This is the third summer we have gathered our boys. Once a week we meet. We pray, memorize Scripture, learn from His Word through a fun activity and end with our huddle. “Who are we?” GOD’s MIGHTY WARRIORS!
The front of our shirts read the purpose of the group: “Prepare for Battle”. We are filling these boys with truth. Truth they can stand on in the battles ahead.
We know from Jesus’ example, Biblical warriors not only know truth, but also live sacrificially. Jesus came to serve.
Each summer we integrate service into our “training”. Boys learn: “to give is better than to receive”. We can entertain ourselves by helping others, not just with a screen.
My goal in sharing these service projects with you is to encourage you to get together with other moms of boys and do a project of your own. We have been called to raise up the next generation of leaders. Let’s teach our leaders to serve.
1. Community Center
In West Dallas, Brother Bill’s Helping Hand is a community center desiring to enrich the lives of those in the community through education, encouragement & meeting physical needs.
Once a week they provide a “grocery store” opportunity for those in the community. Shelves are stocked with food. Anyone can come and shop with dignity. Strolling through the aisles selecting essential items. Food is then bagged and carried out to their cars.
Our boys directed individuals through the store. They also helped bag the food and carry it to their cars. My boys who can throw a decent tantrum in the grocery store, were well-behaved and helpful in this environment of service.
Since our visit I’ve been wanting to return and help with the re-stocking efforts before the “grocery store” opens. Love this simple way for my boys to use their endless energy.
2. Welcome Soldiers home /Send Soldiers package
A mom from our group learned about an opportunity to go to the airport and welcome troops who are coming home from war. Our boys crafted signs of gratitude. Thanking these men for their sacrifice. Thanking them for fighting for freedom.
Another idea if you don’t live near an airport is to create a care package for a soldier. Here is a website with all the details on sending a care package. Their mission is to provide care packages to soldiers who hardly ever receive mail…what a ministry! Pack up a box and address it to “Any Soldier” and they will make sure the right soldier receives the package.
3. Pick up Trash
One week in studying the prodigal son, we visited a local Audobon. The guide at the Audobon taught the boys about pigeons. We experienced the amazing ability of pigeons to find their way home. Just as God will always welcome us home, pigeons always head for home.
The nature guide told us the number one killer of birds is consumption of trash. They eat the trash and it’s not digested causing their stomachs to explode.
One way to serve our community and God’s creatures is to go to a park and pick up trash.
4. Shoe Drive
Although my boys prefer to go barefoot, we also understand the value of shoes for protection. For many, shoes are a luxury. In other countries, no shoes means no school. In fact, it was seeing the importance of shoes in other countries which inspired a young man from Dallas to start the TOMS company.
After we learned about putting on our gospel boots (a part of our spiritual armor), our boys spent the next few weeks collecting shoes to deliver to a local shelter.
5. Treat Neighbors
I like to bake with my boys. When a friend sent me a kit to make Sprinkles cupcakes we used the day to make a batch. Then we delivered our creations to a couple of neighbors.
God calls us to love on the widows and orphans. Pam, our neighbor who raised 3 boys of her own, now lives alone. We wave and exchange pleasantries when I take a walk with my boys. This time we brought cupcakes
.
A few weeks later we came home to find a bag hanging on our door with my sons’ favorite food: tomatoes! The boys learned how to love their neighbor as themselves. How wonderful it is to serve and to be served.
I am so excited to see your blog! I have five children: 3 girls and 2 boys. And being a mom to both boys and girls, well, I have to be two moms in one. What works for girls certainly doesn’t work for boys! I find boys, as they get older, don’t take well to a woman (mom) advising them what to do. lol
Anyway, love this post. If anyone can add more ideas, especially for say, a 16yo, that would certainly be interesting to me and my son still at home. Keep up the good work!
Lisa I am in the same boat as I am trying to find service work for my 16 yr old boy to do. Doesn’t seem interested in working at the places his brother is. Has totally different tastes. More of a challenge.
Keep me posted if you come up with anything!
Thanks, Elaine. =)
Thanks Lisa! I can only imagine it must be hard to parent both boys and girls in the same family. I already feel the challenge with my boys, just given their different personalities. To add gender to the mix would definitely make things “interesting”.
I have asked some of contributors with older boys their ideas for service projects and I (or they) will post those ideas. I remember as a high schooler volunteering at the local nursing home. I loved helping call out Bingo or working in the gift shop. Also enjoyed hearing their stories (boys may love to hear about men who fought in previous wars, etc).
These are really good ideas. We haven’t really focused on service with our boys yet, but definitely something we should start doing now that they’re getting older. And I’m in DFW area too, so even better!
Kacey´s last [type] ..Faith Makes Things Possible
Glad you found them helpful Kacey! Definitely check out the community center in West Dallas (Brother Bills). So many great opportunities.
My youngest who is now 14 has been doing service work for a few years now and he loves it. From working at the local food bank,soup kitchen or an Adopt-a-thon. Now I just need to find something for my 16 year old to do. Who is a little more reserved then his brother. Any suggestions??
“Great article by the way and a great way to get kids into doing for others”!!!
Thank you Elaine for sharing some ideas for teenagers. I have asked the other MOB Society contributors for their thoughts and ideas. Check back here for those. Also we are doing a series this month on Saturdays regarding service projects, there may be more ideas available for your son. Would he enjoy writing letters to a Compassion child? Just one idea.
I love this post! Thank you for the ideas! My son is 6mo but I’m so excited to do things like this with him in a few years! Pinning this one
mrs.iHB @ iheartbudgets.net´s last [type] ..Weekly Wrap-Up and What I’m Reading On the Web – 9
My boys are older (19, 16 and 14) and we have found ways for them to serve. It really depends on what your older boys are interested in. I have found that my boys are more committed to service projects that are congruent with their hobbies and interest. For instance, my oldest son volunteers with a group that does handy man type jobs for elderly in our area..he has helped build a wheelchair ramp, painted and other things. My 16 year old volunteers with a local Wyldlife (Young Life’s ministry for middle schoolers) as a high school leader. As a family, we do simple things like pass bottled water out on really hot days. Let your older boys take the lead in telling you what they would like to do and how they want to serve.
Melissa´s last [type] ..Desperate for love
Such a great post, Heather! You older boy moms, don’t forget to look close to home. What about the neighborhood? Ours has several elderly neighbors that need help with everything from carrying groceries in to playing cards once in a while. Also, you might check into Habitat for Humanity. Dad may need to go along, but that’s a great service opportunity for an older boy.
Laura´s last [type] ..Healthy Marriage, Healthy Family
Thanks for this post – I especially loved the idea about delivering your home baked goods. Too often we just consume them ourselves and don’t think about sharing them with others! I’ll be writing that on the calendar this week…
Jeni´s last [type] ..How to Add a Button with Grab Code in WordPress
So glad it was helpful! Making sure the boys wash their hands before cooking…even more important when sharing the baked goods with neighbors.