Have you ever considered volunteering as a way to make your new year better than the last? There are a ton of amazing organizations that will help you get the community moving to a brighter future! Although there are many options out there, here are just a few of my favorite places for volunteering.
Volunteering for Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity helps rebuild communities in your neighborhood and beyond. Volunteering with them means you can help build or renovate homes for people in need. No prior experience in carpentry or homebuilding is necessary! If you do not feel comfortable with your renovation skills, Habitat for Humanity also offers educational programs for young children and adults. Special volunteer programs educate all walks of life varying life skills. Interested in traveling abroad and working with the local population? If you can gather the resources you can go to different countries to help build homes for people in need while you learn about their culture and way of life.
Volunteering for Make-A-Wish
This is one of my favorite organizations. There is nothing better than bringing a smile to a person who may not be feeling 100%. Granting a person’s wish isn’t always as impossible as it seems! Claire Wineland, who writes for Claire’s Corner, had a wish to be in a photoshoot. If you have a good camera and equipment, you could grant someone’s wish too! If you don’t have the capital required to grant wishes, you can always try volunteering to help make them possible! The foundation needs everyone, from fundraising partners to translators. Make-A-Wish has many different chapters throughout the country. Check to see if there is one close to you!
Volunteering for Your Local Animal Shelter
There are many dogs, cats and other animals that are simply in need of some extra loving. Whether you’d like to foster pets or just drop in for an hour long visit, consider volunteering for your local animal shelter. Love dogs? Shelter dogs need walkies just as much as any other dog. Ask your shelter if they need any help walking their dogs. Love cats? Many shelters need help acclimating cats to humans. If you’re a cat person, see if your shelter has a program that allows you to help socialize cats. Not only is this shown to reduce stress levels, it helps the cat settle faster into their new home.
What is your favorite place to volunteer? Let me know in the comments section!