“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?'”

– Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Autumn – September through December – feels like a wonderful time to focus on service. Many schools integrate service and helping others into their school culture and environments, which I love. Children often join clubs and organizations that focus on service – Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, National Junior Honor Society, etc. – and before we know it, the holidays are rolling and many of us find ourselves thinking of ways to give to others and make the holiday better for people who might be lonely or face difficult times.

As a parent who prioritizes being active in my community and serving others, it’s important to me that I model it to my sons and raise them to be involved in helping others. What I’ve learned is that it also benefits them in many important ways. Raising self-reliant children is important to me, and I’ve discovered that making service part of my sons’ lives improves their sense of self, their confidence and their independence.

It makes them superheroes and magicians. Once you start, you’ll find your children will often see opportunities to serve all around them and, most importantly, will see themselves, at young ages, empowered and capable of helping others, of making a difference in the world, of being the change.

My hope is that this will also help them view the world through problem-solving eyes so that when they see something “wrong” or which needs to be improved, or see that there are ways the world around them could be better, they won’t sit on the sidelines and complain, but rather assume they can be a part of the solution, part of positive change.

In short, I’ve discovered that for myself and for my sons, service is empowering. I think that’s part of why the Ice Bucket Challenge has been embraced – not only because it’s a fun gimmick, but also because it allows people to feel involved, to feel they are doing something to make a difference.

I believe we all want that, and actually, opportunities are all around us. It have to involve dumping a bucket of ice-cold water on your head and filming it for all to see. It can be as simple as picking up trash when you see it, holding the door for someone, making a donation to the local food bank, taking a meal to a family in need (perhaps a family member is battling cancer, or a new baby has just arrived, or an elderly parent is in the hospital). It can be more – volunteering your time with a local charity.

Picking up trash with my sons, taking baked goods to a neighbor, delivering food to the homeless, visiting veterans at a nursing home – these are simple things I’ve done with my young sons (they are 3 and almost 5 now, but we started doing these things when my oldest was just 2). They’ve enjoyed all of these experiences and have gained something from them, as well. They are learning to care for others. They are learning to be empathetic. They are learning to be comfortable with people from different backgrounds and of different ages, and it matters. They are learning that they are capable, that they matter, that they can make a difference.

This fall in the Santa Clarita Valley, look around for those opportunities to help others, to give back, to get involved. Hands On Santa Clarita has volunteer opportunities coming up on 9/11 for Day of Remembrance. The city of Santa Clarita has the city’s annual River Rally on Sept. 20, and I know many nonprofits in town are in need of volunteers.

Consider what time and talents you have. Consider your children’s interests and seek out ways to make a difference, to be the change. Sometimes, something little can go a long way.

Jennifer Fischer is co-founder of the SCV Film Festival, a mom of two, an independent filmmaker and owner of Think Ten Media Group, whose Generation Arts division offers programs for SCV youth. She writes about her parenting journey on her blog, The Good Long Road. Her commentary is published Saturdays on SCVNews.com.