If you’re looking for a way to bond with your family, teach good values and get involved with your community, now is the time. Once reserved for high-schoolers looking to beef up their college applications, community service opportunities now abound even for grade-school children. And it turns out that giving back is good for kids as well as the community. A ServiceLeader.org report claims that kids who volunteer are less likely to use drugs and skip school, and that volunteerism “promotes healthy lifestyle and choices, enhances development, [and] teaches life skills.”
So where do you go to get started? Right here. The Kansas City metro area has opportunities to fit any schedule and area of interest.
Animal Haven
Contact: Dawn Morgan
9800 W. 67th St., Merriam, KS 66203; 913.432.7548; www.AnimalHavenKC.org
In 2007, more than 3,000 homeless animals passed through the doors of this no-kill shelter, which offers volunteer opportunities for animal lovers of all ages. Duties include socializing cats and dogs, shelter cleanup and helping with offsite adoption events. Volunteers are required to attend an orientation; kids under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Harvesters Community Food Network
Contact: volunteer@harvesters.org
3801 Topping Ave., Kansas City, MO 64129; 816.929.3090; www.Harvesters.org
Harvesters has been collecting and distributing food for the needy since 1979. And in the current economic climate, help is needed more than ever. While Harvesters hosts special events throughout the year, they can always use help sorting food at the Volunteer Outreach Center. You can even host your birthday party or other event in the center’s attractive meeting room, complete with complimentary cake! Kids 6 and up are welcome with adult supervision.
Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care
Contact: Kathy Fetters
9221 Ward Parkway, Ste. 100, Kansas City, MO 64114; 816.276.2640; www.KansasCityHospice.org
When patients struggling with advanced illness decide to forego medical treatment, they often turn to Kansas City Hospice to provide palliative care. For those who can’t stay at home, KCHP offers Hospice House, a 24-bed inpatient facility where volunteers can make a real difference. The House is always in need of meals and baked goods provided for patients’ families. Baking and meal prep can be done either in your own home or at Hospice House through prior arrangement. Volunteers who enjoy crafts can make special door hangers for patients (details on the website). Call KCHP for more opportunities to help out.
Operation Breakthrough
Contact: Debbie Skaggs
3039 Troost, Kansas City, MO 64109; 816.329.5233; www.OperationBreakthrough.org
Providing tutoring, mentoring, daycare for working families and other services, volunteers are the lifeblood of Operation Breakthrough. Kids and adults alike can sign up to be Reading Buddies for young children at the center and to provide playtime and daycare supervision. Call to schedule an orientation, which must be completed before you can volunteer. Kids under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
Operation Iraqi Children
Contact: Kelly Meyer
1529 Atlantic, North Kansas City, MO 64116; 816.241.7321; www.OperationIraqiChildren.org
Founded by actors Gary Sinise and Lauren Hillenbrand, OIC partners with American soldiers in Iraq to provide and distribute school supplies to impoverished children. Families can help assemble supply kits at the OIC warehouse or organize a drive to put together kits offsite. Find supply lists on the OIC website, along with stories of how the agency has made a difference for Iraqi children. All ages welcome with adult supervision.
YMCA Challenger Program
Contact: Molly Turner
YMCA of Greater Kansas City, 3100 Broadway, Ste. 1020, Kansas City, MO 64111; 816.561.9622; www.KansasCityYMCA.org
Want to give back as a team player? YMCA runs their Challenger Program at various locations to help kids with special needs play organized sports. As a Challenger Buddy, volunteers ages 9 and up (and adults!) are paired with an athlete to act as friend, cheerleader, coach and helper. Sports include aquatics, soccer, basketball, bowling, tennis and baseball. Orientation is required; athletic prowess isn’t necessary—just a helping team spirit. Apply online at the website.
For more ideas on how to make a difference, visit www.VolunteerMatch.org or www.IdeaList.org/kt.
Local Kids Who Give Back
Blake, age 10 Olathe
Blake has been volunteering since the age of five for various organizations. He and mom Shannon enjoy Caroling for Cans at Christmastime, when they use their singing talents to garner canned goods for Kansas City food pantries. Blake has also participated in the Stuff-the-Truck program benefiting the Salvation Army. Contact the Army’s metro volunteer director, Betsy Baird, at 816.968.0374 or by email at Betsy_Baird@usc.salvationarmy.org, for more info.
Madison, age 11 KCMO
Madison, a Girl Scout since her Daisy days, often does community service with Troop 3182. Her mother’s office sometimes hosts events that Madison helps out with as well. At Harvesters, she sorts food and prepares it for delivery to food pantries all over the city. During the holidays, Madison and mom Brooke participate in various drives at their church to help the less fortunate.
Rory, age 7 & Dane, age 9 Mission
Brothers Rory and Dane have been giving back to their community for the last three years. Mom Nancy “actively pursued” volunteer opportunities for them until she discovered Cross-Lines Community Outreach. Every month she and the boys load up their SUV with donations from church and drive it to the center in Kansas City, KS. For information on other opportunities with Cross-Lines, contact Amber Glasgow at 913.281.3388, or visit www.Cross-Lines.org.
Peter, age 12 KCMO
While bagging apples at the Harvesters volunteer center, Peter likes doing community service with his family. In addition to helping out Harvesters, they’ve volunteered at Operation Breakthrough’s Early Childhood Education program. “We rock the babies and play with the children there. The kids love it,” says mom Kim.
Cydney, age 10 Parkville
Cydney loves her dog Maynard, pictured with her here, as well as the cats at the Parkville Animal Shelter. Cydney operated a lemonade stand to raise money for the shelter and hosted a party to collect gifts for shelter cats. Mom Connie coordinates other fundraising efforts. To learn how you can help, visit www.ParkvilleShelter.com or call 816.587.0918.
Tips for Successful Volunteering
- Start Slow. Don’t commit long term if your kids have never volunteered before. It’s better to experience success on a small scale rather than to bail on a big project.
- Make It Fun. Host a party to collect canned goods for food pantries. Look for programs that pique your kids’ interests. Involve their friends. Your bookworm may enjoy being a Reading Buddy; cat lovers will gravitate to an animal shelter.
- Use What You’ve Got. Make the most of opportunities available through your school, scout group or faith community. The easier it is to arrange a volunteer activity, the more likely it is that your family will stick with it.
- Book Early for the Holidays. November and December are huge volunteering months. Check sites like The Volunteer Center of Johnson County (VCJC.org) for lots of special events to help your family celebrate the season of giving.
Shawnee writer Claire M. Caterer and daughter Melanie Bohling have been Animal Haven volunteers since 2007.