Since 1992 National Make A Difference Day has taken place on the 4th Saturday of each October. Individuals and organizations celebrate by dedicating their day to community service. We love the concept and focus behind this incredible day of service, but teaching compassion and the desire to help others starts in the home and it starts at a very young age!

So why not make it a point every day?

Here are 15 ideas for you and your family to Make A Difference Every Day.

For Parents (to do with your Kids)

1. Volunteer at or with a local food bank. You can volunteer time to sort food or harvest donations at school or in your neighborhood.
2. Purchase a box of protein bars that you keep in your car. Instead of sharing a dollar (or ignoring) an individual in need, hand them a protein bar and make sure to share why you are doing this with your kids. 
3. Make cards for seniors during the holiday season OR just because any time of the year. A lot of seniors don’t have family and receiving a card, with a kind message could really make their day. You can mail these to a local senior 
4. Sign up for a 5k that benefits a local charity.  Get the whole family involved in raising funds and adding team members. 
5. Actively help people when you can. Leading by example is SO important: Holding the door for the elderly, assist another mom at the grocery store, say please and thank you to your kids and others, wave and say hello to strangers (when safe), have your kids write Thank You notes to teachers, coaches, babysitters. Live with the intention to make a difference in someone else’s life.

For Kids (To do with your encouragement, but on their own)

1. Say hi to someone you don’t know at school. Learn their names and something about them. Parents, hold your kids accountable and incentivize and encourage these acts. 
2. Invite someone new to sit with you. Whether it be at lunch, on the bus or after school. 
3. Volunteer in your class room. Ask your teacher how you can help. 
4. Pick up trash. When you trash on the floor, pick it up. Your friends will see this and follow. 
5. Help a friend. Whether it be teaching a new game, sport or school related school. Be a leader!

Just for Moms (Lead by example)

1. Say hello to other moms.  Always offer a willing hand (even if yours is full)
2. Be an example of what inclusiveness means. Don’t talk badly about other people or gossip. 
3. Send a ‘just because’ or thank you note to your friends. Let them know you are thinking about them.
4. Take care of your parents. Make sure your kids see how much you value your parents. Again, leading by example here also helps with the hopes they do the same!
5. Volunteer on a non-profit board. Use your skills in marketing, event planning, fundraising for a charity of your choice! 

The important thing here to remember is if we want to raise kind, empathetic and forward thinking humans, we need to in fact be doing that too. I believe there is the opportunity to do something kind and that makes a difference EVERY day. 

Share with us some of the ways in which you make a difference. I also LOVE this book How to Raise Successful People: Simple Lessons for Radical Results by Esther Wojcicki.