38 • Off icial Kids Mag • AUG & SEPT 2018
When it comes to community
involvement and its importance
for adults and kids alike,
Christina Hinds knows what she
is talking about.
"We all grow up in our own
socioeconomic groups and
networks," she said. "With
kids it's in their own schools.
Volunteering lets them see a
broader community in the world
they live."
Christina, vice president for
resource development for United
Way of Northwest Arkansas,
has spent years working with
not-for-profit organizations,
many of which are dependent
on volunteers for extra help
working on community projects
and events. Kids and their adults
are a great resource for those
organizations. Volunteering for
organizations is a great way to
make a difference and be a kid
hero.
"There is always a way to give
back," she said. "When kids are
young it's good to get involved
with volunteer opportunities
at their own schools. A lot
of schools have clubs and
organizations. Kids who like to
read books or kids collecting
canned food for a charity can
make a difference. It's a
great way to be get that
sense of philanthropy at
a very young age."
With area kids
heading back to school
soon, Christina doesn't
want them to miss out
on a volunteer opportunity to
get involved. Every little bit helps,
she said.
"A lot of schools give kids the
opportunity to have leadership
roles in their own building and
classroom," she said. "They
can help coordinate programs
and that helps them find their
passions. That's key for kids at
a young age… finding out what
they get excited about. It could
be animal shelters or picking up
trash or collect something for
someone in need. It's great to
start finding those passions at a
young age."
GIVING
BACK
United Way officer hopes
kids will volunteer to help
find their passions
By Dave Woods • Official Kids Mag
Want to get involved and become
a Kid Hero? Of course you do!
Go to unitedwaynwa.org to learn more.
The 11th annual Fill the
Bus school supply drive
"It's a great activity that kids and
their adults can sign up for and
volunteer to make sure kids they
are in school with have all of the
supplies they need to kick off the
year. Last year we collected supplies
that affected over 35,000 kids in
Northwest Arkansas."
- Christina Hinds, United Way of NWA
When: Friday and Saturday, Aug. 3rd and 4th
NWA Walmart Super Centers in Benton, Madison, and Washington
counties in Arkansas, and McDonald County in Missouri. Supplies
collected during the drive go directly to students in the school district
the Super Center is located.
Fill the Bus is a partnership between United
Way of NWA, Bic, 3M, Walmart, Crayola,
Coca-Cola and Rapid Prototypes.
What is
SOCIOECONOMIC?
Relating to, or involving a
combination of social or
economic factors.
Source: webster.com
