The best way to influence our children is to include them as we live out our personal values. Kids learn so much just by watching us, and there are many opportunities in Houston to include them in the causes we care about. Let’s focus on our community in the upcoming weeks and months with these fun and easy ways to volunteer and give back with kids.
Team Up with Walmart to Give Back
Small actions like rounding up your total to the nearest dollar and donating the change can have a big impact over time. As part of your local community, Walmart is connected to the causes you care about, and they are invested in supporting the collective impact we can make together.
Salvation Army and Angel Tree
One way to provide joy on Christmas morning and beyond to children in need is through The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program. Between now and December 16, online shoppers can purchase gifts through the online Angel Tree registry or, starting November 16, in-person shoppers can adopt an “angel” from the tree at their local Walmart or Sam’s Club, to donate items on their wish list.
Rounding Up at Checkout
Walmart offers customers the opportunity to give to organizations by rounding up their totals to the nearest dollar and donating when shopping on Walmart.com or donating much-needed products through Spark Good registries. Walmart and Sam’s Club also run in-store and online fundraising campaigns supporting Feeding America and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
Customers shopping on Walmart.com or in the Walmart app can round up their purchases at checkout and have the change donated to a charity or NCES school they choose. It’s super easy. When Walmart customers shop on a mobile phone or computer, they can select an eligible organization to support and will be prompted to donate to that organization each time they checkout.
Spark Good Registry
Like a wedding or a baby registry, the Spark Good Registry allows verified nonprofits and NCES schools to create lists of needed products and gift cards and share those lists with their donors. Walmart ships items purchased through an organization’s registry directly to the organization, reducing the need to set up collection sites and retrieve donations. Organizations can create virtual events, like a coat or canned-food drive, and share their Spark Good Registry through their social media channels or newsletters. Donors can also discover Spark Good registries near them at Walmart.com/sparkgood.
Online Pickup and Delivery
Often, we have the best of intentions to provide a meal, clothes, or household items to someone who needs it. But, we all lead busy lives and actually getting to the store feels impossible. But we live in a time where sending a gift or donation is as easy as a few clicks on our phone or computer. With Walmart’s Online Pickup and Delivery services, customers can choose what is best for them. For some customers, this means they will pick up items from one of their stores nationwide. For other customers, they want a delivery straight to their home, doorstep, or, if they are an InHome user, their fridge.
Offer Compassionate Support
The Ballard House is dedicated to providing compassionate support to individuals and their caregivers who travel to Houston, Texas for world-renowned medical treatment. They offer a temporary, no-cost home away from home, fostering a warm and welcoming environment that prioritizes safety and community. There are many volunteer opportunities for groups and families, including providing and serving meals, stocking the pantry, and planting flowers to keep the yard looking great!
A Cause with Cuddles
Did you know that you can volunteer to read to animals or assist in the puppy nursery at an adoption event? Both activities, and many others, are available to BARC Animal Shelter volunteers. Volunteers must be 13+ years old. Helping local animals while getting covered in puppy kisses? Win-win!
Help End Child Hunger in Houston
Help combat food insecurity in our city by volunteering with Kids Meals Houston. Every day, thousands of children in Harris County wake up unsure of where their next meal will come from. Kids Meals Houston offers so many ways for your family to get involved, whether you work in their facilities preparing and packing lunches (ages 8+), think ahead and consider organizing a summer juice box drive or decorate some of the thousands of paper bags used to deliver meals.
We love that Walmart+ makes it incredibly easy to get groceries and supplies for these initiatives at a great price and such a convenience. Give their in-home delivery a try this season.
Use Your Birthday for a Good Cause
Another way to volunteer in Houston with kids is to consider fundraising for a cause during their birthday month. Many local organizations make it easy to set up an online fundraiser that you can share with your loved ones, including Kids Meals Houston, the Houston Food Bank and Texas Children’s Hospital.
Show Your Support for Women and Girls
Help homeless and low-income girls and women stay focused on their goals by supporting access to period-related products through Helping Women Period. These necessary products are not covered by SNAP or other assistance programs, which means many women and girls go without addressing their basic needs every month.
Neighborhood Clean-up
Here’s an easy way to volunteer in Houston with kids that doesn’t require anything other than stepping out your front door with a bag and a pair of gloves; taking a weekly walk around the neighborhood to pick up litter. You can keep it small with your family or organize a neighborhood-wide beautification day!
Making a Difference for the Whole Family
Make this holiday season a little brighter for a family in need by participating in the Adopt-A-Family Program through Houston Children’s Charity. Sponsors are matched with families in the community who are in need during the holiday season. Sponsored items may include toys, clothing and household items.
Houston Children’s Charity also operates a no-charge resource closet for families. Your family could consider HCC when purging gently used adult and children’s clothing, shoes, books, toys and games.
Answer a Child’s Birthday Wish
Create a birthday-in-a-box for a child who might otherwise not have a party. Box of Balloons is a national organization with a Houston branch that works with community social workers and advocates to identify children in need. Let your child choose their favorite theme and then go wild filling a box with paper products, decorations, goodie bags, games, cake mix and frosting, a gift… the sky’s the limit! This one could easily become a favorite activity during family birthday months.
Support Children in Foster Care
Put together hygiene packs for children in foster care through Be A Resource (BEAR). These packs contain products that help kids retain a daily routine and are very easy to put together.
Bring a Smile to a Senior’s Face
This is such a great way to give back with kids while bringing joy at the same time. Share a happy birthday wish with a senior citizen living in your area. Contact a local assisted living home to ask if they would accept birthday cards for their residents. Bring a smile to someone’s face on their special day by including drawings, jokes and riddles. You could even include printed crossword and sudoku puzzles for a little extra fun.
Save Three Lives in 30 Minutes
Parents and minors 16 and older can donate blood and save lives in the process through the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center. It’s also easy to organize a mobile blood drive through your workplace, church, school or non-profit organization.
When looking for places in Houston to volunteer and give back with kids, it’s important to choose an activity and/or cause that you both care about. Spend time talking with your children about your shared interests, then use this guide as a jumping off point! And please, add your ideas and thoughts in the comments. We’d love to recognize ideas and organizations that aren’t on this list.
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