Lifestyles

“Do Something Good”

Posted: 9/30/2011

Families can give back to the community by holding a school supply drive at camp, at a sports league or at a neighborhood block party.

(NAPSI)—Good news for teens who want to do something good for others—and for their parents. Making it easy to get involved with the community is a program that offers teens a chance to help local students in need.

It’s part of the Staples for Students—Do Something for Kids in Need national school supply drive.

The campaign helps students in need nationwide who face going back to school without the necessary supplies. The stars of “Pretty Little Liars”—Lucy Hale (Aria), Troian Bellisario (Spencer), Ashley Benson (Hanna) and Shay Mitchell (Emily)—are joining the cause and encouraging teens to collect school supplies and drop them off at a nearby Staples store by September 17. In addition, the store’s customers can get involved by donating $1 at any Staples, with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting local students in need.

Here are some tips on how parents can encourage children to get involved in community service projects:

1. Research available opportunities that your child will find interesting and fulfilling. Help guide them toward a volunteer experience that will get them excited.

2. Get involved in your own charitable causes. If they see you doing something good, they are more likely to want to participate in a similar campaign.

3. Make it a family event. Encourage everyone in the family to take up a cause together. Everyone will be motivated by each other and have fun at the same time.

To further demonstrate support, Staples and DoSomething. org are making it easy for students to get involved in their school supply drive. Students can go to www.staplesforstudents.org to sign up to request a free action kit. Whether it’s summer camp, summer sports leagues or at neighborhood block parties, students can get tips, resources, and flyers on running their own school supply drives in their neighborhoods