The way Rachael Podolsky describes philanthropy, it’s like riding a bike. Start as a child, and it becomes second nature.
The way she talks about volunteering, it’s like riding the bus. Make it convenient, and more people will get on board.
Those same concepts drive kidServe Seattle, a non-profit Podolsky launched as part of a project-management certificate program she is participating in through the University of Washington.
The fledgling kidServe organization is intended to act as a one-stop shop for children and their families to get involved in charitable activities. Its web site, which goes online Dec. 1, will connect participants to volunteer experiences.
Kids between the ages of 6 and 12 can use the web site to search for opportunities that match their interests. Activities will be available in five categories: animals, arts, civic, environmental, or health and wellness.
The idea is to make children feel natural about giving back.
“They should know you don’t need a pat on the back for doing something good,” Podolsky said. “It should just be a part of your life.”
Podolsky, a Bellevue resident, came up with the kidServe concept while she and her husband were sharing a reflective moment.
“We were talking about how our kids had all these goodies,” she said. “We wanted them to do something so they wouldn’t feel like all these things were handed to them on a silver platter.”
Philanthropy is something Podolsky was brought up with, but that isn’t the case with her husband. He’s the type of guy who needs a searchable database like the one offered by kidServe Seattle.
“A lot of people talk about wanting to do something, but they just don’t know how,” Podolsky said.
Podolsky is working on the kidServe startup as part of a five-person team from the UW Extension program.
Each member of the group takes on a different role. There’s a web expert, a grant writer, and two marketing persons.
Podolsky acts as the group’s executive director. She plans to take over the program once her class is finished. Her goal is for non-profit groups to approach her group about partnerships one day rather than the other way around.
The kidServe organization offered its first charitable event Nov. 29. Podolsky invited 200 people by e-mail to take their children to the store and shop for pantry items for the Ronald McDonald House.
All told, the effort brought in $500 and around 40 grocery bags of food.
A second event is scheduled for Dec. 6. Participants are asked to donate $15 toward the startup costs for her group.
Podolsky says kidServe is already making an impact with her children. After she hosted a recent focus group for her class, the kids suggested delivering leftover cookies and coffee to the Tent City 4 homeless encampment at First United Methodist Church in Bellevue.
