Lenten Prayer, Fasting, Almsgiving Activities for Children

The Catholic Lenten season of Lent is fast approaching. In lent, we practice gospel virtues: prayer, fasting, almsgiving. We seek to draw near God, by imitating Christ's suffering. Those acts in turn help us grow stronger. Here are lenten sacrifice activities for children.  Lenten Prayer, Fasting, Almsgiving Activities for Children

Volunteering is Just That, A Gift of Free Time and Service

Whenever there's a call for volunteers, my hand is usually the first up. Well, it used to be till I wised up. Don't get me wrong. Volunteer work is still important to me. I'm just choosier about what I agree to help with. It has to meet my criteria.

* Do they really need help? I volunteered to chaperon a dance after reading how desperate they were for help. Got there and just stood around. The organizer had gotten a better response than expected and didn't bother to tell anyone so they could decide if they really had time. Read on.   Volunteering is Just That

Teach Kids Social Skills, Encourage them To Form a Club

Sharing this great idea that my daughter came up with. She writes for Bubblews and this is her idea for a club she'd like to start. She explains "I want to start a club. My friend started one and its time I start my own. At school, one of my teacher has shown interest in starting a club with me. We had considered forming a Star Wars club because we are both massive Star Wars fans. However, there wouldn't be a lot to do in the club so I have created a new idea for a club. A conspiracy theorist club."

Okay first that's just a really cool idea. Second, joining clubs are a great way for kids to connect and get involved. Third, starting a club helps kids learn organization, social skills,  motivational and public speaking and self-advocacy. Fourth, a conspiracy theories club--educational, creative and fun! Does my heart proud to call her "daughter." Conspiracy Theorist Club

Detroit Mower Gang Reclaiming Abandoned City Parks

A community group, the Detroit Mower Gang, is taking their urban renewal campaign to Detroit's parks. The group's Motown Mowdown event this Saturday, May 25, will be a 24-hour marathon of freshening up closed and disused city parks. It's the quintessential "grassroots" effort, as the Detroit Free Press aptly called it.Detroit Mower Gang Reclaiming Abandoned City Parks

Catholic Relief Services Lenten Rice Bowl Activities

Catholic Relief Services is the single largest non-governmental relief agency in the world. Each year at Lent CRS initiates what is called 'Operation Rice Bowl'. Operation Rice Bowl is a program which focuses our attention on the cardinal aims of the Lenten season: prayer, fasting and almsgiving. The Rice Bowl project consists of a cardboard box which when assembled, looks very much like the take out boxes that rice comes in. The Rice Bowl is a box which families set up in their homes during Lent to collect loose change and offerings for the poor and hungry of the world. Operation Rice bowl also includes a Lenten prayer calendar with devotional activities, feast days and stations of the cross. Each calendar day has a prayer focus. Specific information about world poverty statistics and needs from around the world are listed also.  Lenten Rice Bowl Devotional and Lesson Planner

Student volunteer service credit opportunities: Tips for parents

Volunteering is a buzzword in educational circles. To raise student awareness, groups like United Way coordinate student volunteer programs. Many schools require kids to perform a set number of community service credits to graduate. Elementary and middle schools are getting in on the act, too. If your student needs earn community service credits here are some suggestions.  Student volunteer service credit opportunities: Tips for parents

Kids and social justice: How parents should teach awareness, develop empathy

Sensitivity training isn't just for adults. It has to begin in childhood. It's essential that parents teach awareness--especially of social justice issues like poverty--early and often. When teaching compassion and empathy, here are things to keep in mind.  Kids and social justice: How parents should teach awareness, develop empathy 

Good News from Haiti Updates One Year Later

Wednesday marked the one-year anniversary of the massive earthquake that rocked the island country of Haiti. Haiti was already the most impoverished nation in the western hemisphere when the devastating quake left 1.5 million people homeless. What progress has been made in clean up and relief efforts one year later? Read more...

Make a School Supplies Kit for Children in Need

Back-to-School Shopping: Donate a School Supplies Kit for Those in Need
School supplies are pricey, but happily for most Americans, we live in a country where we can find great prices on back to school supplies. Not all nations enjoy free public education. How about making a back to school supplies kit for a child in need?
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Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF-You Still Can

Remember Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF? Opportunities for Participate
Most of us have happy Halloween and trick-or-treat memories: cool costumes, candy, parties. My favorite part of trick-or-treat was getting to carry a little orange box to collect pennies for UNICEF. Do you remember 'trick-or-treat for UNICEF?
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Volunteer Ideas for College Majors and High School Volunteer Credit

Volunteer Ideas for Education Majors
Volunteer opportunities abound but the following volunteer programs allow education majors to obtain hands-on teaching practice. Read more for some great volunteer ideas! Read More

Should We Donate to Haitian Earthquake 2010 Relief Efforts?

Does the 2010 Haitian Earthquake Merit Our Donations?
The Haitian earthquake of January 2010 comes at a time when many in the U.S. feel battered and bruised by the economic turmoil of the past year. Should we help Haiti now?
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'Hoops for Haiti' UK Wildcats Play for Haiti

"Hoops for Haiti"---Coach Cal, UK Wildcats, Ashley Judd and More Support Haiti Relief Effort
A "Hoops for Haiti" telethon hosted by University of Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari scores big. It's $1 million dollars and counting for Haiti earthquake relief.
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Help Haiti: No Money? Can't Donate Blood? Volunteer at Red Cross Blood Drive

Not Eligible to Donate Blood for Haiti? Volunteer with the Red Cross
Donating blood is one way to support the Red Cross in the ongoing relief efforts being supplied to earthquake victims in Haiti. What if you don't meet the requirements to donate blood? Find other opportunities to volunteer with the Red Cross.
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Haiti Earthquake Volunteer Update: Caution to Untrained Volunteers

Haiti Earthquake Relief Update: Cautions to Mission Groups and Volunteers Going to Haiti
The plight of the Haitian earthquake victims is drawing an unprecedented amount of support. Local organizations are forming mission groups to fly to Haiti. But while the response is heart-warming, there are some cautions.
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