Volunteering?

[SydSim]

DD-13 is the animal lover and volunteers at the local animal shelter (does laundering of the towels and blankets that the animals use, runs dishwasher that washes the bowls, etc., then spends quality time, for her and them, with the cats).

Was talking to a friend whose daughter is looking for a place to volunteer. She said her interest is cooking and after researching for her, I recommended the Ronald McDonald. Now I believe I'm going to do it too!

The theater where DH and I met is non-profit and it always looking for volunteers to help with clerical type things.

 

[tvguy]

Sorted can goods at the Food Bank.
Made 1,000 sandwichs on a Sunday morning at the Food bank.
Prepared and served food at the homeless shelter.
Assembled Christmas food boxes at the Salvation Army.
Umpired hundreds of Little League games (the toughest volunteering of all because nobody appreciates an umpire!)

 

[browneyes106]

My boyfriend is a Special Olympics coach and I help him often. Special Olympics are always in need of volunteers whether they are occasional or regular. It also depends on the SO in you area. In my area the basketball league has tournaments monthly so there is always a need for volunteers in issues of rides, food, equipment and assisting coaches.

I did volunteer work last year for my friend who is an advisor for a foster children's support group I helped wrap Christmas presents for the kids and I helped out at a couple of barbecues they held.

I have also done fostering for animal shelters in the past. I fostered mother cats with litters, abandonded kittens and sometimes older or special needs cats who needed temporary housing before they could be placed. Dealing with abandoned kittens doesn't work for everyone especially if they need to be bottle fed.

ctinct's suggestion for Big Brothers/Big Sisters is a good suggestion. I know in my area there was a lack of male mentors a couple of years back. My bf thought about volunteering with them but he used to attached to SO and he couldn't find anything to work with his schedule. His dad started volunteering with them soon after.

 

[browneyes106]

My boyfriend is a Special Olympics coach and I help him often. Special Olympics are always in need of volunteers whether they are occasional or regular. It also depends on the SO in you area. In my area the basketball league has tournaments monthly so there is always a need for volunteers in issues of rides, food, equipment and assisting coaches.

I did volunteer work last year for my friend who is an advisor for a foster children's support group I helped wrap Christmas presents for the kids and I helped out at a couple of barbecues they held.

I have also done fostering for animal shelters in the past. I fostered mother cats with litters, abandonded kittens and sometimes older or special needs cats who needed temporary housing before they could be placed. Dealing with abandoned kittens doesn't work for everyone especially if they need to be bottle fed.

ctinct's suggestion for Big Brothers/Big Sisters is a good suggestion. I know in my area there was a lack of male mentors a couple of years back. My bf thought about volunteering with them but he used to attached to SO and he couldn't find anything to work with his schedule. His dad started volunteering with them soon after.

 

[runskyhy]

tutoring & mentoring middle/high school students
sorting donations at local food bank
greeting/feeding troops at airport with USO
soup kitchens
sorting clothes at donation center

no matter what you choose, thanks for volunteering!

 

[geffric]

I volunteer with Meals on Wheels and deliver meals to the homebound as well as work in the kitchen.
I also an a SHIP counselor..Senior Health Insurance Program - it is a medicare counselor a the local senior center. I volunteer there about 2 times per month..

 

[Pigeon]

In the past I've volunteered at Planned Parenthood, Literacy Volunteers of America, and a food pantry. Dh has volunteered at Habitat for Humanity. Right now we volunteer at pet adoption clinics for a local dog rescue.

 

[aprilgail2]

After my real paying job I am a girl scout leader, on the PTA board, and I also volunteer with my daughter for a local childrens charity. We do a back to school drive and at christmas we spend every weekend in Nov and Dec and some weeknights picking up and delivering toys, and in the fall and spring help out at parties for the children with cancer.

 

[okeydokey]

Besides church and school, I am a volunteer leader of a 4-H club. We meet twice a month for activities and do a couple of other community service projects each year (clean ups, senior meals on wheels etc). 4-H is a great organization.

 

[kacaju]

Besides church and school, I am a volunteer leader of a 4-H club. We meet twice a month for activities and do a couple of other community service projects each year (clean ups, senior meals on wheels etc). 4-H is a great organization.

I am a HUGE 4-H volunteer!! Sometimes it feels like I am at our 4-H center more then at home. We just had our annual Fair!!
I also volunteer at Church and I do Pet therapy. I love volunteering!!

 

[Art 1]

I don't volunteer because I'm too busy working. My wife does not work but volunteers 30 to 40 hrs per week for the Diocese of Orlando.

 

[Glenn]

I volunteer at a living history farm museum. Lots of things to do from paperwork, gardening to taking care of animals.

 

[pennymom]

My favorite current volunteer job is with disaster services for my local Red Cross. If there is a local disaster, such as a house fire or flood, and the family has no where to go (lost wallets in the fire/no relatives nearby/no other options), the fire department calls us. We go out to the scene and provide a few days of housing and food, and our nurse helps them to replace medical supplies such as prescriptions, glasses, etc. It really gives people a few days to figure out what they need to do next, and contact insurance company, mortgage holder, get their lives a bit organized, etc.

Some disaster volunteers also help after major disasters, such as hurricanes, when the local volunteers just aren't enough. In 2008, I spent three weeks working at a shelter in TX after a major hurricane damaged so many homes that hundreds/thousands needed shelter . One of the best experiences of my life!

The Red Cross is also always in need of volunteers in the office, providing refreshments at blood drives, teaching CPR courses, providing refreshments and a smile to service members leaving for deployment, etc.

I am also a Cub Scout leader and active on my PTA.

In the past I have fed and cared for injured/orphaned animals at a wildlife rehab, taught children's programs at the same rehab, Habitat for Humanity, with the USO serving refreshments to military while traveling through the airport, Special Olympics, and a variety of other things.

OP...good for you and your DH for reaching out to help your community! I think you'll find it can be VERY rewarding, and you may need to try a few things until you find the one that 'clicks' for you. Good luck!

 

[disfan07]

Up until June I was volunteering at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.
Starting in September I will be volunteering at Children's Hospital of Orange County.

I get to help in the child life playroom (organizing and supervising games, school time, and free play) and I am in the NICU sometimes holding and feeding babies. The second part is the best

 

[Simba's Mom]

I was a volunteer at our local Ronald McDonald House for 10 years. I gave it up a year ago after I had to get a paying job and my mom was diagnosed with cancer (she is doing well at present). At our Ron McDon House volunteers worked a 3 hour shift every other week. We did office/clerical work, gave tours, helped families check in and out of rooms, light housekeeping etc... I found it very rewarding. Check to see if there is one near you, they always need volunteers!

Good luck.

Glad to see Ronald McDonald House getting a plug. I've volunteered there for 7 years off and on (between jobs). Recently I got "Volunteer of the Year" there. And they always needs volunteers for one time or continous tasks.

 

[mamajoan]

I am a CASA. Court Appointed Special Advocate for Abused and Neglected Children. We have several couples that work together on cases.
If you do not feel you can dedicate your time to specific children, there are CASA friends that volunteer in the office, fundraising and various other activities. They are also essential to the CASA mission.
http://www.casaforchildren.org/site/c.mtJSJ7MPIsE/b.5301295/k.BE9A/Home.htm

this link will give you information at the national level you can also find out if your county has a CASA program.

I love working with the kids, I advocate for their best interests with the court, schools, social services. I also work with the parents, fosterparents and guardians... but all for the best interest of the child. I dedicate approximately 40 hours per month for all of my cases. If you would like to more just shoot me a pm.

 

[Rora]

I want to thank everyone for sharing their experiences!!!

DH and I went to volunteer at our local food pantry yesterday sorting and distributing food and positively loved it!! We're going back on Friday.

We're also looking into Big Brother Big Sister but are worried about having the time.

And I wish I could volunteer with animals but I would have to take all of them home!!

Again, thanks so much for responding. And, I'm happy to see so many of us volunteer!! You guys ROCK!