Pay it Forward

[robinsonbn]

I just watched the movie "Pay it Forward". Great Great movie. It got me thinking and wanting to help people. I am trying to come up with ideas..any suggestions?

[cmdunn1972]

I thought it was a great movie too. I can't think of any suggestions right off the bat, but if I can come up with anything I'll let you know! :)

It's a nice sentiment.

[sbirmantaz]

May be a bit different, but I have been thinking of finding a senior that is lonely and who likes kids(how to find one I'm not sure, any ideas?) and visit them once a week for an hour or so. Or help them do something around the house etc. I think it would be good for me and for my 3 and 4 year old to learn aboiut community...
Sharon
dd #1 09/24/02
dd #2 11/19/03

[Jenn98]

If it were me I would look into volunteering. Check to see if you have a local volunteer center (may be through the United Way in some communities, may be a stand alone center(try Google), or try calling 211 to see if you have one nearby.) I rec a formal volunteer type thing for several reasons: they are professionals who know what they are doing, they have rules and guidelines to keep you safe, they have support from the staff and you are covered under their liability (a good place to volunteer with will have these things, at least!).

There are a ton of different kinds of volunteering, so don't feel like you need to take the first offer. Shop around for a good fit. You really want to feel connected to the staff of the agency you are volunteering with.

And here's my shameless plug: Consider becoming a youth mentor. It is crazy rewarding and so, so much fun! Let me know if you have any other questions about volunteering (or mentoring!) and I'll do my best to help.

I wish more people like you wanted to pay it forward!

[tiapam]

This organization has a program where you do online mentoring:

http://www.orphan.org/vmentor.html

I don't have any experience with it, but I came across it one day and thought it seemed like a great program. They also do care packages for foster kids who have moved on to college.

-Pam

DD - Two years old!

[robinsonbn]

Thanks everyone for the ideas. I used to volunteer all the time when I was in Highschool and younger with Girl Scouts. But that was always set up. We worked a soup kitchen for about 3 years but I have no idea how we got into it. The rest was like Safety City, and taking cards to nursing homes and visiting them on Holidays. Of course then the usual charity work so I am unsure...however, I do like your guys ideas. My sorority also used to volunteer at an animal shelter 1 a month, but it wasn't a very nice shelter people weren't the best to the animals and it was very sad. Anyway, thankyou!

[cmdunn1972]

Does your county have a department on aging? If so, you might want to contact them to ask a social worker if there are homebound seniors who might be good to visit.

Another option is to ask any religious congragations in your area if they need volunteers with kids to visit with their elderly/homebound members.

[jamsmu]

How about at a Sunrise facility (or something like that?) We also have an adult day center around here. The seniors are there every day, and their caretakers pick them up at night. Pretty much a day care for adults. Our MOMS club used to hold our meetings there once a week and the seniors would come down to visit. (we had to stop because the room where they had us wasn't child proofed at all (it was an exercise room/rec room/kitchen all combined) and there were way too many accidents.)

[jenjenfirenjen]

You could also see what volunteer opportunties there are on www.volunteermatch.org. Good for you for wanting to give back.