Letters to the Editor
Young children and teens need to volunteer

Teach your children and teens early that community service matters. What a way to raise self-esteem, teach integrity, responsibility and stewardship.

What a way to teach your kids that they matter and they alone can make a huge difference today ... not just when they grow up.

Help them know that any amount of caring and time for those less fortunate - for our fellow citizens - is time you value and hold dearly. Praise them when they care and reach out to others.Start those values earlynot just in reciting verses from the Bible, but in acting out their commandments and God's will.

Begin early. Show by example. Volunteer too. Make time each week to give back and keep it simple and meaningful, but keep it going.

If you are wondering what you can do, contact your places of worship or schools and ask. At Homefront Hugs USA, no child is too young - no one is too old or disABLED - to help us raise the morale of our troops and veterans. In fact, I am disABLED and it has not stopped me yet. Join us, we need you, not just on holidaysor when you have time in between activities, but make it a family project - a mission at home - and find out about all the easy meaningful things you can do. Teens can earn volunteer credit with us. Everyone receives a volunteer card. We are so grateful for anything you can do and the best secret is that this is more fun and you get more out of it than your recipients!

Start today. Make a commitment to be the difference you want to see in this world.

You are needed more than ever before. You are invited today to join us and help bring hugs to our troops!

Alessandra Kellermann

Gulf Breeze