giving back

So we try very hard to make sure that we are giving back in some way. We always instill in the children that they need to donate 1/3 of their money and this year they are old enough that we are expecting them to also volunteer thier time. We let them choose the cause (last time they wanted to spend their money to buy a tree and plant it). This year we are still talking about ideas. Some of the things the kids have mentioned are, Meals on wheels for the elderly, toys and dog food for the local animal shelter, Marco wants to give people vegetables ( we are still working out the details on that one). We found a homeless shleter (Sarah's House) very close to our home that provides free childcare for homeless families and I have decided to volunteer my childbirth education and doula services for the women who live there. I am looking forward to the opportunity to help in a very direct way. I will keep you posted on how it goes.