how do you get your kids to do something charitable?

[suol]

I want to take my boys,4 and 6, to do something charitable. I want them to see that not everyone is going to have a good Xmas, because lonely,poor or hill, homeless etc. I want them to meet people and either do something for them or donate or both. But I don't know how to go about it.
Thanks susy

My kids are 16, 8 and 5. Every year I sit with my children prior to Christmas and we have a sort out of their toys/stuff.

Broken toys, ones with bits missing go in one bag for the bin. Toys/games they no longer play with go in another bag. It is this bag that they then take to the local charity shop. I have always made them aware that not everyone has money to buy things brand new.

What this also serves to do is make some space for what they get for Christmas.

It's not much in the grand scheme of things but it has served to make my children aware that there are people out there who are less fortunate.