Father’s Day can also be more than a Hallmark Holiday

Last month I wrote a piece on making Mother’s Day more than just a Hallmark holiday. Now, we find Father’s Day just around the corner.

Of course, as devoted wives and daughters, we would never forget Father’s Day. We’ll help our kids prepare dad’s favorite breakfast, surprise him with cards, and offer a few suggestions so our kids can select a thoughtful gift (or, in the worst case scenario, run out and buy yet another new tie), and probably end the festivities with a barbecue dinner. By the time the day is over, we moms will be wiped out – but hopefully our husbands, fathers, fathers-in-law, grandfathers and honorary father figures will feel a little more appreciated.

Of course, just as I suggested on Mother’s Day, there are also countless ways for us to make Father’s Day more meaningful to others. This year, to honor Father’s Day and the fathers you love, I hope you and your family will consider:

•               Spending a day volunteering at a soup kitchen.

•               Participating in a gleaning project (opportunities are readily available in the U.S. and Israel).

•               Volunteering for your local “meals on wheels” program.

•               Composting (to enhance dad’s vegetable garden, of course!).

•               Signing up for a local neighborhood improvement project.

•               Donating blood or platelets or getting tested for the Gift of Life bone marrow registry.

•               Writing a letter or sending a package to fathers serving in the armed forces.

•               Encouraging your husband/dad/uncle/grandfather/honorary father figure to schedule all those medical appointments he’s been putting off (It’s all about prevention – and we want to keep them around as long as possible!).

These are, of course, efforts you can engage in all year round. And anyone can participate – though because you’re the family organizer, you may be the one to do all the planning. Even if you don’t partake in any of these projects on Father’s Day itself, I hope you’ll use this day as an opportunity to start thinking about all the ways you can encourage dad to take the lead in effecting change. Taking on any one of these endeavors will help make someone else’s life just a little better – and you will find it incredibly fulfilling. I promise.

So, my friends, I hope the men in our lives have a great Father’s Day. And I hope you’ll consider engaging in at least one of these worthy causes.