We do our best to teach our kids to be considerate of others and the Earth. Our complex doesn't have a bin so 2-3 times a week they drive with me to take our recyclables to the Old Town Recreation Center. We take all our old shoes to Nike so they can reuse the materials. We've been taking the stained/faded baby clothes to a Planet Aid box so they don't end up in the landfill. We even recycle our wine corks (http://recork.org/en/location). We hope by seeing us take these extra steps and doing little things like holding doors for people or buying a homeless man a sandwich, it will stick with them as they grow.
I've always wanted to do something bigger whether it's own a farm that takes in hurt/orphaned animals, take in a foster child (or twenty), start a Golden Retriever Rescue, or be a gestational carrier - The two-bedroom-apartment-in-San-Diego situation makes a few a bit more difficult than others... Last week I read a story about a woman who received a letter from the lady she saved by being a marrow donor. She was able to meet her grandchildren and continue to live a happy life thanks to her, a stranger. I sobbed. And then I signed up.
I may never be matched up with anyone (Tom's coworker has been on the list for 17 years), but I'm hopeful one day I can help someone. More importantly, if the kids always see our attempts at making a difference, maybe they will strive to do better and bigger things.
