Doing Good Together: Throw a party to help needy kids

Do your kids ever wish birthdays came more than once a year? Help them throw a "birthday party" for kids in poverty.

The goal: To fill birthday bags that parents in poverty can give their children on their special day.

How it works: Ask each friend to bring about 20 small, inexpensive, new toys for kids ages 3-12. You supply gift bags and ribbon. More ideas: Bag assembly can be a fun, meaningful project for any gathering - reunions, picnics, family get-togethers. Eagan-based Cheerful Givers (www.cheerfulgivers.org) has ideas for what to include in the bags, and lists nearby shelters and food shelves where you can deliver them.

—Jenny Friedman

Minneapolis mother Jenny Friedman offers our weekly tips on how to give back as a family. Friedman is author of "The Busy Family's Guide to Volunteering" and founder of Doing Good Together, a non profit orgazation that works with groups and individuals on how to involve children and teens in social action, volunteering and charitable giving at www.doinggoodtogether.org.