NC SAFE is a week for all North Carolinians to do their part to help reduce the unnecessary death of children and teens because of gun accessibility when owners of firearms do not store them securely. Governor Roy Cooper and the North Carolina Department of Public Safety have launched a campaign in which every NC resident can participate either to increase their awareness or to ensure that their firearm is stored safely and out of the reach of children and teens. Operation Xcel cares about this campaign because we desire that all children have the opportunity to live without fear of injury or death of any of their peers or themselves.
How can you and your family celebrate June? By trying out some of these easy and delicious options to celebrate National Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Month.
Each day gun violence takes the lives of 120 Americans and many more who are wounded in the United States. Wear Orange in honor of Hadiya Pendleton and the 43,000 others who died and almost 76,000 who were shot but survive every year because of gun violence in America. Wear orange to demand a future without gun violence in America.
This Memorial Day, we remember and honor the men and women who have served our country’s armed forces—specifically those who have given the ultimate sacrifice.
Jennifer Nelson, the Program Director at Operation Xcel defines Summer Slide and describes its adverse effects on children who experience no learning during the Summer. Operation Xcel offers free Summer camp for children to attend daily. At Operation Xcel's Summer camp certified teachers provide hands-on instruction where the children academically focused programming, enrichment, poetry, and robotics four times each week.
If you try to live altruistically, then combating your own loneliness can play a vital role in how you serve others. Here’s how to overcome loneliness in everyday life.
Teenagers are our future; by building them up and encouraging them—even if they’re not our own children—we can create a better future for generations to come.
Children are getting ready to take their end-of-grade assessments. With tests comes some unexpected anxiety. Operation Xcel wants parents, guardians, teachers, and others to remember to pay attention to the signals that children demonstrate that show that they are feeling stressed or anxious about taking tests. Parents and significant others should remember to check in with the children to make sure that they are alert and ready to do their best to demonstrate competency that they understand what they learned throughout the school year. If the child is showing any signs of anxiety or apprehension, parents and significant others are encouraged to use the resources available to have the talk and help the child do the work to achieve mental wellness.
Operation Xcel's Operation Homework students have had a productive year while learning and growing during their afterschool activities! The students are excited about what they have been able to accomplish and would like to share their activities and projects with you. The Operation Homework sites will be open on the dates shown for you to drop in and see just how enriching an experience the students have had throughout Spring 2023.
If you strive to live an altruistic lifestyle, there are plenty of gifts you can give your loved one on Mother’s Day that also give back to others in the community.
Children's Mental Health Acceptance Week is Sunday, May 7th through Saturday, May 13th, 2023 and Operation Xcel wants to help those who care for and about children understand the importance of regular mental health check-ins. The child's village of parents, teachers, caregivers, counselors, families, and friends are instrumental in the life of every child and are usually the first ones to recognize when a child is behaving differently. It is then that one of the village needs to check up on the child and assess their mental health. Seeking out therapy early on is very instrumental in training a child to cope through life's difficulties as they grow into adults themselves. Operation Xcel encourages every parent to simply ask their child about their well-being and what they have been experiences during the week of Children's Mental Health Acceptance week. We have provided useful links to activities, videos, discussion starters, workbooks, and more to help!
Children need to know that it is 'okay to not be okay'! Getting a child the help that he/she needs to deal with childhood traumas and insecurities may prevent their carrying the residue of the events into their adulthood. Parents, when was the last time you gave your child a mental wellness check-up? May 7th is National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day and Operation Xcel is going to gift you with a symbol of its significance as a reminder to schedule a little time to have that heart-to-heart chat with your child/children.
While it might seem simple to say talents can help others, actually identifying your talents and putting them to good use can be a little bit more difficult.
Paying it forward is a way to spread goodness into the world. If you want to get involved this International Pay It Forward Day, check out these ways to pay it forward.
Turns out, even the smallest steps can have an impact. This Earth Day, consider your ecological footprint and enact these seven green ways to embrace today.
If you want to live a more altruistic life, but aren’t sure where to start, then you’ve come to the right place. Here’s how to find a cause you care about.
This month aims to increase awareness about stress, its negative effects and how to relieve it. If you’re experiencing stress, keep these ideas in mind for how to relax.
Kaya Henderson is a trendsetter in the Education and Ad Technology arenas tearing down barriers that constrain children of color in the American education system from obtaining the best education possible. Ms. Henderson's focus is to end generational poverty, create lasting change and schools that all children are educated equally. She just does not have a vision, Ms. Henderson has a brand to carry out the plan!
Even a small gesture can have a huge influence on the people around you. To give a few ideas, here are easy things you can do to brighten someone’s day.
There’s no doubt about it: If you want to live a more knowledgeable, cultural and altruistic lifestyle, then learning another language has big benefits in store.
Operation Xcel Celebrates Black Women Educators during Women's HerStory Month 2023.
If you strive to live a good life in all areas, journaling might be the next step to consider. Take a look at simple ways journaling can improve your life.
This March, celebrate National Women’s History Month by learning more and giving back. See how you can get involved, live altruistically and make a difference in the lives of girls and women around you.
Living a full and altruistic life is about more than just doing your best. It’s about sharing your best with others around you and connecting with them through our inherent need to tell stories.
Even if you care about a cause, how can you ensure you’re a good fit for the position? Here are some ideas to help you find the right fit for volunteering.
Valentine’s Day can be much more than a holiday to spoil your loved ones. This February 14th, consider spreading the love in altruistic ways. Check out these tips to make your Valentine’s Day one to remember.
Black History Month is a time to remember, celebrate and commemorate the achievements and contributions by African-American men and women throughout U.S. history.
Give yourself and your loved ones the greatest gift this American Heart Month by focusing on making heart-healthy decisions towards a happier and healthier lifestyle.
There are plenty of ways you can continue to volunteer your time and efforts to make the world a better place—even from the comfort of your home or inside the warmth of an organization! Check out these eight opportunities to give back during the winter.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. helped make the world a better place and advocated for equal rights for everyone. Use MLK Day as a time to honor his legacy by giving back or doing something good for somebody else.
With a new year comes new opportunities to give back and do more good. Remember that there’s never a bad time to start giving back. Even if you fall off track, there’s always time to get back in the saddle.
The holidays are a wonderful time to spend together with family, friends and loved ones. However, it’s also an opportunity to give back
When it’s time to start a new healthy habit, it can be pretty difficult. If you want to start the new year with a habit that will actually stick, check out these tips to get started.
Human rights should be protected at all costs. You can get involved this Universal Human Rights Month and continue to spread the word year-round
This giving season, give more than just stuff to your friends and family. Give the gifts of experiences, charitable giving, delicious food, your time or something handmade.
The new year is right around the corner, and with a solid altruism plan, you’re sure to have the most successful giving year yet!
There are many ways you can say ‘thank you’ to the people in your life. Use these ideas both today and year round!
The workplace is a space to get stuff done. However, it doesn’t have to be all about making money. In fact, the workplace can be a great place to give back.
Although the weather is cooling down, that doesn’t mean volunteer opportunities are also cooling! Use this season to participate in activities made for the colder months.
This year, GivingTuesday falls on Tuesday, November 29th, and November is right around the corner! Whether you’re wanting to donate, organize a fundraiser or volunteer, the time for action is now!
Here’s a few reasons to celebrate this momentous anniversary of United Nations Day, and how you can use it to promote altruism within your own life.
One person can inspire change for the entire world. This year, celebrate National Make a Difference Day on Saturday, October 22. Check out these ideas to help get you started with making a difference in your community and the world.
While Halloween is normally reserved for scary-good fun, that doesn’t mean you can’t get involved to benefit a scary-good cause!
Living a positive lifestyle has more benefits than just “feeling better.” Focusing on positive thoughts can actually impact your overall health.
When it comes to saving our planet, small steps make a big impact. Every person can make an effort toward reducing their carbon footprint and living a more altruistic lifestyle for the world.
Take the time to find out how those around you like to receive gratitude, appreciation and love. You’ll find that meeting them with the love language they most appreciate will help strengthen your relationships.
Journaling can not only improve your personal life, but it can also improve your altruistic focus. As it turns out, regular writing in a journal has a lot of surprising mental and emotional health benefits.
This September, remember to focus on you and your personal growth. Even small steps can add up to huge results over time. It all starts now!
Positivity is something you may not always possess, but there are ways to bring it into your life. Surround yourself with positive people, and remind yourself of the positive things in your life and the positive qualities you have.
Taking the first step to volunteer or get involved with an organization is hard, but these steps can help you dive in!
