Last Christmas, apparently, Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton gave copies of Freddi's book A Kid's Guide To Giving as Christmas
gifts (smart thinking!) to their nephews. I know this because he mentions her book and By Kids For Kids (BKFK) in his book Giving: How Each of Us Can Change The World.
We've known for a long time that Freddi's book makes an excellent holiday gift. We're glad Bill and Hillary recognize it too. And most importantly, recognize the power that our young people have to make a difference. These two books make a perfect pair - Clinton's book is a call to action, focusing on how each of us can change the world. Zeiler's book focuses on how kids can give - and helps kids look at the needs of people, animals, and our environment.
"We can learn a lot about giving from young people. Indeed, the best book I’ve come across on the subject was written by a young person. A Kid’s Guide to Giving by Freddi Zeiler provides a good roadmap to giving for people of all ages. Zeiler published the book in 2006, when she was a twenty-year-old student at the University of California at Berkeley, with the support of By Kids For Kids, an organization devoted to releasing the innovative spirit within all children and helping them to become good problem solvers. Seiler started giving money away at fourteen, and over the years learned a lot about how to develop the discipline to save enough for giving, as well as how to volunteer time, donate goods, and organize charity events. The book examines three important issues: why you should give, how to choose a cause, and how to contribute money, time, or things. It also has a useful list of charities and a clear summary analysis of the needs of people, animals, and the environment.
Last Christmas, Hillary and I gave copies of Zeiler’s book to our two nephews, ages twelve and thirteen. We told them we’d send them a certain amount of money each month if they would agree to give 25 percent of it to charitable causes of their choice and write or call us each month with an account of what they supported and why; then we’d send the next installment. They both eagerly accepted the offer and are taking the responsibility seriously. So far, they’ve given money to the American Heart Association; Animal Rescue New Orleans, which cares for and finds homes for pets left homeless by Hurricane Katrina; and Seeds for Peace, which promotes mutual respect and understanding between young Arabs and Israelis. I hope giving develops into a lifetime of habit for them, and I recommend the book, and the exercise, to you."
We at BKFK are dedicated to continuing to challenge kids and teens to come up with ways large and small to make a difference in our world.