Volunteer Ideas

Ideas for Volunteering Wisely

Sometimes, one of the hardest parts of volunteering can be finding a volunteering opportunity that fits your personality. We created this comprehensive list to help you find the perfect match. There is much work to be done in many areas.

Homeless Shelters

If you live in a city of any size, then there is at least one homeless shelter that helps homeless people with meals, beds and other services. Most homeless shelters welcome volunteers and have a variety of programs through which you can get involved. You might:

help prepare or distribute meals
work behind the scenes in the business office
help organize a food drive to stock the pantry, etc.
collect clothes for residents of the shelter
deliver a "brown bag" lunch directly to the homeless

Food Banks

Food banks often work with homeless shelters, but they also serve poor people living in the community (especially around the holidays). By volunteer at a food bank, you could:

collect food
manage their inventory
distribute food to those in need.

Wishes for Children

Thousands of children have enjoyed the magical experience of having a cherished wish fulfilled through the Children's Wish Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing joy and hope to seriously ill children and their families by involving the public in putting children first with opportunities to experience the enhanced value and quality of life through the magic of a fulfilled wish. You can help by

referring a child
volunteering for Children's Wish
fulfilling a wish
Learn more....

Parks & Outdoor Areas

Many city and state parks offer volunteer programs, and in these programs you can do any number of things, including:

educational programs
trail construction and maintenance
pick up/clean up trash
plant flowers, shrubs, or trees

Contact a park system near you and see what options are available if you are interested. Our Environment category may also be helpful. Read our 50 Ways to Save the Earth.

Literacy & Learning

Reading is one of the most important skills an adult can have. Many

literacy volunteers act as tutors who help illiterate children and adults learn this important skill. There is probably a literacy program in your area -- especially in your public library.
illiteracy and crime are linked. Prisons and jails need literacy programs as well
collect used paperbacks and novels to donate to libraries, prisons, jails, shelters -- or give them to homeless people on the street

Tutoring & Mentoring

The limited resources of many public schools, especially those in urban areas, results in inadequate education for many children. Tutors and mentors are vital to children's education. Some schools have tutoring programs in place, but tutoring is still an option

adopt a school and tutor students in math or reading
don't forget about children in shelters (women's shelters or homeless shelters), they need extra help since they have probably missed a lot of school due to circumstances out of their control
set up an online tutoring program with a local district or classroom. Create or correct math problems.
become a classroom contact. Have online email computer buddies with students in an elementary class.

Environmental Organizations

Numerous environmental groups encourage volunteer support to help with environmental activities. You can help in many ways:

help lobby on conservation issues
lead hikes and other activities
lend a hand at the offices of environmental groups
start a "Reuse, Reduce & Recycle" campaign or ask your local recycling center if there is a project they need done

Contact the local office of an environmental organization near you. See also the Earth Day website.

Animal Issues

There are so many ways to help non-human animals. The myriad of organizations welcome volunteers to help in a number of ways:

volunteer at your local humane society -- walk dogs, socialize cats, help with adoptions, keep facilities clean, work with the public, provide humane education, and assist with general office support. etc.
lobby for animals. Join the Humane Activist Network and help pass animal protection laws
start a vegetarian or animal advocacy club at your workplace, school, or church
help leaflet and table for various animal protection organizations
Find more ideas

Special Olympics

As described in their mission statement, the Special Olympics is an international program of year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with mental retardation. They offer a number of different volunteer activities, including

sports training
fundraising
administrative help
competition planning
staffing, etc.

Build Homes

Habitat for Humanity builds and gives houses to poor people in local communities. Volunteers not only help others but can learn a great deal about building houses by getting involved.

Hospitals

Many hospitals have volunteer programs to help patients both inside and outside the hospital. Contact local hospitals to learn more about opportunities in your area.

Libraries

Many libraries need help:

reshelving books
running children's programs
making books available to the community

Contact a local library for volunteer opportunities in your area.

Senior Citizens

Many senior citizen centers offer volunteer programs to provide friendship and community activities to senior citizens. If you would like working with senior citizens, call a senior citizen center in your neighborhood and see what kinds of volunteer programs they

do yard work at an elderly person's home -- clean up and spruce it up.
play chess or checkers with an elderly person regularly
lead activities such as free weights and exercise, stretching, or yoga at a senior center

City Programs

Most large cities offer a wide range of volunteer opportunities. Look in the phone book and call around to see what might be available where you live. [Do not be discouraged if your first few calls seem to hit a brick wall. Many city governments are large and fairly disorganized. Keep calling around until you find someone who understands what you are talking about and who is willing to help.] Some ideas include:

identify (or create) and brighten a public play area or an inner city building with a beautiful mural (many cities have public mural programs) See Philadelphia's amazing Mural Arts program for some inspiration.
paint poles and swing sets in bright colors at a playground
fix and secure swings and slides
place wood chips and create slide landings
Blood Banks
Volunteer opportunities exist in blood banks across the country. Find a local blood bank by visiting our Support Blood Banks area.
Disaster Relief Organizations
Volunteers are extremely vital during times of disaster.

Political Campaigns

If it's an election year, there are thousands of opportunities to volunteer in political campaigns around the country. You can learn more than you imagine by helping a candidate win election. Pick a candidate whose ideas you believe in (either on the local, state or national level) and volunteer to be a part of his or her campaign.

800 Number Volunteers

Many 800 help-lines rely on volunteers to staff the phones and handle other tasks. If there is an 800 phone bank in your area, you may be able to volunteer to help out.

Boys & Girls Clubs
Local YMCAs/YWCAs and Boys & Girls Clubs have numerous volunteer opportunities from childcare to sports coaching.
Contact your local Boys & Girls Clubs for more information.

Museums

Museums are wonderful places to volunteer -- educational and helpful. Contact any museum (art, sculpture, science, children's) in your area to find out more. .