MONROE, La, (KNOE) - Jasmine and her mom, Lylia, say they're always in a giving mood.
That's why they're at the Children's Coalition in Monroe for Giving Tuesday.
"We're here to not only get volunteer hours but to also be with the community and do activities," Jasmine said.
Giving Tuesday is celebrated every year on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving to kick off the giving season. The mother-daughter duo is giving their time to volunteer.
"I'm giving back to the community,” said Jasmine. “That's what LSU Ag Master Gardeners is all about. It's just being hands-on with the different organizations and different schools here."
But Jasmine says this is not just a one-day thing, she and her mom are members of an LSU Ag Masters Gardeners class and they volunteer at other gardens too. Coming to the coalition has become a normal routine.
"She's the one that encouraged me to get into this,” Lylia said. “Even though I've always gardened as a child, my parents gardened."
But this is not the only way to help the coalition. Executive director Lynn Clark says there are other ways people can help out during the holiday season and all year long.
"We're also asking for donations of books for our free little library, which is something that's there for the community,” Clark said. “And we are asking for donations of money."
"Very thankful for this beautiful day, so we should get quite a bit done today," Lylia said.
Lylia says more people should take part in Giving Tuesday.
"I think it's a great thing,” said Lylia. “I really do. We've met some great people, got some great experience."
There are many ways you can volunteer at the children's coalition. For more information, go to https://www.facebook.com/ccnela/.

MONROE, La (KNOE) The Family Garden at the Children's Coalition of Northeast Louisiana is a 25 raised-bed garden and outdoor learning center to promote healthy eating, positive family interactions and garden-based learning and play.
The garden and outdoor learning center supports Coalition programs and the community by growing fresh food for Early Head Start centers, training early childhood educators in garden-based learning and providing a space for families to grow, play and learn together.
Super Saturday will feature garden-based activities for children and adults as well as seminars for parents.
Volunteer opportunities are available for all ages, groups are welcome.
The next Super Saturday event is scheduled for August 18, 2018 at their location at 117 Hall street in Monroe. For more info you can call 318-323-8775

MONROE, La (KNOE) - It was another Super Saturday at the Children's Coalition of Northeast Louisiana and a time to work in the community garden in downtown Monroe.
This garden plot is a joint effort between the Children's Coalition, the LSU Ag Center and the Monroe Garden Study League.
Families are encouraged to come out on the third Saturday of the month and learn about growing their own food.
"Children and people in general just aren't exposed to it and when you're not exposed to it you don't understand,” said Damon Nailer. “You don't know what's going on. But once you're exposed to it you understand it's important. You understand it's good for health, just for longevity. It's great for you."
Saturday's focus was on pollinators.
The event was also free and there will be another garden-based event coming up on August 18.

​Family Garden and Super Saturday is June 16th at the Children's Coalition Headquarters at 117 Hall Street.

MONROE, La. (KNOE) - A local non-profit has a new home in Monroe.
On Friday, the Children's Coalition For Northeast Louisiana showed off it's new space on Hall Street downtown.
Over the last 20 years they've been working from separate locations, but now they can offer their services under one roof.
They have an Early Head Start classroom, Child Care Connections, a Family Resource Center, and their administrative offices.
They had funding from Federal and State sources as well as local programs to help with the new space. They are also running a capital campaign called "Commit to the Bricks" where you can purchase bricks, memorial trees, or memorial benches that go towards their fundraising goal of $100,000.
The Executive Director Lynn Clark says, "As our children grow we need different things, and so what we wanted to do was put ourselves in one place where families could find us and really work to serve those families in whatever way they need."
Clark says they also plan to build a playground, and they're working on a family garden that will provide fresh food to the children in Early Head Start.