Contact: Kenneth Billings
STARKVILLE, Miss.--While summer offers free time for many out-of-class students to volunteer, parents often look for ways, even during the school year, to divert energy from texting, video games and computers into more productive free-time activity.
April Heiselt, Mississippi State University's coordinator of service learning for the Day One Leadership program, says volunteering with local organizations is a great way to teach youngsters early about the importance of community involvement.
"Volunteering is an effective way for parents to help their children develop a sense of ownership in their communities," she said. And, she added, "With volunteering comes a sense of pride and accomplishment."
Looking for ways to involve a child? Heiselt says every community has an opportunity:
Local libraries. Helping re-stock shelves and sorting returned books are small things that can be a big help to librarians.
Salvation Army stores. Resale stores have a wealth of donated items to be sorted and stocked. A couple of hours dedicated to helping out can make a big difference at the local Salvation Army or other local charitable thrift stores.
Habitat for Humanity. You don't have to be an expert with a hammer or a saw to help out. Supervised volunteers are needed to coordinate, paint, clean up lots, provide food, move supplies, help with fund-raising, and a number of support activities.
For more information about Mississippi State University, see http://www.msstate.edu/.