Make a Difference...

By organizing your neighborhood around critical issues, you and your family can build a network of connections while strengthening the sense of community for others. Look around and see what needs to be done. Ask others to join you. Here are some possibilities to think about:

Organize a regular neighborhood clean-up.

Start a neighborhood watch group.

Put together an annual block party or National Night Out event.

Start a neighborhood garden and share the bounty.

Develop a system to provide services for the elderly in your neighborhood, including transportation, yard care or putting up holiday decorations.

Organize a community festival.

We can begin by doing small things at the local level, like planting community gardens or looking out for our neighbors. That is how change takes place in living systems, not from above but from within, from many local actions occurring simultaneously.

Grace Lee Boggs, Chinese-American Author, Feminist, Social Activist

Determined to make a difference after hearing a talk about family volunteerism, the Layton family of Payton, Utah, used their ingenuity to literally transform jumping into joy. This past November, the family devised a "Jump-a-thon" as a fun way to get neighborhood kids involved in the spirit of giving.

First Emily and Todd Layton sat down with their children, Brenden (10), Bryce (8), Brooke (6) and Brinnley (4), to pick two organizations to receive the jump proceeds. Their main criteria: the organizations had to focus on helping kids. They chose the Utah Foster Care Foundation, which helps provide resources to newly placed foster children, and the Make a Child Smile Foundation, which connects people with chronically ill children in need of day-brightening little packages and letters. The family then advertised their event to neighborhood kids through their church, schools and word of mouth. All participating jumpers were requested to collect pledges before the big day.

Jump-a-thon day dawned just after Thanksgiving. Anticipating a rainy start, Todd Layton rigged a tarp over their large backyard trampoline, which only contributed to the fun circus atmosphere. For 12 hours, starting at 7 a.m., 35 kids and three adults took turns in what became known as "the jumping cave." While waiting their turn, jumpers were given materials to make cards for "Make a Child Smile" children. The $566 collected through jump pledges was used to buy Christmas gifts and other needed items for Utah Foster Care children

The day was filled with examples of sacrifice, determination, friendship, laughter, teamwork and community togetherness. For example, the Laytons got lunch donated from Domino's Pizza, and fixings for a BBQ dinner provided by Wal-Mart. Especially memorable for Emily Layton was a moment she shared with her 6-year-old daughter, Brooke. As Brooke was making a card for a 4-year-old with a severe heart defect, she paused for a few minutes as her eyes welled up with tears. Emily held Brooke on her lap and they talked about the big feelings they had inside for all the people they were helping that day.

The Laytons hope their event will spark more giving and encourage other families to create opportunities for neighborhood-based service to others. "People want to give." Emily says. "They just need ways to be involved."

Photo: The Layton family of Payton, Utah and neighborhood kids at their Jump-a-thon.

If you are a volunteer coordinator or manager at a nonprofit organization and are wondering how your organization might provide meaningful opportunities for families to serve the needs of your clients, we can help. You can make a positive difference for your organization while building a new generation of volunteers. Click here to learn more or contact us by phone (612.822.6502) or email.