Children want to - and can - help the survivors of Hurricane Helene.
Don’t you just love this quote? Fred Rogers gave valuable insights to a generation of children (and their parents) as they faced hard times. For all children today who are trying to make sense of disasters and contribute in a meaningful way, I’d like to expand Mr. Roger’s quote. “Look for the helpers. See how you can become a helper, too.”
As an early childhood educator for more than 30 years, I’ve been surrounded by children during some of our nation’s hardest moments and some of their personal family crises. And they have a lot to say about how they want to help their world.
Children hear and sense more than adults realize.
Whether they’re shuffled off to school after learning of their grandfather’s death or they’re telling what they heard on the news about the 1,000-Year Flood or the World Trade Center, children recognize when things are out of control.
- They see shattered faces of their loved ones.
- They hear the tone of their parents’ voices amid frantic, whispered conversations.
- They feel the tension.
What makes children even more frightened is when they recognize their parents are frightened, too.
The Changes Brought By Hurricane Helene
Change is inevitable. During disasters, children’s whole lives are turned upside down.
- They see scary images constantly being scrolled.
- They overhear adult conversations.
- They think about other kids and worry how they’ll survive. They wonder how children will face life without their toys, their bedrooms and their nightlights. They fear for those facing the world without all the normal things kids usually have. Our children imagine the worst.
Even for those not in the wake of damage, our lives have changed, too. How often have we reminisced this week about our childhood mountain trips, conferences at Ridgecrest or Look-up Lodge, and our extended family vacations? We remember iconic places, memorable dinners, and unforgettable sights.
Nightly, we see images of these people—and their children. The fear, the shock, the overwhelm. They’ve seen things no one should see. They’ve experienced the trauma of floods, thunderstorms, and the deep loss of stuffed animals, pets, loved ones, homes, schools, communities—and so much more. We pray for the thousands of little resilient people (and their families) directly impacted by this horrific hurricane.
What a delight to discover the beautiful story of this precious kindergartner who couldn’t imagine children facing life without their favorite stuffed animals! See how Henley, a charming five-year-old in Hendersonville, Tennessee helped children this week.
Facing Tragedies Alongside Children
I’ve lived through tragedies with children. I saw their concerned faces, heard them share their stories, and listened to their conversations at our Morning Circles. One thing about children? They’ve got amazing ideas. They think out-of-the-box. And they are determined to help somehow. “We can fix this!” they declare as they brainstorm solutions.
They need to do something to help someone. If you’re surrounded by little people like that – or if you want to help your children learn how to positively impact their world, read on. See how other children help their world.
HOW YOUR CHILDREN CAN HELP
1.Pray with and for your children.
There’s nothing more important than prayer. In speaking with God, children build habits that will last their whole lives. They remember how He’s carried His people in the past and will always be there. Through their worship and praise, their faith is bolstered. Their thoughts are lifted and often, amazing ideas spring forth.
If you’re struggling for the words to help guide your conversations and prayers, check out Frances McFarland’s recent post. This children’s writer and Children’s Ministry Director helps parents work through difficult conversations in a loving way. Everyone will benefit from reading her wisdom. She includes insightful spiritual truths (for people of all ages) towards the end of her post. But you’ll find yourself riveted by the whole article.
2.Give the Gift of Books and Flashlights
Wouldn’t you love to help children while they wait for things to happen that they can’t fix? Collect uplifting books and flashlights (with some extra batteries) for these children. Sally Matheny is a children’s writer, homeschooling mom of 24 years, and college friend. Her daughter’s family lives in Black Mountain and attends church in Swannanoa. She’s created an incredible idea for others to help.
Sally writes,
“Most of their Swannanoa/Black Mountain community is still without power, water, gas, or stores of any kind. Now many are without homes, schools, and libraries.
While they wait for an inkling of normalcy, we’d like to offer a ray of encouragement to the children in the area.
We’d like to send them wholesome children’s books. We plan to insert the books into gallon-size plastic baggies and include a flashlight or glow stick with each one.
- Wanted: Baby board books, waterproof bath books, picture books (through middle-grade) and children’s Bibles.
- Please donate new or books that look new.
- Sally requests uplifting books. Nothing scary, no Halloween, magical spells, or violence.
If you want to send books, flashlights (with extra batteries), glow sticks, or gallon-size zipper-top plastic baggies, please contact me. We will collect the books and flashlights through the end of October. Thank you for your continued prayers for everyone involved.”
I would love for you to join me in this touching and lifechanging project. I am thrilled to partner with Sally in putting beautiful, funny, and inspiring books into the hands of children who have lost so much. And to a child who has lived through the unimaginable? What a comforting gift a flashlight (with extra batteries) will be! Please send me an email (jennifermillsbarnes@gmail.com) if you’d like to mail donations or to coordinate a meeting spot. (I just read that some people are writing encouraging notes inside the book covers. Ahh. Such a compelling idea for adults and children to help!)
3.Give the Satisfaction of Letter-Writing to Survivors and their Helpers
Through the Letter Drive for WNC, your children can help by writing a message of hope and encouragement. (Notes, letters, poems, or drawings are perfect! So, kids of all ages will be able to participate.) Even more meaningful, the people from the “North Carolina Farm Bureau – Ag in the Classroom” will be delivering these letters by hand to people who need them most. Read through the details, especially #5 to see all the people your children may wish to write. They have placed no deadline on this project, but suggest you write before Thanksgiving. Please click on their link for more information.
4.Experience The Power of Saying Thanks to First Responders in Your Community
Simply saying “thank you” to the first responders in your community can be a satisfying venture. In staying local, your children can help to deliver their own drawings to their local heroes. The drawings on this Facebook post were made by Connor, a 7-year-old. Despite enduring the flood, having no electricity and water and being unable to leave his home, he wrote his heroes—first responders, linemen, National Guard, and utility workers. Oh, the resilience of children!
5.Experience The Importance of Volunteering Onsite
Years ago, when our schoolchildren donated canned goods to a charity relief organization, they felt good about their work. But, when we loaded all the items on a school bus and traveled to the collection site, it was transformative. The children knew their work was important. Their pride soared as they hauled boxes, bags, and cans. They sorted items and stocked shelves. Their physical labor truly elevated the experience to the next level. Everything came full circle when they received the privilege of meeting some of the nonprofit’s clients in the lobby and singing a song for them. What joy they received as they boarded the bus to return home and saw clients walking home with food the children had brought. Just for them. It was life-changing.
Some collection centers might prohibit small children from participating. But, if you have the opportunity to invest in such a way, take it and let your children help others. Your children’s lives – and yours – will be changed.
6.Sponsor a Lemonade Stand or Penny Drive
Just before 9/11 occurred, my first graders read about schoolchildren collecting pennies to help refurbish the Statue of Liberty in 1880. (Yes, children have been collecting pennies for their projects for years.) It wasn’t a surprise several weeks later that my students decided to build their own lemonade stand. (Thanks to an amazing intern and her father!) They also baked and bagged snacks and mixed up buckets of lemonade. To read more about how six- and seven-year-olds pulled off this project, check out this post.
Just this week, a local elementary school sponsored a 48-hour collection and raised $2250. (In 2 days!) Learn more about Blaney Elementary School and their collection.
If you’re looking for recommendations of places to donate your money, my husband and I have volunteered with the South Carolina Baptist Disaster Relief and Samaritan’s Purse. Both of these organizations are usually among the first to show up when disaster strikes. With Samaritan’s Purse being located in the North Carolina mountains, they know who and where finances can best be spent. As for the Southern Baptists, 100% of the funds you donate go directly for disaster relief. All their trained volunteers cover their own expenses.
Some Picture Books to Spark Conversations with Your Children
If you’re looking for impactful children’s books that I’ve shared with classes over the years, you might appreciate these recommendations. I’ve used these stories to help children deal with disasters and in planning their responses to them.
- Boxes for Katje, Candace Fleming. This inspirational story is based on a true story of two children who connected across the world through a care package (Rosie in Mayfield, Indiana, and Katje in Olst, Holland). Their pen pal relationship transformed into an entire town adopting World War II survivors and helping them survive the winter. A powerful read for a child writing a letter or sending a small package!
- A Sick Day for Amos McGee, Philip C. Stead. This sweet book reminds children how caretakers sometimes need to be taken care of. These striking illustrations of zoo animals nurturing their sneezy zookeeper will satisfy any reader, especially if you’re seeking a calm, bedtime story.
- Love Won: The Oklahoma Standard, Cathy and Frank Keating. Following the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, children sent a plethora of mail. The collection of children’s letters and drawings became the illustrations for this profound book written by the Governor and his wife. Their spirit assured Oklahomans they would survive—and their loved ones would always be remembered. Another book that reinforces the importance and power of children’s letters and drawings!
Sharing Your Children & Their Projects
Hopefully you’ve discovered some practical ways your children can help others who have faced Hurricane Helene or other disasters. If you have some photos you’d like to share, please share them with us all. You are welcome to send them to me via email (jennifermillsbarnes@gmail.com), attach in the Comments below, or share them on my post on Facebook. Being able to see incredible ways that children work to “fix their world” will help us all heal. Many blessings to you on this journey!
Such timely information. Nothing warms a suffering heart like that of child’s act of kindness. Thank you for supplying us with ideas along with a real opportunity to involve our children in serving those who are hurting right now!
Children’s ideas are the best! Thank you so much for reading, commenting, and sharing. I’m blessed to be able to pass along the amazing things I’ve learned by listening to children – and living alongside them as change the world. 🙏🏻🌎💙
Children are resilient and have such big hearts! Thank you for sharing your experience and great ideas that help big people help our precious little people during unsettling times.
Yes, children are amazing! And their ideas? Insightful! I’m just hopeful some of our experiences can help others as they negotiate these hard times. Thank you so much for reading.
What a timely and wonderful blogpost! I’m excited to see how children help other children in need! Great work.
I’m simply wanting to share great stories of kids helping others. ✨I KNOW they will inspire others to reach out themselves. Thanks so much for commenting.
Our two grandchildren, ages 7 and almost 4, created cards to send to people in NC. Their sweet drawings and words are ways to make people smile. Their creations made me smile. 🙂
Aw! That is so precious! I know their words and drawings made a difference for people facing hard times! Thank you so much for sharing their kindness – and your commitment to carry the project through. 🥰