Issue link: https://fredparent.uberflip.com/i/1180426
www.FredericksburgParent.NET 33 Old Dominion allows chil- dren who are under parental supervision to volunteer, including brushing and bath- ing dogs, fi lling water bowls, snuggling with puppies, dressing canines for adop on events, and fostering dogs. Teens 15 years and up can walk the dogs, organize cabi- nets, clean crates and assist at adop on events. Children who are cra y can make no- sew blankets, t-shirt dog ropes, and healthy, homemade treats. "We're an extremely kid-friendly rescue, and we understand the impact a child can make on a shelter dog," says Michelle Storm, spokesperson and volunteer. "Many mes, we see a dog's spirit li a er spending a few minutes with a child. We realize the importance of teaching children that their ac ons, compassion and desire to help really make a diff erence." The Wild family's love of volunteering at the shelter has led them to open their home, at one me or another, to a total of 43 foster dogs. With two current foster dogs in the family, each person has specifi c responsibili es to care for them. "Many mes, children are told they're too young to volunteer, and that's not the case with our rescue center," says Storm. "No ma er what the age, it's never too early to teach compassion. When parents volunteer with their children, they have a chance to see each other in a diff erent light, according to Storm. She says when a parent watches their child interact with lonely, homeless dogs, it just warms the heart and is a great way for them to bond. While volunteering, they'll also have a chance to make new friends—both the two- and four-legged kind. At the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank, children are wel- come to par cipate in warehouse tours, food drives and family volunteer events. Ac- cording to Carey Sealy, volunteer and event coordinator, 18,000 children in the area struggle with ge ng enough food to eat. "It takes a community to end hunger," she says. "If just one child fi nds a passion in ending hunger, the world will be a be er place. We want our youth to recognize hunger can be a temporary situa on that can impact anyone. If a parent is there to off er insight and explain to their child as only they know how, we may end up with a few hunger crusaders." The following are just a few of the organizations that invite children to volunteer. Old Dominion Humane Society 3602 Lafayette Boulevard, F'burg, Va., 22408 https://www.olddominionhumanesociety.org Offers community service and work project hours, as well as Saturday adoption events. Individuals who volun- teer on their own need to complete an orientation. Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank 3631 Lee Hill Dr., F'burg, VA 22408 (540) 371-7666 https://www.fredfood.org/volunteer Children can participate in warehouse tours, food drives and family volunteer events. American Red Cross— Rappahannock Area Chapter 3310 Shannon Park Dr., F'burg, Va., 22408 (540) 373-0041 http://www.ruwvolunteer.org/agency/detail/?agency_id=9139 Serves teens with a fresh outlook on their community through a combination of service projects, fundraising events, and discus- sions concerning the local environment. Downtown Greens Community Greenspace 206 Charles St., F'burg, Va., 22401 (540) 371-7315 http://www.downtowngreens.org/ Ideal for all ages, offering workshops/regular programs. Send an email for ideas of how you can be a part of the Downtown Greens community. "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." -Helen Keller Sealy says volunteering at an early age allows children to get to know their community and its needs. While every community has a magnitude of defi ciencies, it's up to us as part of the community to take ac on and make our surroundings a be er place for everyone. She sums it up in a quote by Helen Keller, who said, "Alone we can do so li le; together we can do so much." Children 10 years and older can volunteer with a parent or as a group with an adult leader, becom- ing part of monthly volunteer pack programs. Youths ages 14 and 15 can volunteer in the warehouse or mobile pantry with a parent or adult leader for a group. Teens 16 years and older can par cipate in ac vi es alone or with a group.