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At the holidays, it can be a challenge to pick out gifts
for the children on our list-often they already have all
the toys, gadgets and games they can handle. If you'd
like to consider some gifts that encourage the spirit of
giving in your young recipients, here are some
suggestions.
And don't forget about our annual
Twin Cities fundaiser on November 20, always a
rousing time! Details appear below.
Jenny Friedman, Executive Director
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Quick Pick Holiday Ideas |
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Make a Difference...
Purchase a "charity check"
(you decide the amount) for each child on your list.
The child decides where to donate the money, and
you receive the tax deduction! Have your children talk
to you about why they chose a particular charity for
their contribution.
Give books that teach kids how to reach out. A few
examples:
- The Giving Book: Open the Door to a
Lifetime of Giving by Ellen Sabin
- A Kid's Guide to Giving by Freddi
Zeiler
- A Kid's Guide to Social Action by
Barbara Lewis
- A Teen's Guide to Global Action by
Barbara Lewis
Got an animal lover? Consider sponsoring a wild
animal in your child's name. The recipient will receive
a stuffed toy and updates about their adopted
creature.
Give a Kiva gift
certificate on behalf of your
child. The money goes to make a micro loan to a
needy entrepreneur. When the loan is paid back, your
child can lend the money to someone else. It's
empowering for kids to see how their money is
making a difference in real people's lives.
Buy the gift of time together. Plan a
volunteer vacation so you and your children can have
an adventure of a lifetime - and also make a positive
difference for others. We recommend Global Citizens
Network, which is particularly family-friendly.
Sit down as a family and peruse these
special holiday catalogs, then give a gift to one of
them in your child's name.
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Charitable Giving & Holiday Events |
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Talk About It...
The holidays are the perfect time to talk with your
children about the value of service and charitable
giving. Here are some pointers.
Take advantage of "teachable moments"
that occur around the holidays - seeing Salvation
Army bell ringers or Toys for Tots collection bins - to
discuss the importance of doing for others.
Read books together that emphasize the
true meaning of the holidays. Ask your librarian for
ideas or visit the resource page on our website for
excellent titles.
Take on at least one small volunteer
project together, and make it an annual family
tradition! This way, your children will begin to
associate the holidays with reaching out to others.
Don't forget, introducing the idea of giving back during
the holidays is great, but be sure the spirit of giving
and community involvement extends throughout the
year.
Learn About It...
To learn other ways to spark the spirit of giving in your
child, read Carol Weisman's Raising Charitable
Children. Using real stories, Weisman provides
readers with easy, practical, fun ways to help their
family become more focused on kindness, generosity
and service to others.
Photo:
Carol Weisman's Raising Charitable
Children
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Inspiration |
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"More than four in five adults (84 percent) would prefer
to receive a meaningful gift that would help someone
else rather than a traditional holiday gift such as
clothing or electronics."
World Vision
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News From DGT |
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You're invited! If you would like to learn more about our
organization while enjoying the company of others
interested in raising compassionate children through
family service, please join us for
A CELEBRATION FOR DOING GOOD TOGETHER
Friday, November 20, 2009 6:00-9:00 pm
50 South Sixth Street 15th Floor Atrium (offices of
Dorsey & Whitney, LLP) Minneapolis
Convenient parking in the 50 South Sixth Street
ramp for $5.
This celebration is a fundraiser for Doing Good
Together, however, no minimum donation will be
requested.
Featuring:
Hors d'oeuvres, desserts and wine
Live auction
Big wall of wine raffle
For further information, including descriptions of the
live auction items and raffle prizes, click here.
If you plan to attend, please RSVP by Wednesday,
November 18, 2009, to
rachel@doinggoodtogether.org
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