Volunteering for the kids
WHILE looking for volunteer opportunities for their children, mums Ruth Tofler-Riesel and Carole Schlessinger were inspired to look at the bigger picture.
They founded Kids Giving Back, which partners with volunteer organisations and matches would-be volunteers and their families with appropriate programs.
“Our long-running quest to find volunteer opportunities for our children led us to create an organisation that could offer this opportunity to all children and their families,” Tofler-Riesel explained.
“Our mission is to instil in children and their family unit the beauty of giving to others, not just [giving] material things, but time through real-life experiences.
“We believe that when kids, together with their families, volunteer, we are developing our next generation of leaders and creating a culture of generosity and civic responsibility.”
As well as facilitating volunteer opportunities for children and their families, Kids Giving Back uses its arrangements with several organisations to tailor volunteer experiences for families wanting something specific or special.
The organisation is currently developing its local programs for children aged six to 18 and their families. “Our volunteering is about connecting people, and building bridges – kids walking hand in hand with other communities, each inspiring and empowering one another,” Tofler-Riesel said.
In conjunction with Our Big Kitchen, Kids Giving Back recently held its first “Cook For Good” program, aimed at b’nei mitzvah students and their families.
Volunteers spent the morning cooking meals for the needy and then delivered them to families within the Jewish community, as well as to homeless services Matthew Talbot Hostel and Vincentian House.
“It was a huge success, with 28 bar and bat mitzvah kids and parents participating,” Tofler-Riesel said.
“After cooking for over two hours, they all left with huge smiles on their faces to deliver a total of 140 meals.”
Another Cook For Good session is already planned for Sunday, June 3.
Kids Giving Back is also looking for volunteers to assist with Friday night candle-lighting once a month at the Montefiore Home in Randwick.
Enquiries: www.kidsgivingback.org.
GARETH NARUNSKY
Mimi Schlessinger (left) teaching in Thailand as part of her volunteer work.
comments