By: Christy Ramey
Valentine’s Day is a perfect time to show some love for other people, animals, or a favorite charity. So throw a party for a cause and show kids how to have fun and help others at the same time. This could be the beginning of a lifetime of service for your child and their friends.
Decide on a cause.
With your child, choose a charity or group that will benefit from the party. Do some research on the Internet before you decide on what group to select.
Ideas for your party might include:
Making valentines for our troops serving overseas. Including small items in a care package with the cards would be a nice touch. According to the website anysoldier.com, it’s the cards that are the most meaningful.
Help some animals in need. Have the party attendees bring a bag of food for a dog or a cat. The activity at your event could be to make catnip toys. Include the delivery of these items to the local shelter as a part of the party.
Throw a fleece party! Make easy scarves, mittens, hats, and blankets from fleece for the homeless or take them to the HELP Office on 4th Street here in Owensboro. Each attendee brings 1 yard of colorful fleece. Find easy patterns and no-sew patterns online at About.com – family crafts.
Serenade Seniors. When kids arrive at the party, practice the songs you have decided to sing. Choose favorites with which the children are already familiar. Make some valentines to take with you to distribute. Provide transportation to a local nursing home for a “singspiration” with the residents. Don’t forget to give plenty of hugs.
Invitations and decorations:
Make your invitations from hearts with accordion arms to show you are reaching out to others. Include the ‘cause’ the party will benefit, time, place, and any special supplies or gifts the kids will need to bring.
Decorate your room with appropriately themed items that match the cause.
Use hearts and streamers with camouflage for the troops party, musical notes and sheet music for the serenading party, mittens on a clothesline for the fleece party, and dog bones for the animal shelter party.
Mementos:
Take plenty of pictures and prepare a small scrapbook for each guest. These can be digital and sent to a parent’s e-mail address.
The memories made at a Valentine’s Party for a cause will last a lifetime. The lessons learned from this experience will never be forgotten!