In June, I wrote a blog about a site where “children celebrate giving.” Echoage, a charity website, allows children the hands-on opportunity to do something for the planet, their peers and even their parents! With all the overindulging many children are accustomed to, it is refreshing to come across Echoage that offers other options besides children receiving gifts.
While we want to remind everyone of this great site, there are many other charitable opportunities for kids to get involved. It is essential for us to not only talk with our children about charity, but to also show by example that they can make a difference. One of President Obama’s many mantras focuses on volunteering and serving your community. According to SERVE.gov :
“A new report released by the Corporation for National and Community Service finds that even during a time of prolonged economic recession, volunteering has remained steady, fueled by a compassion boom led by young adults and a wave of do-it-yourself volunteers working with their neighbors to fix problems.”
My good friend’s daughter, Sydney Kulok did just this. For her 11th birthday, she decided to make a difference. Sydney lives in Virginia and frequently visit her grandparents in South Florida. Her choice was to help the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach, Florida. The Loggerhead Marinelife Center is an ocean conservation organization and sea turtle hospital located adjacent to one of the most heavily nested sea turtle beaches in the world. Their mission is to promote the conservation of Florida’s coastal ecosystem through education, research, and rehabilitation, with a special focus on threatened and endangered sea turtles.
On her birthday invitation, she informed her friends to make a contribution to save sea turtles in lieu of receiving gifts. This was completely Sydney’s idea and is the type of benevolent action we should be advocating.
Sydney was kind enough to grant us an exclusive interview about her birthday decision as well as her thoughts on the Loggerhead Marinelife Center.
Earth Promise: Why did you decide to do this?
Sydney Kulok: Because I went to the Marine Loggerhead Center once and read what happened to the Sea. Turtles and felt bad for them. I felt that if I did this it would raise money to save at least one sea turtle and make people know what’s going on
EP: Do you know any friends who have done this?
SK: I don’t know anyone else for certain who has done this
EP: How is this different for receiving a gift?
SK: When I get a gift I feel really excited but after awhile it gets old. But helping sea turtles is so different. It is a feeling that will stay with you forever.
EP: Will you encourage friends to do this?
SK: More kids should definitely do this. Whatever interests them. It could be helping animals, helping neighbors, helping your community or the environment.
EP: Should parents encourage their kids to do this?
SK: Yes. But not too much. Don’t force your kid because it won’t mean as much for anyone. But they should encourage their kids.
EP: What would you tell the director of this Loggerhead Sanctuary?
SK: Thank you for bringing this problem to our attention. I hope I can do more help.
EP: Thank you, Sydney, and Happy Birthday!
What do kids really need these days when it comes to giving and receiving birthday gifts? A few years ago, after being overwhelmed with all the birthday party chaos (plastic party favors, overflow of paper products, receiving of unnecessary gifts; and returning of gifts) together my daughter and I decided to ask family and her friends to give the money they would normally use to buy a gift and donate it to the local Humane Society. It was a hit! My daughter went to the Humane Society with a hefty amount. They presented her with an award which she cherishes. 
