The first Saturday of every month, Denise watched her mother prepare several dishes in their family kitchen. It was food the 10-year-old girl smelled cooking, but she knew the heaping portions would never make it onto her plate.

It didn’t bother Denise one bit because she knew her mother cooked baked chicken, rice, string beans and homemade rolls as part of her church’s homeless missionary.

Even though, Denise’s family was wealthy, her mother never forgot her own humble beginnings. She was thrilled to get up before the sun peeked out to make a hearty meal for strangers who needed it the most.

Charity begins at home and in the heart, more than likely when Denise grows up she will reach out to help someone in need because she watched her parents lend a helping hand. Each shared their time, talent and treasures with their community.

Here’s how you can raise a child who will grow up and share their wealth with other:

• When children outgrow their favorite clothes and shoes ask them to help you box the items and deliver them to a clothes drop. While there, explain to your child where the clothing will go and how the items could be a blessing to those in need.
• For Thanksgiving take your child to work in a soup kitchen, local food bank or at a church that serves dinners to the less fortunate.
• At Christmas organize a toy drive for children in need. Help him/her write a letter asking friends and relatives to drop a new toy off at your house. Once you’ve collected the items, let your child decide who will get the toys.
• Give 10-percent of your child’s birthday money to charity or ask guest to make a donation to a children’s charity instead of bringing gifts.
• Help your child decorate a change jar and encourage her/him to put money in the jar every week. At the end of each month, match your child’s savings and buy a token gift for an unsuspecting relative or friend.

The More You Give, The More You Get. The Greatest Gifts Are Not The Ones We Receive, But The Ones Given To Others.