I have written a few posts on the Boys and Girls Clubs of America on this blog. I firmly believe in what they do and stand for. There is so much standing in the way of today's youth and this amazing organization gives so much to make sure that as many children as possible get a helping in hand in navigating life. This year is the second annual Give the Gift of a Great Future campaign and I am pleased to share it with you.

{BGCA's Give the Gift of a Great Future}


The Give the Gift of a Great Future campaign is aimed to help fund the Boys and Girls Clubs of America's efforts to help the youth of this nation. You can help by sending a donation to their cause or simply by playing the Giving Game. By playing this simple game, you can help give a gift to the Club in a matter of seconds. The first time I played, I earned a $1 toward Club Membership as my donated gift. Easy as can be and it helps so much! Definitely stop by and play the Giving Game.

{Tips to Help Teach Kids About Giving Back}

Hard as we try to infuse the importance of giving back to our children, it isn't always that easy. It is so simple for them to get caught up in the hoopla of getting that they can sometimes forget how important it is to give. The BGCA offers some great tips to help teach kids about giving back including:

1. Talk about giving. Tell your kids which causes you're supporting this year and why. Better yet, make the choice together. Or give each child a portion of what you plan to donate this year and allow him or her to choose the charity.
2. Read books about giving. Try The Mitten Tree by Candace Christiansen, I Can Make a Difference by Julie and Amanda Sexson or a selection from Learning to Give's Annotated Bibliography of Children's Literature.
3. Volunteer together. Whether serving a meal at a soup kitchen or lending a hand at an animal shelter, volunteering helps kids learn compassion – and it's a great way for families to spend time together. Check with your child's school, your religious institution, a local Boys & Girls Club or The Volunteer Family for project ideas.
4. Encourage routine volunteering. Contributing regularly to an organization they choose can be meaningful, showing kids that they have the power to make a difference. This is especially true for teens. Support them by providing transportation or extra allowance for expenses, if needed.

Need some more tips? You can check out the rest of the tips for helping kids give back on the BGCA's site. 

Be sure to stop by the Boys and Girls Clubs of America's website to play the Giving Game and donate to the Give the Gift of a Great Future campaign if you are so inclined.

How do you help teach your kids about giving back?