Do you volunteer?

[CheartsQ]

I'm thinking of doing some volunteer work in my new town so I can meet new people, and because I enjoy doing community service. Here are some of the places/organizations I'm thinking about:

Habitat for Humanity
CASA
my local center for the arts
Humane Society

So if you volunteer, what exactly do you do? Do you enjoy it?

[HeatherFL]

Yes, I've been a spokesperson for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (fka as Leukemia Society of America) for 10 years. I speak for their various programs including Team in Training and Light the Night. I also do other things like help at Pot Lucks and actually participate in the programs. I enjoy it very much.

I also help other organizations such as the local Children's Hospital and Colombian Lady Volunteers of Tampa Bay. This puts me in touch with my mother's culture and is also very fulfilling work.

I really hope you get a lot of out it. I think you'll find it quite rewarding. :)

~H.

[ejs]

Some of my current and previous volunteer positions:

Local children's hosptial. Buddy and cuddler. As a buddy, I went from room to room and hung out with the kids. We'd play games or read or I'd help with the PT. Sometimes I would just relieve the parents; spend some time with their child so they could get some fresh air, grab a meal, go for a walk, talk with doctors. As a cuddler, I would go to NICU and sit in a rocking chair, hold a baby, and rock. It was the most amazing thing. I also administered hearing tests to newborns.

Literacy volunteer. I am helping to continue on the literacy fair that my mom started. It's an annual event in my hometown that is open to all families. Basically, kids have to participate in fun activities to earn free books and a meal. We also supply free books for parents. My duties include fundraising, reading to kids, setting up booths. This was my mom's pet prject and it's so important that we continue it now that she has passed away.

Rebuilding Together (formerly Christmas in April). This is very similar to Habitat for Humanity.

American Liver Foundation/PBC Fund for the Cure: This is the illness my mom had, so I do various things for them.

I also help out with one-off things: pet adoptions, various walks, my neighbor's kid's elementary school.

Next on my list is to volunteer at the local library.

[laurenc]

I work as a hotline counselor for a local rape crisis center. I've been doing this 4+ years and it's tough work, but it's very rewarding. I've learned *so* much from each and every caller I"ve talked to. I feel very connected to my community and it's given me "a cause" to fight for, plus the other women who work on the hotline are incredible and I feel I've made great friends by virtue of being part of the organization.

I'd be happy to tell you more about the work I do and, if you're interested in doing this kind of work, I can refer you to a place where you can volunteer. Just PM me. :)

[boilermaker]

lauren, I don't think I could handle that work, even though it is much needed!

I used to volunteer quite a bit but stopped doing so when, truthfully, it just became inconvinient (horrible I know). I have since started back into it by joining the Jaycess. After hurricane Katrina, I also signed up with the ARC to be a local volunteer but the training isn't until January.

I hope someday to be able to live off my DH's paycheck and volunteer for a "career" :)

[TennJane]

I've volunteered for Habitat for Humanity in the past and it was an amazing experience. I highly recommend it! (I feel like I learned quite a bit too):) Currently I'm volunteering for a no-kill animal shelter. I go and play with the kitties who don't have foster homes and clean thier cages. I also try to help with fund raising efforts when I can.

[fuzzy]

Yes, I'm on the Board of Directors for a local food bank. And, I am a volunteer AYSO coach (I don't have children).

[twinnyme]

I have also volunteered for Habitat for Humanity (as a newsletter editor) in the past, and also Make-A-Wish Foundation. I have also volunteered as a newsletter editor in the past for a professional association and currently (this is my third year) I have been the program chair for an annual conference for another professional assocation. I am going to give that up after our conference this year (which is tomorrow).

After that, I need to reconsider my volunteer commitments. I would also like to volunteer at the library but don't know if I can find the time that works with DH's and DD's schedule and my work schedule. I may try to find something I can do WITH my daughter, like bringing her (she's an infant) to a nursing home once a month to visit with the residents, or something like that.

[greenbunny]

I'm not as heavily involved as I'd like to be, but I work with Drive for Life and other similar groups. It's a network of people who form driving chains to move animals in shelters either to their forever homes or to a new foster or rescue. A lot of their work involves getting animals out of high-kill shelters into no-kill rescues.

I very much wanted to devote my volunteering time to animals, but I found myself unable to deal with the emotional drain of working with only a local animal society. I know euthanasia is a part of it, but it's just too much for me. Doing this helps me to save lives while still shielding me from the horrible parts. It's weak of me, but it's all I can manage at this point.

[emmjay]

I volunteer at the public library as a docent (trained volunteer). I staff the Information Desk once a week, which mostly involves directing patrons to the bathrooms and various meetings/events, but sometimes I get to help them find a book! :)

I want to be a librarian, so I'm doing it both for the experience, and because our public library is horribly under-funded and they really need volunteers.

[Myra]

CASA is a great organization.

I volunteer with Services for the Visually Impaired. I was matched up with a woman who has vision loss, and she calls me every other week to take her shopping. I enjoy it. On Sunday, I am hitting the pavement for my colleague's political campaign.

I have previsiouly volunteered with the ACLU, Susan Komen Foundation, the library (reviewing books for their website), and a few other places.

[MaineBelle]

I volunteer for a program called Tutoring Plus. It is an program for elementary school kids in Boston and I help them with their homework. It works well with my schedule because it is one night a week from 6:00 - 8:00. I love doing it, I think I get more out of it, then do the kids that I help.

[Lil_Mrs_0702]

I don't volunteer as much as I would like. Every year around Christmas I volunteer at a fire house to sort and gift wrap toys for local charities.

I also try to throw a teddy bear/stuffed animal drive every couple of years for the childrens ward of my local hospital. I have been doing that since the 6th grade at my schools, apartments, and companies I work at.

I also have done a few cancer walks. I haven't gotten as involved in charities this year just because we have so much going on (moved out for the first time, got married, finished my degree, new job, and now pregnant). I still donate to some local charities when I have the chance.

I take it as my responsisblity to give back to my community. So I guess I don't feel too rewarded by it because I know I can do more. I just feel like I put in an honest days work.

[Cricket4]

I volunteer through the Junior League - I actually chair my group that goes out and does singing performances at nursing homes throughout the city.

When I lived in New York, I volunteered at a home for orphaned children with HIV and AIDS, that was one of the toughest things I've ever done. Some of the kids were fairly healthy, others were incredibly ill, and lots of them had complications other than just HIV/AIDS. I've also done soup kitchens, clothings drives, etc.

Our volunteers here at the Humane Society really keep the organization running. The animals, particularly the dogs, would get barely any exercize if it weren't for the volunteers. They play with the dogs, bathe them, play with the cats, cuddle the cats and the puppies, socialize them, help train them, provide foster care, nurse them back to health, help us at mobile adoptions, basically keep these dogs "adoptable" until we can find them a good home. And since some of our dogs are here multiple YEARS, it can really be a challenge to keep a dog happy and in good spirits, so that it will be a good dog when it finally goes to its "forever home." I LOVE VOLUNTEERS!

[CheartsQ]

Greenbunny, Drive for Life sounds like something I've thought of doing for my state's pug rescue org. I want a pug so bad, but can't afford a dog right now, so I thought I'd get my "pug fix" by being one of the volunteers that drives the dogs to their new homes. I'm also interested in walking the dogs at my local shelter.

It's so good to see that so many of us volunteer our time! I used to volunteer alot in college with my sorority. I still do some things such as adopting a child for christmas, but I'm not as involved as I'd like to be. I'd also like to join some org. that are of interest to me, such as NOW, urban league, naacp, etc. I've thought about the junior leauge, but a) there's not one in my area, and b) even of there was I'd be afraid that I wouldn't fit in with everyone else.
:rolleyes:

[Neen]

I volunteer for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society with the Team In Traning program (as a mentor and participant and whatever else they need me to do).

I have volunteered with a local group called Lafayette Neighborhoos Housing. They buy houses, fix them up, and sell them to low income familys. They have worked really hard to rehab some of the run down neighborhood in this town. As a fundraisor, they do affordable decorator show houses. They take one of their houses, and have non-professional decorators come in and decorate the rooms. It's alot of fun. They then sell these house fully furnished and decorated.

I am currently a leader for my youngest sons Boy Scout Troup.

I also do lots of volunteering for the kids school and our church.

[paiger]

I volunteer at my local Planned Parenthood. We go to health fairs in schools and around the community. We are also a Health Center, so I have done filing and written refill requests from the refill hotline on the weekend. I love it!

[Elenna]

I've volunteered for Habitat for Humanity in the past and it was an amazing experience. I highly recommend it! (I feel like I learned quite a bit too):) Currently I'm volunteering for a no-kill animal shelter. I go and play with the kitties who don't have foster homes and clean thier cages. I also try to help with fund raising efforts when I can.

I've thought about volunteering at a no-kill shelter in my city, but I didn't know how to do it. Do you just go in and say "I'd like to volunteer"?

I've volunteered for Habit for Humanity. It was hard work, but a really rewarding experience. I got in on that through the Women's Center at the school I work at.

[laura]

I volunteered at Habitat for Humanity when we first moved to this area to meet people, too. It was a great experience, in addition to providing much needed structure to my days/weeks while I was not working. I worked in the office, so I wasn't able to continue w/ that work once I found a FT job. I'm not currently volunteering, but I highly recommend HfH.

[Cricket4]

[QUOTE=Elenna]Do you just go in and say "I'd like to volunteer"?[QUOTE]

Elenna, I work full-time at an animal shelter, but I can tell you what OUR volunteers do. Basically, you walk in and say "I'd like to volunteer", and on the first Saturday of the month we hold volunteer training. It's three or four hours, and you come and learn what protocol we follow for health and safety, how best to take dogs out of their kennels without letting all the other dogs out, how much time dogs need to exercise, cats need to be pet, etc. After you do your Saturday training, you are free to come and play with the pets as often as you like/are able to.

If you want to go to our mobile adoptions on Saturdays and be an adoption counselor, you have to go through a little more training, learning what things are "red flags" on the adoption applications (previous pets never went to the vet, etc.), what questions to ask to figure out if the people are serious about pet ownership, and things like that.

Our volunteers love it - its a flexible experience because you don't have to show up the same time every week. With most of the other volunteer work I've done, you have to be there every week at the same time, because either the group you are working with is counting on you, or you are working with children that are expecting you and would be disappointed. With dogs and cats, they don't know how long it has been since your last visit, they are just so glad to see you right now!

[Elenna]

Thanks, Cricket!

[Cricket4]

No problem! Good luck!

[SweetRed]

Although I'm taking a hiatus right now, for years I've volunteered through BostonCares. Many cities throughout the US have similar programs. I also did DCCares when I lived in Virginia.

Each month, I get a calendar of upcoming volunteer projects. There are about 50+ to choose from on various days. I just sign up as I can, depending on my personal schedule and interests for the month. I've done everything from building a house to voter registration to assembling food baskets to reading to kids to playing Scrabble with the elderly. Some projects are recurring so if I really like it and want to go back, I can. Others are a one-shot deal.

What's great about this program is that it is extremely flexible, and if I'm having a crazy month at work, I don't have to sign up for anything at all. That's something I couldn't do if I commited to a weekly project. And therefore, it attracts other busy young professionals like myself -- a great way to meet people! In fact, the girl sitting next to me at my orientation became one my my best friends over five years ago!

~ Kay

[berry]

Bumping this up.

The past year I've volunteered in with a literacy project which I've really enjoyed.

I love the work and the kids, but the program is very disorganized.

I'm interested in hearing about other places people volunteer, especially with children.

Thanks!

[ysolde]

I volunteer through the Junior League. I am the Vice Chair of my committee. We do arts and crafts with severely abused and neglected children living in a group foster home situation. We have to do volunteer training, and go to our community partner to volunteer once a week. I love it!

[AusAshMommy]

I used to years ago volunteer at my local Volunteer Fire Department as an EMT-B III (3rd Class EMT) and worked to redevelop and revamp their probationary training program while running calls every week.

Very rewarding and the best experience I had in my life...

While it requires a lot of specialized training and time, so worth it!

[Missy2U]

I volunteer with WINGS (http://www.wingsprogram.com/). Thrift store, fundraising, etc.

[lawyergirl25]

I'm a CASA/GAL, which has already been mentioned earlier in the thread. I work with children who the subject of custody cases here in my home county. I meet them at their homes, talk with their caregivers, social workers, counselors, teachers, and other adults in their lives, and review case files. I put together court reports and attend hearings to give my opinion on what decision would be in the best interests of the child(ren). It's sometimes very tough because some of the cases involve physical or sexual abuse. I also have to keep everything very confidential, so I can't really vent about what I see. But overall it's very rewarding. And anyone over the age of 21 is eligible to be a CASA/GAL!

This past year, I worked with a local tutoring program. Every Tuesday morning, my partner or I would go to a local elementary school and tutor two kindergarteners. We would read books, play word games, do flash cards, and talk about reading. It was really fun!

I do a few other things - volunteer with a local landlord/tenant clinic, take on pro bono cases, work with the YWCA - but none of them involve working directly with kids.

[JRose]

I am currently a sexual assault advocate. I take crisis line calls and I respond to the hospital if someone has been assaulted. There are times when it is really difficult, but as a survivor and having friends go through it alone, I would never wish it upon anyone else. Not everyone has a support network and so that is what the advocate is there for. I also volunteer when I can at our church.

In the past I've volunteered with hospice and several sex ed. type high school programs.

[Adaya]

I volunteer with an organization called Cool Girls. They are dedicated to the self-empowered of young girls in inner-city communities. They have a variety of after-school programs, clubs, and a one-to-one mentoring program. In 2003, Oprah gave Cool Girls an Angel Network "Use Your Life" Award.

Here's a little blurb I found on their website:

We provide the tools to help girls make positive choices to achieve academic success, break the cycles of teen pregnancy and poverty and to overcome the barriers of racism and sexism. Our programs instill confidence and provide exposure to a broader world of opportunity through mentoring relationships, field trips, health and life skills education and academic support. Our mission is achieved through the collaborative efforts of volunteers, staff, schools and the local community in active partnership with the girls and their parents.


I have been a mentor in the "Cool Sister" program for quite a few years. The young lady that I'm with now is a rising sophmore and we've been together since she was in 5th grade. I also volunteer on the field trips and some of the after-school tutoring.

I love this program and I love my Cool Sister to pieces. We talk on the phone all the time and see each other pretty frequently. She's so smart and driven.....She was just named "Outstanding Freshman of the Year". I'm so proud of her.

[keska]

I'm a pro bono attorney for a couple of organizations in my city. I take only immigration cases right now, all asylum and domestic violence related. At the end of this month, I'm doing a family law training through the CA Bar that requires me to take at least 2 pro bono family law cases.

[ysolde]

keska --

That sounds awesome!!!

[mkredhead]

I am a Big Sister through Big Brothers Big Sisters and have been with my match for one year. It is very rewarding and we have both learned a lot from each other.

I also serve as president for my sorority alum group. That is definitely more social than anything.

[PG-rated]

I'm involved with a theater group at my church (I'm the volunteer coordinator and I've directed and acted in the shows), I'm the fundraiser for a LARP organization, and I'm on the alumni board of my fraternity chapter.

In the past, I've been a volunteer at the Shakespeare Theater, and I've worked with our local Habitat for Humanity chapter. I also have a standing invitation to work at a local food bank, since I have a friend who works there, but I haven't been able to fit it into my schedule yet.

I sort of hesitate to call a lot of my activities "volunteer work," since they don't help a needy population. But they do constitute unpaid work that keeps the organizations going, so I guess that does count.

[Emilie]

I volunteer with a couple:

Every Wednesday morning is spent at the Habitat for Humanity thrift store, ReStore and I also work on special events for the store as well.

Just getting involved with the Susan G Komen foundation in special events as well.

I highly recommend them both - they are really great ways to meet people, help out amazing causes and have a ton of fun too!

[DaniML]

I'm on the Board of Directors for the recreation association where my son plays ball. I'm the Treasurer/Secretary and whatever else needs to be done. I realize what I do is not as "honorable" (I really can't think of a better word here) as what some of you do, but it's very important to me. I remember when I grew up there was not rec. association I could've joined to play sports. As an alternative I got bored and got in trouble.

I also volunteer for Volunteers in Medicine in our area for any of their web site needs.

Other than that I donate to breast cancer research.

[artist]

Yep, am in VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America) full time right now. (Yes, get paid a stipend, but really not much at all, technically it counts as volunteering.)

Yes, have volunteered for other things in the past.

Do I enjoy it? Yes.

Why am I doing this? It is fulfilling and will hopefully lead to a career in a similar field.

[berry]

Thanks so much to all of you ladies for your ideas and input. I've been in a seminar the past two days, so I just now had time to read all of the ideas.

Keep on posting!

[NotDesperate]

I am mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters

[rangerwendy]

I volunteer for an organization called R.O.C.K. It is a horseback riding therapy program for kids with mental and physical disabilties. I love it because I get to spend time working with 2 of my favorite things, kids and horses. There are tons of these programs throughout the country. Go to www.narha.org to find one near you.

[bookworm]

Sweetred actually reminded me that I need to get back involved with Boston Cares. I organized my former co's "corporate volunteer day" in the past, and then I was traveling all the time so I stopped volunteering. Now that I'm back in town for more than just weekends, I need to get involved again.

[Taylandra]

I used to volunteer with Big Brother, Big Sisters, but it was really hard for me to get to the school during the ONE hour that was available to visit the little sister. I tried to get the paperwork done to visit her outside of school, but it was a long process and then my little moved away. I gave up on it.

That said, I have been in 4-H pretty much all my life. Through that, I have done buckets of volunteer work. Maybe check out the local 4-H office or go to the state 4-H office website if you are interested in that. I know in New Jersey (and probably other places) they have strictly service clubs such as raising/training seeing eye dogs and whatnot.

;-)

[Katy]

I'm bumping this up because I'm looking for some volunteering ideas.

[Darin's Girl]

I volunteer with the March of Dimes (in case you couldn't tell my my sig :))I was just chosen as my county's Family Team Chair- I talk to new families about our Walk America event, help them with any questions they may have, basically I am the link between families and our chapter of the MOD. It's a brand new position and so far I am loving it! I also serve on our County's Planning Committee for the March of Dimes- IE all the events that we have planned, want to plan, ways to get our community more invloved and get the word out about March of Dimes. It's a cause near and dear to my heart- my daughter was a preemie. I love the work I do and the friends I have made!

[emmasart]

I just wanted to bump this up because I recently started volunteering at my local P.A.W.S. (progressive animal welfare society). I volunteer for a 6 hour shift, once a week at their Wildlife Rehab Center. Its a bunch of grunt work: dishes, laundry and cleaning. But I think the most enjoyable part is being able to feed baby squirrels and raccoons.

I mean really, how can you resist being part of a scene like this?
http://www.emmasart.com/emma/gallery2/d/13933-2/feeding.jpg

[artist]

I just wanted to bump this up because I recently started volunteering at my local P.A.W.S. (progressive animal welfare society). I volunteer for a 6 hour shift, once a week at their Wildlife Rehab Center. Its a bunch of grunt work: dishes, laundry and cleaning. But I think the most enjoyable part is being able to feed baby squirrels and raccoons.

I mean really, how can you resist being part of a scene like this?
http://www.emmasart.com/emma/gallery2/d/13933-2/feeding.jpg

:D Cute!

I volunteer and have volunteered almost too much perhaps! (According to some.) Here are examples of things I either have done or currently do...

AmeriCorps/VISTA
neighborhood organization (on board of directors as well)
church (Habitat for Humanity, newsletter, arts committee, etc.)
various museums/galleries/non-profit arts organizations
political campaigns
schools
environmental groups

[TracieB]

I volunteer regularly at the USO. I love it because I'm giving back to those who are sacrificing so much. It's really rewarding.

[artist]

I volunteer regularly at the USO. I love it because I'm giving back to those who are sacrificing so much. It's really rewarding.

What is USO?

[greenbunny]

emma, I think I just died of the cuteness. The last transport I did was a giant, wet, stinky English setter. I'm a bit jealous. :D

[TracieB]

United Services Organization - more info here: http://www.uso.org/

[Rosebud]

Katy- Here's a really good group that's active in our area. If I'm ever available during weekdays, I would love to volunteer for them.

Wonder of Reading (http://www.wonderofreading.org/)

The Wonder of Reading is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to inspire in children the love of reading. Our mission is to have a significant impact on reading in Southern California elementary schools.

The Wonder of Reading furthers its purpose through the 3R Program: Renovate, Restock, and Read. First, we renovate a public elementary school's library, making it more useful and more inviting to young students. We expand library space to include story steps for group reading, individual work stations for tutoring, and a cove for quiet reading. Second, the school restocks the library's collection with $10,000 worth of new books. Finally, the school recruits and we train volunteers to read one-on-one with students who are struggling readers. Volunteers read with their students for one hour a week during the school day for the entire school year.

[PinkMartini]

Got a quick ? for you ladies who are volunteers :)

I just found out about a local no-kill shelter (after having to call the sheriffs dept on our neighbors starving dogs :mad: ) and I'm interested in volunteering some of my time there. However, I've never volunteered anywere (outside of school events) so I have absolutely no idea how to go about doing it. The website has an email address to the director, should I email before going down there? If so, what should I say? If not, what should I say if I go down there?

Thanks ladies...

[KrissyCat7]

The website has an email address to the director, should I email before going down there? If so, what should I say? If not, what should I say if I go down there?
I would send a quick email or give them a call. Just tell them you are interested in volunteering your time and wanted to know how you could help.:)

I usually volunteer quite a bit but since Ive started school again full time I really havent had much time. Ive tried to donate more since I cant donate my time, but once school is finished I hope to be volunteering again. I really miss it.

[eponymous]

Thanks for bumping this up, Pink. I missed it the first time around and I've gotten some great ideas from it. I used to spend an enormous amount of time volunteering for something that benefited children, but mostly affluent children. I've backed away from that, and I want to give time to people who need the help and I've gotten some great ideas from here.

I'd love to get involved with a crisis hotline. Does anyone know how to find one in my area?

[ManteoChik]

I volunteer at the Elementary School in town.

My best friends mom is a 3rd grade teacher, and also who I student taught with. Although I didn't end up going into teaching I still go into her class about once a month and volunteer/hang out with her class. In our school, 3rd grade is the cut off for getting an assistant so every now and then its nice to give her time to get her grades together or anything. The kids also like me there (at least they tell me they do...lol)