Our online community often asks us how and where they can volunteer with their kids, and how to have important discussions about the issues and needs behind giving back. While these questions are most frequent during the holidays, need exists all year round, and there are so many worthy causes.

 

In this spirit—and in furtherance of their mission to inspire its visitors to be everyday “heroes” and think about liberty as a shared and ongoing process—the National Liberty Museum is holding monthly GiveBack Workshops. These workshops are not only a way for families to volunteer together;  the museum also hopes to instill a sense of responsibility and empathy in its young guests, and inspire meaningful conversations.

 

Beginning with its first workshop on January 12, the museum is partnering with different organizations each month to complete “make-and-donate” projects that will benefit the community. The projects are unique, and specifically designed by the highlighted organization for that month. Read on about each project and its related mission, and mark your calendars to attend one of these special programs.

“Capes for Kids” benefiting Enchanted Makeovers

January 12, 10:30 am—noon

 

For their first GiveBack Workshop, NLM is partnering with Enchanted Makeovers, an organization that seeks to empower, educate, and nurture women and children living in homeless shelters. Kids will be creating no-sew “hero capes” for children in these shelters “to let them know they can be their own superhero.”

“Shoe Party” with Sole Hope

February 9, 10:30 am—noon

 

In February, NLM is partnering with Sole Hope, an organization dedicated to creating shoes for those suffering from parasitic jigger infestations (usually affecting the feet) in Uganda. The organization is providing a Shoe Party Kit to create shoes from old denim—families can bring old denim, or use some provided at the event. Participants’ creations will be shipped to tailors where they will be completed. There will also be coloring pages for little ones.

Drawing with Color a Smile and Cradles to Crayons

March 9, 10:30 am—noon

 

For March, there will be two drawing projects for two different organizations. Color a Smile sends cheerful drawings to many different people, including troops overseas, senior centers, “and anyone in need of a smile.” Cradles to Crayons provides aid to children in need, providing necessities like warm coats, backpacks, and more. In addition to the drawings that kids will do for both organizations, families are invited to bring a donation of a new or nearly new children’s item for Cradles to Crayons to distribute.

Cat Toys with PSPCA

April 13, 10:30 am—noon

 

In April, a representative from the Pennsylvania SPCA will speak to families about animal cruelty and the work the organization does to protect and care for animals. Families can make cat toys which the representative will take back to the shelter for their animals to enjoy.

Little Free Library

May 4, 10:30 am—noon

 

You may have seen a Little Free Library around town—those decorative little boxes people can leave or take books. In May, kids can help the museum create and decorate one that will be installed there! Families can also design fun bookmarks with messages of liberty for insertion in the library’s books. Children attending this workshop are welcome to bring a book to donate to the new library.

 

GiveBack Workshops will be held monthly on Saturday mornings, from 10:30 am—noon. Pre-registration is recommended—the cost starts at $20 (for up to two adults and one child), which includes museum admission for the day. Member discounts apply. The National Liberty Museum is located at 321 Chestnut Street in Philadelphia.

 

Photographs courtesy of Visit Philadelphia.