Through participation in a service project, children learn they can have a positive impact on the people and the world around them. Service Projects help children to develop problem solving skills, social cooperation and to practice the values of courtesy, respect, kindness, and giving. Good service projects match a real community need. In turn this provides a rewarding leadership experience for young people, and a good example on how to follow God’s footsteps.

Listed below are a few ideas for service projects. You can select an idea below or create your own project.

1. Help cook and/or serve at a homeless shelter.
2. Gather clothing from your neighbors and donate it to a local shelter.
3. Make “I Care” kits with combs, toothbrushes, shampoo, etc. for the homeless.
4. Pack and hand our food at the local food bank.
5. Visit senior citizens at a nursing home.
6. Make a care package for an elderly or shut-in person.
7. Rake leaves, shovel snow, clean gutters, or wash windows for a senior citizen.
8. Pick up groceries or medicine for an elderly person.
9. Deliver meals to homebound individuals.
10. Hold an afternoon dance for your local nursing home.
11. Teach a senior friend how to use a computer and the Internet.
12. Organize a canned goods drive.
13. Volunteer to help at a Special Olympics event.
14. Coordinate a book drive.
15. Read books or the newspaper on tape for visually impaired people.
16. Organize a holiday toy drive or bring toys to children in the hospital.
17. Clean up trash along a river, beach, or in a park.
18. Create a campaign to encourage biking and walking.
19. Contact your local volunteer center for opportunities to serve.
20. Volunteer at your local animal shelter.
21. Walk a neighbor’s dog or pet sit while they are on vacation.
22. Send a letter to one of America’s veterans or oversees soldiers.
23. Organize a project for National Youth Service Day.
24. Get together with some friends to buy holiday presents for a family at a shelter.
25. Hold a teddy bear drive for foster children, fire victims, etc.
26. Plan a recycling program and donate the proceeds to a local charity.
27. Make quilts or baby clothes for low-income families.
28. When visiting someone in a hospital, talk to someone that doesn’t have many visitors.
29. Start a neighborhood welcome committee for new kids.
30. Contribute to a bake sale that donates proceeds to charity.
31. Make a 'comfort pillow' for an amputee in the military. 

The projects teach that by helping others feel good, we can feel good about ourselves. After you have completed your project, think about how you feel and what you learned. For further information on service projects at our church, please contact Jeanine Cavanagh or (908) 874-3141 x225.

Whatever project you choose, have fun!