Families do many things together. We play. We read. We vacation. We give. The list literally goes on and on, and all of these acts benefit our families in some way. For this post we’re partnering with Save the Children to share some of the family benefits of participating in philanthropic activities together.
To be sure most families participate in philanthropic activities as a way to give to others and support other communities and causes, and that is certainly reason enough to do so. But while you’re acting to benefit others, you’re also gaining a lot as a family by giving to others.
Benefits of Participating in Philanthropic Activities
Through philanthropic activities you have many opportunities to strengthen important skills like shared decision making, negotiation, planning, and compromise. As you work together to research and decide which organizations to help there are many decisions to be made together, and learning how to make them as a family can lead to more harmonious decision making in other areas as well. These skills will also help kids in school and other areas.
Many organizations also give families the opportunity to learn about others. Save the Children’s Child Sponsorship program allows families to sponsor a child based on region, country, gender and/or age. This can add an extra layer of meaning to helping others, as kids can learn what life is like for kids in other areas. When we sponsored a child through another opportunity my oldest daughter was very motivated to learn about life in that child’s country and how things were similar and different in many ways from where we live. It was a valuable learning experience for us all.
Families can also benefit by making connections with other people and developing friendships. With Child Sponsorship families can send messages, birthday cards and more. Not only is this a way for kids to participate in authentic writing experiences, it gives families a unique opportunity to form relationships with people they may not have known otherwise.
As families learn more about the culture and lifestyle of others they also develop empathy and gratitude. It’s easy in our busy lives to overlook some of the everyday conveniences we have and take them for granted. Participating in philanthropic activities is a valuable way to take time to look more closely at the privileges we have and use those things to help others while reminding us to be thankful. When we helped a child we learned that her family had no hot running water. Even my four year old easily realized how lucky we are to have hot water for baths and other things we enjoy.
Finally placing value on family philanthropy can have a lasting impact by helping families bond through shared experiences. These shared experiences bring families closer together and make it likely that families will continue to participate in similar activities in the future…and with philanthropic activities this is mutually beneficial for all involved!
What other family benefits would you add to this list? What has your family gained most from participating in philanthropic activities together?
Learn More About Save the Children
Invest in Childhood is Save the Children’s back-to-school campaign that focuses on the importance of early learning and the deficit faced by children in need. Early Childhood Care and Development prepares a child for a bright future by building a strong foundation for success in school. Without access to early childhood education, U.S. children in poverty are:
- 70% more likely to be arrested for a violent crime
- 40% more likely to become a teen parent
- 25% more likely to drop out of school and
- 60% more likely to never attend college
Sponsorship gives children the gift of brighter futures – one child at a time. For about a $1 a day, you can sponsor a child in need in the United States – and help reverse the cycle of poverty. Save the Children’s Child Sponsorship program achieves lasting impact for children through partnerships and provide tools that empower entire communities to better support their children’s health, education, protection and growth.
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