Last year my husband and I created a new savings plan for our kids ages 4 and 8. They receive a weekly allowance for chores they do around the house. Fifty percent of what they earn must go into savings, 40% can be spent and 10% is saved for a charity of their choice.
Every six months, they decide what charity they would like to support. The bank of Mom and Dad offers a match to the 10% they have each accumulated.
Recently, we talked about a few local charities with the kids and allowed them to decide which they wanted to support.
Two weeks ago, we went shopping at WalMart with a total of $41.00 and 
purchased food for cats, dogs and rabbits, pet toys, kitty litter boxes, paper towels, leashes and other supplies that the Cocheco Valley Humane Society (CVHS) needed.
They felt a tremendous sense of pride when we dropped off three bags of supplies and visited with the furry residents of the shelter.
Today they received a personalized letter from the shelter thanking them for their “very generous actions”. This was a nice gesture by the humane society. It helped our kids to understand that they had the ability to make a difference.
They are already busy saving for the next charity they will donate to in another six months.
The needs of the Cocheco Valley Humane Society and other NH shelters are ongoing. Following is a partial list of supplies that the CVHS is in need of:
Wish list for the animals:
- Canned cat & kitten food
- Canned dog food
- Dry cat & dog food
- Litter boxes
- Large blankets and comforters
- Small comfy cat beds
- Baby blankets
- TOYS! for cats/kittens and dogs
- Cat treats
- KONG toys for dogs – all sizes
- Peanut butter
- Milk Bone biscuits
- 6ft. leashes
- Rabbit food
- Hay racks, salt licks and toys for rabbits
- Bleach
- Laundry detergent
- Bounty paper towels
For their operations:
- Cargo van for transporting animals
- Copy paper
- Gas cards
For their fund-raising efforts:
- Items suitable for our upcoming silent auction
- Restaurant gift certificates (for raffles/prizes)
- Gift cards to Michael’s or AC Moore craft shops
- Grocery store gift cards
Filed under: Animal charities, Teaching kids about charities Tagged: | Animal charities, Cocheco Valley Humane Society, donations, making a difference, neighbors helping neighbors, NH animal shelters, NH charities, nh charity, nh donations
