The Benefits of Involving Kids in Philanthropy
“People of all ages love to volunteer. Kids love helping out just as much as adults. In fact, a lot of our collection drives are led by school-aged kids, elementary through high-school.
We love to see kids helping kids, and this also inspires adults to get involved.”
- Catherine Maloy, Founder and CEO of Cocotree Kids
4th grade members of Girl Scouts Troupe 67378 helping to fold underwear at a packing event.
When you think of a philanthropist, a child does not immediately come to mind, but the truth is that people of all ages love to help. There’s something about being in service to those in need and making a tangible difference that helps us feel both better about ourselves and connected to others. This was in fact how Cocotree Kids began; our founder Catherine felt the urge to help during the pandemic, and what started as a neighborhood drive for undergarments grew into the organization it is today.
We often see underwear donation drives led by school-aged children, and have kids excited to volunteer at community events spreading awareness about our work and volunteering their time at fold-and-pack events. It’s never too early to start! Even my 4 year old helped pack some underwear and handed out prizes at an event. But you may ask, why should we involve children in giving back?
Today’s post is the start of a mini-series highlighting the introduction of children to philanthropy. To kick off the series, we are sharing some of the many benefits of involving children in giving back. There are so many reasons to get involved, but our list may include some benefits that surprise you!
Some members of the Cocotree Kids team with some dedicated volunteers at Natick Days 2023.
It Nurtures Empathy, Gratitude and Compassion
When children volunteer or give back, they are given the opportunity to learn about others in need. Whether it’s children they go to school with or those in underserved communities close by, they are given the chance to realize that not everyone lives like them. In the case of Cocotree, kids can put themselves in the shoes of other children in a very real way and think about what it would be like not to have one of the most basic necessities: underwear. This simple act of empathy helps create a sense of gratitude when they think about their own lives, and appreciation for basic things they often take for granted. This also allows them to become more compassionate to others who aren’t as fortunate.
It Teaches Children About Your Family Values
When you involve children in family donation discussions, spend time volunteering together, or let them see you giving back to your community through volunteering or donations, you teach children important lessons about your family values. Volunteering together also promotes family bonding time in a way that kids will remember for a long time. You can even take it a step further and let them be a part of decision-making of where to donate or volunteer.
It Develops Leadership Skills
When children lead a drive, they have the opportunity to take on a leadership role. Children can develop age-appropriate leadership skills whether it’s figuring out who to involve and where to have it, making a video or flyers to raise awareness, and all the details in between. This is an opportunity for them to think and act like a leader in their community.
It Promotes Teamwork
Philanthropy provides a variety of ways to work with others to develop teamwork skills as well. Whether they are volunteering or hosting a drive, kids have opportunities to work with others towards a common goal. One school that hosted an underwear drive for us in the past sparked some friendly competition between classrooms to get participation numbers up, and they saw the impact they made as a team (and won a pajama day as a prize!). Kids also learn how to work together in an assembly line for packing up goods, and see the result of their joint work when they count the number of packs of underwear they folded at the end—and the number of kids they helped in the process.
Two of our young volunteers collecting tickets and handing out prizes at Natick Days.
It Boosts Self-Esteem
When children volunteer, they are able to see the end result of their work. After learning about a cause like Cocotree’s and exercising empathy, they can feel good knowing they are helping their peers in a real, tangible way. When they collect a certain amount of money or underwear, they know they are going to improve the lives of several children just like them. It is rewarding knowing that they are making a real difference in others’ lives, and they should feel very proud of themselves!
It Connects Them with Others
Volunteering and getting involved in a cause in your community is a great way to connect with others. When kids volunteer with their friends, they can strengthen those relationships by adding an additional way to connect, on top of meeting new people who have similar interests as them. But learning about how others have different needs and experiences than they do opens their mindset. Giving back is a relatable way to show kids that we are not all that different from each other; and life is a lot better and sweeter when we can help each other out.
These are just a handful of the many benefits of involving children in giving back to their community. And one of the best benefits as a parent is reliving these moments with our children.
Coming up next in the series: we will share some ideas on how to involve kids in philanthropy. Stay tuned!
