American Girl: Shine On Now (Now Closed)

By

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

shine-on-nowI have vivid memories of flipping through the shiny American Girl Dolls catalog as a child. For hours. Circling… hoping, ooohing and aaahing. Later, I devoured the book series, learning and soaking up a bit of American history.

The Samantha doll I longed for never did end up under the Christmas tree. My mother had four girls to raise on her own, and there was no room in the budget for such luxuries (times four!)

Of course, I have since recovered and have two daughters of my own who happen to love the wholesome American Girl dolls. Thanks to two very generous Grandmas, and much to my surprise, two dolls now live in our home.

Imagine my delight when 20 years later, American Girl reached out to me to help spread the word about their new Shine On Now program. Since giving back is important to me, I happily hopped on board as an official “parent partner”.

Shine On Now is an initiative calling on girls from across the country to donate one million dollars in clothes, books, dolls and money to four charities:

  • K.I.D.S (Kids In Distressed Situations)
  • NACHRI (The National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions
  • NWF (National Wildlife Federation)
  • Save The Children

Starting now, girls can head over to Shine On Now and become official American Girl ambassadors to help with this amazing project. As an ambassador, they will receive a downloadable tool kit with ideas for ways to make a difference.  It is wonderful to see American Girl using their wide influence to teach and challenge young girls to help others.

Now through July 31, help your daughter visit Shine On Now and “donate” up to 100 free stars a day.  If a total of one million stars are collected, American Girl will donate one million dollars of books, clothes, dolls and money to the four charities.

Let’s help them reach their goal!

As a Parent Partner on this initiative, I also have the great pleasure of giving away one all new My American Girl doll to a deserving young lady. It is a fully customizable American Girl doll where you get to pick the hair color, length, eye color, skin color, even things such as glasses, braces and of course outfits and accessories.

american-girl-doll

Enter to win 1 My American Girl Doll to keep or donate:

1. Leave a comment below: How do you currently or plan to help in your community – big or small – with your children?

If you are reading via email or in a reader, please click through to the post to enter.

For up to (2) Bonus Entries (leave a separate comment for each)

2. If you are a subscriber or follower (thank you!), leave a comment. You may subscribe for free updates via RSSor email, and/or become a “fan” of KingdomFirstMom on Facebook.

3. Become a fan of Shine On Now on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.

This giveaway will end on Friday, July 30th at 11:59 pm CST. The winner will be drawn using Random.org, and notified via email. Open to U.S. residents only.

Disclosure: American Girl is sponsoring this giveaway and provided an additional doll for myself. I am choosing to donate it to local charity this Christmas. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

Comments

  1. Joella says

    Recently we took our kids to a wetlands preserve work day. We spent time as a family digging up blackberries and other invasive weeds. We had a great time!

  6. deb gibson says

    We live near a local food bank. Each month my daughter and I go through our stockpile and donate food items.

  7. JK says

    My daughter helps at the Church Work Day (clean-up) and she donates part of her allowance to Compassion International for our sponsored child in Kenya.

    Thank you.

  8. autumn says

    my kids and I volunteer at a food pantry twice a month and serve a meal once a month as well.

  13. Melissa says

    I take my kids (3 an 11) with me to outreach ministries where we feed underprivileged kids and share the love of Jesus with them 🙂

  16. Holly Urbanek says

    Lia and I try to find many ways to help in the community, from clean up days to donating items to charity. The most recent way we have helped is through our Girl Scout Troop. We have had two devastating house fires in our neighborhood. Both families lost everything! Our Troop had some money left over from cookie sales, so we donated that money to those families. Helping others is a main focus in Scouting!

  17. Stephanie Crisp says

    At Christmas for the last several years we deliver gifts to children whose parent or parents are in prison. Our daughter is only 3, but she has gone every year so far.

  18. Lisa D says

    We do not have a city wide recycling program, but my daughter and I go around collecting recyclables from neighbors and take them to the drop off facility. We also compost our food scraps and yard waste to keep them out of the landfill.
    .-= Lisa D´s last blog ..Red Baron 2 off Red Baron coupon =-.

  19. Lisa D says

    I’m a follower, email subscriber, and FB fan! 🙂
    .-= Lisa D´s last blog ..Red Baron 2 off Red Baron coupon =-.

  20. Lisa D says

    Following Shine On Now on twitter @My2CentsFL
    .-= Lisa D´s last blog ..Red Baron 2 off Red Baron coupon =-.

  21. Kristie G. says

    We donate to our church’s food pantry. During Christmas, we donate clothing to a child at her school. It is so much fun buying the clothes with her and helping others.

  23. Amy @ Finer Things says

    My kids join me for our monthly Library Volunteer duty. We also simply try to “participate” in all the events in this Tiny Town, which are often charitable events.

  26. Kim says

    We volunteer at a soup kitchen and love helping others using our skills and talents!

  27. Kim says

    We help fill backpacks for low-income kids to take home from school on weekends at our local Feeding America.

  29. says

    We pick up garbage every where we go. You know those random wrappers or water bottles and find the proper place for them. Recently we picked up the parking lot at our local Wildlife sanctuary. Our kids also help with our church’s food pantry.
    .-= anna/gbmom2407´s last blog ..without him I have nothing =-.

  31. Karina House says

    I subscribe via email. Thanks for letting us know about this great program.

  32. Heather Smith says

    We visit the local farmers market and buy our fruits & veggies there to help the farmers and not the big grocery stores!

  36. wendy says

    we give to the needy since I get lots of items free / or nearly free from couponing!

  37. says

    We are dedicating to helping our children see the need of serving others. I work for a local non-profit that helps the needy, abused and neglected in our county. My kids work actively to help bring in donations. We also encourage our kids to seek the Lord’s heart and to choose individual organizations to help.

    My 6 year old daughter is spending the summer collecting money for Haiti. She wraps pringle’s and coffee cans for people to collect their change. At the end of the summer she will collect the cans to help “change” Haiti.

    My 11 year old daughter has a heart for animals and will be volunteering to help at our local animal shelter.

    My son loves to read. He will begin a story time this fall at our local domestic violence shelter, reading to the children that are residents at the shelter.

    We hope to win this lovely doll! We are huge American Girl doll fan . . . without huge pockets! lol!
    .-= Heather Mac´s last blog ..Homeschool Big Deal- Butterfly Coloring Box =-.

  47. Ruth Hill says

    I am very active with my daughter at our church. I help out with our outreach programs as much as I am able.

  50. says

    We volunteer as a family at the homeless shelter downtown. Kids totally brighten their day and they are a great conversation starter. I really think it helps the homeless feel more human- we are willing to let our children play with them instead of acting like they are too dirty/diseased to be around. It gives them hope!
    .-= Ashley´s last blog ..And the traveling begins =-.

  52. sunny says

    We use the good deals that you mention to give back to the community. Recently we took our daughter with us to Target and bought a bunch of the school supplies on sale, to be donated to needy children in the community. When she gets a little bit older we plan on having her help us write letters to a child we sponsor. And help us with our other giving that we do.

  53. jkelsey says

    I am a nurse so with the extra bathing and shaving things i get throughout the year with the couponing i do we make up baskets and take to local nursing homes.

  59. Soha Molina says

    We help our community by donating to the local food pantry and the Goodwill stores.

  70. Amy P says

    Every year we fill shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child! My kids love doing this! We talk a lot about it and they have such tender little hearts for others! We also give to the Salvation Army. We give clothes and toys to the thrift store and talk about how it will help others. We talk about how much we have and how little other people have.

  71. Lacey C. says

    What a cool program!
    Currently, we donate our like-new used stuff to our church to be redistributed to families who need it. My son also loves to take handfuls of change to the donation jugs at church. We involve the kids in Christmas outreach with us as well, visiting elderly and disable people with food and bible verses and smiles :). It all seems little, but we’re hoping to do more as the kids get older.

  73. Rebecca says

    We collect food and toiletries to give to those in need…..we get great deals with our couponing!!

  74. Heather says

    Even though my daughter is only almost one, I am trying to instill in her a love for nature and gardening. Through gardening I hope to show her how you can give to others, things that are made from hard work.

  79. Raeleen says

    My daughter, two sons, and myself will be helping out at our church’s “Outpost” – a summer program handing out lunches to low income families – as well as playing games and doing crafts with the kids!

  80. kim shirley says

    I am working with 4 other friends to start a local food pantry & clothes closet. (we will be open within 3 weeks!) My kids have been involved with me in this, both in seeing the need and doing something about it, as well as in the physical stocking of our pantry. It has sparked some great conversations about giving back to our community, and I can’t wait for them to see our faith in action as we open our pantry doors!

    I am a fan of Shine On Now and KingdomFirstMom on facebook.

  81. Lynda says

    We recently volunteered at a local animal park, and we plan to do so again. We’ve taught all of our kids to pick up trash wherever we go. Such an easy thing to do, and makes a difference instantly!

  84. Kim Garcia says

    We take care of all the elderly neighbors, volunteer at church, go to nursing homes, feed the homeless, and give our toys away every year, as we grow out of them. We live our lives as servants just as Christ did, and does.

  88. Emma says

    Since my daughter is only two I think an appropriate way to begin teaching her is by giving gifts. We will be taking canned food and books to our local fair this summer and participate in Operation Christmas Child in November.

  90. Sarah G says

    We encourage our toddler to give away some of her toys to those who need them a lot more than she does. When friends lose possessions to a fire or tornado, or when missionary friends need something, she’s learned to happily give away her favorite toys!

  94. Robin says

    For the past 2 years myself and my 2 daughters have gone on a missions trip with my church. Last year we pulled weeds in a state park and this year we went around to local business and cleaned their outside windows.

  96. Meghan says

    There are several older people living in our complex who do not always have enough groceries/supplies for the month. Chubs is only 15m but the elderly people love seeing him when I bring them some essentials.

  99. Christi G. says

    We believe in random acts of kindness and donate items to a women and childrens center.

  103. says

    I want my children to be world changers. I try to train them to give their entire lives to love their neighbor as themselves. As a family, we have planted plants at our church, baked for others in need, and give to others in tangible ways. What a blessing!

  107. Brandy Bates says

    My Children and I host a birthday party for DR. Seuss each year. We have everyone to bring new books as a gift for Dr. Seuss and I donate them to the local childrens hospital

  110. Holly Urbanek says

    I “liked” Shine On Now on Facebook, and am adding Twitter in a few minutes. 🙂

  113. Amy says

    Thanks to the prodding of my children, our family now recycles. My kids are in charge of separating everything into different containers and they help when we drop it off in the recycle bins.

  115. Kat says

    Our church hosts family work days in our community. Our entire family gets involved in whatever the project is: restoring flooded homes, bagging food for Haiti, delivering food baskets, etc.

  118. Ashley G. says

    My daughter and I always donate her clothes, along with her brother’s clothes, to Goodwill. We make at least one trip a month to Goodwill.

  119. Sarah says

    We are a part of a group that raises awareness for multicultural and multiracial families in the community. Helping get info to transracially adopted children and foster families who have children outside their race. This builds stronger self awareness and accpetance of others. And helps to build a stronger positive identity for children who grow up with a multiracial identity.

  120. DeDe in Guthrie says

    We donate our gently used clothes and shoes to the Goodwill or donate from our stock pile to the Hope Center. My daughter gives 3 hours a week to help at a riding stable for handicapped children. She loves it!

  121. says

    I try to take everyday occurrences to teach my child about helping others. She was given the opportunity to give money to kids in Africa so she opened her piggy bank and said she wanted to help them. I also have purchased extra hamburgers for someone sitting outside a fast food restaurant and given them to them to show her how we are called to care for others. I also want to come with me to help feed the homeless when she gets just a little bit older. We also give extras from my weekly stockpile to our neighborhood pantry. Thank God for couponing, literally!

  125. Sunshine Burch says

    During the summer I always have my children go through their toys and book and we donate them to the local hospital pediatric unit.

  134. nikki wilson says

    My daughters are in Girl Scouts and they do a lot of volunteer things through them. As a family, we clean out clothes and toys as well as other household items once a year and donate to Family and Children’s services. We also get an angel from the angel tree and help to make that child’s wish come true for Christmas. We also donate school supplies, books, toys, coats, blankets and gently used uniforms through the various school drives.

  137. Jenni Carlisle says

    I have two children, Bella 8 & Caleb 10 and they have such servant’s hearts! We just completed a LemonAid stand for the organization Blood Water Mission where the kids raised $100 for clean drinking water in Africa. Their birthdays are coming up and every year they chose a project to raise money or items for instead of presents. This year they are asking for items to fill boxes for Operation Christmas Child. I love to see them give the whole hearts to be the hands and feet of JEsus!

  143. Leslie says

    I teach my children to look for ways to be good servants to God’s people. God says that by serving His people, you are also serving Him. We do things everywhere we are. Even the little things to us can mean a world of difference to someone in need.

  145. Laura says

    My kids are learning how to help out those less fortunate. We currently recycle our books and toys to the kids that cannot afford them. They really are starting to understand. 🙂 My oldest would absolutley love this, we have yet to be able to afford one.

  146. Jenni says

    with our church the kids have been able to go downtown and help feed the homeless. What a great way to share the blessing of Christ!

  148. Lynne Hendrick says

    My daughters are both in girl scouts and help out through their troops in the community. However our biggest impact as a family is our involvement in the Community Brunch that our church hosts once a month. Both of my girls have helped since they were 3 years old. At 3 they would help with set up and then go and play for a bit. Now that they are older, they help with set up, serving and clean up. We serve mostly the working poor and homeless in Va. Beach, VA and my girls enjoy helping these people each month. When they need a break from working, they go and make pictures in a back room that we then give to the guests. In their own way they are helping to stamp out hunger and learning to help others in need.

  154. Jennifer says

    My daughter is not fully “my” daughter yet – at least legally. She has been our foster daughter for 18 months. She’s 2 and 1/2 and we are finally in the home stretch of her adoption. I hope we are showing her, as well as our biological sons, how with God’s help, we can change the world one child at a time. Our girl has a difficult past but now her future is limitless. She has the love of a family and friends and a foundation of faith. She can be anything she dreams to be. What better way to change the world!

  156. Melanie Elizabeth says

    My family and I are involved in our church and reaching out for Christ; we also provide traditional instrumental and vocal music at nursing homes and assisted living homes (it is such a blessing to the people there!) When I have children of my own I hope to teach them to reach out to others, even in the “small” things– making a batch of cookies for someone, helping elderly neighbors around the yard and house, and so on.

  158. Melanie Elizabeth says

    I subscribed to your blog and became a fan on facebook! I can wait to read more of your posts!

  162. says

    We like to go to nursing homes and sing for the elderly, and as my children get older I have plans to volunteer with them at salvation army, etc. to teach them to help other people!

  168. Katie says

    With 3 kids under 5 it’s a bit of a challenge to do any overseas missions as a family..but, my husband and I are going to Uganda this winter and we can’t wait till the kids are old enough to go too!!

  169. says

    I currently help out by teaching a parenting class at a local pregnancy resource center. The kids are involved when we donate and when they have to do without me on the nights I teach.
    .-= Olivia´s last blog ..Menu for the Week =-.

  172. Cindy says

    I am a girl scout leader. We have used cookie money to donate to Ronald McDonald House. We have donated items (each girl bringing their own items) to the local Animal Shelter. We have a parent working to set up the possibility of volunteering at a food bank. It is a great opprotunity to teach young girls about sharing and giving to others.

  175. Susan Z says

    My 2 girls and I cleaned out closets, drawers, and cabinets Monday. There are lots of things they have outgrown or don’t play with anymore. We are going to donate it.

  178. Karissa says

    We donate lots to local charities & buy from our farmer’s market. We try to help support many of our smaller businesses.

  181. says

    My 7 yr old daughter, Andrea, is in the Daisy Girl Scouts where she learns much about community giving. Our entire family enjoys participating! Andrea has helped with our local soup kitchen, cleans out her closet and room regularly for items to donate/giveaway .. We shop at Farmer’s Market and have a garden in our yard, we recycle/reuse, we use reusable water bottles – Andrea has some of her own – and makes sure she uses it. We also do the Giving Tree at Christmas and Andrea picks out gifts for a little girl her same age. Andrea is like an angel on earth, always caring for and wanting to help others. Proud to be her mother. 🙂
    .-= Stefanie Hartman´s last blog ..Blessings for 2010 =-.

  184. Tracey says

    Our family shops all year for items to include in the Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. My 3 year old should really be able to enjoy packing the boxes this year.

  187. Tamara says

    My daughter is very giving. We always choose two children from our church’s Angel Tree to buy Christmas for every year. She has willingly offered up her toys and dress up clothing at times to give them to the YWCA Women’s shelter for the children of abused moms to play with. She works very hard at school and home as well as for her gymnastics team. She loves to volunteer in the church nursery and help with the little ones. She has also taken new students “under her wing” to make sure they have a friend and feel accepted. She doesn’t like to see anyone made fun of.

  188. Isabel says

    My children and I donate food to the animal shelter and help out when we can! We love to play with the animals and helping them out with food!

  192. Danielle says

    Currently I run a children’s clothing ministry at our church. Several times a year we fill the gym with infants thru teen clothing and spend a Saturday giving the clothing away for free to children in the community. My kids are very aware of this and I’ve taken my oldest to help hand out bags, collect hangers, etc. They also have given up a lot of time w/mommy so I could go and prepare for the giveaway days.

  195. Megan says

    My daughter and I serve through opportunities with our church and also through her American Heritage Girls scout troop.

  197. Melissa says

    Each year our family compiles back to school backpacks filled with supplies for children in need at one of our local elementary schools.

  198. says

    My kids are a little young to take out with me to do work in the community, so I let my oldest daughter help me pick food to donate during food drives for the holidays. We also let her pick out clothing that no longer fits her to donate.
    .-= Beth´s last blog ..Kyleigh flower hair clip in purple with glittery center =-.

  199. says

    I “like” Shine on now on FB!
    .-= Beth´s last blog ..Kyleigh flower hair clip in purple with glittery center =-.

  200. says

    I’m a FB fan and an email subscriber!
    .-= Beth´s last blog ..Kyleigh flower hair clip in purple with glittery center =-.

  201. Chandra says

    We pick up trash as we are out and about. Every piece we pick up makes the world look better.

  204. Kelly Woods says

    My daughter has Type 1 diabetes. She receives between 4-6 shots a day. We are in need of a cure. My daughter, her dad, brother and I and other family members raise money through out the year to help find a cure for juvinelle diabetes.We also pracipate In the find a cure walk and other functions to bring about awareness.

  206. says

    This summer I have volunteered to help plant veggies in inner city playgrounds. I plan to bring my kids to help out and show them the joy I feel in teaching others how to grow their own food.

  207. Robyn says

    I plan to homeschool my two kids (currently 2 years and 7 weeks, respectively) and put a significant emphasis on community service. Exactly what we’ll be doing will depend on their interests and abilities and the opportunities that are available… but some of my favorite memories as a kid were helping with Blue or Brown Santa, volunteering at the Humane Society, visiting a local children’s home to help with church programs there, and helping out in the kitchen at a non-profit boys’ summer camp that offers scholarships to low-income families.

  208. Bonnie says

    One of our favorite ways to be charitable as a family is to participate in the Operation Christmas Child. We save our Kids meals toys and shop clearance sales all year round, then pack the boxes together and wrap them. My kids love this and they are always asking if we can put this or that in the box for “the kids” We accomplished 36 boxes last year and are hoping to do 50 this year.

  209. says

    My children are young so right now we do small things-buying gifts at Christmas, putting food into bags to bring and donate and church on Sundays, putting money in collection jars. Hopefully someday we can do some real volunteer work!

  210. says

    Two summers ago I started a school supply collection and distribution for the children who were in need in our community. That year my children and I filled and distributed 100 back packs. Last year we did even better and distributed 350. This year we have over one hundred volunteers helping with the project, including my church, and plan to help out 500 children. I am a foster mother and love giving our children the opportunity to learn about service while they are with us. I am entering this contest to fulfill the wishes of my 7-year-old foster daughter who pours over the AG catalogues we keep in our house. She loves to cut them into paper dolls and dreams of having her own doll someday.
    .-= Heidi´s last blog ..Gifts I Have Received part 1 =-.

  211. Amy says

    There are many ways to help from fundraising for various charities to giving of our time. Simply asking friends and family to help by donating goods, money or time is easier than you think. My daughter likes to run so she enters marathon and 5k events and asks for sponsorships. We also volunteer through our church by helping at our local thrift store and being involved in canned food drives. The opportunities to help are endless but our favorites are the “random acts of kindness” we come up with … like paying for a drink for the person behind us in the Sonic drive-thru!

  213. Cathy Lenahan says

    We have a wonderful garden full of tomatoes! We are going to take many of the tomatoes to the local food pantry so that everyone can enjoy fresh veggies! Hey, are tomatoes fruits or veggies?

  214. danielle h says

    Hubby is currently in Honduras on a Mission Trip!!! We serve on clean up days in our community and through our church. In the near future we plan to go to a center and make boxes of supplies to sent to kids in Afghanistan. We also visit 2 nursing homes in our area!

  216. says

    My daughter is a Girl Scout so she has been involved in community service with her troops over the past 3 years. As a military family we also try to support the USO (locally and nationally) as we see the many benefits to the military community through their programs. As a yoga instructor I am committed to serving the community through free classes for special populations, particularly the local homeschool groups. And as a family that focuses on emergency preparedness and self-sufficiency, we try to help others by passing on knowledge and tangible goods whenever we can. My kids had a wonderful time helping plant seeds for our veggie garden and helping other kids in the neighborhood learn to do it through a “planting party” – kids up and down the street are reporting back to me about the condition of their carrots and beans almost daily now. 🙂
    .-= Melonie K.´s last blog ..Giveaway and Coupon Code =-.

  219. says

    We planted our own container garden as soon as we moved into our new place. We also pick up trash when we’re out and about and keep the recyclables to add to our bin here at home.
    .-= Gaby´s last blog ..Thoughts on Timeand God =-.

  221. mariam says

    We have a “green day” a few times a month and we go pick up most of the trash around the neighborhood. The kids enjoy it!

  224. Carmen says

    My daughter is just 4 years old but I want to get her involved in the community already. For example we did a lakeside shoreline cleanup recently to clean up garbage along our city’s shoreline. Also did an Ovarian Cancer walk with her. And want to get her involved in Girl Scouts so she can help out herself.

  231. Shari Bean says

    My future granddaughter and I will do community service projects through our church.

  232. cwaltz says

    My kids are already actively helpful. Presently we are dog sitting/house sitting for an elderly neighbor. My son helps out at a local skate center.

    However, I want to win this for my neice. My sister is the single parent of three children. She struggles financially but still is the linchpin of my family(recently she got a new place to live that will fit my mom who has had 2 heart attacks and a stroke). Every week my sister updates me on what is going on. Every week despite having 3 kids and having to drive kids to the laundromat to do laundry or run errands for mom she makes time for me. I’d love to be able to give this to her to put under the tree for my niece. Like your mom, I never could afford the big AG doll for my own but I was able to buy her the mini dolls every time she finished a series. I doubt my poor sister could even afford that right now.

    AG has always been a company I admire and I see this as win-win if in the process charities like NWF get money in the process.

    Christine
    dazed1821@aol.com

  234. Evangeline says

    We support the local wildlife rehabilitation center and donate food and necessities to a couple of families who have lost jobs.

  235. Nicki Goller says

    I follow on facebook. We have taken clothes that the kids out grew and toys they no longer play with to needy family at Christmas time. I also help out at my Church as a Sunday School Teacher, Bible School Music Leader, and this week I will do the Kid’s Sermon.

  236. Mindy Holt says

    My daughter is has learned that we clean out our closets and donate our clothes to those less fortunate as well as going through our books and donating them as well. Also when we get some new toys, we need to take some of our older ones and give them away. Right now we have started collecting school supplies so we can donate those to people in need.

    This would be an awesome prize.

    Mindy
    mindolla@gmail.com

  237. Abbie Johnson says

    We are buying school supplies for the kids in our area who can’t afford them.

  239. Marisa says

    We give to others in need. We try to give anytime we are presented with the opportunity.

  240. Meredith says

    We sponsor 6 children through Compassion International, a great way to make a difference… and it has changed our lives immensely!

  243. says

    Alyssa,
    We’re glad to have such an avid American Girl fan as one of our Parent Partners and excited to work with you to help reach our $1 million mark!
    –Stephanie Spanos, American Girl

  244. Kate J. says

    We had a lemonade stand and donated profits to the local Animal shelter and donated pet food (teaching the girls to use coupons!).

    Thanks for the giveaway!

  246. Lanie says

    My kids and I contacted a local nursing home facility and asked to become friends with a resident that did not get many visitors. We met “MiMi” and have been visiting her bi-monthly for almost a year. My 12-year old daughter and 11-year-old son love our visists with MiMi. She has so many funny stories to tell and they learn how people lived before the world became so complicated.

  250. Kari says

    My children are still very young (4, 3, & almost 6 months) but they are already learning to reach out to others by helping those even in our own family who are in need right now. We plan to take them to volunteer at a local Children’s Home when they get a little older. My husband grew up in one of these homes and we both feel it is extremely important to teach the children how well they have it and how to love others through their deeds.

  253. Raquel says

    My daughter’s love to help other children including their two toddler sister’s. They try to be the best they can be!

    • Jeni Rule says

      @Jeni Rule,
      Sorry, need to finish. My daughter instead of asking for gifts for herself on her 7th birthday, asked for sleeping bags to send on a mission trip to W. Virginia that I participated in. She was able to send 20 sleeping bags to help others keep warm during winter. She is a very giving and loving little girl. Thanks, Jeni

  256. Deanna K says

    Thanks for the giveaway!
    my boys like to take outgrown clothes and toys to local shelters.

  262. Molly says

    On June 2nd, I hosted a Family Fun Run in our neighborhood to encourage families to come out and get some fresh air and exercise together in celebration of National Running Day. Including my three children, we had about 20 kids who ran a half mile loop 2 times and all participated in a group stretch afterward. We look forward to hosting more of these events in our neighborhood and city to help children and families realize how fun it can be and how great it feels to exercise together!

  263. Molly says

    Another way that my children like to help in our community is by donating to the “big barrel” at our local YMCA where we are members. Each time we go in the front door, there is a huge cylinder in the front entry – throughout the winter holidays it was for food donations where we choose to donate the suppies for a child’s birthday party (cake mix, frosting, candles, character plates and tableware and goodie bag toys) now they are collecting school supplies for local children. Each time we go in, my 7 year old daughter checks the big barrel to see how much has been collected, this week she said that she’d like to bring in the extra school supplies that her teacher sent home with her from school this year. She also really wants to be a teacher, so she is already thinking about what other kids in classrooms might need.

  266. Natasha Bowers says

    We donate food and clothing to a local shelter.
    .-= Natasha Bowers´s last blog .. =-.

  269. Karen says

    This upcoming school year my children will be helping out a non-profit gardening organization in our community…..in part, the organization educates children in how to grow their own food.

  271. Jeane says

    Three years ago, my son and his wife along with some close friends started the Walk Now for Autism, Sacramento. In two years, they have raised awareness for Autism and over $500,000 for Autism Speaks. Our whole circle of friends and family have become involved to support this cause. It has been so beneficial in our community. Our next walk is in early October!

  274. DEBBIE says

    HI I VOLUNTEER AT A ANIMAL SHELTER I BATH FEED TAKE OUT AND LOVE ANIMALS I DO IT WITH TO OF MY TWIN 12 YEAROLDS

  276. Michele Flaherty says

    I teach an art class for preschoolers. I plan to make several pillow blanks and let each child paint a pillow with fabric paint. The pillows will be donated to the Children’s Hospital listed as one of the SHINE ON project.

  279. Wendy says

    We work at our local non-profit- giving away food and clothing to needy families. My kids come along with me every week. They enjoy helping others carry out groceries or collecitng empty hangars to return to the clothing room. They also have an opportunity to play with children as their parents shop. Love that my kids are growing up serving.

  280. Jana says

    My kids and I periodically go through their toys and choose ones to give to charity.

  281. says

    We try to donate clothes and toys to children who can use them, and we go to visit people in an ALF frequently. I would LOVE to take my kids on a mission trip when they are older! 🙂

  285. willa says

    A group of us women work for “More than a meal” in our town. It is run by local women who donate their time, supplies, food and cooking skills to create a meal for the homeless in our town. We also collect school supplies and personal hygiene products for them as well and tutoring for the children. We can take our children and involve them in the preparing and serving! It is a great way for them to learn empathy and appreciate what they have!

  286. Sandra says

    We donate food to local food pantries. We also donate toiletries to the women’s shelter.

  291. Kara says

    We participate in community projects through our church and schools. We also compost our food scraps and yard waste to keep out of landfill. We also have a herb garden and only use organic and earthsafe methods for our lawn and garden.

  293. jodie potter says

    i lead a week of church camp for ~75 jr / sr high kids. my own children (ages 5, 2 1.2, and 6 months) have come along with me every year.

  294. vickie morgan says

    i plan on having a great american bake sale to go along with my garage sale next month. Proceeds help the needy

  295. Sarah says

    We’re always looking for opportunities to help and serve in the community. Luckily between scouts, sports, and clubs, there are always community service projects to assist with. The best feeling, is when you realize that your kids are actually thrilled to serve.

  298. Laurie L. says

    I volunteer as a 4-H leader in our community. It’s a great way to expose kids to things that they would never have an opportunity to do in their own home.

  299. Mandy Berry says

    We are involved in Girl Scouts. We have many oppertunities to volunteer. Recently we planted flowers for the church that sponsers us. We have helped out by giving to the local food bank.

  303. Lyra Schroeder says

    We are involved in lots of community programs through our church, and our congregation had an amazing VBS this past year, with our family doing our part to help spread the Gospel!

  306. Tabitha (A Penny Saved) says

    We look for opportunities to teach our children to give all through out the year. Currently, we are stocking backpacks for local needy children and getting in our Christmas mode and gearing up for Shoeboxes. We always let the children pick what goes into the bag/box.

  308. Tabitha (A Penny Saved) says

    I follow Shine On on Twitter.
    .-= Tabitha (A Penny Saved)´s last blog ..Reader Tip- Pampers Diapers for Cheap! =-.

  309. Tabitha (A Penny Saved) says

    I am an email subscriber. Happily so!
    .-= Tabitha (A Penny Saved)´s last blog ..Reader Tip- Pampers Diapers for Cheap! =-.

  310. Heather Stombres says

    I regularly have my kids go through their toys to give to needy children. We then take them to the Salvation Army to donate.

  314. Brenda says

    We help the homeless and lower income folks in the neighborhood around our church by donated time, food, advice, an ear, etc. With our business we also will mow and help out with tree removal, etc for free for some people who are not able to pay to have it done. We don’t get a tax break for it or anything, its just something we do as we can.

  317. Cathy M says

    My family volunteers to help families with children who have autism. Even my 8 yr old daughter volunteers to teach and model social skills to children with autism, because her big brother has autism. She is incredibly patient and understanding, and finds ways to reach the kids through songs, games, and just sitting quietly beside them. She volunteers with autism sibling support groups and shares her feelings about having a brother with autism who cannnot communicate nor care for himself. She is an amazing open, loving and giving child who would probably choose to share or donate this doll if she won! Thank you for an opportunity to honor and recognize her contributions to making the world a better place for children with disabilities.

  319. Merri P says

    We regularly donate to local charities, and are great fans of the American Girl Dolls and stories.

  322. Vanessa says

    My kids & I collect food for our food pantry at church and we donate items to our local mission. It’s been great seeing my children grow as they realize how fortunate we are and they are becoming more thoughtful as they think of kids that don’t have “stuff” like even a house or new clothes. I believe that by giving back and helping others it actually helps us. We become more appreciative of what we’ve been given.

  326. Deirdre says

    My daughter is still a toddler, but we donate her old clothes to the local church that supplies them to a homeless shelter for women and children. As she grows, I plan to include her in more charitable activities.

  327. Deb K says

    My granddaughter Haley goes and volunteers at the Homeless Shelter and helps sever the food.She also goes to the Toys For Tots and helps wrap presents for Christmas.

    She does all this and she is only 9! She has such a big heart ~and we all love her 🙂

    Thanks for the chance to win!
    .-= Deb K´s last blog ..Enstroms Toffee Winner Announced! =-.

  332. Ashley R says

    I “Like” Shine On Now on FB! (Ashley Reynolds)
    reynoldsmommy at gmail dot com

  333. Nancye Davis says

    The way I plan to help my community is by continuing to support and volunteer and my children’s schools. I help out in the classroom, work in the library, participate in fundraisers, help with Girl Scouts, and donate items to the school food and clothing drives.

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

  336. Nancye Davis says

    4th attempt to post this. If it somehow shows up multiple times, please delete.

    I plan to continue to support my children’s schools by helping out in the classroom, working in the school library, the book fair, Girl Scouts, fundraisers, and food and clothing drives. I plan to have our family continue to save “Box Tops For Education”, Campbell’s Soup Labels, and tabs from soda cans. All of these are ways my family can help out in our community schools.

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

  338. jamie says

    Our family helps our local community by volunteering and donating. We help with church and local drives for injured and sick residents. My daughter is active in her girl scouts group and 4H and has had the oppurtunity to help residents at the nursing home, children in daycare, and collect toys and donations for children in the hospital.
    jjudy05@hotmail.com

  341. Daisy says

    I would like to nominate my little niece who has been through a lot in her short life and still stands strong, willing to help out anyone in need by donating toys and clothes to local charities and participating in fundraisers all year round. She also loves doing volunteer work at local animal shelters and she’s really big on going green and helping out the environment as well. Her big brothers’ death and her parents’ divorce has left her scarred, emotionally, but she refuses to let it bring her down into a pit of depression and marches forward like the little trooper she is. Her brother died in a terrible car crash a couple of years ago and her parents’ decided to divorce shortly after. She might be young, but she is a very strong little girl with one of the biggest hearts I know, always willing to help out her community and environment in any way she can. She’s always dreamed of having her very own American Girl doll to hold and love, but because of the fact that their such expensive dolls, no one has been able to buy one for her. Her love for the dolls began after she started reading the American Girl doll books, which helped her cope through the hard times she was facing by allowing her to escape the “real world” for a while. It would be a blessing if I could win this for her and surprise her with one, I just know her little heart would fill with happiness if I did.

    Thanks for this wonderful opportunity and God bless! 🙂

  342. Heather C says

    We have volunteered at a nursing home, donated clothing and other items to our local shelter and helped to support our crisis pregnancy center through donations and raising awareness of their needs. We support various missions through our local church as well.