Since 2015, we have created a printable download for the month of December that we call our Kindness Calendar for Kids. We are pleased to bring you an updated calendar for 2019, complete with more resources on how to give. Each day, there is a suggestion for a random act of kindness that even your youngest child can do to show friendliness, gratitude, consideration, and generosity.
Our hope is that these small acts start a conversation about giving and gratitude with our kids, inspiring us to do more for those around us. Similar to last year, we have included links to resources mentioned on the calendar. Each item marked with an asterisk* on the calendar will have more information about it below, including wish lists, addresses, how to donate, etc.
We would love to see your little ones in action! Use the hashtag #JMKidsGiveBack so we can see all the good happening here in Jax.
* Buy something for a child from the Angel Tree: The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program provides Christmas gifts for children ages birth–12 whose families have proven financial hardship. These are kids who, without the generosity of people in our community, might not otherwise receive gifts for Christmas. You can find Angel Tree tags at all Jacksonville-area Ashley HomeStore locations, as well as at the Avenues Mall offices in the Food Court.
* Donate winter clothes to Foster’s Closet: The complete wish list of the Foster’s Closet can be found here. Please call before donating. They can be reached at (904) 629-2116 and are located at 730 St. Johns Bluff Rd North, Jacksonville, FL 32225.
* Make a card for a soldier overseas: Send a card through Operation Gratitude, or even a care package. Click here to learn more.
* Donate donate youth clothing, school supplies or hygiene products to The Giving Closet: Students in our schools are struggling now more than ever from problems caused by situational poverty. These problems affecting our students include living in unstable environments, homelessness, and lack of access to resources. The Giving Closet Project aims to address some of the most basic problems our students and schools face through simple, effective solutions. To donate youth clothing, school supplies or hygiene products, please call (904) 226-3931.
* Through December 14, Donate your new or gently used sports equipment: Donate sports gear to the Gear For Good Drive at your local Sonny’s BBQ, and they will treat you to a FREE Pork sandwich before passing along your donated gear to a local youth charity. Click here to find all local Sonny’s locations.
* Donate new or genty used blankets: Veda is a third-grader with a big heart at John E. Ford PK-8 Montessori School. In first grade she had the idea to collect blankets for the local homeless and now she is in her third year! Help her reach her goal of 200 blankets this year by donating new or gently used blankets. Drop off locations are John E. Ford Elementary, Alleycakes Bakery, and Culhane’s in Atlantic Beach. For more information, check out her Facebook page.
* Donate wish list items to shelter animals: Jacksonville’s Animal Care and Protective Services wish list can be found here. The Jacksonville Humane Society wish list can be found here. They are located at 8464 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32216. Clay County Animal Care and Control’s wish list can be found here.
* Donate used LEGOs through the Give Back Box and LEGO Replay: The purpose of Give Back Box® is to provide an effortless and convenient method of donating your used household items. Give Back Box not only provides an easy way to be part of a truly good cause, it gives a secondary use to corrugated boxes.
* Donate non-perishable food to a local food bank: Mandarin Food Bank, Arlington Food Pantry, Jewish Family & Community Services and Feeding Northeast Florida all gladly accept food donations.
* Deliver wish list items to the Ronald McDonald House: The Ronald McDonald House wish list can be found here. They are located at 824 Children’s Way, Jacksonville, FL 32207.
* Donate warm socks: New socks are one of the most requested items by the Sulzbacher Center, one Jacksonville’s Homeless Shelters. Click here to learn more.
* Donate dry cat food, kitty litter, and small blankets to Mayport Cats: Mayport Cats is a non-profit organization dedicated to the health, welfare and safety of feral and community cats. Items can be dropped off at The Caffeinated Cat, Jacksonville’s first and only Feline Coffee & Wine shop!
What is your favorite activity to do with your kids to show kindness to others?
