Children's Donations to the Survivors of Hurricane Katrina

Adults are not the only contributors to the cause supporting the victims of hurricane Katrina. Children are giving a whole new meaning to the phrase, 'every little bit helps.' Piggy banks and allowances in tow, children are showing up with parents at all the donation centers and giving what they can out of their own pockets and piggy banks.

Some may do it at their parents' urgings, others may be given directions to do so, but that's not giving kids enough credit. They are often far wiser than we think, and way more aware. Kids are especially sensitive to emotional currents, and sentiment is running high in the wake of Kristina's devastation. One child's donation could feed several hungry people, or buy a blanket for another child. A young child doesn't necessarily understand the extent to which they are helping, and is what makes a child's donation even more special-all they know is that they feel bad because people got hurt and they want to help.

We know that kids are giving everything from a few pennies and dollars to whole piggy banks. One little girl at the donations station at a Stater Bros. market in Santa Clarita, California gave her whole glass piggy bank with a smile. Another young girl walking by with her mother stopped and pulled out her wallet, giving dollars to the cause. Yet another small one gave her bagful of coins. A young boy gave five dollars. The sources of these generous individuals? Everything from allowances and savings to earnings from their own garage sales and lemonade stands.

Regardless of the reasons, children from the very young to teenagers are giving what they can to the survivors of Katrina. We see it in the news, in our home towns, and all over the nation. Our kids' generosity is a phenomenon we should be proud of, as touching as it is awesome. It should make us realize that there is hope for our future and for generations to come.