Boys & Girls Clubs of America Helps Parents Inspire Their Kids To Give Back During Holidays

Give the Gift of a Great Future Campaign features an online gift tag generator, tips and
real-world "kids giving back" stories

ATLANTA, Nov. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- 'Tis the season for giving and giving back. As parents are searching for the perfect gifts to make the season bright, many are also looking for ways to emphasize the true meaning of the holidays through charity and service. In this spirit, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) is helping parents instill the value of giving back this holiday season.

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As part of its annual Give the Gift of a Great Future holiday campaign, BGCA created www.GreatFutures.org/Give, where parents can receive tips for inspiring their kids to give back, and read stories about how Club youth have made a difference in their communities. The site also features The Gift Tag Generator – an interactive tool that visitors can use to create their own, free custom gift tags to print and share with friends and family.

"Research shows that giving and volunteering help develop good character in children. We are excited about dedicating our holiday season to celebrating the many ways Boys & Girls Club youth have given back throughout the year, and to empowering more parents to champion the value of giving back in their own families," said Jim Clark, president and CEO of BGCA.

Instilling a sense of giving back is a hallmark of Boys & Girls Clubs. Every year in 4,000 Clubs across the country youth learn about the value of community service and giving back. In 2012, Club members invested more than 1.2 million community service hours. These young people, many of whom have great needs themselves, have generated more than $14 million in economic impact through service to local communities.

Holidays: A Time to Give the Gift of Giving
BGCA's Give the Gift of a Great Future website features ways parents can instill the value of giving back, including:

1. Talk about giving and receiving. Talk with your kids about the causes your family supports and why. Share stories about times when your family has received help. Include kids in discussions about new causes to support and let them help choose. Or give each child a portion of what you plan to donate and allow him or her to choose a charity.
2. Have fun volunteering together. Volunteer with an organization or for a cause that interests your kids. Check with your child's school, a local Boys & Girls Club or online for groups or projects that need your help.
3. Add a charitable element to holiday parties. Ask party guests to bring a small gift to donate. Let them know the name of the designated charity ahead of time. 

During the holidays, BGCA will provide fun and interactive ways to Give the Gift through online and in-store activities. BGCA would like to thank our partners Disney, Bon-Ton, UGG Australia, SurveyMonkey, Panda Express, RetailMeNot.com, Buffalo Wild Wings, Macy's and Toyota Financial Services for supporting the Give the Gift of a Great Future campaign.

Visit www.GreatFutures.org/give to learn more, obtain tips, create gift tags and learn more about our partner activities.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (GreatFutures.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve Great Futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, more than 4,000 Clubs serve nearly 4 million young people annually through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native American lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun, friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at http://www.bgca.org/facebook and http://bgca.org/twitter.

SOURCE Boys & Girls Clubs of America