Getting Rid of the Gimmies

With visions of dolls and Xboxes dancing in their heads…
Help your children move beyond the materialism of the holidays by focusing on helping others in need.

While the holiday season is exciting for children because of the wonderful presents they receive, ensure your children also understand the importance of giving. Emphasize the caring thoughts behind the presents with traditions that celebrate charity. Doing so will help shape your child’s perspective for a lifetime of thoughtfulness and consideration.

A More Meaningful Holiday

Try these tips to instill a sense of selflessness in your child — and the holiday season.

1. Teach your child to examine the difference between what she needs and what she wants.
2. Focus on traditions to restore the spirit of the holidays. Whether it’s stringing popcorn for the tree or caroling with your neighbors, sharing your favorite childhood traditions — or creating new ones — can bring the family closer together.
3. Volunteer as a family to teach your children the lessons of tolerance, appreciation and sacrifice, while empowering them with the knowledge that they can make a difference. At The Children’s Hospital, kids 13 years and older can volunteer in a variety of areas.
4. Break the piggy bank to help others. Teach your child philanthropy by having her count the money she has saved this year and putting one third in savings, using one third as spending money and giving one third to a charity of her choice.

Giving in Kind

“We receive handwritten notes from children explaining they want to give their gifts to kids who really need them. I call them my special donors,” said Jennie Dawe, director of annual giving at The Children’s Hospital Foundation. “It is incredible to see this giving spirit at such a young age — I attribute it to having great role models.”

“The holiday season here is one of sharing and celebration, thanks to the outpouring of generosity from our community,” said Kathleen McBride, director of volunteers and patient representatives at Children’s. “We are so grateful for each donor, many of whom make giving to Children’s an annual tradition.”

Any child who donates receives a certificate with a gold seal and stickers from Children’s — small tokens of gratitude for their generous acts. Children who come to the hospital with their families to donate can fill a red wagon with their donated toys and books and deliver them to the volunteer office in person.

The spirit of giving is especially present at The Children’s Hospital during the holidays. Each year, the Rocky Mountain Harley Owners Group delivers thousands of toys during the Toy Run. These donated toys make up the Snow Pile from which families of patients at Children’s are invited to select a special gift for their children.

Dear Children’s

Donors of all ages appreciate the special care The Children’s Hospital provides patients and their families. Here are just a few of the pint-sized philanthropists who have made a difference through their generous support.

• Tessa and Whitney Frasco, four years old and six years old, donated money raised at their lemonade stand for The Children’s Hospital’s “sickest children.”
• Chelsea Davis, 11 years old, requested donations to Children’s in lieu of birthday gifts.
• Haley Abrams, 13 years old, donated money raised at a garage sale, thanking Children’s for her lifesaving care from birth to two weeks old.

For more information,  read how to give to patients or families at The Children’s Hospital, or contact our volunteer department at (720) 777-6887.

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