Tips from the field: Ideas for Kids in Direct Service

By Sean Kainec

Direct Service Ideas for Kids

Start a project with your church, synagogue, school or scout troop.
Start a just say no to drugs and alcohol abuse club in your community.
Donate school vacation hours to helping a cause you care about.

Kiddie Corner: Helpful Volunteer Hints for Kids

☺ After calling a place you are interested, your call may not be returned as soon as you like. If you so not get results the second time you contact the organization have an adult call for you. Sometime adults don’t take kids seriously or may not realize that the organization has a children’s division. So always be patient, polite and persistent.

☺ You can also contact an organization by writing a letter. Be sure that your letter is neat with correct spelling and punctuation. If your handwriting is not good, it would be best to type the letter. Mention in your letter that you are interested in volunteering and be sure to include you name, phone number, address and a self-addressed stamped enveloped so that the organization can easily reply to your request.

☺ Many organizations ant you to fill out an application to volunteer. List all of your hobbies and other experience that relates to the volunteer job. Highlight you accomplishments like honors, awards and good grades. Tell them about any winning team or project you were involved in. List all organizations you belong to like church, youth groups, and sports. Don’t be modest, but be honest. Organizations may check what you put on your application.

☺ Getting hired for a volunteer job is an accomplishment. Although you will not be paid, it is a BIG responsibility that you must take seriously. It means showing up on certain days and times and for a specific amount of hours. So, unless you are sick or have an emergency, make sure that you are there. When you can not be there be sure to tell the person in charge so that arrangements can be made for someone to take your place.

☺ Remember before you start to volunteer, think about how much time you’ll have after you completed your chores at home and other commitments to your school family and friends.
Now, you have a wealth of information, a list or organizations you can check out and ideas for giving direct service. So, all I have left to say is......”get out there and volunteer!!!”

If you volunteered in a new, creative and fun way that is not listed here, PLEASE e-mail your ideas to me at CMJPlatformPlace@yahoo.com and I will include them in this list with your name and it will also be listed on the Catherine Jackson's Platform Place Website on the Ways to Give Direct Service Page.

Related link: http://www.cmj.freehosting.net/photo5.html
Point of Contact: Catherine Jackson, CMJPlatformPlace@yahoo.com
Content Provided by: SERVEnet Ambassador Program - Chicago, IL