Parents Magazine: 6 Volunteer Vacation Ideas for Families — And Why You Should Book One

Denise Jackson says her two daughters, 15 year-old Taylor and 10 year-old Jordyn, grew up volunteering in their community. But it was during a boring car ride, five years ago, when she tasked them with finding something creative to talk about with the rest of the family, that they had the idea of starting a charity.

The charity, Soaring Samaritans Youth Movement, combined the girl’s love of soccer with helping kids around the world who don’t even own a soccer ball. Before starting their own vacations, the girls hand-deliver indestructible soccer balls to needy children around the world.

“The first time we ever did a delivery, I was very nervous,” says Taylor. “I didn’t know what to expect.” So, to prepare themselves, the girls wrote a speech. “We didn’t want to say the wrong thing,” Taylor says, “We didn’t want to look like we were trying to be better than them.”

But as soon as the balls came out of their containers and the kids lined up to receive them, they all relaxed. “It was so fun because the kids were so good and some of them were even better than me and they hadn’t had any training!”

The Jackson girls fund their cause with donations and through their business SOAR Jewels™ by making and selling bracelets. Their efforts have broadened since they began distributing soccer balls and now include providing educational supplies and books to areas they visit that request them.