My goal is to help YOU find your service passion — your contribution in this world.Each month I try a new service adventure and encourage you to try one also and post your stories here.

Growing up, my family loved playing games.  Even now, on those rare occasions when we’re all in once place, three generations of us spend hours playing some fast-thinking word game, cards, or whatever else shows up at the game table.  I have decades of good memories playing family games together, and aside from one of us kids occasionally storming away after losing some hard-fought battle, game time was 100% fun. 
     
      Fast-forward to now.  After receiving a roomful of board games as wedding presents (yep, that’s what we asked for) we’ve held several game night events in two local shelters, and we have big plans to add more shelters to our program by the end of the year. 
     
      Truth be told, I’ve always felt a little guilty about this.  Hosting game nights and donating games to transit families seemed kind of, well, trivial.  Then I got an email from a shelter employee after we held a games night last month.  She said:
     
      “I wanted to thank you for coming in Friday night.  What a wonderful idea. That was one of the first times I have seen all of the families sit together while not being in front of the TV.  How wonderful!!
     
              “When I came in this morning there was a note from the supervisor [who] was on that night letting me know what a great time all of the kids had that evening.  I am excited to touch base with the kids as they come home from school today and I will be sure to remind them to bug their parents to play [the games] this week.  Thank you on behalf of all of us here.”
     
       I still wasn’t convinced this program had any real value until a friend emailed me a link from newspaper story that featured a guy from a nearby town who plays game show host every day for shelter residents.  Rather than giving away the games, he brings his own and serves as the master of ceremonies.  The story emphasized he could turn a roomful of shy strangers into a laughing, cohesive team. 
     
      And then I realized – this is so easy!  Whether you give the games away or bring your own to host, just add a few snacks … it’s a no-brainer, really, and costs next to nothing.  In fact, my husband and I want to partner local sponsors with shelters and at-risk families across the country so shelters and other agencies can fund recurring games nights into their programs. (We’re attempting to broker our first a partnership in a few weeks – wish us luck!)
     
      Anyone can host a games event at a shelter or like-minded non-profit.  Just call a director or two and offer – they’ll love the idea, I promise!  Or check out the “how-to” at the Family Game Night link at getoutandgiveback.com.
     
      Let the games begin!
     
      Get out and give back.

Filed under: Family, Homelessness