We need to teach youngsters the importance of giving

FRIDAY, OCT. 19: “Charity begins at home,” so the old saying goes.

But does it? Charity can be defined as the voluntary giving of help, typically money, to those in need.

Is the word ‘home’ reflective of one’s physical address or one’s country of residence? Either way, let’s explore what charity might look like in both places.

If you have a child in the house perhaps you can gauge and grade his commitment to charity in the way he helps around the home.

Does the child contribute to house chores, particularly the cleaning of his own room?

After eating one meal after another, how quick is your child to volunteer to wash the dishes? Are there children in the home who make bargains by way of declaring that they’ll do certain chores if there’s financial compensation awarded in return?

If children don’t learn early that there are things in the home that they need to do, if for no other reason that they live there and must assist to keep the home tidy, then as they get older they see no reason to do it either.

 They then lack a sense of compassion for others and a desire to readily give of a few hours to lend a helping hand to benefit someone else and subsequently they develop a stronger sense of entitlement for self.

In Bermuda there are numerous charities, some of which, in my opinion serve the same purpose, but which operate to help those in need nonetheless.

We hear their ads, we hear their representatives pleading for the public’s help — so that they can help others, and we see them throughout the year at various locations attempting to raise funds, typically by way of a tag day.

I know of a few leaders in different charities who have expressed to me the struggles in “pulling hen’s teeth” to get people to come out and help.

Particularly they find it unfathomable that for charities that will ultimately benefit young people, young people just won’t readily give of their time to assist.

Perhaps young people have not quite learned that at some point in their lives they or their families just might be in need of assistance in a big way.

If we teach young people in their early years the importance of giving to others and the benefits and rewards of such philanthropy, I feel it will come naturally to automatically do so when they’re older. 

Being involved in charity work does not always require one to be able to provide money.

Oftentimes charity organizers are excited to have your time whether it’s an hour a day or an hour a week. Every little bit helps.  When we all pull together and encourage our young people to do so, charity will surround us no matter what our definition of home.  

Generations radio show was cancelled on Tuesday due to the onset of Hurricane Rafael and the in-studio guests will be in next week Tuesday, October 23, to share the experience of their 20 day voyage to Haiti via The Spirit of Bermuda. Administrative staff from the charity will also be in studio.

Being a part of the Bermuda Sloop Foundation, and specifically The Spirit of Bermuda teaches young people much about basic characteristics of humankind that seem to be decreasing over the years.  So be sure to tune in to hear how young people can get involved.

• Shawnette Somner is a Sun columnist and host of the radio show, Generations, which now airs on Tuesday evenings on Mix106 FM from 7:30pm to 9pm. E-mail: [email protected]