8 November 3 - 16, 2007
Community
www.SanTanSun.com
Volunteers from Page 1
taught young about volunteering, then when they of services that are needed and it’s an eye opener for
become adults, they’re going to teach their own kids them. We learn that we may have needs or have had
about it, and they’ll be even stronger supporters for a rough time, but there’s usually someone who’s in a
our programs,” claims Koenig. rougher spot.”
The experience of helping the working poor or
A new perspective homeless during the holidays can change a child’s
Michael Boos, director of Paz de Cristo, a local perspective through the rest of the year.
organization providing food boxes and free daily “We have families and young children who would
meal service, agrees learning to serve at a young age rather come here and help with a meal service than
is important. have a birthday party,” says Boos. “Or they’ll have a
birthday party, and they say bring canned goods or
nonperishable foods. It’s wonderful.”
Brandy Howard, director of communications for
Make a Difference, sees serving as a chance for a
family to broaden their point of view.
STSN photo by Gordon Murray
“Children and families learn together and get a
GIVING: Stacy Roberts, right, and her son, Bailey, help out at
ICAN.
new perspective that they’re blessed with what they
have and about human nature in general,” Howard
Numerous options for families
says. “Instead of thinking about folks who receive
The Salvation Army in Chandler offers a wide
services from shelters or whatever the service may be,
variety of opportunities for families to get involved.
it’s an opportunity to see these folks as people and to
Starting Nov. 6, volunteers are needed to help
have that human interaction, which I believe is really
individuals register for a Christmas box distribution.
important.”
Families can serve together at the “angel tree” or gift
Make a Difference coordinates volunteer
STSN photo by Gordon Murray
wrapping booths at Chandler Fashion Center from
opportunities from more than 300 nonprofi ts, schools
late November through Christmas. The organization
COMPUTER HELP: Gladys Contreras of Gilbert volunteers at ICAN.
and neighborhood organizations, including specifi c
also needs help stocking shelves and putting together
family-friendly projects that allow families to spend
approximately 1,000 Christmas boxes.
“If they have a chance to get involved at an early time together while helping the community.
Of course, families can help with the Salvation
age, that’s a fantastic situation for society in general While Make a Difference supports family
Army’s classic “bell ringing” program at retail
because you’ve got people who, from an early age, are volunteerism, Howard encourages parents to make
locations.
learning to help those who are less fortunate. It helps sure children are old enough to really understand and
“We have the ability to be at 30 to 40 locations,
the children realize that there are children who are participate in the specifi c project they choose.
but we don’t always have enough volunteers,” shares
worse off than they are.” “Just be cognizant of the needs of the organization
Koenig. “Last year we were at only 12 locations, which
“Kids see that there is this kind of need in the and the appropriateness for each of the children,”
meant we made $50,000 to $60,000 less than we could
community, and they’re often more appreciative of she says. “If you as a parent aren’t really able to focus
have.”
what they are able to receive from their parents,” your energies on the project or the volunteer work and
Koenig shares. “A lot of it is more of a recognition. you’re focusing on your child, that means some of the
Sometimes families haven’t been exposed to the kind planned work isn’t getting done.”
See Volunteers Page 9
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