giving

LEARNING TO GIVE starts at a young age. It’s the right time of year to think about generosity, compassion and kindness so we’re exploring how we can help our young people to become contributing members of a family and eventually, of their community.

IN-STUDIO GUESTS: The Rev. Beatrice Hitchcock of the Anchorage Unitarian Universalist Church and Prof. Paul Ongtooguk, Education professor at the University of Alaska Anchorage and co-founder of Alaskool join host Shana Sheehy to discuss teaching compassion and instilling generosity in kids; and how different cultures celebrate when children make their first contribution to the community.

DID YOU KNOW?

An 80-year study finds that giving is at the root of living a happy life: "Generativity (the ability to give to others) can’t exist unless you have the sense that you can make a difference. We’ve found that empathy and warmth are important, so that you can feel the suffering of others. And it’s equally important to have a desire to give and help. But what leads the way is a healthy sense of self that allows you to mobilize and act productively upon the world." - Psychologist and researcher Paul Wink of Wellesley College

FEATURED STORIES:

- Power of One: Pillows for Kids Foundation - Marilyn Parker and Valerie Kouvinen are two retired high school teachers who are making a difference in the lives of kids in the Mat-Su with their Pillows For Kids Foundation. As they told producer Sarah Gonzales, they sew and sell pillows, using the funds for "little scholarships" for kids in need to be able to participate in "brain-training activities" while engaging with their community.

- Books About Giving - Contributor Jessica Cochran asked four children's librarians to each select a book on the topic of giving to share with the KTD audience. They chose: The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry, My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult, 14 Cows for America by Carmen Agra Deedy, and Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney.

- 10 For the Troops - The Armed Services YMCA of Alaska's new fundraising campaign that began November 1, 2011 in Alaska seeks to raise $25,000 to support different services that help military families in Alaska. Visit 10forTroops.org to learn more. 

For more on giving, see: 

• Show 28: Kids & Vounteering 
• 7 Ways to Help This Holiday
• 6 Volunteering Websites That Will Inspire the Whole Family
• Richard K. Nelson's book Shadow of the Hunter
• "Strategies for Raising Caring & Compassionate Kids"
• The Greater Good Project at UC Berkeley