By Elizabeth Walker
Children typically see themselves as recipients
rather than instigators when it comes to “philanthropic” gestures—no
matter how small that gesture may be. Pass a gumball machine,
a candy display or a video game arcade with a child in tow
and hear, “May I have some quarters?” uttered
in less time than it takes to draw a next breath.
While the inevitable conversation that follows
between parent and child often begins with the predictable
adult response, “Stop asking for money …,” there
is another conversation that must take place if colleges, other nonprofit institutions
and social service agencies are to survive and thrive in the years to come. It
is the conversation parents can have with their children to help them look beyond
acquisition and identify ways to be generous with their time, their possessions
or even their allowance. By encouraging children to identify and support someone
or something they care about, parents can help their offspring establish a lifelong
habit of giving, according to Mary Figge Power ’83.
“My children had a real introduction to giving of time and self when they
came with me to visit Fr. Michael Pierce, who was an integral part of our family
for many years,” Power said. “Before he died of Alzheimer’s
disease, they would come with me to visit him. They have also come with me to
Nativity Prep (Roxbury, Mass.), where I volunteer.” Getting children to physically go out and
do something for someone can help make them aware of the
importance of service to others, agrees Liz Sprague ’80.
They can give of themselves by giving what is usually their largest resource—time.
“Once your child has actually gone to help feed the homeless or helped
prepare holiday packages for those in need, you hope that they understand in
a very real way that others need their help,” Sprague said. “Giving
to others as they grow older should naturally flow from those early experiences.”
Making your children aware of your own generosity
of time and resources can encourage them to imitate your
philanthropic behavior within their
own realm.
The habit
of giving must start at home, says Charley Polachi ’75.
“Our children must realize how extraordinarily blessed they are,” Polachi
said. “We decided that we needed to do something in return at the holidays,
so we organized a neighborhood clothing drive. The kids made up flyers and collected
the clothes which we later delivered to a shelter. It was an eye-opening experience
for them. We also take them once a month to help out with the Salvation Army
dinner in Framingham, Mass. Giving of themselves by volunteering their time works
well for young people because time is what they have to give. They need to know
that even in this greatest of economic times, poverty and suffering are right
around the corner.”
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