From Home

Here are some ideas you can try from home. No matter what your age, together with your family you can make a difference in our community. Check out these ideas below to see what you can do!

Fundraise

Free the Children

Web Site: www.freethechildren.com
Free the Children provides a host of ways for kids to get involved including creative fundraising ideas. One easy idea, commemorate special occasions in a meaningful way. For your next birthday celebration, ask friends and family to donate to Free The Children’s programs instead of giving presents. Celebrate a special day of yours or that of a loved one in a way that matters

Help the Homeless

The Ladybug Foundation

Web Site: www.ladybugfoundation.ca
Started by an 8-year old Canadian girl, this Foundation has raised well over $2 million, providing shelter, food and safety for homeless people. On this website you can find instructions on how kids can raise funds for makeChange™ via The Ladybug Foundation.

Trenton Area Soup Kitchen

Web Site: www.trentonsoupkitchen.org
Children can participate in a variety of hands-on projects to help feed the homeless at TASK, including the donation of Take-Home Lunch Bags or Dinner Bags (children can decorate the bags), donation of Hygiene Bags, and participation at the Kids Day-Off Program. On site volunteer work is generally for ages 13 and up, off site volunteer work is for all ages. See website for details.

Lemonade Stand

Alex’s Lemonade

Web Site: www.alexslemonade.org
At Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, the primary focus is to find a cure for all childhood cancers. Children can get involved and raise money by following simple instructions at this website.

Letters to the Troops

Flags Across the Nation

Web Site: www.flagsacrossthenation.org/our-projects/letters-to-the-troops
Our programs foster love of the United States of America, respect for the American flag and support for our troops, wounded warriors and veterans. We welcome your participation with us to make a patriotic difference by writing Letters to the Troops, telling children about our art contest Flags of Freedom and joining with us to promote patriotism through the arts.

For The Troops

Web Site: www.forthetroops.org
For The Troops’ mission is to send care packages to our front line troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. These packages contain such things as snack items, DVDs, CDs, batteries, personal care items and magazines, etc.

Kidz4Troops

Web Site: www.kidz4troops.com
In 2004 Spencer Cluff, a US warrior himself, started Kidz4Troops as a way to put kids in touch with soldiers serving overseas in war zones. Over time the program has grown to include children from across the nation interested in sending their creative thoughts and encouragement in support of our brave troops.

Marine Parents: Care Package Project

Web Site: www.carepackageproject.com/letters.asp
We need cards and letters from you, the American people who support our troops. Please consider working with your office, school, church or organization to make cards or write letters to include in care packages sent overseas. Marines are especially touched by homemade cards from children, or letters that let them know what’s going on back home: what books, movies, and music are coming out, or what your day-to-day life is like. Or write a letter to let them know what you’re doing here at home to support the troops!

Letters to Sick Children

Hugs & Hope

Web Site: www.hugsandhope.org
Children fighting for their lives have very little to smile about. You can change that by sending them some “Happy Mail.” Cheery cards give these kids a few more smiles, a little more hope, and a reason to get out of bed each day.

Love Letters: Random Cards of Kindness, Inc.

Web Site: www.loveletterscares.org
Our goal is to create positive and inspirational homemade cards for children with life-threatening illnesses. We also want our “Love Letters Pen Pals” to inspires others in their community to commit to making a difference through our organization.

Race for Charity

Alexander’s Run

Web Site: www.alexandersrun.org
This annual 5K race and Family Fun Run takes place in October. Money raised supports the Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC) program and the Alexander Michael Dodson Memorial Scholarship Fund. Held at the Princeton Area Community Foundation, the scholarship fund will help support scholarships for Trenton students attending private school in the Mercer County, NJ area.

Princeton Healthcare Kids Marathon

Web Site: www.princetonkidsmarathon.org
This annual race takes place in June. In addition to incorporating fitness into their daily routine, children participating in the KIDS MARATHON are able to help raise funds to support the University Medical Center at Princeton’s Outpatient Pediatric Clinic where outstanding care is provided to children in our community.
No matter how young or old your children may be, there are always age-appropriate experiences that can acquaint them with your family’s commitment to giving and inspire their own interest in joining in that commitment.

Strong Kids Triathlon

Web Site: www.princetonymca.org/events
No matter how young or old your children may be, there are always age-appropriate experiences that can acquaint them with your family’s commitment to giving and inspire their own interest in joining in that commitment. Join the YMCA’s annual Healthy Kids Day event by participating in the Strong Kids Triathlon, a fun family-oriented fundraising event. Show your kids that supporting a charity can be fun and fulfilling!

Share Allowance

Allowance Tree

Web Site: www.allowancetree.com
AllowanceTree is a virtual banking system that represents the real money children receive from their parents. This site allows children to donate a portion of their allowance to charity while earning bonus points.

ThreeJars

Web Site: www.threejars.com
ThreeJars makes money management fun and easy for 5 to 13 year old kids and parents. Kids learn to manage “money” through saving, spending, and charitable giving jars – with guidance from Mom and Dad.

Spread Happiness

Color A Smile

Web Site: www.colorasmile.org
Color A Smile collects crayon drawings from school children. Every month they distribute these drawings to Nursing Homes, Meals on Wheels Programs, and Individuals all across the country. Their goal is to make people smile! All you have to do is make a drawing and send it in.