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Home > Support > Teaching the Faith > I am searching for a service project to do regularly with my small children....
 
 
Question: I am searching for a service project to do regularly with my small children. We live in a large metropolitan area, but it seems that all the volunteer opportunities through local agencies and parishes in our area do not have things I could bring my little ones to help with. Do you have any suggestions?
Answer:

Dear Mom,

I am uplifted by your holy and pure witness. I think that your desire to include your very young children in such a project is not only wise but speaks of the great power we moms have within our homes and through the efforts of our families to be the light of Christ in a weary world.

I would like to share with you a few of my favorite service projects. These projects are near to my heart.

There is a need for crayons and coloring books (large pictures) to be sent to local prisons. These simple toys will be used to entertain the small children who come to visit parents or relatives who are incarcerated. When children visit in prisons they are usually not permitted to bring toys into the visiting area. The outside toys present a security risk and are difficult to screen, etc. The inmates likewise are not permitted to bring items into the visitation area. With nothing to entertain them the small children become bored easily and begin to become irritated with the visit. Most prisons will allow for a box of prescreened items [simple coloring books, crayons (not magic markers), and small picture books] to be brought to the visitation area during regular visiting hours. Inmates can use these items to entertain their small visitors. It eases the uncomfortable moments during visits and allows that parents and relatives who are incarcerated to engage in activities that build the bond between parent and child. As you can imagine the supplies need to be replenished often and having a small reserve of these simple toys makes it possible for this act of charity to continue.

You and the children could purchase a simple coloring book, crayons or children's book each time you do the grocery shopping. When you have a nice stack send the items to the prisons in care of the warden and explain that you would like them to be used for the purpose described above. When you research the number of prisons in your area or state you will see that this very simple ministry could keep you and the children busy for a long time. Make sure to teach the children carefully about the mercy attached to such a gift. Remember to pray each day for inmates, their families and the victims of crimes. This may sound hard to do with very young children but I have found that a child's heart is so lovingly pure that it readily accepts the kindness such a gift brings.

Another ministry that I particularly enjoy involves homeless persons. Many homeless shelters have limited resources and must spend the available monies on the necessities of food and bedding. Sending baby wipes, new socks, toothpaste, coloring books, crayons, small picture books, and other personal care items (diapers, sanitary napkins, toilet paper, etc.) allows the persons who run such places to distribute these items to the homeless parents and individuals. It is such a blessing to someone in this situation to have these small comforts. Here again when you and the children do your weekly shopping include the purchase of these items. After you have collected a reasonable amount, send or take the items to the shelter. Of course include the persons who will use these items in your daily prayers.

Making rosaries from your home is another of my favorite ministries. I like to make all black or brown rosaries that can be sent to prisons. If you like you can make rosaries and simply place them in a basket in the narthex of your church. Believe me you will be replenishing the basket often. If you have the time you might like to prepare a small written sheet that explains the prayers and devotion of the rosary. Search the internet for resources concerned with this ministry.

Jesus is so wonderful in that He fills our hands and hearts with inspirations that will uplift His Body of Christ on earth. He allows that we will be inspired to know just the right activity that not only helps others but fits right into our own needs. Having small children keeps you tied to the house, yet it makes it possible for you to bind your prayers and thoughts to those parents with small children.

I want you to know that I admire you and will be praying daily for the quiet success of your efforts. You are a dear and your children are greatly blest in the witness of such kind mothering.

Let us pray together a Hail Mary for the needs of all families who are faced with challenges that have the potential to rob them of the peace of Jesus. Lord, we ask You to protect families and give us the graces necessary and the wisdom of Holy Spirit in order to move within Your will as we interface with families each day. St. Joseph, pray for us.

Sending out a prayer,
Rita Munn

   
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