Prepare for Back-To-School and Give Back At The Same Time!

I don't mean to rush you, but have you started preparing for back-to-school yet?

The stores are busy with sales and the school supplies are well stocked. I have already scooped up some great deals on glue and pencils, but I need to start shopping for my kids' Fall wardrobe. My son's pants are all high-waters and my daughter's feet grew 2 sizes over the Summer months.

As I prepare for the year, I also want to give back because I know this time of year is a struggle for many.

The Boys & Girl's Club of America (BGCA) is also getting ready for the school year. In fact, they have been very busy preparing for the influx of students with a few amazing partners and back to school initiatives that allow even busy Moms, like me, to help keep these programs going strong. If you have a BGCA in your community, you probably already know how they provide local kids with a safe haven and fun, engaging activities to help them develop the confidence and skills needed to succeed in school. I have sat through a cup stacking demonstration at our local club, and was amazed to see the pride and confidence the students had. Through programs like this, BGCA helps kids become more productive, compassionate, and responsible community members. 

So, how can you get involved? 

It's easy!

First, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America has partnered with Disney for the Tools for Back to School Initiative. This is a fun, pop-quiz style game where answering questions correctly earns school supplies for a Club kid. In this case, Playing = Giving. Does it get much easier than that?

Also, BGCA has partnered with jcpenney in August to encourage their shoppers to 'round up' their purchase total. I love this promotion because it is a reminder that everyone can make a difference and even the smallest contribution, even a few cents, adds up. On the website their donation tracker has reached over $770,000 dollars raised already! So, let's make that donation keep growing and 'round up' as we shop for school.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of America also has some great content and tip sheets to help busy families prepare. Go to the BGCA site and check out the "Get Ready" section in the sidebar, look around and even learn more about the Club itself.

See? Wasn't that easy? ...and it feels so good to give back!

*Disclaimer - I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Boys and Girls Club. I received a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate. All opinions are my own.