Community Service Projects Change the World One Person at a Time: Santa's Elves of Indy teaches kids to give back.

Have you figured out how to change the world yet?

With a involvement in a Community Service Project, we can change the world one person at a time. How to teach kids to give back is an important lesson for adults. Giving back makes you feel good. Here's just one of the many ways our team participates in community service every year. Enjoy!

Not so very long ago, a man, a sleigh, and some special gifts started a revolution.

How to get Involved in a Community Service Project

It isn't as hard as you may think. You know the story, Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, Pere Noel- no matter what names you use for Santa Claus, you'll uncover an original story based on a local humanitarian. You might say, Santa started a revolution! You can start one too. You can start at home with your own kids.

Teaching kids to help others in need is a lifelong skill with extraordinary benefits. The first step requires you to get involved in a community service project. Share your talents within a group or organization in your neighborhood.

• But, I don't have the time
• But, I don't know of any organizations
• I'm shy
• I just don't know where to begin

Our kid Volunteer elves.

Me neither!  Do a search for local organizations or service projects for kids in your town. I wanted to help save the world. I didn't have much luck. So, one day, I decided to start teaching kids to change the world. Working with kids to build their self-esteem is rewarding. So many kids and adults think they have no gifts or talents to share, but they do- they just haven't discovered them yet. Teach your kids to give back early to help them understand everything they have to offer.

Mayhem with her Rudolph nose. Come get your face painted!

One day, a young woman had an idea. She decided to teach her kids to give back at Christmas. She asked for their input on ideas for things they could do. They wanted to help as many kids as possible. This idea gave birth to Santa's Elves of Indy.

Tracey Thomas is the chief Elf.  I help her out with creative fundraising and special events. My kids are very involved. Mayhem is constantly coming up with things to sell, so she can donate money to Santa's Elves.

She wanted to draw caricatures of the guests at our FREE COMMUNITY EVENT, Saturday, Sept. 28 (2013) in Indianapolis. She wanted to draw each person as an elf. Chief Elf, Tracey, would describe this as "getting your elf-on"!

Oriental Trading donated many fun items for our event.

We couldn't do it without the help of our partners. Oriental Trading has graciously donated many fun items for use at our event.

What is there to do? Come join the fun at Santa's Family Reunion and Elf Picnic. Play a game of soccer with the Elves, enter a corn hole tournament with the Santas, go elf bowling, join Santa's family to make a toy or craft, experience vendors of all types, and enjoy entertainment throughout the event. There's even a jail and bail to help raise money for gifts.

The elves provide more than just toys. We work to raise money for clothing and food as well. Our goal is to help families in a temporary bind to give them a little pick me up and a pat on the back to let them know they can do it!  But, we can't do it without you. We need your donations of toys, clothing, and cash so we can continue to help families at times when they needed it most- not just at Christmas.

Central Park in Heartland Crossing, Camby, Indiana.

That's a strike in Elf Bowling!

We're having so much fun playing with the elves!

Thanks Oriental Trading for the letters to Santa and fun stickers!

Dear Santa Claus, thanks for all the great things you do!

Recommended:

Elf on the Shelf Kit*

Lessons and Plans

Learning How to be a Community Leader Together: Service Projects for Kids

Service Project Ideas for kids to get involved in the Community

Michelle from Life is my Lemonade is guest posting today.Today, she shares her reluctant adventures in teaching a child how to be a community leader. Michelle and I met in college where we pledged Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority. Needless to say, we've known each other awhile. Michelle also helps out with Pinterest account management. (Psst... Michelle's a little shy.) Here are some great ideas for service projects for your kids. Enjoy!

Race for the Cure 2011 

What do you do when your child says I’m bored? I decided to take a page out of my family’s book and take her on a new adventure.  It started when she was old enough to put groceries away.  I took her to the food pantry to help put groceries away on the shelves and explained why we were helping out. Over the years, this evolved into working to bag up the bags for Saturday openings. Then, she asked if she could help out on Saturday’s when the pantry was open. She wanted to be able to work directly with the people that came into the food pantry and help them out to their cars. Aww!  That was a great idea so we stepped into the rotation and did a Saturday morning every once in awhile. 

Helping out at a food pantry doesn't mean just donating items.

I’m proud of how she stepped up and asked for more time with the people that came in. Her Grandpa would be proud of her. She didn't get to know him because he died from Leukemia a few years before she was born. One of the proudest memories I have is of his funeral, there were so many people there that came up to me and explained how they knew him. He had helped them throughout the years. He gave so many pints of blood I can’t even tell you what level he was at. He also was an EMT for many years, picked up people who needed transportation to doctor’s visits and church.  He and my mom both volunteered for numerous committees.  

When those people that he has touched came to show respect it made an unbearable day better. I was proud to know that he had done so much for others. Those are the moments I share with my daughter now. I am hoping that she will be able to say that she is proud of me for giving back as well. 

Here are some of the things we do or plan to do when she says she is bored:

Race for the Cure –whenever we can to support my Aunt who is a survivor and the friends we have lost. Relay for Life-again whenever we can to remember my dad and find a cure.

Sheltering Wings-This is a local domestic violence shelter that helped me out.  We have done many projects from planting flowers around their building, donating money, going to their various fundraising events, donating items for the silent auctions, earrings for the kids to give their Moms on Mother’s Day, numerous sweet treats just because and most recently Megan has written and received grants to help provide pre-school supplies for their new pre-school classroom and make up Birthday boxes for the kids. 

Yep, she really did the work on writing the grants. It’s one of the requirements for the grant because it is a Youth as Resources grant from United Way. Parents can assist but the kids are on the ones that write it up and give the presentation. When she was younger I helped out with the grant writing, but now that she is a teen it’s all her and her Girl Scout troop. 

Pinterest idea turned into a warm welcome treat for Sheltering Wings

Pre-school supplies purchased with Grant monies

So, while Megan is learning to help out in the community she is having a good time and getting great experience. She donated time at the shelter to babysit and play games with the kids. She learned that she likes to babysit, and she can earn money when she’s not donating her time.

Another bonus to helping out in the community is that she is setting goals:

• Goal #1 earn the Bronze award for Girl Scouts. Happy to say that’s checked off, She earned her bronze award with a book drive and building a bookcase for the shelter.

• Goal #2 the Silver award for The Kid's Guide to Service Projects: Over 500 Service Ideas for Young People Who Want to Make a Difference. And another check, she earned her silver award with the birthday boxes.

• Goal #3 she is going for the Gold award.  She has a list of the different places that she wants to help and a year to wait and plan so we will see what will happen. Top of the list for today is animal shelter, Riley or Peyton Manning children’s hospital, or outdoor area. Whatever she decides to do will be on her to plan from start to finish and raise the money for because this is an individual project.  She can get help from the community but she has to put in at least 100 hours of time to meet the goal. I don’t think it will be a problem though because she put in close to that with the Silver award.

Going for the Gold Award

Recommended:

The Kid's Guide to Service Projects: Over 500 Service Ideas for Young People Who Want to Make a Difference*

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More Teen focused blog posts

Schedule Dates with Your Children: Mommy and Me Days Make Lifetime Memories

Tracey Thomas is the Chief Elf at Santa's Elves of Indy. She is a frequent guest blogger for Kids Creative Chaos. This week, she shares her insights on the Mommy Share. Do you take your kids out for special alone time with Mommy or Daddy? Here are some ideas for mommy-dates with your children.

Mom and Me Day

We have a large family, which means busy schedules and lots of group interaction. Don’t get me wrong, I love our big family, but sometimes the craziness that is our lives leaves little room for individual time with the kids. With my oldest son, “mommy and me” time wasn’t scarce at all, because he had no competition, but after baby #2 came along, it started becoming evident that I would need to build in time to spend one-on-one with him. It is now 12 years later and, not only have I acquired 4 children of my own, but also 2 step-children and I still try to build in that individual time with the kids.

A trip to the orchard is a special treat that doubles as edutainment.

In a perfect world, I would have an endless bank account to pull from that would allow me to take each child on an exotic weekend excursion, but here in the real world, this isn’t exactly the case. Ok, so it isn’t the case AT ALL. So to preserve the budget and to help keep our time special, each month a different child gets to have their day. Sometimes, it’s something as simple as driving to the nearby frozen yogurt shop and sometimes, when the funds allow, we will plan something a little more expensive, like going to the movies, or out to dinner, etc.

What kid doesn't love the movies, even better when you only have to share popcorn with  Mommy.

For my son’s 12^th birthday, he opted to combine his birthday present with his “Mom & Me” day and was able to have an afternoon downtown with his friends. To date, this was actually one of my favorite “Mom & Me” days with him because, even though I had to share it with four other 12 year old boys, the extra-sweet bonus was when he still wanted to sit by good ole Mom during the basketball game at the end of the night.

Too cool for Mom... not this boy!

As our kids get older, make new friends, and gain new freedoms, they will have less time for Mom. Until that time, and as far into it as I can get, I will always try to maintain the one-on-one visits with the kids. It’s our time to catch up, hang out, and stay connected. And I hope that “Mom & Me Day” will become as important to them as it is to me. 

Check out her other posts in the boxes below and on the sidebar.  She is the author of "Slurpin' for Worms".

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Things to do in Indiana: Old-fashioned Candy Store in Martinsville

The Martinsville Candy Kitchen is a fun thing to do in Indiana with your kids...

During the holidays, the Candy Kitchen in Martinsville, Indiana is filled with enticing aromas and beautiful, delectable candies. Remember the little, old Wonka candy store in original Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or Toot Sweets from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang?  Yeah... it's a lot like that, and it is only a hop, skip, and 30 minutes - ish from downtown Indy. So, treat your kids to some old-fashion nostalgia.

Hand pulled candy canes from the Martinsville Candy Kitchen.

Fudge, candies, desserts- oh my. This is truly eye candy. There are several restaurants in downtown Martinsville, and on Saturdays catch a Farmer's Market around the court house just in front of the Candy Kitchen. If your kids are into antiquing, the downtown square offers many shops for browsing. 

Martinsville Candy Kitchen.

We visited in the Spring. They were busy making fudge in the back, and the counters were showcasing old-fashion Easter candy. It brought back candy memories from childhood. I remember getting white chocolate little lambs from my grandmother one year. They had a basket full of those cute little lambs! The chocolate covered Peeps were a nice surprise too. I am going to give that a try with the kids.

Hand-dipped Ice Cream.

The little red and white shop matches the hand-pulled candy canes they make each holiday season. Treat your kids to a trip. Sometimes, a man in a matching red and white suit stops in for a visit. Hmm... I wonder if he gets the candy for our stockings there?

Recommended Reading:

Copycat Candy Bars

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Things to do in Indy: Month of May 500 Activities for Kids

The Month of May is Busy in Indianapolis: Indy 500 Activities for Kids

In Indiana, the month of May is a time for celebrations. There are many Indy 500 activities for kids and families. You will also find lots of race theme things to do in indianapolis in May. Here are just a few fun things to do with kids in honor of the race.

The Play Connection Inc. took a field trip the museum.

A fun, homeschool field trip or summer camp activity is to go to the track in Speedway, tour the museum and then take a lap around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in a bus tour.

Sit in an Indy Car at the 500 Museum.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway offers a fun kid's club for just $25 a year. Kids get special prizes and passes for special events.

The IMS Kid's Club has great race theme activities year around.

The Motor Speedway even offers a curriculum plan and field trip for fourth grade. Here are a few more things to do with kids and indy 500 activities:

• Rookie Run for kids ages 3-12
• Speedway Public Library offers race theme programs in the month of May
• Kid's Day
• Indy 500 Festival Parade
• Teen driving course at track

Nearby, Indy Parks boast the longest Soap Box Derby Track in the country, William Shaw Memorial Soap Box Derby Hill. 

We attended a special design your own Hotwheel Car at the Indianapolis Children's Museum for FREE! We designed it, tested it, and designed the box just like the pros. 

Recommended Reading:

Eat My Dust! Henry Ford's First Race

Indy 500 party theme for kids

Indy 500 Centennial Celebration


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Plan an Indy 500 Race Theme for a Kid's Birthday Party or Special School Activity

Indy 500 Theme Race Party with Cardboard Racecars

The Play Connection, Inc. (my alter ego) did lots of fun preschool activities that are great for a birthday party or for kids' outdoor pe games. Due to the proximity of Indianapolis, an Indy 500 racing theme is always popular in May. Plan Indy 500 kid activities for a fun field day at school, and make your own race cars from cardboard boxes. Enjoy!

This post may contain affiliate links for your convenience.*

Indy 500 Activities for Kids.

Use recycled household items as props- 
including a plastic milk jug for a gas can.

Ideas on how to plan an Indy 500 Race Birthday Party: 

• Purchase inexpensive, large, black buckets to use in a pit stop race game. 
• Recycle a milk jug, paint it black with spray paint or acrylics, and use duct tape or paint to spell out G-A-S.
•  Turn a milk crate upside down to use as a Winner's Circle.
• Hang a race banner (we got ours at the Dollar Tree).
• Make 9 colored race flags for a realistic race experience.

Trick out your cardboard car with paper plate wheels or 
fancy, cardboard fan wheels.

Wondering 'what do the flags mean or stand for in the Indy 500 race'?  

• Green means go! Of course, you already knew that! Just like shouting "Green Light", the green flag is waved to signal the start of the race. It is also used to for restarts after a caution flag.
• Yellow flag signals caution for a hazard. It could be an accident, debris, rain, maybe a silly goose got loose on the track. The pace car hops on the track to lead the other cars in safety. When we play Red Light, Green Light, we use yellow to signal walk very slowly.
• Red flag STOP! Do not pass go, do not collect $100 dollars. A red light means freeze in your tracks. It is for accident or rain conditions.  Head straight to the pits or stay parked. No repairs, tire changes, or gassing up allowed. In other words, no fair cheating!
• Red flag with a yellow "X" means the pits are closed to all vehicles.
• Black flag means a penalty to a car on the track. Don't break the rules! It's also used for mechanical failures.
• Black flag with a white "X" black-flag penalty.  Your car isn't keeping score anymore.
• Blue flag or blue flag with yellow diagonal stripe Get out of the way, slow poke, a faster driver is about to pass. We use a blue light in our game to signal to turn around and walk backward toward the finish line.
• White flag the end is near! It's the FINAL lap.
• Checkered flag  Hooray! We have a winner. This flag means the race is over.

For our race car game of Red Light, Green Light, we purchased dowel rods and squares of fabric from Joann's Fabrics. To attach, rub glue on the dowel, wrap one end of fabric around the dowel, and staple as close to the stick as possible.

Lay out aluminum foil, tissue paper, paper plates, and colored duct tape.  
Let the kids' diy imagination run wild.

On your mark, get set, go! Mark off a track with chalk, tape, or use cornstarch paint in the grass. Get your flags ready to wave. Have parents or helpers use a stopwatch to track each child's time. No need to compete against others. Race around several times for your best lap. Now the fun begins!

On your mark, get set, let the games begin!

How to Play Pretend Pit Stop

Get parents and teachers involved with the fun. Before the game begins, designate a pit crew for each "driver". 

During a caution flag, have everyone pull into the pits. One member of the crew must run around the car 4 times checking pretending to check tires. 

Another crew member will take the pre-filled milk "Gas" jug (water) and pour it into the black bucket. 

Then, the crew members must use a funnel to re-fill the jug. Have the driver time the crew for even more giggles. When all the water is gone, the drivers can take off again.

Measure the water in the jugs to see which pit crew wins a prize. Just pour it back into the buckets, and see which one retained the most water (gas).

A game of Red Light, Green Light is fun around the track too.


Recommended Reading:

Things to do in Indiana: Indy 500 Race Activities for Kids

Eat My Dust! Henry Ford's First Race* 

Hot Air Balloon Glow at the Indy 500

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KCC Kids Make Native American Art and Crafts in honor of the Wampanoag Indians contribution to Thanksgiving

Studying Native American Art and Crafts? 

Get crafty with Alex Toys and celebrate the Wampanoag Indians.  Without them, we'd have nothing to celebrate. Here are companion activities for your lessons on Native American History.

Native American Footprint Headband Craft

Mayhem wanted to go outside and collect stones and leaves in her pouch like a real  hunter-gather. "Indian Dress" paper grocery bag tutorial.

What a fun word, Wampanoag. Here is a site with fun facts about the Wampanoag. We learned some Wampanoags are from Natick, Massachusetts where the Daddy was born.


Wampanoags today  See the real Mayflower here. See our version here.  Daddy is not Native American, but Mommy is related to Pocahontas about five different ways- her Indians are known as the Powhatan or Virginia Algonquian. One day, we'll write a post about this relationship.

Tie Dye Fashion Groovy Tote Kit from Alex Toys ~ Fun way to learn about dyeing clothing.

Alex Toys has great products for your Thanksgiving celebration or to help teach Native American ways and honor their contribution to our country in the classroom.

I wanted to teach dyeing with the Tie Dye Fashion Groovy Kit and teach weaving with their Native American Loom, but the projects seemed a bit daunting for a six year old, eight year old, and an OCD Mom. So, I kept  putting it off. 

We'll do that post next week. We can do it tomorrow. It just has to be done by Thanksgiving...

The Tie Dye kit by Alex Toys is awesome, super easy, and nearly mess free ~ we did most of it in a tub in the kitchen sink.

Soaking items to dye before tying off with rubber bands and twist ties.

Knotting off patterns with bands included in the kit and recycled bread bag twist ties.

Projects ready to dye. The included, Groovy Tote and some of our old, stained t-shirts.

I've done some tie-dyeing in the past, but this was so much easier. Although, the kit was for one tote bag we had enough dye to dye several things. I wish we had prepped more items. We decided to use some of the dye to make super messy, water color paintings in the sink.

Leave lots of white space for better contrast and to keep colors from bleeding together.

This is our only mess! How great is that?

Squirting dye on paper and blending with plastic spoon.

Secure your items in plastic bags for 24 hours.

Patience is a virtue. Enclose in plastic bags for 24 hours to set the dye, remove bands, lay flat to dry for another 24 hours, and then wash and dry.

The bag was included in the kit and we did three shirts and several paintings.
All bottles are still half full! This would be great for a birthday party or classroom. 

Tie Dye Paper Art  ~ Less Squeeze is Best

Tie Dye Paper Art ~ Learning Phase

The loom? Oh my the loom, it was far too daunting for this post. See our weaving experiences in Jake's Journey in Art ~  Home-school Weaving. 

Native American Fruit - Persimmons

Weaving is tedious work that takes time. Imagine if you were a Native American making clothing to keep warm.

Popsicle Stick Indian Craft for Preschoolers

Next month, celebrate the spirit of giving with Santa's Elves of Indy as we collect, wrap, and donate gifts for those needing a little extra help this Christmas season.

AlexToys.com donated these toys for our unbiased review.
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