Volunteer Opportunities in Any City

Right around the holidays people start to get the do-good bug. Churches start handing out volunteer sign up sheets and charities go into full-swing donation campaigns. People start to feel warm and fuzzy with all their family, presents, and food and start wanting to give back. Many people don't know where to start or simply don't realize what volunteer opportunities there are in their area. Here are a few volunteering ideas that are sure to be present in your area or at least nearby. If these ideas simply don't appeal to you, pull out a phone book and find a non-profit organization that works for you.

1) Local animal shelter

The ASPCA and the Humane Society both run animal shelters across the United States. Your city and/or county is also likely to have a shelter. There are also dozens of breed specific rescue organizations. When people think of shelters most people think of kittens and puppies that need caring for. However, there are also more specialized shelters that care for stock or exotic animals. Horses, goats, and pot-bellied pigs all need caring for. With exotic animals, what often happens is that they are imported illegally and then confiscated by the government. Sometimes zoos will become overrun with a new litter and need to displace some of the extra animals. Either way, these animals still need to be cared for and volunteers are usually the ones who do most of the caring.

2) Local food bank or soup kitchen

People need food and to be fed. Donations of canned food always becomes very popular around the holidays. However, beyond donating food, food banks need to be manned in order to service those who make use of them. Soup kitchens also always need staff. They need people to prepare and serve the food. Many times the image that comes to mind when people consider soup kitchens is a dark dingy, less than cleanly place where drunks and drug addicts come for food. In reality, many times soup kitchens are incredibly modern looking places where the temporarily displaced come for food.

3) Habitat for Humanity

Almost every city has a Habitat for Humanity chapter. Some cities have two or three chapters. The basis of Habitat for Humanity is that they build strong, sturdy, affordable homes for those who can't afford them. One of the great things about Habitat for Humanity is that the recipients do pay what they can afford for the house and they are required to put in sweat equity (work hours) on their own home. Habitat for Humanity has many varied positions so if you don't feel comfortable doing construction there is office work as well.

4) Local literacy group

What would you do, if you couldn't read? How would illiteracy affect your life? You wouldn't be able to distiguish city signs on the road, you'd have trouble ordering a simple meal, and you couldn't read your bank statement. Believe it or not, illiteracy is still a problem in the United States, mostly among new immigrants and their children. Illiteracy can also be common among the elderly who had to work for their families instead of going to school. Being able to read can make a world of difference to a person.

5) Local environmental group

Global warming, greenhouse gases, endangered species... these are all things that many environmental groups address. They also address topics such as litter, cleaning up rivers and lakes, and planting more trees to replace the ones that major developers cut down. Many times environmental groups get hit with the liberal hippy label and that isn't always an accurate label. Many groups have very specific purposes which you can make your own. I myself am partial to beautifying my city by planting trees, shrubs, and other plants.

Hopefully with these suggestions you will be able to find a place to volunteer in your city.