Thank you Allstate for sponsoring this post. I chose to write this post because doing good in local communities is at Allstate’s core.
One of the unexpected blessings that happened when we put our kids in our local elementary school is that we finally met our neighbors. One of Apollo’s best friends, Indi, was born exactly one day after he was. Both have lived in their houses since birth. They live only a mile away from each other but they didn’t meet until kindergarten. Once they did, they became fast friends.
Growing up, I never felt a sense of community in my neighborhood or school because we moved all the time (at least every two years). I really wanted to make sure that was different for my children and considering that we have lived in this house for 15 years, I’m going to claim a win.
Allstate’s dedication to the communities where they live and work is core to who they are. I want my children to have a similar base and be familiar with our community, to feel a part of it. Our church is located in a part of our town that has a large number of homeless people. The staff keep bags of basic supplies (toothbrushes, socks, granola bars, etc) in our lobby for anyone who comes in looking for help. I love this example of showing our kids a concrete way to make a difference in our community.
My kids have had some amazing opportunities to volunteer their time in our local community and abroad.
Boy Scouts, for example, has given my children the opportunity to volunteer in a variety of ways such as helping build a new shelter for Animals as Natural Therapy, cleaning up garbage downtown, building new hiking trails, planting trees, and so much more. Our communities are filled with opportunities to allow or children to serve others. Our children help make the world a better place right now
Allstate believes in youth empowerment. One of the ways they look to inspire the next generation is through community projects that empower young people to become the next generation of leaders and change-makers. It starts when our children see us take a meal to a family in need, donate to local organizations, help a mom struggling with her new baby, and getting involved in our communities.
Not everyone can drill wells in Zambia or Malawi like Kalina and Tilly have done. Not every teen can spend a summer building an orphanage in Guatemala or a bridge in Zambia (like Judah). But the fact is, kids can be change-makers today.
Allstate knows that kids aren’t just sitting around waiting to grow up and change the world, they can and are changing it now. Check out this video about how a group of fourth-graders made an impact on homeless kids.
As you can see, by lending their hands, hearts and voices to their communities, kids are not only making a change, but they’re also building important skills like problem-solving, empathy and teamwork.
We actually have something really similar to this here in our community. Ferndale has the Star Park that was designed by local kids and built in just six days entirely by volunteers! I think that is so amazing.
Let’s encourage our kids and remind them they can be world changers, today.
Ways Your Child Can Help Today:
Donate to your local food bank.
Send a letter to a veteran through Operation Gratitude.
Volunteer at an animal shelter.
Go on a walk and pick up garbage and recycling.
Volunteer at your local ARC.
Have a bake sale or lemonade stand and donate your profits.
Brigadoon Service Dogs has days where they invite families and kids to come help socialize their puppies.
Serve meals as a family at a shelter.
I encourage you to watch this video with your kids and brainstorm ways you can help in your community today.
This post was written as part of the Allstate Influencer Program and sponsored by Allstate. All opinions are mine. As the nation’s largest publicly held personal lines insurer, Allstate is dedicated not only to protecting what matters most–but to guiding people to live the Good Life, every day.
