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7 Tips for First Time Volunteers

Monday, October 15th, 2012

Make a Difference Day logo.Make A Difference Day is just a few weeks away! If you know how you’re going to make a difference on October 27, awesome!

You might say “But I’ve never volunteered before? How can I make a difference? I don’t even know where to start”

Today is your lucky day! We have seven tips to help make sure your first volunteer experience is a great one!

Find a cause you care about.

Is there something that you really care about? Does your local school system need a little help? Are there a lot of stray animals in your neighborhood? Do you love the way your library smells and want everyone to be as excited about books as you are?

Once you’ve found something in your community you’d like to make better, then…

Find a project in the DAYta Bank.

Once you’ve decided on a cause you’d like to support, you can find a project near you in the Make A Difference Day DAYta Bank! As long as you’re looking, why not find a few different projects that sound like they could be fun and…

Do a little research.

Spend a bit of time on the websites of the nonprofits that are hosting the projects you’re interested in. Find out how they support the causes you’re interested in and the work they do in your community. If you find a nonprofit you’d like to support you can…

Sign up for a project!

The DAYta Bank makes it easy to sign up for a project! Once you find a project with an organization you like you’ll be taken to the signup page for that project. Sign up and you’ll be all set to volunteer on Make A Difference Day!

Remember it’s OK to ask questions.

It’s alright to ask questions about the project before you show up. Project listings should have a person to contact if you have any questions about what the project is about and how you need to prepare. A lot of questions are answered in the project descriptions, but if your question isn’t it’s alright to get in touch with the event organizer so you’re ready for the day when you show up!

Show up ready to have fun.

You’re volunteering because there’s a cause you care about, right? That doesn’t mean you can’t have a good time! The best way to make sure you’ll have fun at your first volunteer experience is to go in with an open mind. You might be asked to do something different than what you signed up for, or you might be asked to something you don’t know how to do. Keep an open mind and try it out, you might learn a thing or two, or find something you never thought you’d love to do! Volunteering can be serious business, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun.

Take time to reflect on your experience.

A lot of volunteer projects have some time set aside at the end of the project to think critically about the work that you just did. Reflecting on how working in a community garden can have an impact on the health of the local watershed or how it can influence kids to eat better is an important part of the volunteer experience. It doesn’t just give you a definite stopping point for a project, but it helps volunteers to better understand how their work has multiple effects in their community.

Keep making a difference!

Did you have a great time volunteering? Awesome! Tell us about it on the or Did you not quite fit with the project or organization? That’s alright! There are a lot more organizations out there that need your help! Try finding another project in the DAYta Bank or with HandsOn Network!

Was your first volunteer experience great? Did you decide to find a different way to volunteer? Let us know in the comments!

SUPER BONUS TIP!

Did you have a great time volunteering? Why not bring a friend along with you next time? Not only will it make sure you know someone at the project, but you’ll be involving your friend in something you care about and making your community better! Plus there’s a great opportunity to take cheesy pictures to share on Facebook!

 

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Posted in Events, Inspire, Mobilize, Volunteering, Volunteerism | 2 Comments »

Neighboring: The Essential Strategies

Thursday, June 7th, 2012

Volunteer programs and initiatives that view residents as assets and seek to engage the local community as an equal partner by empowering, mobilizing and building upon its assets, are best positioned to facilitate sustainable positive change. Whether it is a short term group volunteer project or a long term community initiative, more and more people are becoming neighbors and developing programs that have lasting impact on the communities.

Following are the seven basic strategies that individuals, organizations, and businesses can use when working with under-resourced communities to strengthen families and transform neighborhoods.

1. Understand the language and nature of volunteering in tough communities – Learning the language is an important aspect of working in tough communities.Volunteers are abundant in tough neighborhoods and have a long history of helping, but residents do not usually refer to themselves as “volunteers.” Often called “helping out,” “giving back,” or “neighboring,” the volunteering that takes place is not usually recognized or rewarded and happens more informally through neighborhood associations, churches, and on an individual basis.

2. Overcome barriers to volunteering – Barriers to volunteering include lack of time, financial resources, child care, transportation, as well as low self-esteem and confidence, negative perceptions of volunteering or outside organizations, as well as cultural and language barriers.These must be addressed in order to engage local residents.

3. Empower the communities to help themselves – Residents must own the issues and solutions and must witness the benefit of their involvement in solving their communities’ social problems. Outsiders cannot be “parachuted” into the community to rescue the residents. Residents must be part of the planning and decision-making process.

4. Cultivate community members’ skills and talents – The gifts and talents of the local residents need to be identified and translated into important assets needed to accomplish a project’s goals. Many residents believe they have no talents or skills to bring to the table, but only by building on existing assets within the community can real change be affected.

5. Strengthen existing community leadership – Organizations should identify existing leaders and help develop new community leaders. Local leaders help build community trust and ensure that the local perspectives and experiences are considered and understood.

6. Acknowledge that volunteering is an exchange – All volunteers need to be rewarded for their contributions in ways that make sense and have meaning to them. In tough communities an appropriate exchange could include meals, services such as tutoring, child care subsidies, and job opportunities.

7. Ensure community readiness – Building relationships and involvement takes time. It is a process that needs patience and flexibility. Communities may need help resolving conflicts or problems that are preventing residents’ involvement.

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Happy Birthday to the American Red Cross!

Monday, May 21st, 2012

On May 21, 1881, Clara Barton and a circle of colleagues founded the American Red Cross. Barton and colleagues originally founded the Red Cross to aid injured war soldiers during the Civil War.

Prior to World War I, the American Red Cross developed its first water safety, first aid, and nursing initiatives. From 1914 to 1917 the number of Red Cross chapters, nation-wide, increased to 3,864 in order to aid the war effort. In 1918, Red Cross nurses helped combat the influenza epidemic.

After World War I, the American Red Cross focused their efforts on veteran relief and safety education. The American Red Cross also expanded their services to disaster victim relief and services.

Similar to World War I, the American Red Cross played a major role in World War II from supplies to providing nurses. Post World War II, the American Red Cross held the first nation-wide blood supply drive.

Since World War II, the Red Cross has expanded its services to biomedical research, human tissue collection, civil defense, CPR/AED training, HIV/AIDS education, and disaster victim support. The Red Cross also helped the federal government form the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Since founding the Red Crescent Societies in 1919, the American Red Cross has joined more than 175 other national societies in bringing aid to international victims of disasters.

Today we celebrate the amazing contributions the American Red Cross has given not only the United States, but also the entire world. Let us remember some of these accomplishments by reading the list below:

  • The American Red Cross supplies 40 percent of the nation’s entire blood supply
  • The American Red Cross supplies over 3,000 national hospitals’ blood supply
  • Over 200,000 blood drive are held across the United States, annually
  • During Hurricane Katrina, over 2,000 Red Cross volunteers provided relief
  • The American Red Cross allocated $314.7 million in disaster relief donations to victims of the 2010 Haiti Earthquake.
  • In 2001, the American Red Cross partnered with other world organization in the Measles Initiative. Since 2001, the Measles Initiative has helped vaccinate over 1 billion children in over 60 developing countries.
  • Each year, the American Red Cross responds to over 70,000 disasters.
  • Over 12 million Americans are trained in CPR/AED annually with the American Red Cross course.
  • The American Red Cross provides one-quarter of the nation’s plasma supply through their volunteer services.

These accomplishments would not be possible without the 131 years of American Red Cross existence. May 21 is the day to celebrate the birthday of such an amazing volunteer organization. Take a minute to thank your local Red Cross chapter for the all the work they do.

Do you want to get involved with the American Red Cross? You have a great deal of volunteer options from holding a blood drive to hosting CPR training. Check out the official Red Cross site today to learn more about volunteering opportunities near you and find a local chapter close to your community.

Have you been touched by the Red Cross? We would love to hear your story in the comments section below!

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May the Fourth Be With You!

Friday, May 4th, 2012

In case you haven’t noticed but we like to put our own little spin on things! May 4th is the unofficial National Star Wars Day. Today we celebrate May 4th, volunteering, and Star Wars, which means it’s time to break out our favorite Star Wars quotes to inspire you to volunteer and help others! Check out our favorite Star Wars quotes to inspire you to volunteer!

  1. “On many long journeys have I gone. And waited, too, for others to return from journeys of their own. Some return; some are broken; some come back so different only their names remain.” Vacationing soon? Remember this quote the next time you go on a vacation. Let this inspire you to volunteer to serve others. The volunteer vacation will change you for the better and possibly influence your will to also do good at home!
  2. “To answer power with power, the Jedi way this is not. In this war, a danger there is, of losing who we are.” Stay true to your community by researching local volunteer opportunities that match the needs of your community.
  3. “To be Jedi is to face the truth, and choose. Give off light, or darkness, Padawan. Be a candle, or the night.” Be the light at the end of a tunnel, especially during an after disasters. Volunteers are essential for disaster relief efforts and further provide hope when there is doubt.
  4. “No! Try not. Do, or do not. There is no try.” Volunteer Managers! Often, when  coordinating volunteer activities, planning the logistics of the event can be a daunting task causing one to consider giving and potentially abandoning the activity; however, don’t give up, remember that you’re serving others, and remember YODA!
  5. “Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering.” Do not be fearful when you choose to volunteer. Be ready for any task you may be assigned.  Remember that you’re serving others and you’re doing good in your community.
  6. “Truly wonderful the mind of a child is.” Youth are valuable volunteers. Make sure to incorporate youth volunteers in your service activity. Check out our affiliate Generation On for more information on youth volunteering.”
  7. “Always in motion is the future.” Volunteers are our future! Volunteers will be necessary and an aspect to our nation.

We hope this weekend and throughout the year, that the force be with you! Happy Volunteering!

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4 Ideas to Help Mobilize Volunteers

Tuesday, April 24th, 2012

Today’s post comes from Gregg Michaelsen, Fundraising Consultant at Simple Fundraising Ideas. Gregg specializes in providing unique fundraising ideas for non-profit organizations.  Check out his site at http://simple-fundraising-ideas.com/ to get ideas on how you can raise funds for your organization.

I love setting up fundraisers.  There’s something fulfilling about them especially if the fundraiser is for a great cause.  If you have the right fundraising ideas, setting up a fundraiser is actually very easy.  After all, you just need to let people know that you need help for your cause.

Do you want to know the hard part?  It’s finding volunteers.  I’ve long faced the fact that people are busy.  They have their own responsibilities.  We can’t blame them if they’d rather perform their responsibilities that spend some time volunteering.

You don’t have to worry because there are still a lot of people who will be more than willing to help.  These are the people that have set aside time and resources just so they can help out your cause.  Needless to say, you have to make it worth their time and effort.

This is a common scenario.  The volunteers can’t perform their tasks because your organization wasn’t able to come up with the funds needed.  It’s really unfortunate to see volunteers that have nothing to eat or drink.  It’s unfortunate when they have to cough up their own money so in addition to donating their time and effort, they’re also donating money.  There’s nothing wrong with this if it’s their choice.  But if they’re forced to pay for their own transportation to and from different venues, that’s something that should be addressed.

This is why I came up with ideas that can help mobilize volunteers.

1. Team up with a local restaurant for the meals of your volunteers.

A lot of restaurants are more than willing to help in their own special way.  What better way to do it than to provide for the meals of the volunteers?  Approach the restaurants in the area and tell them that you’re offering them a unique opportunity to help out.  I personally like approaching pizzerias and a lot of them are more than willing to donate several boxes of pizza.  In return of the free meals, you can place a small banner in the fundraiser’s venue with the restaurant’s information on it.

2. Donate a van.

Look for someone who’s willing to lend his or her own van.  This is to make sure that the volunteers can go anywhere as needed without worrying about their transportation.

3. Use discount cards.

This is another favorite of mine.  Team up with a supermarket and hand out discount cards to your volunteers.  They’ll get discounts when they use the card for their purchases and the supermarket gets additional businesses.  In addition, the cards should accumulate points that you can later on convert to cash for additional funds for your organization.

4. Give volunteers allowance.

Now, this is not in any way payment for their services.  That will defeat the whole purpose of volunteerism.  This is just a small amount of “pocket money” just in case they need to buy something related to the fundraiser.  This way, they don’t need to spend their own money.

With these tips, you can easily mobilize volunteers and they’ll actually enjoy volunteering.  This is very important so they will volunteer again for your next fundraiser.

Check out these fundraising ideas to raise a lot of funds so you’ll have the funds needed to mobilize your volunteers.  Remember, their success is your success.

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It’s That Time of the Year to Celebrate Volunteers!

Monday, April 16th, 2012

Happy National Volunteer Week! Yesterday started the kickoff for the week. How will you celebrate the power of volunteerism? If you stick with HandsOn Network and our friends, you won’t be disappointed this week!

President Barack Obama officially the week of April 15-21 to be National Volunteer Week April 9th. National Volunteer Week is a week long celebration of volunteer recognition and the power of service. It is the perfect time for beginner volunteers to start giving back, families to come together through volunteering, and organizations to recognize their volunteers and partners.

How can you celebrate this week with HandsOn Network, Points of Light, generationOn, and AmeriCorps Alums? The list below will make it easy for you to get involved!

  1. Learning time: Our partners have many volunteer learning resources happening this week. GenerationOn is hosting a free webinar on April 18 “With Honor! May Moments of Service.” This is a great opportunity for youth to learn about service projects or organizations and individuals who work with youth to participate, as well. AmeriCorps Alums will be hosting a webinar on “Resume Assistance” April 17. This webinar is a great tool for adding volunteer experience to your career resume. You can also find many webinar resources on our website! Register for the above webinars by clicking on the webinar titles.
  2. Reward volunteer hours: Cabot Creamery Cooperative, All for Good, Create the Good, and Points of Light have teamed together to make volunteer hours count for even more. Thanks to the “Reward Volunteers” mobile Smartphone application you can get prizes just for sharing your volunteer hours.
  3. Volunteer with our friends: HandsOn Network has over 250 action centers who are all hosting volunteer projects across the nation. Whether you are interested in the environment or you just want to play with some cute animals we know you will not have a problem finding something to do.
  4. Recognize volunteerism: There are so many ways that you can tell your volunteers “Thank-you” this week. From a simple thank-you card to a volunteer parade just show them that you care.
  5. Tell us what you do: your story of volunteerism with Points of Light this week. By sharing your story, you could have a chance to win one of five cruise tickets to Alaska for you and a guest thanks to Cabot Creamery Cooperative.
  6. Girl power: Do you know a woman who is making a big difference in the community through the power of volunteerism? Nominate her for the 2012 L’Oreal Paris USA’s Women of Worth contest. Your nomination could help her win money for her nonprofit!
  7. Feed the hungry: Join generationOn and No Kid Hungry as they team up for the Great American Bake Sale. All you have to do is register your bake sale and donate your profits to Share Our Strength who will put your donations toward the fight against hunger.
  8. Visit the Extra Mile Pathway: Want to be inspired by great acts of service? Visit the Points of Light Extra Mile Pathway, if you will be in the Washington DC area. There is a great bunch of dedicated volunteer stories just waiting to inspire you along the way.
  9. Join Clifford: Know someone who is making an impact this week and beyond? Whether they are young or old nominate them for Scholastic’s BE BIG Challenge today!

National Volunteer Week is going to be awesome! We hope that you will get out and celebrate people in action.

Got questions? Let us know in the comments section below, after all we are a fun bunch so don’t be scared to ask!

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The President Wants to Recognize You for Your Great Work!

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012

For more than two decades, Points of Light honors and encourages organizations throughout the nation to celebrate National Volunteer Week, providing visibility, thematic focus and resources to enable them to commemorate this signature week of volunteer recognition,. National Volunteer Week is April 15-21, 2012.

During National Volunteer Week, we at Points of Light and HandsOn Network encourage people to recognize the outstanding impact of volunteers with the President’s Volunteer Service Award.

Created by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation, the President’s Volunteer Service Award program is a way to thank and honor Americans who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteer service. 

Recognizing and honoring volunteers sets a standard for service, encourages a sustained commitment to civic participation, and inspires others to make service a central part of their lives. The President’s Volunteer Service Award recognizes individuals, families, and groups that have achieved a certain standard – measured by the number of hours of service over a 12-month period or cumulative hours earned over the course of a lifetime.

To date, the President’s Council has partnered with more than 80 leadership organizations and more than 28,000 certifying organizations to bestow more than 1.5 million awards to the Nation’s deserving volunteers.

Depending on which award package is ordered, award recipients can receive: An official President’s Volunteer Service Award lapel pin, a personalized certificate of achievement or a congratulatory letter from the President of the United States.

Any individual, family, or group can receive Presidential recognition for volunteer hours earned over a 12-month period or over the course of a lifetime at home or abroad. The following are the eligibility requirements for each age group: Kids, age 5-14, young adults, individuals age 15-25, and adults age 26 and up.

Criterion for the bronze presidential award include the completion of  50-74 service hours for kids, 100 to 174 hours for Young Adults, 100 to 249 hours for adults, and 200 to 499 hours for families and groups.

Criterion for the silver presidential award include the completion of 75 to 99 hours for Kids, 175 to 249 hours for Young Adults, 250 to 499 hours for adults, and 500 to 999 hours for families and groups.

Criterion for the gold presidential award include the completion of 100 hours or more for kids, 250 hours or more for young adults, 500 hours or more for adults, and 1000 hours or more for families and groups.

Additionally, volunteers of all ages with 4,000 or more service hours over a lifetime can receive the President’s Call to service award.

We hope that during National Volunteer Week and throughout the year, you choose to recognize and honor volunteers with the Presidential service award for their amazing service and impact on their communities.

 

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Carry Out That New Years Resolution!

Friday, February 3rd, 2012

You survived January 2012, now what? Did you make that New Years resolution stick through the chilling January temperatures? If Groundhog Day has taught us anything, it is that there is going to be another 6 weeks of winter (Yikes!).

So let’s not get discouraged, let’s get out and volunteer to keep that New Years resolution throughout the whole year! Statistics show that after the first month of trying to stick to a New Years resolution only 64% of people who set them will actually stick to them.

If you resolved to help others and your community in 2012, you do not need to be another statistic in this continuous cycle of failed resolutions. Helping others does not need to be a complete life change or turning away from a bad habit. It is just a positive addition to your life that will benefit you in so many ways (hey maybe with the positive feeling you get from volunteering you will be able to move to new goals like losing weight)

So why do people find it so hard to stick to resolutions such as volunteering?

  1. Many people believe that they do not have enough time to volunteer during their hectic schedule. Come on we have heard this excuse so many times, why do you think people don’t exercise?
  2. Some people do not know where to volunteer their time or what organizations need volunteers.
  3. Volunteers get intimidated by the many options available in the nonprofit world. There are a ton of action areas it can be difficult to choose just one!
  4. Some people do not see problems in their community, so they do not believe that their community needs volunteers.
  5. Others will get distracted by various plans. It can be difficult to volunteer on the weekends especially when you work all week.

Do these excuses sound like similar phrases that have come out of your mouth this past month? Well, it is good you are looking at today’s post. Let’s find solutions to these excuses. You do not have to be super volunteer to help your community. Make baby steps. No one completes their resolutions over night; if we did losing weight would be number one on our lists!

Excuse #1: You may be extremely busy, and volunteering just does not have a place on your schedule. Okay, so you cannot go out on a Saturday morning and volunteer physically to a soup kitchen or volunteer for a Habitat for Humanity build. But you can…

  • Donate canned goods to a food bank or soup kitchen
  • Donate gently used clothes or appliances to a shelter or donation center
  • Make decorations for a retirement home or hospital
  • Conserve water and energy
  • Recycle
  • Save your change and donate it to your favorite cause or charity

Excuse #2: There are so many charities and nonprofits in every city; it can become overwhelming when you are searching for a volunteer opportunity. There are many organizations that can help you find a volunteer opportunity that will guide you to the perfect match! Check out:

Excuse #3: Yes, we know there is an overwhelming amount of volunteering opportunities available. To make your volunteering choice less intimidating pick out something that you are truly interested in, so that you will want to continuously do it. Who wants to keep up with something they do not enjoy. Volunteering opportunities fall into a majority of these categories:

  • Animals
  • Elderly
  • Military
  • Youth
  • Environment
  • Disaster relief
  • Homelessness
  • Poverty
  • Women

Excuse #4: It is sometimes difficult to observe your community’s needs on a daily basis. The truth is every community needs and relies on volunteer work. Your contribution no matter how big or small will make a huge difference to your community and its members. Never believe that volunteering in your community will go unnoticed!

Excuse #5: It is normal to just want to relax during your time off. There are volunteering opportunities for every level of volunteer. You can volunteer from your couch, your kitchen, or your workplace. You can choose projects that are big or small just do something that you enjoy and it will not seem like work, because the benefits will outweigh the costs.

It is 2012; do not let yourself give up on another resolution. Make this year count! You will begin to see the rewards of your service quicker than you think. Just try it; what do you have to lose?

Are you volunteering in 2012? Share your ideas with us; we would love to hear them!

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Make it Work! Skills Based Volunteer Management Strategies

Thursday, January 26th, 2012

With the jobless rate still hovering around 9 percent, larger numbers of laid-off business executives are turning to volunteering as a way to make a difference to society­—and to retool their skills and perhaps change career paths. This is a godsend for the overburdened charities that need this help now more than ever. Nonprofit managers need to take full advantage of this opportunity, making the most of the legions of skilled volunteers to help strengthen the capacity and financial health of their organizations.

A Billion + Change speakerFortunately, there is now a big push to help communities across the country tap the incredible skills so many volunteers have to offer. In 2008 the Corporation for National Service kicked off “A Billion + Change” a national campaign to generate $2-billion worth of skilled expertise to help nonprofit groups meet community needs by 2013.

You might imagine that many professionals are not able to volunteer because they have full-time jobs. As long as an organization uses its creativity and resources to recruit and manage volunteers well, it is not a major barrier.

Not all charities use skilled volunteers well. A 2006 study conducted by Deloitte LLP and the Points of Light Foundation reports that neither businesses nor nonprofit groups have been able to create effective programs to recruit and manage skilled volunteers.

The benefits of making the most of skilled volunteers are clearly profound, but recruiting, retaining, and managing all of them can still be a headache. So how can a charity be sure it is getting the most out of the amazing resources and opportunities available today without going crazy or offending the volunteers or the employees?

Define each individual role that needs filling. Don’t just aimlessly recruit as many people as possible. What skills are the organization’s staff members lacking? Which projects are not started because the organization doesn’t have the employees to do them? Advertise specialized opportunities on Web sites that list nonprofit jobs and volunteer needs, listing each position’s responsibilities and requirements.

Don’t waste time on potential volunteers who don’t seem like a good fit. Be upfront about what the organization wants the volunteer to do. Ask what the volunteer is looking for. If, for example, the charity’s needs call for an independent worker who can sit at the computer and send out e-mail blasts all day, don’t offer the work to someone who is looking to volunteer as a way to be active and socialize.

Keep volunteers motivated. Since money is obviously not the incentive here, volunteers will do their best work when they feel inspired by the end result. Before they even get started, show them firsthand what the organization can accomplish. Incentives are also important. Can you offer experience, recommendations, professional contacts, and a fun time?

skilled volunteersBe flexible and show respect. It would be great if people with needed skills were willing to devote themselves to one charity, or solely to volunteerism, but they probably need to spend the majority of their time working on paid projects or looking for work. Give the volunteers specific tasks and short-term projects that require only a few hours per day or a few months of their time and make sure their important contribution is recognized. The obvious way to do this would be individual praise, but write-ups on the charity’s Web site or Facebook page or in an electronic newsletter to supporters can show appreciation. Let volunteers see how their work helps move the organization forward. Those “rewards” aid in continued motivation and retention.

Above all, don’t undermine the morale of staff members and consultants. Make sure you use volunteers in a way that complements the work of the people who are paid to keep the charity running. Make it clear that volunteering is support for the essential work of your organization. Your sponsors want to know that their donations are being put to good use, after all.

Do you manage skilled volunteers? What are some effective tactics you’ve put to use? Let us know in the comments below!

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Stay Out of the Cold and Volunteer from Home

Tuesday, January 24th, 2012

With the freezing temperatures, tornadoes, and torrential down pours lately, why would you ever want to leave your home, if you do not have to? All of us at HandsOn Network can definitely relate to your predicament. We have compiled a list so that you can still help out your community  without having to take off your Snuggie anytime soon!

How exactly are you helping out those in your community who may need help by sitting in your house? Volunteering does not always have to be face-to-face. You can plan for your service projects, fundraise, recruit volunteers, watch a discussion provoking documentary, etc.

Below is a list of just 5 ways that you can become involved from your spot on the couch.

  1. Plan your springtime service project NOW! There is nothing wrong with planning for service a little bit early. Service planning can actually take quite a bit of time. How can you plan your service project so early you may be asking yourself?
    • Decide where you want to serve
    • Check out their website. Find out whether or not you need to go through an orientation before you serve, etc.
    • Sign up for a project that sounds interesting to you
    • Recruit friends by calling them or sharing your project through social media channels
    • Make a list of supplies that you may need
  2. Gather gently used belongings that you can donate or sell at a yard sale to raise money for your favorite charity! These are both great ways to volunteer without leaving home because you not only get some spring cleaning done, but you will also largely help those in your community.
    • Go through your gently used goods and decide what you can give away and what you cannot possibly live without.
    • Sort these things into boxes or bags so that you know what you have
    • Locate your nearest shelter or donation center to bring your things too. Some organizations, such as the American Kidney Foundation, will even come and pick up your items!
    • If you are planning a yard sale get the word out by putting signs out around your neighborhood.
    • Decide what organization or causes you would most like to donate your proceeds to (maybe one that will benefit your local community?)
    • Let your neighbors know about your fundraising event and recruit their participation! It can be a great way to bring a community together in a beneficial way.
  3. Try micro-volunteering! What is this you may ask? Micro-volunteering is a form of virtual volunteering allowing people to serve nonprofits in an indirect way. A nonprofit may ask for a task to be completed online and a volunteer will respond to the task at hand. Service projects can take anywhere from 5 minutes to 2 hours. Websites such as sparked.com are great resources to find micro-volunteering opportunities!
  4. Assemble care packages or food baskets. Contact your local meals on wheels organization, church, or food bank and see what kinds of foods they are looking for. You can assemble meals for those who use their services and deliver them to be used for their community members. You can also check out veteran services to see how you can get involved in having an overseas pen pal!
  5. Are you artistically inclined? Turn your hobby into a service project!
    • Make pictures for a retirement center
    • Knit scarves, mittens, or hats for a local shelter
    • Make baby blankets for a women and children’s home
    • Make jewelry for a women’s shelter
    • Design dog or cat collars for an animal shelter or make toys

These are just 5 ways that you can volunteer without having to spend much time away from the warmth of your house! All of these suggestions will greatly benefit your local community in more ways than one!

Are you volunteering from home during these last few months of this dreary weather? We would love to hear your ideas and service projects in the comments section below!

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