiday cards this year? Why not involve your kids in picking out a card design that is being sold by a nonprofit organization to help support its mission. Sometimes these cards are hard to find, but Cards That Give has a gallery of beautiful cards that give back. You can pick a design you like and see which charity it supports. Or, you can look for the charity you are interested in and see if you like the holiday image. Once you receive your cards, your kids can help with the envelope stuffing, labeling, or stamp licking!
Dec
6
Are you looking for a meaningful way to acknowledge all that our educators do for our kids this holiday season? How about thanking your kids’ teachers or coaches with gifts that give back. Here are just two ideas to consider:
Help your kids’ teachers give to a cause that means a lot to them by purchasing a
charity gift card for them through Charity Choice. You can get either a physical card or an eCard. You select the amount that you want to put on the card and can even upload a photograph or image to customize it. (As the purchaser, the dollar amount is 100% tax deductible, and you will receive an emailed tax acknowledgement for your records.)
Who doesn’t like sweat treats? If you don’t have time to bake your own, consider sending a dozen of these oversize cookies that fund pediatric cancer research. You can select from 7 varieties such as lemon sugar, oatmeal raisin, peanut butter, and more.
© YesKidzCan!, 2011
Dec
2
When six year old Stevie Nelson decided to dedicate his 6th Birthday to helping animals in need at the Northeast Nebraska Humane Society, he (along with his family) never imagined that just a few months later, Stevie would be named “Kid of the Year” by the organization that inspired “Stevie Nelson’s 6th Birthday Wish.”
Stevie’s story started with the loss of his two beloved dogs, Bo and Luke, that went missing just days before his 5th Birthday. His only 5th Birthday Wish was to have his “boys” back. Sadly, that wish did not come true.
Soon after, Stevie was moved to action by an American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) commercial showing animals in need. He started “Stevie Nelson’s 6th Birthday Wish” asking friends and family to skip traditional birthday presents, and instead, bring toys, treats, collars, leashes, food, or monetary contributions to benefit the animals in foster care at Northeast Nebraska Humane Society. Along with securing loads of needed items, Stevie also raised a lot of money. He surpassed his initial goal of donating $6,000 and presented a check of $25,778.19 to his local humane society.
It comes as no surprise that the ASPCA named Stevie the ASPCA “Tommy P. Monahan” Kid of the Year for his work in advocating for animals in need. Stevie joined six other outstanding people (and animals) at the 2011 ASPCA Humane Awards in New York City where he will receive his award. And like any true philanthropist, Stevie continues to help animals in need. We think Stevie has earned an additional title: “Dogs’ Best Friend!”
© YesKidzCan!, 2011
