I find that taking the first step in giving is the hardest. What cause do I support? How much do I give? Will my donation even make a difference? How can I get my kids involved to teach them the importance of serving others? This is the point where I get tripped up. Truth is, I think we as adults fall into two camps when it comes to giving our time and resources; we over think how to take that first step towards developing a giving strategy, OR we get so caught up in our day-to-day responsibilities, money making and running from soccer games to PTA meetings, that we don’t think about giving much at all.
Photo: The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Visitor Center
I’ve seen first hand how a shift of perspective can create lasting change in families and you may be surprised at how creative your kids can be in coming up with solutions to big world problems.
If you are on Facebook, you may have seen this video from Callie with Callie’s Coffee. Callie’s young friend, Ben, died at the age of 3-1/2 from an incurable form of neuroblastoma. Callie’s experience losing her friend inspired her desire to find a way to help prevent other children from suffering the way Ben and his family did. At age 7, and with the help of her family, she is dedicated to helping fight for a cure for childhood cancer.
The Gates Foundation Visitor Center, in partnership with StoryCorps, also recently launched Callie’s story as the first of a series of #InspirationStories that will live on their Facebook page and a special new exhibit at the Visitor Center.
Find your inspiration at the Gates VC: Family Day: “Kids Can” September 28 10 am – 3 pm
This September 28, 2013 The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Visitor Center invites families to a free, interactive event for all ages to show families how simple, inspiring and fun it is to give back, and that it’s never too early to start. The Gates Foundation Visitor Center brings real world problems to life, with interactive exhibits that teach your kids about some of the world’s biggest problems and inspire them to come up with solutions.
On Saturday, Sept 28 from 10 am – 3 pm in downtown Seattle, Family Day visitors will have the opportunity to make a difference in real-time, through a series of games that make micro-donations to local nonprofits as you play. By exploring the Visitor Center, kids can also uncover which causes mean the most to them, and share their passion by making a “Share Your Cause” t-shirt or decorating a change jar to collect funds for a non-profit organization.
Callie will be there and you will also hear inspiring stories from young leaders in community service, get connected with local organizations and enjoy performances that use creative expression to make positive change including:
Rena Mateja Walker Burr, 9 year-old founder of the Kids Helping Kids campaign serving homeless youth, Hope by Twelve, a non-profit empowering girls to change the world and Madi Williamson, 18 year-old founder of Give for the Game and Nehemiah FC, helping local and international teens through soccer.
Have fun with the Massive Monkees, an internationally known break dancing group committed to fostering creative expression and positive change and meet Inocente Izucar, from Academy Award winning documentary, Inocente.
Get inspiration and find your cause to support with a volunteer & engagement fair including local organizations Bike Works, EarthCorps, Food Lifeline, PAWS, Ronald McDonald House, Seattle Tilth, Shelter Box, Teen Feed, Water1st International and Word Concern.
For more information and directions, visit the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Visitor Center calendar, or on Facebook.