Why Go Through All This Effort?

Why did I decide to help my kids develop a community service program to collect box tops?

Hmmm, I'm still asking myself this, especially when there is a debate over colors for blogs and the wording of posts, but these debates help them learn essential problem solving skills.

1). The Box Top Kids will learn that you can be a four year old and make an impact on your community.

- It empowers a child when they know that they make a difference. The kids are learning that they can help their schools obtain more supplies than budgeted.

2). They learn what a school budget looks; where the money comes from and how the funds are allocated.

3). They learn how to gain community support for a program. In doing so, they are gaining the respect of many business owners and managers, who in turn teach them about their trades and engage them in business conversations.

4). They have learned about buying supplies from merchants and how to gather and REUSE materials, which would have been RECYCLED.

5). They learn to count money and that Alaska is one of the 50 states and we can use an Alaska quarter anywhere in the United States. Jack was concerned when he did not think the change he was given was American currency.

6). They are learning about branding. "Mom, it is not the Box Top Kid, it is the Box Top Kids".

This project has ignited conversations we have about community, goal setting, government, budgets, branding, marketing, recycling, reusing, money.

I'm tired, but having such conversations encourages me to help them reach their goals.

When I put them to bed at night and they ask if one of my friends mailed in her box tops, it makes me smile. They're set on reaching their goals and I have to help them.

Failure is NOT an option.


~ It is my hope that other parents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, friends, merchants, restaurant owners, dentists (everyone)  may see what we are doing and realize how easy it is to make a positive impact on children.  Isn't it time that we all start acting like a community again?

Lets educate the whole child, not just send them to school to learn. Nurture them emotionally, physically, spiritually, holistically.

When children feel connected to the community they are less likely to be criminals and more likely to be positive roll models. Is this someone elses problem or do you want to do something about it?