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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• Volunteering for Your Favorite Cause as a Family
• The How, What, and Where of Volunteering
• 8 More Ideas for Volunteering With Your Kids
• 8 Benefits of Volunteerism