The Charity Guide website offers a wealth of information and ideas for families looking for ways to serve and volunteer. Visitors can pick up suggestions on how to make the most of small gestures (how to make a difference in 15 minutes, an hour, or on vacation), and how to leverage a birthday party to remind kids (and adults) that giving really is better than receiving.

Cheerful Givers provides birthday gift bags for kids ages three to 12, distributing them at shelters and food pantries. Families can hold a Birthday Bag Blitz to put together gift bags, based on recommendations provided on the website.

Color a Smile's mission is a simple one - generate cheer by gathering children's drawings to distribute at nursing homes, attach to Meals on Wheels deliveries, and more. The result? A perfect opportunity for kids to generate good cheer by doing what they do best - putting crayon to paper and creating. Children can send in their own original drawings, or color in one of the printable pages available on the website.

Drawings (and donations, if you're so inclined) can be sent via mail to:

Color a Smile

P O BOX 1516

Morristown NJ 07962-1516

Through its annual Christmas Program, Elves and More donates and delivers 20,000 new bicycles to underprivileged children throughout the Houston area at Christmas-time, as well as tens of thousands of gift bags with toys, games, books, and more. The charity's Back to School Program provides children in need with new shoes, clothing, and school supplies.

Donations are always appreciated online or by mail to the above address. Seasonal volunteer opportunities are also available.

Through its annual Christmas Program, Elves and More donates and delivers 20,000 new bicycles to underprivileged children throughout the Houston area at Christmas-time, as well as tens of thousands of gift bags with toys, games, books, and more. The charity's Back to School Program provides children in need with new shoes, clothing, and school supplies.

Donations are always appreciated online or by mail to the above address. Seasonal volunteer opportunities are also available.

Global Citizens Network sends short-term teams of volunteers to communities in other cultures. Participants immerse themselves in the culture and daily life of the community and partners with a local grassroots group to meet local needs.

Trips last one, two, or three weeks, depending on the site, and each team is led by a trained GCN team leader. Volunteers can be ages eight and up; a parent or guardian must accompany kids under the age of 18.

Habitat for Humanity is a charitable nonprofit organization dedicated to building simple, low-cost homes by forming partnerships with low-income families in need of decent and affordable housing. The organization believes homeownership is a vital step to help families break the cycle of poverty and contributes to pride in families and communities.

You don't need to be an expert in construction or a committee subject area to help out. There are many tasks that require only a willingness to learn and work with others. However, kids must be 16 years or older to help on the construction sites, and there must be one adult at a work site for every two kids. Due to the wonderful popularity of Habitat for Humanity, there is generally a two- to three-month wait to volunteer on a construction site.

The winner of our 2008 Parents' Picks quest to find the best place for family community service in Houston, the Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) offers week-long Critter Camps during the summer, as well as day camps during spring break and winter break. Kids ages eight to 14 learn about animals, get lots of time to hold and pet them, and also enjoy crafts, games, and other activities.

Be sure to register early because camps fill up quickly.

The SPCA also has volunteer opportunities available for teens age 15 and up, and always appreciates donations.

The not-for-profit Humane Society offers information about pet adoption and boarding, dog training classes, pet loss support groups, and help in locating lost animals.

Local branches of the Society are often educational places to visit. The cats, dogs, rabbits, birds, and rodents appreciate the attention, and children - who must remain under adult supervision at all times - can show them some love. Adults can usually remove the animals from cages or pens for one-on-one interaction in visiting rooms.

Volunteer opportunities: can be found on the website, or visit or call your local chapter for information.

The not-for-profit Humane Society offers information about pet adoption and boarding, dog training classes, pet loss support groups, and help in locating lost animals.

Local branches of the Society are often educational places to visit. The cats, dogs, rabbits, birds, and rodents appreciate the attention, and children - who must remain under adult supervision at all times - can show them some love. Adults can usually remove the animals from cages or pens for one-on-one interaction in visiting rooms.

Volunteer opportunities: can be found on the website, or visit or call your local chapter for information.

Idealist is an interactive website where families can locate local volunteer opportunities. You can even sign up to receive daily alerts about new opportunities matching your interests.

Founded in 1925, the Junior League of Houston is an organization of women devoted to improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.

Make a Child Smile, also known as MACS, provides support to children with chronic or life-threatening illnesses and their families. Families looking for an opportunity to volunteer can visit the MACS website and learn about featured children and their illnesses, then send cards, letters, and small gifts to the featured children and their siblings through postal mail.

Each child's mailing address can be found on their story page, right next to their picture.

March of Dimes is dedicated to improving the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality.

Volunteering opportunities and ideas are described on the website, from organizing fund-raising walks to letter campaigns. The website also provides link to local chapters.

Activities for youth volunteers to learn, serve, and lead are available through the Team Youth program.

Meals on Wheels provides meal services for senior citizens in need, and offers great opportunities for older children and families to explore community service and volunteering.

Visit the website to find opportunities near you.

Operation Goody Bag is designed to express appreciation for the sacrifices made by America's first responders, and to develop in students an awareness of the value of service.

The program ships brown lunch bags, hand colored with patriotic themes and filled with candy, gum, a personal letter, original poetry, and puzzles to US military personnel as well as local Fire, Rescue, Ambulance, and K9 organizations, Veterans' Homes, VFW Posts, military hospitals, and US military academies.

Information about how to help, including donating, creating brown bag art, and writing letters to be included in the bags, can be found on the website.

One child's great idea - "What if every child gave up one birthday, just one, by giving instead of receiving? How many sick children could we help?" - has grown into a non-profit dream.

Children register with the Fund, select a hospital where children are treated that will benefit, ask friends to bring a check for the hospital to the birthday party, then make a date with the hospital to present the donation.

The Fund sends participants an official Peter Pan Birthday Club Certificate and Order of Pan crest pin. Children and teens who participate are also eligible for consideration for induction into The Second Star to the Right Hall of Fame.

The Points of Light Foundation and the Hands On Network connect individuals to local volunteer opportunities that match their interests and skills.

The Kids Care Clubs initiative gives young people a jump start on becoming active in their communities, providing children in elementary and middle school with ideas and a framework for organizing volunteer programs. Each month, the website posts different service projects, which include step-by-step instructions, compassion and issues education, meeting activities, additional resources, and information on possible service partners.

The Points of Light Foundation and the Hands On Network connect individuals to local volunteer opportunities that match their interests and skills.

The Kids Care Clubs initiative gives young people a jump start on becoming active in their communities, providing children in elementary and middle school with ideas and a framework for organizing volunteer programs. Each month, the website posts different service projects, which include step-by-step instructions, compassion and issues education, meeting activities, additional resources, and information on possible service partners.

Need to raise money for your school? Tired of bake sales? PTO Ideas is dedicated to helping weary Parent-Teacher organizations revitalize the fund-raising process.

Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) is the oldest and largest children's and family nonprofit literacy organization in the United States. Through community volunteers in every state and US territory, RIF provides 4.5 million children with 16 million new, free books and literacy resources each year.

Volunteering opportunities abound, particularly for high school and college students who can donate time to read to and teach young children. Check the website for local programs.

Rebuilding Together's mission is to preserve affordable housing by bringing volunteers and communities together to rehabilitate the homes of low-income homeowners.

The organization's signature event, Rebuilding Day, takes place each year in April, but affiliates work year round in many parts of the country, delivering emergency services, home modifications, and green building to conserve energy and consumption.

There are more than 245 Ronald McDonald Houses in 26 countries, offering support and practical assistance to families with very sick children. It's a safe bet that your local chapter can always use volunteers.

Share Our Strength (SOS) is a national nonprofit that organizes individuals and businesses to share their strengths to help end hunger. Using innovative approaches - from holding volunteer-led special events across the country to developing cause-related marketing ventures and corporate partnerships - SOS goal is to end childhood hunger in America.

In addition to donating money, parents can participate in a number of SOS' programs, including The Great American Bake Sale, Taste of the Nation, Operation Frontline, and A Tasteful Pursuit.

Share Our Strength (SOS) is a national nonprofit that organizes individuals and businesses to share their strengths to help end hunger. Using innovative approaches - from holding volunteer-led special events across the country to developing cause-related marketing ventures and corporate partnerships - SOS goal is to end childhood hunger in America.

In addition to donating money, parents can participate in a number of SOS' programs, including The Great American Bake Sale, Taste of the Nation, Operation Frontline, and A Tasteful Pursuit.

Special Olympics is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with intellectual disabilities to become physically fit, productive, and respected members of society through sports training and competition. Children and adults with intellectual disabilities can participate in year-round training, and compete in 30 Olympic-type summer and winter sports.

Local volunteering opportunities can be found on the website.

Boxproject.com links families in need with families willing to give. Visit the website for various lists of needs that can be packaged up and sent to participating centers.

Boxproject.com links families in need with families willing to give. Visit the website for various lists of needs that can be packaged up and sent to participating centers.

The Wilderness Project, headquartered in Albuquerque, NM, coordinates volunteer events to provide long-term environmental benefits for natural areas.

The Apprentice Ecologist Initiative provides guidance for kids and families interested in spearheading environmental cleanup and conservation projects on a local level.

UNICEF is a worldwide organization dedicated to bettering the lives of children everywhere.

The website encourages young people (and adults) to get involved with UNICEF's myriad initiatives, from raising money for schools in Africa to campaigning for ecological programs.

United Way is a national network of more than 1,300 locally governed organizations that work to create lasting positive changes in communities and people's lives.

The United Way website offers easy access to local volunteering opportunities - just insert your zip code in the Volunteer section, then click to see options near you.

The website also provides some great editorial items about how to get into the volunteer mind-set, and how to inspire others to join in.

United Way is a national network of more than 1,300 locally governed organizations that work to create lasting positive changes in communities and people's lives.

The United Way website offers easy access to local volunteering opportunities - just insert your zip code in the Volunteer section, then click to see options near you.

The website also provides some great editorial items about how to get into the volunteer mind-set, and how to inspire others to join in.

Established in 1974, Volunteer Houston is a referral service connecting volunteers to a broad spectrum of diverse nonprofit organizations. The website also has a Just for Kids link, to help children and families find volunteer opportunities.

VolunteerMatch is an online non-profit service that matches volunteers with organizations looking for help with programs, services, and events.

Families looking for an opportunity to volunteer - either as a family or on an individual basis - simply enter a zip code and get started.

VolunteerMatch is an online non-profit service that matches volunteers with organizations looking for help with programs, services, and events.

Families looking for an opportunity to volunteer - either as a family or on an individual basis - simply enter a zip code and get started.