Day 324: Schools Back! How to Teach Your Kids to Give

Today is an exciting day for our family. It’s my son’s first day of school. I have used his first day of school to teach him about giving and you can use this day to teach your kids to give.

I have spent the last 4 years of my life with my son almost every day. I still remember the first day I held him in my arms when he was just 11 weeks old (my son was adopted) and now he walks, talks, rides a bike, gets himself dressed and is ready for school. I am so proud of who he is today as he starts the next phase of his life. His life will never be the same and neither will mine.

Nicolas is just heading into preschool this year so no “back to school” shopping is needed but I found a great way to support kids that do need school supplies that may not have the funds to get them every thing they need.

Day 324: Give 324

I’m not sure I want to know how much it will cost me one day to stock up on all the school supplies my kids will need to start school. Binders, note books, paper, laptops, pens, markers, rulers – the list in never ending. We know that many families in this day and age don’t have the money for all the extra’s needed and I wanted to do my part to make sure a child had a few of the basics that are required to start their school year off on the right foot. This is where we can start to teach our kids to give, while we are shopping for school supplies.

“All Staples locations in Canada have partnered with local schools and charities for our 6th annual School Supply Drive, to be held from July 23 to September 6, 2011 (July 31-September 4, in Quebec). Last year, with your help, we raised $1.03-million dollars to support local students. This year, we will meet or surpass that goal, with your kind support.”

Staples is giving us the opportunity to give this week with a “Back to School” community program that will give teachers and kids basic supplies that are need for the school year. Teachers were surveyed to list their top 14 supplies needed by children returning to school:

Pencils / Scissors / Calculators / Binders / Erasers / Glue Sticks / Highlighters / Lined Paper / Folders / Backpacks / Markers / Mathkits / Pencil Crayons / Notebooks

I did some quick math and if you shopped very wisely you may be able to get all these items for under $100. What if you have 3 kids and have a hard enough time putting food on the table let alone school supplies in their back packs?

For a small donation at the cash register I was able to purchase a Back to School starter kit for one child. A give I felt great about that cost me little time and little money but will make a big impact.

Time Commitment: 0 (made it while making a purchase)

Cost: $5.00