Guest Column: Family giving: It's an American tradition

February 25, 2009
by Jan Gusich, Hudson Community Foundation

Volunteering and giving back is an American tradition. According the National Philanthropy Trust, 89 percent of American households give an average of $1,620 per year to charitable organizations totaling $295 billion each year.

Moreover, 55 percent of Americans give of their time, volunteering in numerous ways to organizations from the Red Cross to the local Kiwanis.

Giving and volunteering is definitely part of our American heritage. But will it continue to be in our future?

"Volunteerism and philanthropy start in the home," said Jim Hackney, president of the Hudson Community Foundation, one of the area's largest philanthropic organizations. "Children learn by the example their parents set. Having a generous spirit and talking actively about giving back to the community promotes an open environment for children to learn about altruism."

For Drew and Nancy Forhan, longtime Hudson residents and owners of Fortec Medical, family giving is an important value. The Forhans set up a Donor Advised Fund through the Hudson Community Foundation. A Donor Advised Fund, or DAF, enables families to set up a family foundation and to involve everyone in the giving process.

"We hold a family meeting once a year and talk about charities and programs that our children feel are important," Drew Forhan said. "Then we decide, as a family, where to give and how we can help others. It's a remarkable example to our children of the value of giving to others. Our hope is that they will pass on this tradition to their children."

Giving back doesn't need to be in the form of money. Author Sharon Vincz Andrews says that we can also give of ourselves -- our time, our thoughtfulness, our joy. She offers these tips for getting children to think about giving:

* Volunteer at a local charity, church, or soup kitchen and explain to your child how important it is to give back;

* When a child outgrows clothing and shoes, take a family trip to Goodwill or Salvation Army; ask the workers there to explain to your children what happens to the clothing and other household items and why it is important that the community support these organizations;

* Instead of lecturing, ask your child a simple question at dinner each night, such as: "Who were you especially nice to today?" or "Did you help anyone today?" If there is no response or the child says, "No one," simply move on. Ask again the next day. Soon the child will begin to notice that being kind to others is important to you.

Of course, organizations are in need of money more than ever today, the result of economic difficulties. If you are interested in establishing family giving fund with