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What is Thanksgiving all about? Do your children know? It’s all about being thankful for the things we have and giving back to those less fortunate than us. So start a family tradition that will teach your children the true meaning of Thanksgiving…volunteer.

There are so many people who don’t have the great Thanksgiving feast with their loved ones. They may be thankful for what they do have but they seem to have so little. Volunteering to help those less fortunate is one of the things that show our children why Thanksgiving is such a special holiday.

Check out your area and see what is available for your family to do. Is there a soup kitchen or a homeless shelter that could use your help? Many of these types of places don’t have enough help to fix and serve meals. Nor do they have people who are willing to help with the clean up once the meals are over.

Many people in homeless or other types of shelters can’t get out to visit friends and relatives. Some of them may not have anyone to spend time with at all. Just visiting with some of these people can do wonders for them. Try just sitting around and talking about the day and what you both are thankful for. Your children will learn that there are many things to be thankful for and that money and objects are the least of those things.

Maybe you have a nursing home or a Veteran’s home in your city. Take your children to one of these types of places. Just walking down a hallway of a place such as these and sticking your head in someone’s door just to say hi can make a big difference in a person’s life. Thanksgiving day can be very difficult for the elderly or a Vet who have no family to come see them or spend time with them. Let your children spend a little time with these people. It will make a big difference in both their lives and yours too.

No matter what type of volunteer work you will be doing you and your family are sure to make a difference. Not only will you be thanked for the help or friendship you are giving, but you will also have given back to someone who needs you and longs for a friendship that can last for the rest of all your lives.

Submitted by Christmas Fun

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