What motivates you to take the time to volunteer with your family?  For some people, the idea of volunteering is relatively new, but for others it is second nature — it’s just a part of how they grew up.

Either way, we’d love to hear about how other volunteers have helped shape what you are doing with your family now that you’re in charge!

Here are a few Generations of Giving stories that we’ve already heard:

“My dad would load the kids up in the car and bring hot ham & rolls to family or friends whenever someone was going through a tough time… never wanting anyone to know he was behind the tasty treat.  While the last thing he wanted was any “credit” from the recipient, he let us kids in on the fun and we knew they were part of a secret mission of kindness. This became a family tradition of sorts, which we continue today.”

“There is a long line of volunteer firefighters in our family, and  that level of selfless commitment to the community “lit the spark” for me to take on other types of volunteer roles.  My family is from a rural area in Wisconsin and helping others was just a way of life; to celebrate the good times, survive the lean times and jump to attention when someone was in crisis (even if a fire call came during Thanksgiving dinner!).”

“When I was little I would go along to our church gathering room while my mom knitted baby blankets for people who had a baby. I played with other kids while the women all knitted away.  This is how I learned that helping others can actually be FUN as I heard the women laugh and tell stories to pass the time.  While I wasn’t helping directly, we went there on a consistent basis and I felt like I was a part of something good.”

The common theme in all these stories is that each of the “older generation” were not necessarily even trying to teach their kids the value of volunteering, but with their selflessness they led by example and exposed their kids to the value of lending a little hand to help support their community. And what an impact they made!

Who has inspired you, and why?  With your permission, we will share a summary of your stories in a future post.  No need to share names or personal info, but we’d love to honor those who have set the foundation for all the good work that continues today.

Please email info@sunbeamkids.org today with your story, and check out our upcoming projects or learn now to join the fun!