Cape Kid of the Month – Michael Ricciardi: Volunteering from the Heart

November 29, 2018November 29, 2018 twhimsLeave a comment

It is a pleasure to introduce to you Michael Ricciardi as our Cape Kid of the Month for the month of November. Michael has grown up with many great role-models, including his parents and three older siblings. He watched his older sister and brothers volunteer and help others throughout his childhood. Observing the sense of pride and accomplishment that his siblings received from volunteering, gave Michael the desire to volunteer himself.

Like most 11th graders, Michael is very busy. Every summer, he travels between Virginia and Massachusetts for his summer travel team’s lacrosse tournaments. During the school year, in addition to his school studies at Mendham High School, in New Jersey, he plays on the varsity Lacrosse team. This is something he has done since his Freshman year. He also plays intramural basketball with his friends noting that, “It is competitive along with being a fun time.”

Michael admits that finding time to volunteer is difficult. However, he finds time in his off season schedule because he also knows the reward is great. “What motivates me as a volunteer is helping people and giving back my time while not seeking anything monetary in return. It makes me feel good and that I am accomplishing something good in the world,” he states.

For the past 4 years Michael has volunteered at Glen Ridge’s Rotary Turkey Drive, where he hauls heavy turkey donations to gathering trucks, where they then go to those in need. This was done, always with a smile, in rain, snow, and cold temperatures.

Taking his passion for lacrosse and turning it into a volunteer experience, Michael assists younger children at Kiddie LAX programs in his town. During the summer months, he volunteers at a children’s reading and writing camp. His director stated that Michael is, “kind, caring, and hard working.” He has also helped to prepare a reception for Confirmation candidates at St. Joseph’s Church, in Mendham, NJ.

Michael’s compassion and generosity have not gone unnoticed. He was chosen by his church administration to be on the SEARCH teen retreat team. His role was to provide a religious weekend for his peers, while making it fun. His biggest challenge was to suspend all cell phone use throughout the weekend. Although this was tough, it was beneficial. It allowed those teens in attendance to form new friendships without the use of technology.

Next June, Michael will be going on a mission trip to Kentucky to help the underprivileged in Appalachia. In this one week he will spend his time helping families better their living conditions, by assisting in rebuilding and restructuring their current homes.

Michael’s mother, Debra Ricciardi shared, “Michael is a very humble and kind young man. He is very caring and a good hearted person. He has a great sense of humor and fits well in any situation. He is confident and demonstrates maturity.”

Thank you Michael for showing others that it’s COOL TO BE KIND through serving others. You are a great rolemodel and we are grateful for what you give back to the world.

To nominate a Cape Kid, please contact Leighann@wearthecapekids.com.

In Kindness,
Leigh Ann Errico

Developing Gratitude In Your Children

November 20, 2018November 20, 2018 twhimsLeave a comment

Thanksgiving is a time when we often count our blessings. We encourage our children to list what they are most grateful to have. On Thanksgiving Day, many families go around the dinner table to state something for which they are thankful. It is a beautiful tradition, which too often starts and ends at the Thanksgiving Table.

“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” —Robert Brault

Although feeling thankful is a natural emotion, gratitude is a skill that needs to be developed through repetition, modeling, and positive reinforcement. We must ask ourselves, “Are we appropriately teaching our children how to be grateful and are we modeling gratitude in our daily life?”

In the world we live in today, more than ever, our children need to develop their sense of gratitude. When one is grateful for the blessings in his life, he feels a sense of fulfillment and purpose. With gratitude for the “small things” our children can grow up appreciating all that is given to them. In turn, they will want to give to others, as well.

“Robert Emmons, a leading gratitude researcher, has conducted multiple studies on the link between gratitude and well-being. His research confirms that gratitude effectively increases happiness and reduces depression.” States Amy Morin, in her article for Psychology Today: 7 Scientifically Proven Benefits of Gratitude.

Below we have listed several strategies for you to consider for helping develop true gratitude in your child and teen:

Say “Thank you” – this is the first step to teaching children to be grateful. Give your child several opportunities to say, “Thank you” daily.
Give Reminders – Often our children are used to us doing daily, mundane tasks for them, that they forget to be grateful- Remind them to be grateful by allowing them to see what would happen (or not happen) if you did not do these tasks. For example: if you don’t make their lunch for school, they would be hungry.
Be Hands on – Give your children the hands on experience they need to develop gratitude. Let them help you with age appropriate chores, such as raking the leaves, washing the dishes, doing laundry, or vacuuming. This will allow them to better understand the work you do FOR them, helping to build gratitude.
Be a positive role model- When your child wishes for something a friend has, whether it be materialistic or otherwise, remind your child of what he/she has at home. For example, should your child say, “ I want the new video game that my friend has.” You can reply, “That sounds like a great game. You have a lot of games that you barely play anymore. Let’s go find one that you used to love playing, and play it together. Lots of children do not have any video games. Would you like to donate one of yours to someone less fortunate?”
Play “Best/Worst”-Each day I ask my children to identify their best and worst parts of their day. I try to remind them that their best parts almost always outweigh their worst parts, and to be grateful for the blessings in their day.

Wishing you and your loved ones as a blessed holiday season.

With Gratitude,

Leigh Ann Errico

Amazing Grace!

October 25, 2018October 22, 2018 twhimsLeave a comment

This month we introduce to you Grace Smith, as our Cape Kid for the month of October. Grace was chosen to represent our Cape Kids this month for her dedication to serving others, as well as her compassionate heart.

Grace is currently a Senior at Oxbridge Academy, in South Florida. She is a supportive teammate and dedicated player of the varsity Lacrosse team. Her two passions are playing the trumpet, which she has been doing since the fourth grade, and helping others.

From a young age Grace’s parents instilled the idea of giving back to the community. She began volunteering with her father at the age of eight at St. George’s Soup Kitchen in Riviera Beach, Florida. “Some of my favorite memories volunteering with my dad…” states Grace.

Volunteering with her father, while so young, allowed Grace to develop a deep desire to help others less fortunate than herself. Her most remarkable volunteer experience was on a mission trip to Costa Rica, through St. Mark’s School in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

During this mission experience, Grace helped to build beds for children who did not have an adequate place to sleep. She taught these young children academics, and played soccer with them every night. Grace was delighted to see the difference she made in these children’s lives through her service.

Continuing with her mission to help others, Grace began tutoring underprivileged children at The Lord’s Place in West Palm Beach, Florida. After a long school day, Grace spends this time helping children with their homework, developing their reading skills. They then share a meal and play outdoors. “It’s the highlight of my week!” Grace exclaims.

During the summer months, when many of her peers are lounging beachside or away at camps, Grace spends every Thursday volunteering at Mary’s Table, a program developed by volunteers at St. Mary’s By The Sea Church, in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey. There she serves a hot dinner, with a warm smile, and an open heart. She offers companionship to those who need it most.

When asked why she would want to “give up” part of her summer vacation to serve others, Grace immediately replied, “I enjoy the interaction with all the different people and like knowing I can help fulfill a need.”

Grace plans to continue her volunteer work throughout college, as well as her adulthood, as she vows to always make volunteering an important part of her life.

We commend you, Grace, for your service to those less fortunate. You simply are AMAZING.