Let’s make a difference this holiday season and throughout the New Year! Your kids can learn how to be compassionate and help others through the power of giving!
Check out the Lemons to Aid kid-friendly holiday ideas:
Stuff a Stocking for a Soldier - American service members overseas who will not be home to share this special time of year with family and friends. To support troops abroad, DFW Texas Soldiers’ Angels are collecting items to stuff hundreds of holiday stockings to ship to local service members in the Middle East and other combat areas. Click HERE to see list of items needed. Writing letters to our soldiers is also an acitivity that is simple and meaningful. You may send the items and letters to the soldiers to: Soldiers’ Angels, 8401 Memorial Lane #9102, Plano, TX 75024.
“No Sew” Fleece Blankets – These “no sew” blankets are fun to make and will teach kids about giving back. They are simple and fun to make for all ages. They can be donated to a nursing home, shelter or any other place that may need blankets over the holidays. Click HERE for instructions on how to make a “no sew” fleece blanket. You can also visit your local craft store and purchase a “new sew” fleece blanket kit.
Lemon Drop – Soles4Souls and Lemons to Aid have winterized their Lemon Drop program, a lemonade stand and a shoe “drop” all rolled into one! With new supplies, recipes, and crafts, kids of all ages can make a difference by selling warm wintery drinks and tasty treats, and collecting shoes for children in need all over the world! All shoes and proceeds collected will help Soles4Souls send hope to children who need it this winter. A Winter Lemon Drop is a fun and simple way for kids to get involved in Changing the World One Pair (and one cup of lemonade) at a Time®!
Care Bags 4 Kids - This organization creates and distributes beautiful fabric Care Bags filled with essential and comforting items for needy children ages baby-18 years. Children can collect items and send them to Care Bags 4 Kids and they will be sent to needy children. Kids may donate new items you they have that they don’t need (wrapped Happy Meal toys, toothbrushes, toothpaste or dental floss from your dentist, shampoo from hotels, gift certificates or extra presents.)
Positive Placemats - “Positive Placemats” are an easy and fun way to make an impact on an elderly person receiving a meal from Meals on Wheels. You can make these during the school day, over the weekend with your family or any time you and your child feel like making a difference in the life of another person. Color construction paper with markers/crayons and decorate with stickers. You may mail them to: Meals on Wheels, Betsy Cox, 1440 W. Mockingbird Lane, Dallas, TX 75247.
Family Activities – Check out your local volunteer center to find out what you can do to help. You can find an activity that your family can do during the holidays – deliver meals through Meals on Wheels, adopt a family, donate clothes, deliver and distribute holiday items.
Hospital Craft – Bring a gift, make a “Thinking of You” card, create a simple craft for a child that is in the hospital over the holidays. We traced our hands on paper and decorated them with snowflakes to make ornaments to hang in their rooms. You may want to contact your local hospital to see if they have any programs to get involved.
Salvation Army – Adopt an angel from their Angel Tree. Take your child(ren) with you to purchase the items for your “Angel.” You can also donate to their Red Kettle Campaign. Even the smallest amount makes a difference!
