Giving the Gift of Service

By Pier Mercer

I raised all four of my children in ECKANKAR.  It was a joy to teach them about the HU and read all the children’s discourses with them.

One of the ECK principles I most wanted to teach them at a young age was the importance of giving service.  Since they were all musically inclined, I created a group called Music Kids.  We would all declare ourselves channels for the ECK, do a HU Chant, then go to a nursing home, children’s home, or hospital to entertain the residents.

I would be the MC and introduce each child. Then the children would perform.  We returned many times, so some of the residents got to watch my children grow up.

One day, the manager of one nursing home we frequented came out and said, “You make my whole nursing home happy—even the staff and the doctors!”

The children could see the difference their love made.  And years later, those volunteer hours even helped the children get into the best college in Florida. Today, they are truly grateful they were raised with the experience of giving service to others.

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Would you like to help your child develop a love for service to all life?

• You can print this Giving Garland activity sheet and then make a garland and try some of the ideas with your family!
• You can also visit the Gift of Love page to explore more service-oriented activities!