© YesKidzCan!, 2013

If Harvard, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and Yale say that being generous really makes you feel good, then it must be true!  In a series of 4 studies in which participants were given an act of kindness to fulfill (such as writing a nice not to a child in a hospital), one conclusion was that “if you’re more generous to others, you’ll fee capable, effective, and less time-constrained.”  So while you’re stringing up the holly and ivy, take a moment to consider these Ivy League conclusions — and give a little!

© YesKidzCan!, 2012

Even at very young ages, kids have the capacity to develop a caring idea and become the inspiration behind bringing it to fruition.  David Holdridge was this kind of seven-year-old kid who was taken with his sister’s baby blankets and animals and wanted to get similar items into the hands of kids in hospital, orphanages and poverty-stricken communities.  Out of this desire, Everything Happy was created — a website where you purchase lovable baby items and give one to another child at the same time.  Here’s how it works.  When you purchase and receive one of their adorable blankies, pals, pillows or clothing, look for the special registration codes.  You then visit the “Give” section of the site and register your Happy product.  You are then able to choose where you wold like to send another product.  You can help a Ugandan orphanage, several Ronald McDonald Houses, children’s hospitals, groups that support kids of military service men and women, a ministry in Thailand, among others.  Everything Happy’s “One to Love, One to Give” approach is a lovely way to help you and someone in need feel warm all over this holiday season.

© YesKidzCan!, 2012

Gretchen Rubin, an author known for The Happiness Project, has penned another good read on the value of giving a little of your time to get a lot of joy in return. Her article, The Happiness Boomerang featured in Good Housekeeping magazine, emphasizes the reward in finding your own cause — one that speaks specifically to you. Research shows that people who support the causes they value tend to be happier and in better health.  Pretty good reasons to get our there and give!

© YesKidzCan!, 2012

© YesKidzCan!, 2012

The mob mentality can be a dangerous thing. It can lead to riots, bullying, and really poor decision making.  Except when it doesn’t.  HopeMob is the shining example of the exception to the rule.

HopeMob features compelling stories of those in need as well as those who want to help others that may not make the headlines of standard newspapers or programs.  Visitors to the website are encouraged to select their favorite story.  Stories have featured a single mom who needs help finding s a job, buying birthday cakes for children whose families can’t afford them, getting gas cards into the hands of struggling families, and helping to rescue a refugee.  The stories with the greatest interest become featured stories and remain a headline until enough attention helps bring about resolution to the situation.  HopeMob takes our media-crazed world and flips it on its ear.  Instead of trying to stop the madness, HopeMob encourages the most positive kind of feeding frenzies — those that are for the good of others.

© YesKidzCan!, 2012

It is hard to believe that almost 10 years ago, September 11th took on a meaning that remains difficult to absorb.  We learned about unfathomable terrorism and unforgettable heroism — almost during the same breath.  Many choose to commemorate 9/11 by paying tribute to people, organizations, or communities with individual acts of heroism in the form of community service.  Here are a few ideas to consider for you and your family as we all continue to struggle with the loss and rebuilding associated with September 11.

Homefront Hugs:  Soldiers and their families can sign up for support they need and get matched with volunteers who mail them items every month.  Requests have included baby shower items, magazine subscriptions, comic books, or DVDs.  In addition, the organization has expanded to include the Homefront Hugs Kids Club which encourages kids to become involved by wrapping packages, sending cards, and volunteering.

My Good Deed: This group led the movement to have 9/11 designated as a National Day of Service and Remembrance.  The website lists more than 850,000 groups at the local, national, and international levels that need volunteer support.  You can search out the right fit for you by location or area of interest.

These are just a few examples of how 9/11 can be transformed into a day of kindness — opening up the possibility of turning a tragedy of unthinkable proportion into hopefulness.

© YesKidzCan!, 2012

Thanks to our friends at Have Fun Do Good, we learned about a great online resource called, Razoo.  This site makes supporting a cause of your choice easy, quick, and efficient.  Through a few simple steps, you can set up a fundraising page for a charity that is important to you and promote your efforts via your email, Facebook, Twitter, or personal websites and blogs.  You can select from one of the 1 million nonprofits on the site or choose your own.  The beauty of the site is that you can create a fundraising campaign in minutes, raise money as a team, and quickly spread the word about your efforts.  For example, one Razoo user set up a fundraising page to honor the memory of her dog.  The money she raises is going to support vaccinations, exams, and spaying/neutering through the Animal Humane Society.  Another user tapped into the site for his daughter’s birthday party and asked that in lieu of gifts, guests make a donation to support lung cancer research.  Razoo helps making being generous an easy part of every day life!

© YesKidzCan!, 2012

Here’s a group that goes way beyond the saying, “a picture is worth a thousand words.”  Critical Exposure, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit, teaches kids to use the power of photography and their own voices to become advocates for school reform and social change.

The group teaches students how to use photography and personal stories to document issues that directly affect their lives and build support for policies that will help address issues they face.  Critical Exposure sets up traveling exhibits of the students’ work to inform and involve the public and partners with advocacy organizations.  Together, interested parties implement strategies that share what students have documented to strengthen campaigns for better public policies to improve kids’ lives within the school system.

Students have shed light on issues such as inadequate school facilities, poor school nutrition, teen pregnancy, youth homelessness and unemployment, and consequences of dropping out of school.  Critical Exposure is teaching kids how to capture powerful snapshots of pressing issues — literally — while helping them put into focus how they can “be the change.”

© YesKidzCan! 2012

The facts are that kids really want to help others.  But there are some obstacles.  So confirms research by Just Kid Inc. in their report: “Kids as a Force for Positive Social Change.  After surveying 2,000 6-14 year olds and 600 moms of 6-14 year olds, here are some of the key findings:

• Kids want to give more than they want to get.
• About 9 out of 10 kids believe that it is extremely, very, or somewhat important to help others or give back to the community.
• There continues to be a need for more child-friendly opportunities to give back.
• Only about half the kids who want to volunteer are doing so.
• Kids would be more engaged in service if their friends or family were involved or if someone asked them to help.
• Participating in community service makes kids feel pride in their accomplishments.

As we have always encouraged at YesKidzCan!, help your kids give back!  Make it fun by involving some of their friends.  And tap into any of our resources that are designed especially with kids in mind.  Your kids and your community will be all the better for it!

© YesKidzCan!, 2012