Seeking Community Service Ideas to Include a 2 Yr. Old

Each year, we let the kids choose a charity to donate to. Most often, they pick the local animal shelter. They make a card and we put the money in and go deliver it together. It is really great for them. We have also had them choose one or 2 toys to donate to needy children. We typically just bring them to Salvation Army, but you may consider bringing them to a Children's hospital or shelter.

Good luck!

We had similar challenges trying to find volunteer opportunities for kids under 8. The best options for us were nursing homes (of course, check beforehand to make sure bringing a young child is ok) and other more direct types of volunteering (e.g. cleaning up our park, baking cookies or treats for social service agencies, etc.). Other ways we've tried to help out is I had my daughter pick out a new book or toy that we donated to a family homeless shelter. The Greater Chicagoland Food Depository has a family volunteer program a few times a year, but I think the kids need to be six.

I'm trying to teach my son about helping others too. He's 2.5 and I can't really imagine doing much volunteer work with him now. I'm giving him money to put into Salvation Army buckets and talking about where it goes. I've also thought about buying some food at the store with him and then dropping it off at a food pantry and talking about that.

The only activities I can think of are:

1. Helping with litter clean up, when they clean up the beaches or parks. Obviously, these are usually done in warmer weather. We pick up garbage when we go for walks and I think it's a good habit to get him into(carry a plastic bag with you).

2. Doing something nice for someone you know who needs help. Maybe baking cookies for someone who is sick or raking leaves for a neighbor? I think at this age, it needs to be pretty small scale and personalized. Community service will have much more meaning for him if it's concrete and for someone he knows.

In the future, I'd like to buy holiday gifts for a family in need and have my son help me shop for gifts and wrap them. This year it wouldn't have any meaning for him.

I'd love to hear anyone else's ideas.

I used to be the volunteer coordinator for a small homeless shelter a few years back. Most places ask that kids are bit older to volunteer. However, I have a couple of suggestions.

Check with a small, local shelter to see if they need sandwiches made. The shelter I was at had volunteers make about 40 brown bag lunches at home and drop them off at the shelter. A lot of people got a group together to do this. Your child can help make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and drop them off with you. You'll need to call to schedule a date and see if they have any food requirements.

You can check with a local battered women & children's shelter to see if they need clothes, toys, etc. These women usually leave home with only the clothes on their backs. A lot of these places offer guest a "store" where they can shop for items when they arrive. You and your child can donate items and drop them off. Talk to the volunteer director and see if you can organize a playgroup. Bring other moms and kids together to play with the children at the shelter for an afternoon. It really depends on the shelter. Some keep their locations private to help keep their guests safe, so don't be offended if they say no.

The Chicago Food Depository is always collecting food donations. I think there is a minimum age to actually participate sorting & packing food at their facility. However, you can buy canned items, or clear out your own pantry and drop off items at your locale Dominicks. Give them a call - you never know.

Good luck - I hope you find something fufilling for you and your son to participate in!