Families that care about their world like to get involved in charities. It can be a good family bonding experience to go out and do things for others as a group. Not only are you spending time together as a family, you are also teaching your children to care about something bigger then themselves. There are plenty of great volunteering organizations out there that you can try, and after trying a few different experiences, you are going to find the cause or charity that you feel the most connected with as a whole. Giving always feels good, and the younger your children experience this, the stronger the connection they are going to make with the world in which they live.
There are volunteering organizations everywhere. All you have to do is call the ones close to you and see how you can get involved. The obvious choices are the ones that are in almost all areas of the US. There are soup kitchens that feed the homeless, and Meals On Wheels that helps feed those that are of a low income and are shut-in for whatever reasons. These options are both great starts when you want to see what volunteering organizations are going to be the best fit and the most rewarding in your local area.
There are also volunteering organizations that help animals, which are preferred by some families because they are some of the easiest to find and they are often fun volunteer positions. All areas have some sort of shelter whether it be a private one or an ASPCA branch. These all need money to keep going, but they also need volunteers to help with feeding, cleaning and caring for their animals, as well as people who can run fundraisers and volunteer to work at events they hold to raise money.
Some volunteering organizations are about the community at large. They can involved things like cleaning up litter and caring for public areas like parks and waterways. Groups like the Girl and Boy Scouts are often involved in these types of volunteering organizations, but you can your family can help them on your own. If you see a problem that has not been addressed, you can see what you can do on your own. No one is going to stop you from picking up litter as long as you dispose of it properly.
While the main reason for volunteering organizations and your participation is to help others and to make your community a better place to live and raise children, there are other benefits for your children as well. Not only are they learning to care about something other than themselves, they are getting life experience that may help them be more well-rounded people. This always looks great on any college application, and is a habit they may carry with them on into adulthood and pass on to their own children. They may even come up with their own ideas for volunteering organizations to help those around them.