August 2018 - Boston Family Volunteer Opportunities

August 2018 Boston Family Volunteer Opportunities

 

August 2018 - Boston

 
Themed Party at a Family Shelter
Heading Home
 
Date/Time: Monday-Thursday, 6 - 7:30pm. Please book your party once month in advance
 
Location: Shelters are located in Dorchester, Roxbury or Medford

Heading Home is one of the largest providers of shelter for homeless families and individuals in the Commonwealth. Our mission is to end homelessness in Greater Boston by providing a supported pathway to self-sufficiency that begins with a home, together with critical services. Volunteers are needed to host themed parties for children living at one of our seven family congregate shelters. Children in our family programs love the chance to meet and play with volunteers! Heading Home will give you suggested themes for your party, as well as a checklist of what volunteers are expected to bring. Volunteers provide dinner and utensils, dessert, an activity (and materials necessary), as well as small toys/gift bags for the children to keep. We can provide you with names and ages of kids living in the shelter up to two weeks in advance of your party. Decorations are suggested but not required. Volunteers should expect to spend between $150 - $300.

Ages: Families with children of all ages are welcome to participate, but parents should consider the maturity of their children before volunteering. All volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
 
Time Commitment: An hour and a half, plus prep time
 
Contact: Jillian Smith, 617.864.8140 ext. 135, jismith@headinghomeinc.org 
 
 
Meal-Serving at a Local Emergency Shelter for Individuals 
Heading Home

Date/Time: Daily, 5:30 - 8am or 5:30 - 8pm

Location: Cambridge
 
Heading Home is one of the largest providers of shelter for homeless families and individuals in the Commonwealth. Our mission is to end homelessness in Greater Boston by providing a supported pathway to self-sufficiency that begins with a home, together with critical services.
Volunteers are needed to cook and serve a meal for the 22 clients living in our emergency shelter in Cambridge. Once you've finished serving, sit down and enjoy some time with the residents! Volunteers provide breakfast or dinner foods and drinks. Heading Home will provide an overview of what volunteers are expected to prepare and bring.

Ages: Families with children age seven and older are welcome to participate

Time Commitment: Two and one-half hours, plus prep time

Contact: Jillian Smith, 617.864.8140 ext. 135, jismith@headinghomeinc.org
http://www.headinghomeinc.org
 
 
Food Rescue Volunteers Needed
Rescuing Leftover Cuisine, Inc.
 
Date/Time: Varies
 
Location: Throughout Massachusetts

Rescuing Leftover Cuisine provides a volunteer platform to bridge the gap between surplus prepared food from businesses and local shelters and soup kitchens who give this food to those in need. Learn more by reading our Volunteer FAQ's.

SIGN UP INSTRUCTIONS:
  1. Visit: www.rescuingleftovercuisine.org/users/sign_up 
  2. Visit our Events Calendar to view Volunteer Opportunities in Boston, MA. Sign up for events that fit your schedule.
Ages: Whether you're 9 or 99, travel by 4 wheels, 2 wheels or 2 feet, you can volunteer! An adult must accompany children under age 14.
 
Time Commitment: An average event rescues 50 pounds of food, accommodates 40 meals, and takes 30-60 minutes
 
Contact: Dana Siles, New England Coordinator, Dana@RescuingLeftoverCuisine.org
www.rescuingleftovercuisine.org/MA

 
 
Back to School Backpack Drive
JFS Metrowest

Date/Time: Monday, August 27, 10am - noon, and Tuesday, August 28, 10am - noon

Location(s):
  • Framingham Public Library, 49 Lexington St, Framingham, August 27
  • Wellesley Public Library, 530 Washington Street, Wellesley, August 28
With summer flying by, it's time to start getting ready for the upcoming school year by lending a helping hand to children in the Metrowest area. This is the seventh consecutive year of the Build-a-Backpack event, where the goal is to give away 275 backpacks full of school supplies to families in our community who need them the most. Every year, JFS collects school supplies for children ages five to ten through corporate donations and local supply drives. Volunteers (often families with young children) are asked to bring new backpacks to the event where they stuff them full of school supplies, choosing who the backpack will go to, i.e. 2nd grade girl, 4th grade boy, etc. Then JFS distributes the filled backpacks to the Woodrow Wilson Elementary School in Framingham as well as the parent information center for the Framingham Public Schools. Please bring a backpack or two with you.
 
Ages: Everyone is welcome to participate

Time Commitment: Very flexible. The event runs for two hours but time needed will depend on how long it takes for your family to pack the backpack you bring.

Contact: Kayla Hopkins at 508.875.3100 x220 or khopkins@jfsmw.org. Registration is available online.
 
 
Family Service Day on the Farm!
The MSPCA at Nevins Farm
 
Date/Time: Monday, September 3, 9am - noon
 
Location: The MSPCA at Nevins Farm, 400 Broadway, Methuen

Many children want to help animals on a farm, but the MSPCA requires children to be 16 or older to work with the animals. But younger kids can also experience what it's really like to roll up their sleeves and get a little dirty on a farm - cleaning cages and mucking stalls! That's why we offer the MSPCA at Nevins Farm's "Family Service Day" series. At the Family Service Day on the Farm, adult-child pairs are able to participate as hands-on volunteers at the MSPCA. Each group participates in three activities: an animal care chore, support chores, and an educational presentation that includes a fun activity and animal meet & greet. Animal care chores include cleaning cat cages, walking gentle dogs, or mucking horse stalls. This program is a fun and educational opportunity for families to make a meaningful contribution to the MSPCA's animal care efforts.

Ages: This program is for children in grades 2 - 6. Each child must attend with a parent or adult guardian.
 
Time Commitment: Three hours
 
Contact: humaneeducation@mspca.org, 978.687.7453. Registration is available online. Families are also welcome to join our kids programs Facebook group http://www.mspca.org/nevinseducation
 
 
JDRF One Walk Boston
JDRF
 
Date/Time: Saturday September 29. There are a variety of shifts between 6:30am and 2pm.
 
Location: DCR Hatch Shell, Boston
 
Our JDRF One Walk weekends would not be possible without the support of our amazing volunteers. By being a JDRF One Walk Volunteer, you are not only helping ensure our Walkers have the best experience on Walk day, but you are also helping JDRF create a world without type 1 diabetes! Below please find the volunteer sign-up form and a list of volunteer job descriptions. We ask that you register as a volunteer no later than one week prior to the Walk you are attending so JDRF staff can plan accordingly and ensure all areas are covered. JDRF staff will be in touch with you prior to event weekend with more details.
 
Ages: Children under 13 are more than welcome to volunteer with their parents at water stops and as route cheerleaders. Other volunteers must be at least 13 years of age and all volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
 
Time Commitment: Varies by volunteer task.
 
Contact: Holly Maloney, HMaloney@jdrf.org. Click here for registration form.
http://www.jdrf.org/newengland/
 
 
Back to School Drive
School on Wheels Massachusetts (SOWMA)
 
Date/Time: The SOWMA office is open from 10am to 5pm Monday through Friday.
 
Location: SOWMA, 100 Laurel Street, East Bridgewater

The mission of School on Wheels of Massachusetts is to support the academic, social and emotional growth of students impacted by homelessness. We provide students with the tools they need for success in the classroom. Each child is given a new backpack filled with customized school supplies and grade-level books that help foster a love for reading. You and your family can help by collecting and donating school supplies. Click here for a list of needed supplies. Please note that all donated supplies must be new.
 
Ages: Everyone is welcome to participate
 
Time Commitment: Varies
 
Contact: Barbara Fox, bfox@sowma.org 
 
 
Back to School Kindness Challenge
Doing Good Together

Date/Time: Starting September 1

Location: Your home and community
 
Take the Back to School Kindness Challenge! The back-to-school season is a great time to re-orient ourselves to our priorities. Let's resolve to make this a big-hearted school year full of compassion, reflection, and thoughtful acts of kindness. These unique ideas help students focus on daily acts of kindness before, during, and after the school day. Choose from the elementary grade and/or upper grade challenge. Starting on September 1 you can follow along with DGT on social media, both on Instagram and in our Big-Hearted Families community on Facebook, for kindness reminders and personal stories.

Ages: Everyone can participate

Time Commitment: Varies

Contact: mail@doinggoodtogether.org 

 
DGT's Big-Hearted E-Books

Families who are part of our Membership Circle may already know about our big-hearted e-books which expand on important topics and offer in-depth learning opportunities. We're proud to introduce our newest e-book "Host a Mini Family Service" created just in time for National Night Out™ on August 7th. Choose any of the three e-books (on building community, exploring nature, or becoming an upstander) for just $4.99 each in our online store. Or, become a member (for just $29.99) and receive all three of these e-books for free! As always, your purchase supports DGT and helps us offer free and budget-friendly resources to families nationwide.
 

 

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This list was compiled by Doing Good Together™ (www.doinggoodtogether.org)
 When calling to volunteer for any of the opportunities listed above, please let the coordinator know you found it through this listing. You are encouraged to ask any questions you may have of the sponsoring organization before committing to a project.
Disclaimer: This list is provided as a service to families. Inclusion of organizations in this listing does not imply affiliation, endorsement or quality assurance on the part of Doing Good Together.™ Doing Good Together™ bears no responsibility whatsoever for the activities and actions of the listed organizations. 
                                                                            

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