How can those that are immune-compromised or unable to leave their houses help serve during this time? Many CB families are looking for volunteer opportunities they can do that would not put family members with a compromised immune system at risk.
Below are ideas for safe and fun home-based projects for families. These are opportunities that do not require much time to create or collect items for organizations. Please contact specific organizations beforehand to see what donations are being accepted. Most organizations have a wish list posted on their website or available by mail that will often be a starting point for developing a project. Due to age restrictions, a home-based project may be the only type available for young students. Examples of these would include:
- Make catnip toys for cats and kittens at the local animal shelter from fabric scraps left over from a previous project. Young children can even help spoon the catnip into little “pillows” for the cats to enjoy.
- Collect books or magazines for the local nursing home. Save magazines that the family reads and those of neighbors or friends and donate them to a local charity.
- Coats for Kids: many communities have formal coat donation programs in the winter. Have the children go through their closets and find coats that no longer fit and take them to the collection site.
- Make holiday cards. Each year, many children’s groups and families make Thanksgiving and Christmas cards for hospitals.
- Collect newspapers for the animal shelter. Most shelters line their kennels with newspapers. Make it a practice to deliver your used newspapers to the shelter once a month.
- Paint faces on pumpkins and donate them to the local nursing home, hospital or charity.
- Make lap robes for elderly clients of an Alzheimer’s day care program.
- Make dog biscuits, wrap them up for a holiday and donate to your local pet therapy program.
- Knit baby blankets for the local crisis nursery.
- Serve lunch or dinner to the hungry and homeless through a charity.
- Take digital photographs for a local charity and upload them to the group’s website.
Virtual volunteering can be accomplished off-site and is usually done by computer or by other electronic means. Examples of these opportunities include:
- Website design and maintenance
- Database development or data entry
- Word processing and emailing the document to the organization
- Sending emails to remind committee members of meetings
- Creation of a newsletter that is electronically sent to subscribers or for printing and distribution
- Internet research (see more links below)
Learn more at https://www.volunteermatch.org/virtual-volunteering.
What opportunities are there outside of CB? If you are planning to volunteer for an organization, there will likely be a few steps you will need to complete. In many cases, the organization will ask you to attend an orientation. This is often an overview of the organization where they may explain rules to comply with. Almost all will want a written application, similar to an application for employment (visit the City of Sacramento’s volunteer web pages for a standard example) and may require a parent or guardian to volunteer alongside a student. A written consent form from the parent or guardian will be required for those under 18.
How can people get involved in these groups or organizations? Who should they contact to learn more? Students should determine their volunteer personality. Making a list of interests and talents is a good start to thinking about what you would like to do to volunteer.
Once students have discovered what they want to focus on as a volunteer, the next step is to find those opportunities. A popular online service that is free is VolunteerMatch. This service allows the user to type in their zip code and select options by category.
Other virtual or online service organizations and opportunities
- Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services Campus and Food Distribution Campus
- Californians for All – the state of California’s initiative to connect Californians with safe volunteer opportunities and to encourage those unable to physically volunteer to participate virtually and think creatively about ways to make a difference in their communities.
- Points of Light
- Volunteer Center of Sacramento
- HandsOn Sacramento
CB Students: Please follow guidelines and restrictions set by our local government agencies and health organizations to stay safe. Before beginning any service activities, talk to your parents or guardians to ensure that your chosen activity fits within safety guidelines.