Volunteerism and Children

I had the opportunity this week to volunteer at a local food pantry. The great thing about it was I was able to take Melissa (18), Candace (17) and Nicholas (12) with me. In the beginning I wasn't exactly sure how well this would work out. I mean, to be honest, you never know what type of people you are going to be working with. Admit it, it's everyone's fear to be standing next to a person that looks as if they are homeless, someone doing community service or a trustee from the local jail.
Myself, it isn't something that has ever bothered me. I was blessed to have been raised by a Mother that always taught me and my brothers to have emapathy, not sympathy, for those that have had to travel a tougher road than the one we traveled. It was by the grace of God that we, as children, didn't end up homeless.
We worked hard on Monday. We were there for over 4 hours. Standing, carrying cases of food, packing boxes, cleaning, etc. It was much more than what I expected and I wasn't sure what the children's feelings were going to be about the day.
At one point I turned to see Nicholas, working along side a mentally disabled adult and having what looked to be a pleasant conversation. He later told me that he wasn't too sure what they were talking about but that the gentleman was smiling and that was enough for him.
When our time was over we gathererd our things and came home. Nothing much was said that night about our day. I chalked it up to the kids being tired. Today though, all three of the children asked me if we would be going back to help. I told them that I would be and that if they wanted to, they could come back with me. Surprisingly, all three said they wanted to return. Our sweet Candace said, "I want to help. I want to make sure that kids in our town get everything that they need."
As parents, we focus so much of our time on our children's school and homework, on their sports events and while that is all imporant, how often do we sit down and take the time to explain to them how important it is to give back? I think, as parents, we are all guilty of that. Life get's so busy we forget about making it a point to teach our children just how blessed they are to have the things they have. No matter how little they think that is, there are always those that have much less.
I know for my family, the last 6 years have been the toughest. We have gone without. We have lost and we have struggled. We still have not come out of that valley BUT still, we have more than so many others. Our blessings far out way what we don't have.
That said, if you ever have the chance to volunteer for a oragnaization that gives back, get your children involved. You never know just how much they are being touched. Don't take for granted that what you say is making a difference. Most of the time, it is what they see us doing that makes the bigger impact.