• by Montgomery Miller
•  November 15th, 2020

The Importance of Giving

This year, perhaps a bit more than in previous years, now is the season for family, gift giving, celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas, the approaching New Year and for giving back to your community. It’s a long-standing tradition in America and it’s established our country as one of the most generous in the world. For many of us, giving is a very personal expression but it can also be a rewarding family endeavor.

When we make giving a family activity we’re creating a legacy of giving by sharing in an experience that both sets an example for our children while improving the lives of those less fortunate. Together we’re building stronger communities while giving our own lives more meaning and purpose. Through giving, we are expressing our gratitude for what we have, be it family, friends, financial security and the gift of good health. Through our own expression of gratitude we’re able to share our own good fortune with others. As a family experience, the act of giving becomes an even more fulfilling, shared experience.

Your children will learn about giving through your example. You can begin by talking with them about the organizations, charities and causes you support. Let them know why you choose the organizations you give to. The more they understand about your choices, the better equipped they will be to build their own giving tradition.

A wonderful way to provide your children with a sense of involvement in the giving process is to have them list the issues that are most important to them. It might be the environment, animal adoption, veteran’s issues, homelessness or hunger, or if they don’t know yet, you can assist them with doing some online research. Being involved with local charities might allow for more direct involvement like volunteering whereas supporting a national or even global cause might offer a chance to be a part of a solution for a much larger scale issue. It would be useful to talk with them about where their donations might have the greatest impact. Selecting a family charity you all want to support can be very rewarding.

Talking about what is an appropriate amount for a donation can also help to provide some practical experience with money management. Talk about their sources of income, then determine how much they could put towards the family charity. Be sure they understand what you’re committed to giving. You might consider matching your children’s contributions.

Create a method for putting the money aside, perhaps in an interest earning account, then review on a regular basis to see the progress. Set a date to make the donation and plan a family dinner to celebrate and discuss the accomplishment.

The giving experience can be about so much more than financial giving. Volunteering your time has tremendous value. There are probably several organizations right in your own community that would appreciate your time and ideas. You can even volunteer as a family for a variety of activities such as fundraising or a bake sale, visiting seniors in a nursing home or serving up a meal to veterans. Whatever you and your family choose to do in terms of giving, sharing the experience as a family will provide rewards that go beyond the act of helping those in need.