Volunteering Ideas?

**MTslackcountry** · 12-28-2009, 07:03 PM

Looking for ideas....Nothing as involved as going to Africa or anything...just something that I can do a few hours a week to help around my community. So those of you who currently volunteer or have in the past I need your help.

**bmg97** · 12-28-2009, 07:07 PM

I don't personally do it but you could pick up trash.

**P_McPoser** · 12-28-2009, 07:11 PM

How many hours do you have to do?

**3eyedsmiley** · 12-28-2009, 07:23 PM

If your local mountain has any adaptive sports or YMCA youth-type ski/snowboard programs, you could volunteer for those. You can also probably find volunteer opportunities with tutoring/mentoring. or if you know of any non-profits in your area, you could probably ask them if they need any man-power.

Here's a good website to look for opportunities: http://idealist.org/ as well as Craigslist and other postings sites

**Crass3000** · 12-28-2009, 07:29 PM

I could use my house cleaned and the driveway shoveled now and then. I'm elderly compared to alot of people around here so this should be a good fit. PM me.

**Parvo** · 12-28-2009, 07:34 PM

My back aint gonna shave itself.

**hutash** · 12-28-2009, 08:21 PM

Volunteer at the local Boys and Girls Club. It is a great organization and always needs help. Work with the kids are join the board and help run the club. I was on the board for 7 years (treasurer, vice-pres, prez, etc. for 6 of them), but it doesn't have to be a big commitment.

**carvedog** · 12-28-2009, 08:26 PM

Originally Posted by MTslackcountry

Looking for ideas....Nothing as involved as going to Africa or anything...just something that I can do a few hours a week to help around my community. So those of you who currently volunteer or have in the past I need your help.

I do some work with an afterschool mentoring program called Council Circle Foundation.

http://councilcircle.org/

I do more in the way of photography, graphics layout and printing and mounting. Stuff like that.

I have also worked with doing some coaching and instructing with some of the school program kids at the mountain. Some of the schools only come once a year or twice. Those kids are so hungry to play in the snow that nothing phases them. Some are hard to reach but it seems like a few always get somethings out of the help and really progress.

I also do some work with the local adaptive program. It's actually very hard work, depending, but so rewarding. I don't think they could ever have too much help.

Big brothers program would be cool if I didn't have so much going already.
It seems like there is a real shortage of positive, upbeat, role models for kids. That's why I try to do what I can.
That's all I have.

KQ · 12-28-2009, 08:31 PM

Assist the elderly! There is so much you can do for them and sometimes it is as simple as just spending the afternoon with them. Make a difference in the life of someone who can't get out or do things around their home like they used to.

**MTT** · 12-28-2009, 09:57 PM

Originally Posted by MTslackcountry

Looking for ideas....Nothing as involved as going to Africa or anything...just something that I can do a few hours a week to help around my community. So those of you who currently volunteer or have in the past I need your help.

PROMOTE ADULT LITERACY BY TEACHING READING SKILLS

I did this for awhile in the Philly area. Not that hard and very rewarding

I am not a college graduate.

Look into it.

**dk_alaskan** · 12-28-2009, 09:59 PM

adaptive ski/sports coach. it is the best thing you can ever do, you WILL have fun!!!

**TransplantedFromRMNP** · 12-28-2009, 10:17 PM

I agree w/ those suggesting the adaptive ski & ride option. It will be rewarding and inspiring. Or volunteer for a local non-profit that works on behalf of a cause you support like PETA

**BeanDip4All** · 12-29-2009, 01:19 AM

I <3 <3 <3 volunteering in the Emergency Department of our Trauma Center. It's soooo interesting and ALWAYS exciting. Plus, you learn so much! There's no limit with the things you can help out with.

If ER isn't for you, hospitals always need people even for things like just greeting patients and families.

You could help needy kids in your city with things like teaching them reading or chess. Visit lonely shut in elderly (look into the organization called "little brothers" and see if they have a chapter in your area).

Go through your clothes and donate old coats.

Good on ya for thinking of ways to give back!

**Jeffro** · 12-29-2009, 01:24 AM

My wife is the volunteer director of our local zoo...If you're into animals and talking to people, places like zoos, aquariums, wildlife parks, etc are always looking for people to who are willing to help out.

Lots of environmental non-profits also utilize volunteers heavily.

Decide what cause you care about and I'm sure you can find some organization that would love to have your free labor.

**TNKen** · 12-29-2009, 09:34 AM

How about www.nsp.org

Quite a bit of initial effort, but rewarding. And a few benefits along the way.

**Conundrum** · 12-29-2009, 09:37 AM

Whatever you decide, make sure you enjoy it so you don't half ass it. I would call the United Way or your local Chamber of Commerce to see what is out there in your area.

**Rabid Anti-Dentite** · 12-29-2009, 10:02 AM

volunteermatch.org is good, local habitat for humanity, just don't waste your time at an animal shelter trying to save unwanted dogs and cats when there are plenty of PEOPLE that could use money and resources. Recently read about some kitten found by the side of the road that had thousands of dollars of cosmetic surgery because of donations from people that missed the fact that it was a just a CAT. Cats and dogs at shelters often live lives of luxary that kids at a shelter (or sometimes even in foster care) only dream about, and thats seriously messed up.

**jmf** · 12-29-2009, 10:30 AM

Originally Posted by Parvo

My back aint gonna shave itself.

I lold.

**bklyn** · 12-29-2009, 10:42 AM

http://www.idealist.org/

**MTslackcountry** · 12-29-2009, 11:31 AM

Thanks for the ideas... I am going to explore the possibilities of a few of them.

**Conundrum** · 12-29-2009, 11:45 AM

Originally Posted by Rabid Anti-Dentite

just don't waste your time at an animal shelter trying to save unwanted dogs and cats when there are plenty of PEOPLE that could use money and resources.

I volunteer for a number of organizations and get really sick of hearing this. I walked a way from volunteering at our local animal shelter because I felt there were better uses for my resources but calling helping animals a WASTE chaps my ass. If someone wants to give of their own time and money to help animals, I'm all for it. Cosmetic surgery for a cat might be over the line though.

How would you like to hear "Don't waste your time and money skiing, there are people that could use your help"?

**skifishbum** · 12-29-2009, 02:26 PM

Got a pet?
I'ved been involved in Animal assisted therapy for the past dozen years. Rewarding for you and your pet. I got to say visiting old people and altzheimer patients is one of the more emotionally involved places we visit. You become attached to them and sooner or later you show up and they've passed on.
Intermountain Therapy Animals therapyanimals.org operates in the west and is who we belong to otherwise most orgs are underwritten by the Delta Society.deltasociety.org
If you don't have a pet get one

**MTslackcountry** · 12-29-2009, 04:48 PM

^^^^^^^^^^^^

Have a pet and like the idea....dont think I could handle the loss aspect tho.

**Jer** · 12-29-2009, 04:52 PM

Old people and animals are super kick-ass rad. I highly suggest volunteering with a local animal shelter or TNR group or wildlife rehab. Or do what Skifishbum or KQ suggest. And yeah - irregardless of voluteering I'd say you should get a pet or get another one if you already have some. With old people and animals it's true that sooner or later there are gonna be some sad times, but it beats being a pussy and doing nothing. And like Connundrum said - every little bit helps.