I am an opera singer.

Don’t be too impressed yet.

I used to have a favorite song.  Do you want to see it?

“Me Me Me Me Me Me!”

The most important decision I have made in my lifetime is that the world does not revolve around me and that I need to give back to my community.

I put that plan in motion over seventeen years ago with the founding of Planet Improv, Incorporated.

(Below) is a post from deliverthedream.org encouraging parents to instill this habit of giving back to their community to their children as early, often, and passionately as possible?

Teaching Kids About the Importance of Giving Back

Giving back is an important part of life. Raising kids who understand that and have the capacity to care about others can be one of the most rewarding aspects of parenthood. Kids can learn about nonprofit charities from a young age, so don’t hesitate to start the process.

You always want to educate your children in a way they won’t make them scared or defensive. You can explain that we need charities that support kids because not all children have all the things that your family does. Or you can talk about the many difficult situations, like natural disasters, that leave people in need of assistance.

Go slowly and gauge how each child is reacting. Information like this in big doses can be overwhelming for small children.

Laying The Groundwork 

Giving back to the community doesn’t necessarily mean giving money. There are many ways your children can start to develop the habit of giving back and caring about others.

  • Point out opportunities to help others in everyday situations.

Helping an elderly person to cross the road, holding a door in a grocery store for a mom with a baby, donating unwanted clothes or toys to a thrift store are all great ways to be kind and considerate of others.

  • Volunteer together.

Sign up to lend a hand at your local pet shelter and explain the work being done there to your child. Participate in a beach cleanup day. Lend a hand at a food bank, where help is needed sorting and distributing food and talk about the importance of food donations. They could all be great bonding experiences with your child and a great life lesson.

  • Teach gratitude.

Set a powerful example and make this part of your daily routine. Show appreciation for everyday things like food, home, car, toys or good health. Explain that not all people in the world have these things and point out how fortunate your family is.

You can’t change the world overnight but raising a child who is kind and thoughtful and willing to give back to the community is a wonderful way to start.

As a children’s charity that relies on the kindness and generosity of wonderful people in our community like you who are willing to make donations to children in need, all of us at Deliver the Dream want you to know that your efforts will be greatly appreciated. If you would like more information about helping others, contact us.

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Last week Planet Improv finished up our summer-long volunteer efforts with the Greater Charlotte YWCA.

We partnered with so many bright and imaginative students and passionate, dedicated youth education coordinators to provide opportunities that these at-risk, underserved youth/students and their communities may not regularly receive.

We all celebrated at a spectacular event entitled the “YWCA Youth Programs 2023 Block Party.”

There was so much fun, joy, play, and fellowship!

I may not be singing my old favorite opera tune anymore, but I truly enjoy the new one I am singing, “We We We We We We!”