Well a few years back, a youth minister said a prayer on Super Bowl Sunday that started a movement. Very simply he said:

“Even as we enjoy the Super Bowl football game, help us be mindful of
those who are without a bowl of soup to eat.”

It was 1990 and during that Super Bowl season, 22 South Carolina churches raised $5,700 for local food banks. Fast forward, and in 2012 through what became Souper Bowl of Caring, more than 10,000 churches, synagogues, schools, businesses, civic groups, scout troops, sports teams, etc. from across the country collected $9,978,496.69 in cash and food items for more than 8,600 charities. Yep, that’s almost $10 million to help people who are hungry and in need.

Inspired? Yes. Got the chills? Probably. Want to get your family involved? How could you not.

And, it’s really easy to join Souper Bowl of Caring to make a difference in your own community! Here’s how:

• Join. You can either start your own group or join one in your area.
  1. Start a group. Pull together your group of friends, scout troop, class, youth group, business, etc., select the hunger relief group that you would like to support and start your own Souper Bowl of Caring group.
  2. Join a group. Search the Souper Bowl of Caring site by your town, state or zip code and join an existing Souper Bowl of Caring group near you.
• Collect Food / Raise Money. Check out the Souper Bowl of Caring resources page for support, stories and ideas and images to help you meet your goals by Super Bowl Sunday.
• Saturday Service. On Saturday, February 4 – the day before the Super Bowl – participate in the Souper Bowl Service Blitz. Volunteer as a group at your selected local hunger relief organization. This will allow your group to see first-hand how your collections will be put to work in your community.
• Report. When it’s all over, log-in to your Souper Bowl of Caring account and report your totals.

You’re going to be amazed by what your group has contributed to help others! Don’t forget, donations of every size count and collectively, make a huge impact. So pull your group together, visit Souper Bowl of Caring and get started today. We can’t wait to hear about your experience!

GO TEAM!

In terms of making giving a part of your family’s activities and ensuring that the value of helping others becomes part of your children’s lifestyles, here are few new new traditions and exercises to consider for this New Year. And if you have others, we’d love to hear about them!

1. Create a financial plan for your children. Financial literacy is one of the great subsequent benefits of teaching our children about financial giving. As we know, giving requires some level of planning – as does spending, saving and investing. We can begin teaching our children the basics of this starting at a very early age. With older children, consider resources like Three Jars. With younger children you can start simpler with your own three jars or a modern piggy bank. Check out the video below about a local Midlands mother and her effort to teach her five year old about managing his allowance and giving.
2. Commit to volunteering together. There’s no better way to introduce your children to the needs of your community than through volunteering – and why not help guide them through these lessons as a family? Sit down together to plan and select your project. Consider making a monthly or quarterly commitment to volunteering together.
3. Consider a Family Volunteer Vacation. Are you starting to think about a spring break trip or summer vacation? While you’re traveling, consider volunteer opportunities in that region or plan a volunteer trip and then look for ways for some fun and down time in the area while you’re there.
4. Commit to Charitable Birthday Parties. How much more stuff do your kids need? Instead of having friends bring the usual ‘this or that’ toy, ask them to bring items from the wish list of a specific local organization. Let your child pick the recipient (like here, here, here or here) and deliver the gifts to the nonprofit together. Check out the Turner family’s experience.
5. Reevaluate financial giving. Take a look at what you did last year. Are you happy with it? Could you do more? Are there ways you could stretch a bit more? Do your children know about your philanthropic efforts? Are you aware of the impact of including them?

How mom, Catharine Aitken, is teaching her son Ian to manage his allowance

TAG Question of the Week

As we bid adieu to 2012, there’s much to reflect on and much to plan. A New Year is upon us! The possibilities are endless!

And while we consider 2012 one last time, it’s fun to look back as a family and consider the year, that which we’re thankful and milestones that have occurred. But one last thing before we close the book and move on to 2013. What about the things we would change about 2012, if we had that power?

We promise we’re not trying to invite Debbie Downer to your family’s New Year’s party, but there is value in recognizing and working through events that were not as we desired. We can’t shield our children from the pain of the world, but we can provide tools that will help them weather storms, emotionally prepare for disappointment and change, develop empathetic hearts, and recognize their ability to make a difference in the world.

Some years our answers to this question are going to be more obvious than others. In 2001, most Americans would likely have changed the same event that forever altered the way mid-September feels. For our children, desired change from the trivial (our class lost the kickball championship/I didn’t get an iPad for Christmas) to the momentous (family deaths, hurricanes, school shootings, terror in foreign lands) offer lessons in loss and opportunities for reassurance in addition to deeper perspectives into the lives of others and exposure to compassion and understanding. Not just for others, but for themselves. Maybe that kickball championship wasn’t so important after all. Boy, we have a lot to be thankful for.

So as you pull out the New Year’s noisemakers or prepare your meal of pork, black eyed peas and collard greens, take a trip down memory lane. What was best about this year, but more importantly what would you change? – using the Question of the Week!

Happy New Year’s, everyone!

Published each Friday, use the Question of the Week to spark conversation with your children about family, money, giving and help them explore what matters most to them.

TAG Question of the Week

By now, everyone has turned in their list. Santa has his orders and he is now working to pull it all together to ensure that our little ones have a very merry day. Regardless of the occasion, whether it’s Christmas, Hanukkah, birthdays or other occasions requiring gifts, there is something magical about providing our children with the objects of their hearts’ desires. (Exemptions include such requests as an R.V., pet penguin or trip to Venus.)

And while they’re thrilled when they receive it, in many cases over time, the thrill dissipates and the items that were once the most wonderful, needed items on the earth can now be found at the back of the closet, under the seat in the car, midway through the toy box, or worse, dragged out into the yard by the dog and left in the rain. Or even sometimes, let’s be honest, that wonderful item that they opened 10 minutes ago has been forgotten as soon as they open the next.

In considering the abundance with which we live, it’s important to help our children stop and reflect on what we have. We know that they’re going to move on from the latest fad and outgrow items that were once near and dear to their imaginative lives. But in the midst of the ‘I Want’ season, filled with good and bad behavior being reported to the North Pole and insomnia-filled nights of the expectation, are they aware of what they already have? In the midst of the anticipation, have gifts of the recent past already been forgotten? How did they feel when they received that special item for their birthday – or for older children, last Christmas? Do they still appreciate that item? Is there something better about new items than ‘old?’ Are they still important?

What better time to reflect on what we have? From Talk About Giving and Central Carolina Community Foundation, we wish you a very happy holiday!

Published each Friday, use the Question of the Week to spark conversation with your children about family, money, giving and help them explore what matters most to them.

Christmas morning can be a tear of gift opening, thrills and fun … and also expectations of receiving what’s on our list. We don’t want to let them down, but are we so busy filling orders that we cater to the “I Want” syndrome epidemic in today’s society?

So here’s an idea. This year, what if we did a little something different? Mixed in with the gift opening, sweet bun-eating, cinnamon coffee-drinking, stockings, candy and Christmas morning hubbub, remove a little bit of the “I Want” and add a little “Let’s Give” by coming together as a family to help someone else. And the best part is that it’s going to be a surprise! Here’s how:

1. Select your cause

Do you or your family have a favorite cause? Maybe you love animals, you are concerned for homeless families or children that need a safe haven, face disabilities, illness or abuse and neglect. Or maybe your family enjoys state parks or is interested in lands conservancy or the theater or art. The options are endless and we might be more connected to causes than we think. So think about it a little. What matters to your family and what resonates with your children?

2. Make the donation and wrap it up

When you’re making decisions about gifts you’re planning to buy for your children, consider holding back on one or a few and in place of those gifts, make a donation to the cause of your choice – no matter the size – on behalf of your family.  Keep it a secret and wrap a special present for your family including photos, a note or brochure explaining the gift that your family has given and how it will help others. Put everyone’s name on the gift.

3. Open the gift as a family and reflect

In the midst of your holiday gift opening, pull out that gift and open it together. They might be confused or surprised initially to learn that it’s actually a gift from them to another in need on that special Christmas morning. A sacrifice for someone who needed our gift more than we need the gadgets, games, clothes and toys we hoped for and received.

What a great opportunity, in the moment, to reflect on how fortunate we are and how we are able to share with and help others.

It might just change your day and your children’s perspectives.

TAG Question of the Week

When you hear the word ‘give,’ what images come to mind? For some, it might be financial giving – writing a check or putting money in the offering plate at church. For others, it might be donating gently used clothing, toys and household items that you no longer need but that others could still use.

But there’s more we can give than just money and things.

How about your time? Everyone is really busy these days, especially those with kids. But spending 30 minutes visiting with a lonely elderly neighbor or delivering a meal to family facing an illness can be more valuable to those in need than money. 

How about your talents? Maybe you’re really good at something that can be of use to someone else. Like, maybe you really enjoy reading and could read with a child once a week? Or perhaps you’re a runner and you can participate in a fundraising road race for a cause you care about. Perhaps you’re a great soccer player and could help some of the kids in the neighborhood with their skills. Or, it could even be something simple, like helping a neighbor take their trash to the curb – we know a few kids that are really good at that and some neighbors that could use a little help.

Maybe your profession could be of service to others. We know some really nice attorneys that share their expertise with the nonprofit world. We also know some great marketing and PR professionals, graphic designers and writers that share their talents with others.

How about your heart? Perhaps this is the most important thing. Regardless of how you give, putting your whole heart into your efforts will mean more to those your helping than anything.

What do you and your children think? We’d love to hear about other ways your family gives! Let us know!

Published each Friday, use the Question of the Week to spark conversation with your children about family, money, giving and help them explore what matters most to them.

• Be Realistic. Help your children set age-appropriate education, career and financial goals.
• Encourage money savings. Help your children learn about delayed gratification. This means teaching children to postpone getting whatever they want immediately.
• Discuss family savings. These might include a new house, car, television, computer, vacation or college education. Decide if these are short-, medium- or long-term goals and how each family member can contribute toward reaching these goals.
• Be a good role model. Your children are learning personal financial skills by watching you do everyday things such as keep your checkbook, save money, go shopping, use your credit card and manage your household budget.

Looking for some additional resources to assist you in raising financially savvy kids?

Sense and Dollars (Grades 6-12)
Think you know about money? Let’s find out what you and your children know about earning, spending and saving money. The site is aimed at middle/high school children.

Top 7 ways to raise a money smart kid (preschool)
Aimed at preschool children, these tips will help you start your children on the road to using their money wisely. Remember, even preschool children are bombarded by marketers to buy, buy, buy.

Wise Pockets World (Grades K-3)
A fun place where parents can pick up some easy tips, activities, and ideas to help teach elementary age children how to use money wisely.

As president of S.C. Economics since 2003, Helen Meyers leads initiatives that provide K-12 teachers with resources for teaching economics. She brings extensive classroom experience to this role in addition to non-profit leadership experience including Junior Achievement of Central South Carolina, the National Association of Economic Educators, the SC Jump$start Coalition, Women in Philanthropy and serves on the Talk About Giving Advisory Board.

Meyers received a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary/special education from Western Illinois University and a Masters of Education from Southern Illinois University.

The Giving Book: Open the Door to a Lifetime of Giving,

What we like about it

The Giving Book outlines a number of giving-related topics in a SIMPLE and FUN way, hitting on great explanations of what giving and charity are, how to help your children become aware of and empathetic to the needs of others, how and why we should help others, and basic money savings activities, to name a few.

The interactive layout of the book offers colorful illustrations, activities and exercises that lead children through entertaining and meaningful lessons in giving and provide opportunities for personal reflection through a journal and scrap book (we love a giving scrap book).

Further, through active participation in thought-provoking activities, this book engages children in giving, as opposed to just telling them about it. The application of these lessons through experience makes for a highly impactful and memorable experience.

About the Author

Ellen Sabin is an award-winning author of children’s books. The Giving Book was originally hand-created for her niece to help her learn about the joy of giving and the power she had to make a difference. Others heard about the book and after receiving overwhelming request from parents, educators and parenting specialists for copies, she decided to publish what then became The Giving Book. Since then, she has developed other books aimed to inspire children as they grow into their roles as healthy, kind, confident and caring adults.

Suggested Age

Perfect for young readers, ages six to 11. We highly recommend that parents guide their
children through this book, regardless of their age, to help them get the most out of the experience.

Where you can find it

The Giving Book – Amazon.com – $13.57

The Giving Book – Barnesandnoble.com – $17.05

Recognizing your own ability to make a difference is not only empowering and self esteem-boosting, but can offer life-long rewards not only in helping others but in future personal endeavors. Teens that volunteer are exposed to people who are different from them and those that they know, offering a new perspective on others in the community and world. Further, they are more aware of the issues facing their communities, more likely to recognize or offer solutions, and more aware of programs currently available. And personally, they receive hands on experience. Regardless of the duty, the experience can influence decisions they make, introduce new skills, provide insight into a future career, or even more profound, how they wish to live their lives.

Looking for a way to help your teens get the most out of their experience? Here are some suggestions:

1. Types of Opportunities. There are countless ways to get involved but exploring the basic options first will help direct you and your child in selecting the ideal volunteer experience:

• Would they like to volunteer with a group?
• Are they looking for a one-time experience or regular volunteering gig?
• What kind of work are they interested in?
• Working in an office, special events/fundraisers, directly with people in need, etc.
• Number three below will also help guide this discussion.

2. Interests and Passion. When it comes to volunteer work, the experience is amplified when they’re working on a project that is near and dear to you in some way. Is your child interested in animals? Have a friend or family member that that has been affected by illness? Or, do they have special interests like art, construction,  science or history? Help them determine what is meaningful for them and make it part of their own personal efforts.

3. Skills. Your teen is not so far away from beginning a career. Volunteering can provide great experiences that help guide future career decisions, provide hands-on knowledge that can be applied later and might even fit nicely on a resume. Is your child a great writer that could help a local nonprofit with blog content? Does he have artistic abilities that could be applied to marketing efforts? Perhaps she is extremely organized and would be great at leading an initiative or event. Consider their strengths and help them look for opportunities to grow their skills.

4. Reflection. At the end of the day, talk with them about what they’re doing, how they’re helping, what they’re learning, how they’re benefiting, what they’re seeing. Help them see all the good in their efforts, beyond checking off community service requirements.

Let’s face it. The line between a ‘need’ and a ‘want’ can be pretty grey, for kids and adults alike. You’ve probably experienced a child dramatically (and possibly in tears) exclaim, “But I NEED it!” over something that has made you laugh or even cringe a little. The good news is that we can help our children understand the difference between a ‘need’ and a ‘want’. And they’ll be better for it.

To introduce the concept and initiate the conversation, start with this exercise:

1. Basic needs. Make a list of your family’s basic needs. Typically this list will include such things as shelter, transportation, clothing and food.
2. What fits? As a group, talk about the items that fit into these categories. For younger children, consider having them draw or cut-out pictures from magazines or catalogs. What do we need to grow strong, stay safe and function well at home and school?
3. What do we want? Now talk about things that are nice to have, but don’t necessarily fit into the ‘need’ category. Bikes are fun, but do you need it in order to get to school? Perhaps a coat falls into the need category, but does the coat have to be pink to keep us warm? It’s fun to go on vacation, but will something bad happen if we don’t go?
4. Ongoing conversation: Needs before wants. Talking about finances can be uncomfortable, but if we don’t include our children in the discussion, they will not be aware. Be sure your children understand that you have to take care of your needs before you can focus on your wants. This means, groceries before iPads and gasoline before Disney World tickets.

By setting expectations about what is truly needed vs. what we simply wish for and ensuring that our children are aware of how we prioritize expenses, we are more likely to raise children that will make smart financial decisions, appreciate the ‘nice to haves’ in life, and have a deeper understanding of the needs of others.