Want to serve but don’t know where to start? Here are some ideas to get you moving in the right direction.
PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT
Our planet is under pressure and it needs all the help it can get. Outstanding environmental organizations are everywhere dedicated to protecting your country, your town, or your local park.
Thought Starters:
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Join a community clean up event. |
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Join or start a community garden. |
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Contact your local Parks Department to become a docent, or to help in any way you can. |
Web sites to check out:
National Parks Service -- The U.S National Parks are treasures to be cherished -- and they need your help! Click here.
The Nature Conservancy -- This leading conservation organization works in all 50 states and more than 30 countries. Click here.
Nicodemus Wilderness Project -- Draws upon the interest of local community members to provide long-term environmental benefits for natural areas. Click here.
HELP YOUR COMMUNITY
Most of us are so fortunate. We have comfortable homes, steady incomes, and a well-stocked kitchen -- but millions don’t. There are few things more satisfying than helping people-in-need right in your own community.
Thought Starters:
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Support a 10K race supporting a local cause. |
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Support a local thrift shop. Give them quality things and ask your neighbors to do the same. |
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Libraries are hungry for quality books. If they’re collecting dust on your bookshelf, share them with others to enjoy. |
Web sites to check out:
Goodwill Industries – A leading provider of education and career services for people with disadvantages. Click here.
Salvation Army -- Since 1986, this faith-based organization has been providing education, healthcare and relief to people-in-need and communities everywhere. Click here.
United Way -- A national network of nearly 1,300 local organizations dedicated to creating long-lasting community change. Click here.
REACH OUT TO KIDS IN NEED
Kids don’t deserve to struggle, but many do. Contact a youth support organization and find out what services they need most: Helping a young person to succeed means saving a life.
Thought Starters:
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You don’t have to be a parent to volunteer in a classroom. |
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Every school needs money – help support a fundraising event. |
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Foster children need plenty of support – contact your local city services department to find out how you can provide kids without parents with support they can use. |
Web sites to check out:
Big Brothers Big Sisters -- The nation’s oldest and largest mentoring organization serving young people ages 6 – 18. Click here.
Boys and Girls Clubs of America -- Its mission: To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Click here.
Communities in Schools -- For over 30 years, CIS has been a champion in the effort to reduce national student dropout rate. Click here.
GIVE A HAND TO SENIORS
Life can be tough for many seniors. Health, mobility and financial issues can make those golden years less than golden. Reach out to those who came before you – you’ll be amazed at the joy and comfort you can bring.
Thought Starters:
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Visit a senior center to visit, read, talk and listen to senior. |
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Help with grocery shopping or cooking. |
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Help with administrative tasks that are easy for you, but may not be for them. |
Web sites to check out:
AARP -- The leading organization for people age 50 and older has many great service opportunities throughout the country. Click here.
Senior Corps -- Sponsored by The Corporation for National & Community Service, Senior Corps connected today’s over 55s with the people and organizations that need them most. Click here.
HELP PEOPLE LEARN
Learning is the key to life and many adults need help. Share your knowledge to improve peoples’ lives.
Thought Starters:
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Do you know about business? How about helping someone who is trying to get one going? |
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Illiteracy is a terrible disability – help someone learn to read. |
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Find an adult education program and find out how you can help – they’ll find a place for you. |
Web sites to check out:
ProLiteracy – Dedicated to improving lives and communities through literacy, this nonprofit provides volunteer opportunities throughout the country. Click here.
Junior Achievement -- A worldwide partnership between the business community, educators and volunteers -- all working together to inspire young people to reach their potential. Click here.
Salvation Army -- Since 1986, this faith-based organization has been providing education, healthcare and relief to people-in-need and communities everywhere. Click here.
PROVIDE GUIDANCE
Everyday, young people wake up confused, disillusioned and depressed. Think about mentoring a young person and changing a life for the better.
Thought Starters:
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Become a Big Brother or Big Sister. |
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Donate to a non-profit mentoring organization or help them with fundraising. |
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Donate or support a local non-profit that provides counseling to young people. |
Web sites to check out:
Mentor/National Mentoring Partnership -- Working to expand the world of quality mentoring through a network of mentoring partnerships. Click here.
YMCA -- One of the nation’s largest not-for-profit community service organizations. YMCA is particularly vested in helping young people to thrive on their way to adulthood. Click here.
YouthBuild USA – Their mission: To unleash the intelligence and positive energy of low-income youth to rebuild their communities and their lives. Click here.
HELP WITH HEALTH
Disease never sleeps and it doesn’t care who you are or how precious your children might be. Across the country, there are great organizations dedicated to ending disease and improving people’s health. And don’t forget, you don’t need to give a kidney to help save a life … giving blood works well, too.
Thought Starters:
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Give blood. |
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Support a local health fair. |
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Donate your old eyeglasses – they’ll work for somebody. |
Web sites to check out:
American Cancer Society – Strive to eliminate cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from this disease. Click here.
American Diabetes Association -- Leading the fight against the deadly consequences of diabetes and fighting for those affected by it. Click here.
American Heart Association -- Since 1915, their goal has been: "Building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke." Click here.
SUPPORT A FAMILY
Families are the foundation of America, but all too often, they are broken. Kids are homeless, spouses are battered, and family members are at risk. Help a family stay together is a gift that cannot be overstated.
Thought Starters:
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Many people are hungry in America – support a local food bank. |
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Find a needy family and provide them with support in the way of transportation or additional tutoring services to help their kids learn. |
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Are you handy? If so, find a family in need and help them get things fixed. |
Web sites to check out:
Goodwill Industries – A leading provider of education and career services for people with disadvantages including homelessness, lack of education or work experience. Click here.
Habitat for Humanity – For three decades, this faith-based organization has been at work throughout the world to eliminate poverty housing and provide quality shelter for those in need. Click here.
Feeding America -- The nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity. Its mission is to feed America's hungry through a nationwide network of member food banks. Click here.
ANIMALS ARE PEOPLE, TOO
Do you love animals that roam the wild, or care about those that simply roam your street? Animals are amazing, precious and need the attention of people.
Thought Starters:
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Volunteer at your local animal shelter. |
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Sponsor or train a service dog. |
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Volunteer to walk your neighbor’s dog when you know they can’t for health or other personal reasons. |
Web sites to check out:
American Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals (ASPCA) -- The first humane organization in the Western Hemisphere. Dedicated to providing effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals. Click here.
The Humane Society of the United States -- The HSUS seeks a humane and sustainable world for all animals. Click here.
Freedom Service Dogs (FSD) -- a nonprofit organization that rescues dogs from shelters and custom trains them to provide critical assistance to people with disabilities, veterans and returning military personnel from Iraq and Afghanistan. Click here.
THE ART OF SERVICE
Art expresses where we came from, who we are and where we’re going. Help protect what we have and what we may in the future by getting involved with museums and community art programs where you live.
Thought Starters:
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Volunteer at a local art museum |
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Teach seniors or young people to paint, sculpt or photograph, etc. |
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Help restore local public art such as murals. |
Web sites to check out:
Nearly all opportunities are local in nature. Click here to find art volunteer services in your area.