VCS Works Birthday Magic
Volunteer Center of Sacramento—a wish come true for local families

By Shelly Bokman

Teaching compassion to our kids is no easy feat, but it's certainly worthwhile. Many parents have found that getting kids out there in the world to serve other people in different circumstances than their own can be an amazing eye-opener for young people. And thankfully, local parents have help in the wonderful resource that is the Volunteer Center of Sacramento (VCS).

VCS makes volunteering easy and fun by listing volunteer opportunities from various nonprofits on their Web site, VolunteerSac.org. Their Youth Volunteer Directory is a fantastic tool for high school students looking to fulfill their community service project requirements. The free directory includes a short description of each non-profit and its available volunteer opportunities, plus minimum age requirements, contact info, and any prerequisites.

Another of their noteworthy core programs is Birthday MAGIC, which provides personalized birthday parties for children living in homeless shelters. Through this program, families—and even little kids—can help grant happy birthdays to homeless children in their community. If you're looking for a do-good alternative to goodie bags, why not skip the plastic tchotchkes (other parents will probably thank you), and honor your guests by donating to VCS’s Birthday MAGIC program.


To find out more or get involved this summer, e-mail info@volunteersac.org or call 567-3100.