Turning Lemonade into Water

Five moms and myself decided to coordinate a bi-monthly kid volunteer group with our brood of kids.  I realized how much my kids love to help others, and how it lights them up.  Why not capitalize on these pure hearts of devotion now while they are still tender, instead of waiting until they are older, jaded or "too busy".  As a group we have decided to make a concerted effort toward nurturing that part of them just as much as we would a soccer camp, gymnastics, or any of the other million and one extra-curricular activities available to our kids.

I believe children have a natural curiosity and a true, selfless desire to help.  It makes them feel important, included and helps them to realize that they are a vital and necessary part to this life.  After 'helping others' I have found that our children have the same glow on their faces as they would after a ride atDisneyWorld…yet the afterglow of this volunteering 'high' is a real, lasting and rich one instead of a quick, dissipating one.  

I have to say I am as guilty as anyone of signing up my kids for a plethora of activities and search earnestly for all the festivals and fun happenings that will keep them entertained and happy. Recently I have felt as if the more we give, the more we do, the more it is not enough.  The whining is still there, the insatiable desire for the next 'fun plan' is fast on their lips.  We are exhausting ourselves at keeping our kids satisfied!  The truest of all happiness I have found is in giving of myself and from that receiving far beyond any expectation.  I am full up.  If I know this secret, then why would I hoard it from my kids?  I believe that as kids get older they lose some of that innocent desire to help others in need because they are too busy with school, activities, social life, etc.,  We can easily succumb to our insular world, go with the flow and forget to nurture that in our child at a pivotal age.  Without that growth, it is bound to fall off the map and eventually become a 'chore' or a fad to do something good for somebody else.

My kids, most kids in American suburbs such as Geneva are extremely privileged.  I don't want to throw a damp towel on their privileges nor make them feel guilty for what they have been born into, but I also have a responsibility to teach them, open their eyes to the fact that this way of life is not the norm, nor reality for the majority of this world. Of course there is part of me that wants them to stay in a cushy bubble and desires to protect my kids from knowing that there are kids dying all over the world every second because they don't have a choice but to drink water with feces in it.  Why would I want to burst my kids idealistic bubble?  Because they can and they do handle it with an innocent fervor of wanting to change what is not right and just.  "That's not fair!" they say.  It's as simple as that and they are off and running.  I believe that volunteering with our group of kids is going to develop a character within them that will last a lifetime and change the world one person at a time.  No doubt they will quickly realize that they are also being served by those they are serving which is the beauty in giving - learning to receive.

Long story longer, There are 20 some kids and 6 of us moms who are dedicated to doing just that.  Each mom takes a week and sets up an organized volunteer opportunity to expose our kids to.  During these outings I can only imagine that each child will probably have their heart bent to one or another person/place/or thing.  How exciting!  The very purpose of them being born on this earth will have a chance be awakened from a tender age by leading them outside their comfort zone.  Their heart will start to beat toward something and who knows what could be ignited from there?

Thursday, June 20th was our first official volunteer excursion.  Along second street we set up a lemonade stand, sold drinks, their framed art work and cookies. It was all purely donation based and 100% of the proceeds are going to go Charity Waters to help build wells in African villages for fresh, clean, uncontaminated water.  We showed the kids videos of the crisis in Africa which helped hit home to their wide eyes and open mouths as why it was important to raise money.  They were beyond excited to make this a success.  In three short hours nearly $500 dollars was raised.  Customer traffic was slow,  but they walked 3rd street handing out fliers and jumping up and down like wild monkeys trying to get people to join their cause.   Rejection didn't phase them, I wish I could say the same for me.  I was taking this lemonade stand much too personal!  I vow to NEVER EVER drive past a lemonade stand ever again without purchasing a cup of whatever they are selling and letting them know what a great job they are doing.  Yes, I was that person who is guilty of not making eye contact lest I get suckered into drinking some watered down sugary drink.  The patience and endurance in getting a mere few customers was painstaking (for me), but well inspired them to work harder and it was well worth the wait.   

There are many things planned in the weeks ahead for our group such as going to Mooseheart, a Horse Rescue Farm, a nursing home and simply to help our neighbor, whose husband is dying of cancer, with her overwhelming amount of yard work.  

I have never been so proud of my kids, nor their friends, and wanted to share this exciting endeavor in hopes that you see it fit to be newsworthy.  We are ready and willing to help anyone that is in need.  Feel free to offer suggestions and creative ideas.

Stay tuned!