Suggestions for volunteerism

[Doggiedog]

I'm thinking of taking an evening of the week to volunteer and try to give back a little.

Any suggestions on something to do? I was thinking maybe helping senior citizens or tutoring/mentoring.

 

[mcmilljb]

American Heart Association FTW!

 

[mozirry]

call your local county government

 

[IronWing]

Teach cute immigrant women to speak english.

 

[SonnyDaze]

Originally posted by: Doggiedog
I'm thinking of taking an evening of the week to volunteer and try to give back a little.

Any suggestions on something to do? I was thinking maybe helping senior citizens or tutoring/mentoring.

What do you have a passion for helping? Outdoors? Animals? Elderly? Children? I'd focus on the things you have a passion for.

 

[Bignate603]

Originally posted by: SonnyDaze

Originally posted by: Doggiedog
I'm thinking of taking an evening of the week to volunteer and try to give back a little.

Any suggestions on something to do? I was thinking maybe helping senior citizens or tutoring/mentoring.

What do you have a passion for helping? Outdoors? Animals? Elderly? Children? I'd focus on the things you have a passion for.

This. If you enjoy it you'll be looking forward to it all week. If not it will seem like a chore and its less likely that you'll keep it up.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Not sure if NJ has anything like this but in Boston, we have Boston Cares - http://bostoncares.org/, which is a volunteer organization that provides a whole calender of different types of volunteer opportunities. This way, you can pick something different every time and something that fits in your schedule.

 

[DrawninwarD]

Do lots of drugs to show teens the damaging effects of drug use. WIN-WIN.

 

[SonnyDaze]

Originally posted by: DrawninwarD
Do lots of drugs to show teens the damaging effects of drug use. WIN-WIN.

That shit don't work dude. Believe me. My sons don't seem to notice.

 

[dbk]

big brother program?

 

[SmoochyTX]

United Way

 

[Goosemaster]

President...


seriously though here is what I've got:

Habitat for humanity - a lot of work but a lack of commitment can make stress free. I enjoyed it a lot.
tutoring - a LOT of work and potentially frustrating. I enjoy doing it but not when life is a little hellish unless the kids request it. I ain't putting myself out there to pull my hair out.

 

[SmoochyTX]

Originally posted by: Goosemaster
President...


seriously though here is what I've got:

Habitat for humanity - a lot of work but a lack of commitment can make stress free. I enjoyed it a lot.
tutoring - a LOT of work and potentially frustrating. I enjoy doing it but not when life is a little hellish unless the kids request it. I ain't putting myself out there to pull my hair out.

I always enjoyed tutoring junior high and high school students (and even fellow peers). I was paid but I really would have done it for free. If you're interested in that, just call up the local school district and they'll help you get the ball rolling.

I enjoyed volunteering at United Way because of the impact I felt we (myself and the other volunteers) made on families who were in trouble. I haven't volunteered there in a few years but it's always the first place I point people to. It's a great organization that isn't given enough credit.

I've always wanted to volunteer for HFH but have been too lazy as of late to do that.

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: SmoochyTX

Originally posted by: Goosemaster
President...


seriously though here is what I've got:

Habitat for humanity - a lot of work but a lack of commitment can make stress free. I enjoyed it a lot.
tutoring - a LOT of work and potentially frustrating. I enjoy doing it but not when life is a little hellish unless the kids request it. I ain't putting myself out there to pull my hair out.

I always enjoyed tutoring junior high and high school students (and even fellow peers). I was paid but I really would have done it for free. If you're interested in that, just call up the local school district and they'll help you get the ball rolling.

I enjoyed volunteering at United Way because of the impact I felt we (myself and the other volunteers) made on families who were in trouble. I haven't volunteered there in a few years but it's always the first place I point people to. It's a great organization that isn't given enough credit.

I've always wanted to volunteer for HFH but have been too lazy as of late to do that.

UW sounds nice. as for HFH, I would walk like 50blocks to get there in the "dangerous" part of phili or so I was told (it was dangerous) so it required determination but it was incredibly rewarding.

 

[BoomerD]

About to start collecting unemployment benefits are you?

 

[Doggiedog]

Originally posted by: BoomerD
About to start collecting unemployment benefits are you?

Nope. I work for the Fed

The UW or NJ Cares seems interesting.

I will look into it.

Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[911paramedic]

I've done all kinds of volunteer work over the years, and by far the most fun/rewarding was with the special olympics.

 

[mugs]

I was just thinking about this today. I have an interest in "good" board games (i.e. not Monopoly), and I thought it would be nice to play games with elderly people in nursing homes.
(see http://www.boardgamegeek.com for the type of games I'm talking about)

 

[imported_Imp]

If you like outdoors, you could try stewardship of land. In short, you pick shit up, pull weeds and plant stuff at a park.

It's what I've been doing since May of last year. I haven't gone since mid-October cause I found a job and didn't feel like working on the weekend. Probably can't go right now due to the snow, no pay and no insurance. Once spring comes around, I'll try to start doing evenings again. Aside from getting raped by mosquitos, it was pretty fun.

 

[looker001]

Originally posted by: Doggiedog
I'm thinking of taking an evening of the week to volunteer and try to give back a little.

Any suggestions on something to do? I was thinking maybe helping senior citizens or tutoring/mentoring.

I am sorry to take this offtopic but why would you want to volunteer? Why not relax, go for a walk, read a book etc. Why in the world would you want to do something for free ???

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: looker001

Originally posted by: Doggiedog
I'm thinking of taking an evening of the week to volunteer and try to give back a little.

Any suggestions on something to do? I was thinking maybe helping senior citizens or tutoring/mentoring.

I am sorry to take this offtopic but why would you want to volunteer? Why not relax, go for a walk, read a book etc. Why in the world would you want to do something for free ???

B/c people like to help others, enjoy being a productive member of society and giving back. Not everyone enjoys being selfish like yourself.

 

[spidey07]

Call the Boy Scouts. There are plenty of volunteer opportunities there. Especially if you are going for mentoring/teaching.

Or better yet, just get involved. Plenty to do and you will really help for a lifetime.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Your local Craigslist will have a ton of opportunities in their Volunteers community.

 

[compman25]

Wanna volunteer and help? Come clean my house and landscape my yard.

 

[Baked]

PBS pledge phone taker. Everything else is a scam.