2020 has proven to be one of the most difficult years of our lives. Living through a global pandemic, due to COVID-19, has caused psychological, emotional and financial stress in ways that have yet to be determined. People need hope. People need help.

This year let’s promote a spirit of generosity and encourage our kids to contribute and help those in need. Let’s motivate them to selflessly give their time and attention to those less fortunate. Showing generosity is a very gratifying experience and makes us happier. According to Medical News Today, there is a a connection between happiness and the performance of selfless acts. Giving to others activates an area of the brain linked with contentment.

Let’s make 2021 a year of giving and encourage our kids to participate in kind acts of service. Below are 5 ways kids can give.

1. Give Clothes to Families – Your household can collect gently-worn clothes no longer needed and donate those items to other families. This is also a good way to get your kids to clean out their closets. There are many places that will accept clothing donations: battered women’s shelters, homeless shelters, local churches, and local donation centers.

2. Give Care Packages to Veterans – This is a great time of year to package a variety of items and donate to our brave military workers. There are organizations dedicated to supporting our troops by providing care packages for military personnel stationed in combat zones across the world. Our troops need a variety of items like small tissue boxes, Q-tips, non-scented soaps, canned meat, hard candy, snacks, CD’s, DVD’s, plus more. Make sure you call first or check the websites to see what items are restricted.

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3. Give Face Masks to the Homeless – With COVID-19 cases on the rise, the homeless population need our love and support more than ever, as most don’t have the means to purchase masks, or find them. Donating face masks to homeless shelters will be a welcome gift and is urgently needed to help stop the spread of COVID-19. If your child is creative and has the skills to make face masks, then this is a perfect time to put those talents into action and make a difference. Contact your local homeless shelter and see how you can be a blessing in someone’s life today.

4. Give Old Blankets and Towels to Animal Shelters – Animal shelters have a long list of items that they are constantly in need of, but towels and blankets seem to be at the top of their list, and they don’t usually have to be in optimal shape to donate. Because animals have frequent accidents, and make general messes, these items are in high demand. Make sure to check with your local animal shelter to see what specifics they are looking for, as there may be certain constraints due to COVID-19.

5. Give Used Books to Children – Have your kids gather all of their old books, or books they’ve already read and no longer want, and put it in a box to deliver to your local library. Not all libraries collect used books, so make sure you call ahead before delivery. Kids will love looking through childhood books and reminiscing about how certain ones impacted various stages of their life. Giving books will ensure other kids are not deprived of the joy of reading.

These were just a handful of suggestions, as there are many ways kids can give and make a difference in someone’s life. Let 2021 be the year we encourage a spirit of generosity in our kids.