Today, most parents find it extremely important to raise children who are compassionate and consider of other’s feelings. Unfortunately, many parents are finding it hard to know how to teach their children compassion and promote activities to help others, such as volunteering. Teaching children they can help save the world as early as preschool may seem like a hard task to accomplish, but it certainly is possible with these suggestions from Primrose Schools- the Leader in Educational Child Care.

Participating in volunteer activities can help children learn that they can help others and have a positive impact on their community, “Giving back is an important year-round habit to establish with young children,” stated Dr. Mary Zurn, vice president of education at Primrose Schools. “Volunteering plays an important role in the development of character. It teaches children that they can do things that positively impact the world around them. Even young children can learn to become active participants in their communities.”

Below are four helpful tips for parents who are interested in teaching their children the importance of volunteering:

1) Make personal goals and motives in regards to including your children in volunteer projects. Volunteering can be an excellent way to spend quality time with your kid. Choose a project that is significant to your family and get started!

2) It can help to explain to your child the reason that volunteering is so important. Keep it simple to help your child clearly understand and appreciate volunteering.

3) Be sure to pick volunteer activities that are appropriate for your child’s age. Most children can start volunteering as young as age 3 when they begin to be more social and capable of following instructions. When choosing an activity, try to keep it local so that your child will better understand its importance.

4) When looking for the right volunteer opportunity, be sure that the volunteer organization has experience with families and children and are open to allowing children to help. Additionally, be sure to make sure that your child can have a specific job when volunteering. Most importantly, find an organization that will set a good example of helping others so that your child can grasp the idea and importance of volunteer work.

In the long run, a compassionate child will mature into a caring and compassionate adult. Volunteering can be a wonderful way to teach your child the importance of positive behavior and helping others. With the above tips in mind, have a family meeting to make a plan to help out your community.

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We recently came across kw – wwf philippines. They seek to bring awareness to the advocacy that the World Wildlife Foundation promotes.

It’s sites like these that help more of the general public learn about how they too can help wildlife.

The Philippines is one of the hundreds of countries that support WWF and is the 26th national extension of the world renowned WWF.

WWF-Philippines has proven to be active in pursuing the goal of nature and animal preservation through the various successfully implemented projects.

The WWF-Phil.org site carries news and articles about the WWF and methods for you to take action, both locally and globally.

We salute our neighbors as they strive to help animals too.

VolunteerMatch launched a new partnership with Newman’s Own® called ‘ Nourish the Good.’ The healthy food company, best known for its salad dressings, pasta sauces, and donating all profits to charity, is expanding its support of volunteering and nonprofits through the new partnership.

‘Nourish the Good’ was created to champion the great volunteer work you do to make a difference. The deal is simple: when you register for a volunteer opportunity at www.volunteermatch.org/nourishthegood you’ll receive $3 off any Newman’s Own product.

With ‘Nourish the Good,’ Newman’s Own aims to support the vibrant community of nonprofits and volunteers that use VolunteerMatch to improve the world. “Newman’s Own deeply appreciates the value of volunteers and recognizes the impact of those who contribute their time and talent to local community organizations,” explained Mike Havard, spokesperson for Newman’s Own, Inc.

Nourish the Good

This new partnership with VolunteerMatch is the latest initiative by Newman’s Own to continue Paul Newman’s commitment to support nonprofits by donating all profits to charity. Over $300 million has been given to thousands of charities since 1982.

Newman’s Own and VolunteerMatch are also encouraging you to pass along the coupon and invite friends and social networks to join you in making a difference. We’re hoping that with your help, ‘Nourish the Good’ will make volunteering go viral.

The link above is NOT an affiliate link. Go ahead – save some money – do some good!

They spotted an announcement on the MWB website asking for dresses for the poor girls in Zambia. The site suggested a simple dress made by sewing a gathered skirt onto a regular-tshirt. Light bulbs went off in Darla and Nancy’s heads and they got started on the project. They posted flyers and contacted businesses asking for t-shirts, skirts, sewing supplies, fabric and volunteers.

Support flowed in and 200 (or so) volunteers helped stitch more than a thousand dresses. They’ve since held more sewing sessions and have sent more than 3000 dresses to the girls of Zambia.

We applaud these mothers for stepping in and getting the job done

It’s the Pet Food Pantry of Oklahoma City. They’re dedicated to making a difference in the lives of animals and the people who love them by providing pet food and services to low-income, home-bound and homeless senior citizens.

For many seniors their pet is their only friend. But what if you didn’t have enough money to buy pet food. Would you go without? Probably.

That’s when Pet Food Pantry comes in. They provide much needed pet food.

Pet Food Pantry works with local programs to identify those in need.

Right now, Pet Food Pantry is in start-up mode (July 1, 2010 was the date of formation as a non-profit corporation). They’re currently looking for donations of pet food (and funding). Local food can be picked up. All donations are tax-deductible.

You may reach the Pet Food Pantry at info@petfoodpantryokc.org or their website http://www.petfoodpantryokc.org.

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Some of those people will become volunteers at their favorite charity. Volunteering can be anything from cleaning animal cages, sweeping floors, walking dogs, or even something as mundane as filing.

Did you realize that volunteer charitable work will do wonders for your resume?

Having charitable work on your resume will show your new prospective employer that you’re well rounded, a respected member of your community and that you care about the welfare of others.

If you’ve got a little time on your hands, call up your favorite local charity and offer your services. You’ll get some good hands-on experience, they’ll get some much needed help. Everyone benefits.

Protecting tropical forests slows the production of greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change – and every acre you protect is equal to taking 40 vehicles off the road this year.

Become a CI Evergreen Partner. It costs just $15 to protect one acre. That means for 50 cents a day, you can protect an acre of forest each and every month.

I realize this entire website is based upon ‘free’ to donate by just clicking with your mouse, no money exchanges hands, but every now and then I like to share some great causes, put on by some great charities.

This program is handled by Conservation.org, a very worthwhile organization.

The WildCare Foundation provides a place for people to bring native injured or orphaned wild animals struggling to survive with the goal of releasing health animals back to nature. Wildcare is a wildlife rehabilitation facility for any wild animal native to Oklahoma. WildCare can assess the animal’s condition and provide the needed medical care and housing until recovered and healthy enough to be released back into the wild. WildCare believes that all wild species be it sparrow or eagle, opossum or bobcat play an important role in keeping the planet healthy. For this reason we accept and treat all wild native birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians.

WildCare Foundation is in the running for a $250,000 grant for a new facility building. You can vote for them everyday in June! There is a link on their website… http://www.wildcareoklahoma.org/. Or go to www.refresheverything.com and search for “WildCare Oklahoma“.

Each year, 3,700 people and 4,200 animals enter WildCare’s Admissions area looking for help. WildCare’s Admission/Clinic is crowded on a small porch inside the Director’s home. We don’t have the space to treat these animals and have meaningful educational moments with the public that bring in these animals struggling to survive. A 4,000 sq.ft building would give the public an opportunity to understand how important their first step is in saving a wild animal’s life. The new Pepsi Refresh Building would allow WildCare to greatly increase our educational programs at the facility. The building would also expand our Nurseries and Clinic area. The building design would allow viewing areas into the Nurseries and Clinic without disturbing the animals. An environmentally friendly building would greatly increase our visibility in the community, advance our education programs, and foster a greater understanding and caring for the environment and the animals on the planet.
How will the 250K be Used?

Budget Notes: Land, well, and power is already available on WildCare’s 15 acres. WildCare will raise funds for educational exhibits, furnishings and landscaping.

THANKS!

$ 235,000 4,000 square foot building
$ 10,000 Earth work and parking
$ 5,000 Septic system

LEARN FROM SUSTAINABILITY EXPERTS HOW TO MAKE YOUR NONPROFIT EVENTS, GALAS AND DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT AND EARTH FRIENDLY.

* How to green your event, featuring an overview and examples of a “Go Green” plan
* How to green your office

ABOUT THE TRAINERS

Randy Alverado (OKC) is a photographer, author and entrepreneur. He has owned or operated six different companies and has 20+ years of executive management experience. As an entrepreneur, Mr. Alverado excels at strategic marketing, business architecture and business operations. Through his position on Oklahoma City Arts Council Green Committee, he is working to make the Oklahoma City Arts festival a green event.

Heather Pingry (Tulsa) is the executive director of Tulsa International Mayfest where she is responsible for all aspects of the production of the festival. Previously, she was with Downtown Tulsa Unlimited for six years as Vice President of Promotions and Communications. She was responsible for the production and promotion of downtown events including the PSO Parade of Lights, Music on the Square and Devour Downtown Tulsa Restaurant Week. In 2008, Pingry served as a Board Intern at the Tulsa Garden Center where she was the Entertainment and Auction Co-Chair for Wine and Roses.

Farooq Karim (OKC & Tulsa) serves as an internal board member and vice president of Rees Associates, Inc. He is also the assistant director of operations in the Oklahoma City office. He holds a bachelor’s of architecture degree from the University of Oklahoma and is a registered architect and interior designer with over 16 years experience. Mr. Karim has been with Rees for over 15 years and has been involved in over 100 statewide, national and international projects in the broadcast, healthcare, higher education, government and corporate commercial segments. In October 2008, he became a board member for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oklahoma and led the effort to donate design services for their new State of Oklahoma headquarters.

MAY 26 – TULSA

OSU-TULSA ROOM 153

700 N. GREENWOOD

8:30-11:30 AM

CENTER MEMBERS: $50

NON-MEMBERS: $80

Register here: http://icebrrg.com/Public/ViewForm.aspx?formID=49965

Trees in Trust doesn’t fall into that category BUT it sure looks like a great ‘green’ charity!

Trees in Trust allows you to buy a piece of a forest across Canada as a gift that will last forever.

Their motto: Save Our Forests, One Piece at a Time.

I encourage you to consider a gift of woodland the next time you need a gift and don’t know what to buy. It’s a ‘good green’ thing.