Things you can do THIS weekend and beyond

So tomorrow is Thanksgiving, the kids are out of school Friday, the traditional holiday tsunami of consumerist frenzy is about to overtake the country, what can you do to staunch the flow just a bit? Funny you should ask.  Here are some opportunities in the coming week and beyond:

Hurricane Relief

 Although most power is now restored for those who have houses to return to, many people in the Rockaways, Coney Island, Staten Island and New Jersey are still homeless or trying to rebuild or salvage damaged homes.  There will be a lot of work to do in the near future, and kids can continue to help collect and sort donations of food and other items, food preparation, etc.

• Occupy is organizing Thanksgiving meals tomorrow, if you're looking to do some volunteering.  Go to 9818 Fort Hamilton Parkway, where they will be cooking in the morning.  520 Clinton Ave. will be closed on Thanksgiving.  The St. Jacobi Church (4th Ave. between 54th and 55th) will be taking in and dispatching volunteers until 2pm on Thanksgiving (no donations on that day).
• Coney Recovers no longer needs Thanksgiving volunteers, but still need donations of canned goods, diapers, paper goods, toilet paper, baby food and blankets.  You can take a trip out there with the kids and some stuff between 9:30 and 2:00.  Check the link for locations.

Black Friday

Across the country Walmart workers and supporters are demonstrating in front of Walmart stores on the Friday after Thanksgiving to call attention to efforts by Walmart to retaliate against employees who speak out on workers' rights.  For more info, look here.  There aren't any events in New York City proper, but if you're visiting family somewhere else, you can spend some time (and take a break from leftovers) out there lending your support.  Kids can talk to folks on the picket lines about why they're protesting and what it means for their families and their kids.  You can find an event near you here.

#Giving Tuesday

The basic idea behind #Giving Tuesday is to create a national day of charitable giving in the midst of the holidays, following on the heels of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, two days devoted to shopping and spending on STUFF.  Okay, so maybe it's a bit hokey, but it could be a great opportunity to engage your kids in a discussion of why we think about giving to others and not just about getting the things we want, and to plot out ways to give back in the coming year.  There's a nice list of ideas for families here, developed by staff at the 92nd St. Y, which is the big nonprofit leading the effort.  I like this list because it includes ongoing activities that can be incorporated into your family rituals going forward, encouraging regular mindfulness without overtaxing busy lives.

We Belong Together Campaign

The We Belong Together Campaign is trying to gather 20,000 letters and pictures by the end of November from children asking legislators to stop deportations and detentions that tear families apart.  The campaign focuses in particular on immigrant families of mixed status, with some members having green cards and others living with documents, at risk of deportation.  The website, which also lists its sponsors here, has an activity guide for working with kids on the project.

Coming up in a few weeks.....

There are a couple of family volunteering activities coming up being organized by Hannah Senesh Country Day School.  On December 16th and February 3rd, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m, folks will be preparing and serving food at the Masbia Soup Kitchen at 4114 14th Ave. in Brooklyn.  Anyone interested should RSVP here.