While I hadn’t planned on doing anything particularly adventurous this summer (I really never do plan for adventures as I really do prefer to grab a good book and read), it turns out that I will be white water rafting, zip-lining and running (or maybe just observing), a fun obstacle course run in July – Mudderella. I’m most nervous about the zip-lining and will let you know if it actually happens. Maybe that’s enough. Maybe it’s too much.
I am also going to continue to work, and to volunteer for some great local organizations which is more my usual speed, and if you or your teens need volunteer ideas, here are a few – (italics indicate text from website of the organization featured).
NNHS Center for Civic Engagement and Service at Newton North High School – ask to join the Facebook Group here. We connect you with volunteer and intern opportunities!
Cradles to Crayons provides children from birth to age 12, living in low- income and homeless situations, with the essential items they need to thrive.
Every year, thousands of volunteers pass through the doors of the Cradles to Crayons Giving Factory warehouse to roll up their sleeves and help disadvantaged children around the Greater Philadelphia region. Together, youth and adults inspect, sort, and package all new and like-new donations into customized “KidPacks”.
Anyone age six and above can volunteer at the Giving Factory. Activities are appropriate and engaging for individuals, families, student and community groups and corporate groups. Our warehouse space allows us to accomodate large numbers of volunteers, so it provides an exceptional team-building experience for companies. Sign up for a 2-hour shift on our website. You will work at a volunteer station such as Clothing Sort, Outfits, School Supplies, Shoes, Toys, or Shopping.
Newton-Wellesley Hospital
People volunteer for many different reasons. They may wish to become actively involved in the community, meet new people, explore career possibilities, develop skills and experience or share their special touch when people are sick. Whatever the reason, volunteers do make a difference. Volunteers make it happen.
The Newton Free Library is a wonderful and popular resource for the City of Newton. In order to continue to offer the best possible service to the community, the Library relies on its volunteers. Volunteering offers you an opportunity to meet others who love books and libraries while you provide valuable service to the Library and the community. Last year our 400 volunteers contributed almost 20,000 hours of service! Volunteers help in a number of ways. There are a variety of opportunities available.
A green initiative to reuse college dorm supplies. We collect and redistribute lightly-used dorm room items that too often end up in landfills and give them to incoming college freshmen from low-income households.
Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program
Donation Drives – Small Gestures, Enormous Impact
Our patients face the unimaginable challenges of life in shelters, on the streets and in temporary housing, while struggling to maintain their health. Acquiring basic necessities can be difficult, and we welcome the help of corporations, faith-based groups, schools, colleges and individuals to organize donation drives to meet these needs.
The seemingly small, practical items gathered in these drives can have a tremendous impact. Distributed by our doctors, nurses and case managers, they not only improve the quality of care we deliver, these items help us develop and maintain the trusting relationships that are such an essential part of our work.
(through a partnership with Mudderella) is a national nonprofit that is working to prevent and end domestic violence by developing innovative programs and policies that:
- support victims, survivors, and their families and help them get to safety
- educate individuals about the critical roles that we all have to play in promoting healthy relationships
- promote mutual respect as the foundation of healthy relationships
- support children who are exposed to violence at home and in school
- enlist health care providers and health systems to improve domestic violence responses
- and much more
And don’t forget to register to vote –
League of Women Voters of Massachusetts
The League of Women Voters of Massachusetts is one of the most trusted non-partisan, grassroots organization in the Commonwealth, committed to influencing public policy through citizen education and advocacy.
For more than ninety years, the League has been a leader in working to ensure that citizens have a free role in making democracy work. We are women and men making a difference in the political future of our communities, state, and country.