City of Dublin
Dublin kids are making a big impact in the community with a new volunteer program offered by the City called Kids in Dublin Service (KIDS). About 40 children in grades K-4 attended the Jan. 31 launch event.
The City is fortunate to have the assistance of thousands of residents and corporate citizens for many programs, including special events, police programs, park cleanups and engagement with senior citizens. But for several years, many residents have been asking how young children could get involved.
“Dublin residents always show an outpouring of support for the community and help in genuine and meaningful ways,” said Christine Nardecchia, volunteer resources administrator for the City of Dublin. “So it’s no surprise there was such great interest from the littlest of them all: Dublin’s children.”
Like many City volunteer programs, KIDS is designed as learn-and-serve engagement.
“We begin with an impact discussion among the children and ensure that they have an understanding that this isn’t just about an ‘activity,’” Nardecchia says. “Rather, it’s about the gesture and the meaning behind it.”
The goal is to help the children recognize from a young age the significant impact and sense of pride that comes with volunteerism.
For their first volunteer project, the children created Valentine’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day themed placemats for local senior citizens and hospital patients. They then had the opportunity to hand-deliver their gifts to various senior centers and health care centers in Dublin.
“We’re so pleased that the City of Dublin is coordinating such a great volunteer program for our children,” says Dublin resident and mother of two Michelle Hammett. “For the very first project, my daughters enjoyed spending time making something cheerful. But our favorite part of the morning was being able to take the placemats to the actual retirement center. Seeing the residents’ faces light up really made our morning, and we are planning on another visit.”
Volunteering is proven to have many benefits for more than just the agency receiving the help, but for volunteers themselves. Along with many educational and health care institutions, the Corporation for National & Community Service has gathered and collected research proving that volunteering can lead to improved physical and mental health. Harder to measure is the sense of pride, satisfaction and accomplishment that comes with volunteering.
“Our goal is to build active citizens who see the impact they can make through volunteerism, and the younger that starts, the better long-term impact it will have,” says Nardecchia. “This kind of experience in civic generosity at such an important developmental age is priceless.”
Children in the KIDS program will complete five projects this year. Outreach plans include cleaning up parks and streams, creating artwork for senior citizens, preparing food for families at the Ronald McDonald House of Central Ohio and planting and harvesting healthy vegetables in a “giving garden.” Children will receive a pin for each volunteer project they complete.
For more information about KIDS, contact Christine Nardecchia at volunteer@dublin.oh.us or 614-410-4406.
