(NC) Wherever we live, we’re part of a community. As parents, an important role is teaching our children the value of supporting others in need, whether they’re down the block or halfway around the world. It can be something as simple as taking flowers to an elderly relative, shovelling a neighbour’s driveway or finding a charitable organization that supports less fortunate children abroad.

Let’s keep teachable moments fun, joyful and collaborative. Here are four more ideas:

1. Host a neighbourhood collection
   It can be for the food bank or a local charity, with your porch as the drop-off point. Get the kids to serve hot chocolate. This way they’re getting to see community spirit in action first-hand.

2. Bake an extra few dozen cookies
   Invite the kids to help you. Ask them which friends or neighbours could really use a lift, then deliver the cookies together. Use this experience to spark a conversation that reflects on your family’s good fortune.

3. Build a snowperson on the lawn
   Instead of doing it outside your own home, pick the home of an elderly person who gets few visitors, or outside the window of your local retirement home. It’s a sweet gesture and reminds the kids that not everyone is lucky enough to be surrounded by loving family all the time.

4. Give a gift outside the community
   You can also help your kids understand that we’re part of a global community. One entry point is the World Vision gift catalogue, which supports children in conflict zones, after natural disasters, or who are otherwise in need of food, shelter and educational tools. You can invite your children to explore the catalogue, choose the gift and discuss the value of helping children outside of Canada.

Find more information about the gift catalogue at worldvision.ca/gift.