Where to Volunteer
Updated July 28, 2007
There are many people who say they would like to volunteer, but they often have excuses for not doing it. One of the excuses I hear is, "I don't know where to do it." It's one thing to get all pumped up, but if you don't know where there are opportunities, you won't even get started.
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Schools
You can walk into any school (but I suggest you call them first) and say, "I want to be a volunteer. How can I sign up?" More often than not, you'll be warmly received and shown appreciation. You can be a teacher's assistant, grading papers or helping with projects, a librarian assistant, putting books away and checking out books, an office assistant, calling parents about absent students, a tutor, helping kids who need a bit of extra assistance in a subject you're good at, and even a kindergarten classroom helper and read to kids or just play with them.
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Libraries
Your local library most likely accepts volunteers. Just call or walk in and tell them you are interested. You can check books in or out, answer questions, make phone calls or write letters about overdue books, read to children, teach people with reading difficulties to read or read better, organize events, sell books, and just about anything else that you can do at a library.
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Youth Groups
Youth groups are organized by well known organizations, like the Boys and Girls Club, Campfire Kids, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and even church groups. Activities vary from paperwork to group management.
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Non-Profit Organization Thrift Stores
Many non-profit organizations have thrift stores to help raise money. If you like thrift stores, look around your area at the different thrift stores, and ask those who work or volunteer there about the organization the store supports as well as how to become a volunteer if you choose to.
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Hospitals
Hospitals need volunteers for many areas. You may be able to spend hours cuddling with infants in the NICU to help them thrift, you can spend time entertaining patients (especially sick kids and seniors), or you might be able to help do some of the dirty work.
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Law Enforcement Offices
Many sheriff and police department offices need volunteers. Duties vary from answering phones to providing psychological assistance to victims (credentials are required for that, of course).
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Local Chapters of Non-Profit Organizations
It could be the American Red Cross, United Way, American Cancer Society, or other organization of your choice. Such organizations are always looking for help for a variety of duties.
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Senior Centers
There is an incredible lack of respect for seniors in America. We have a tendency to push them aside for various reasons. Volunteering at a senior center (or retirement home or similar institution or organization) is an excellent way to show respect for our aging citizens. After all, you'll be old one day, and just imagine what your life will be like when the next generation is too busy to listen to your stories about your life, too insecure to look at your aging body without being reminded of their own future, and too self-absorbed to notice that you're lonely or feel useless because you've been pushed aside.
...by Feed