With so many people going through a rough time and a call to action from our new President I have had it on my mind lately to find somewhere to volunteer. I wasn’t able to help much this year with monetary contributions but I know I can give my time!
To get me started on this project I thought I would go ahead and blog about all the different ways to find a place to share your talents.
1. The United Way – liveunited.org is a great website that helps you find a place that could use your help.
2. Another great website that will connect you with a volunteer opportunities is VolunteerMatch.org.
3. Contact your local nursing home and find out if they need anything. Sometimes just visiting with the elderly and doing a craft with them will mean the world.
4. Contact your local food bank and see if they need help with stocking or handing out food items.
5. Contact your local boys and girls club or YMCA
6. Get involved in your own city. Most have committee’s that plan and implement activities to help those in need right in your own community.
7. Contact your local library. Even the hospital can use your help, I’ve always been interested in helping out in the NICU, either holding sick babies or transporting parents who wouldn’t be able to visit everyday otherwise.
8. If you don’t want to leave your house you can advocate for issues that are important to you by contact your state and local representatives. I know that my favorite advocacy group here in Arizona is Protecting Arizona’s Family’s Coalition but you can find one wherever you are and for whatever issues are important to you.
To me it is all about using your own gifts to help others. There are hundreds of ways you can help out. Reading books to young children, making bracelets with the elderly, picking fruit for the food bank, shooting baskets at the boys and girls club. There are so many ways to offer your time, why not get started today?
*photo credit: flickr
Vanessa says...
I LOVE this post!! If someone has a love for orphaned children or those living in extreme poverty I have the perfect volunteer opportunity for them!!! I host project Santa each year and due to the large response in 08 I need as much as help as I can get!! I need folks who are willing to collect new and gently used items such as children’s shoes, toys, stuffed animals, etc. to be distributed to the less fortunate children of Guatemala! The volunteers must be willing to collect the items, ship them here and make an effort to raise funds to help with shipping the things to Guatemala! It’s great!! If anyone is interested please let me know!!! vbayou angel@ aol.com (no spaces)
February 2nd, 2009 at 7:27 pm
LeftLeaningLady says...
About 6 months ago I thought I had found the perfect place to give my time. I don’t remember the name, but it was a home for pregnant teens, starting at age 15. They were just opening and looking for volunteers for to help the girls, parenting (diapering, bathing, etc) and life lessons, preparing them for the future. I thought I could give some computer lessons, typing, Word, PowerPoint, etc or even volunteer to help with homework or something. What a great cause!
The problem? Abstinance Only Birth Control was the only thing they were going to teach these kids. I almost threw up. HELP THEM! Without the Pill or condoms, they are just going to be back in a year!
So, you are correct, I have some time and I need to spend it more wisely. But not there.
February 3rd, 2009 at 9:51 am
Jill says...
Left…
I totally agree, I would love to help out in a teen pregnancy clinic or something but I will not work for one that does not give out birth control. I just can’t get behind something like that. I’ve worked with too many teenagers who are 18 and pregnant for the 3rd time! Don’t give up though. I’m sure you could find a place that matches your values.
February 3rd, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Jill says...
Vanessa, I would love to help out. Keep reminding me about this opportunity…hopefully I can get some people together to contribute. Are you shipping everything this year or are you going to try to take it yourself?
February 3rd, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Melinda Zook says...
What a good post. I have been wanting to get involved for so long. I actually found a site a few weeks ago and have been meaning to go back and set something up. It’s called Random Acts of Kindness. Here’s their site.
http://www.actsofkindness.org/
February 7th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
Jill says...
Melinda – thanks for the link I’ll have to check that out for sure.
February 7th, 2009 at 9:12 pm