Helping hands are needed all around the world. There are people struggling in far off places and those who could use a helping hand nearby. August 19 is World Humanitarian day. According to the United Nations website, this day is a worldwide celebration of people helping people. It is also the perfect time to get you and your children involved in service projects.

Here are three tips to help encourage your family to serve others.

1. Start locally

You don't have to go far to find someone in need. Look around your local community and find ways you can serve those who live nearby. Look for commodity shares you and your children can help at or food banks where you can donate food. If you have older children, find a nearby blood drive and donate blood.

Also, look in your community for organizations that you and your children can join. One of the best ways to teach your children the importance of serving is through volunteer work. Volunteering is a fun way to get involved, help those in need and get to know others in your community. While volunteering, your children will find that they feel great about themselves, and they may develop a love for helping others.

2. Think outside of the box

When most people think of ways to serve, common service projects come to mind such as raking leaves, delivering cookies and more. However, helping others can be more meaningful when you think outside of the box.

If you want to serve someone in your community, find a family in need. Find three specific areas in their lives that could use help and focus your time around them. Or if you want to serve someone far away, choose a geographical location where you would like to focus your service. Research that specific area and find out what they lack and what they need the most to help them make it through each day. Create service projects based on your research. Sometimes doing service takes a little more time than just creating and accomplishing a project in one afternoon.

3. Start small

When helping your child become compassionate and charitable, you don't have to come up with extravagant projects for him or her to do. You can start small. Serving others is about doing something for another individual that is needed or will cheer him up. Write letters or make cards to those who live far away or even to your child's teachers and leaders.

Encourage family members to do small acts of service for other members in your family. Teach them to set the table without being asked or help a brother or sister make her bed. There are small acts of service that can be accomplished throughout the day. As a parent, it is your job to teach young people to recognize these opportunities and grasp them.

Serving others not only helps those you serve, but helps you, as well. Teaching your children the importance of serving others is important. This is a habit they need to develop and hold onto for their entire lives. World Humanitarian Day is the perfect starting place to help teach the members of your family about service and remind you how important these charitable acts are to yourself and those around you.