October
2008
Volunteer Opportunities
for Families
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Trick or Treat for UNICEF
UNICEF
Did
you know that $17 can immunize a child against the six major childhood
diseases? UNICEF-the United Nations Children's Fund-is working in
156 countries to provide health care, clean water, nutrition and
education to children and their families. You and your child can help
by collecting money for UNICEF while trick or treating. Simply order a
free orange donation box online or pick one up at your nearest Pier 1
or Hallmark store. Enrich your volunteer experience and learn more
about UNICEF programs by taking part in the family-friendly activities
at the UNICEF website.
Ages:
Any child old enough to trick or treat can collect coins for UNICEF.
Time
Commitment: As long as it takes to Trick or Treat and send in
your money to UNICEF.
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Create a Tradition of Family Service
Host a Family Service Night
Doing Good Together
Family
Service Night is a fun volunteer evening that focuses around 5 to 10
"booths" or "stations," each one offering a simple, hands-on service
project for families. Families can do all the projects or just one or
two, educating their children in the process about critical social
issues and the value of serving others. It has proved to be an
ideal way for families to have fun together while making a real
difference in the community. Contact Jenny or visit the Doing
Good Together website to
learn more about how to offer a Family Service Night to the families in
your school, faith group, neighborhood or organization.
Jenny
Friedman
jenny@doinggoodtogether.org
612.822.6502
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Become
a Senior Angel
Chemoangels
Do
you want to brighten the life of a senior? Through once-a-week chatty
letters, friendly cards, uplifting notes and an occasional small gift,
you can encourage and support an elderly person. (Small gifts
mean something in the $2 to $5 range, such as a packet of bath salts,
box of favorite tea or bar of scented soap.) Visit the website for more
information and to volunteer.
Ages: Toddlers and older can help
pick out gifts and create drawings and cards to send.
Time
Commitment: Only about 30 minutes each week, but it's vitally
important that you are 100% dedicated and able to follow through.
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Spearhead a Cereal Drive
Simpson
Housing Services, Inc.
2100 Pillsbury Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55404
Gather
your friends and family and see how many boxes of cereal you can
collect. Guests staying at the men's and women's shelters need to start
off their day with breakfast, and your help can save the shelter
budget. (Simpson typically purchases cereal from Second Harvest, but
they are very low on supplies.) All kinds of cereal are welcome. If you
arrange it ahead of time, you can get a tour of the shelter when your
family drops off the cereal you've collected. Simpson provides
emergency shelter, transitional housing and support services to
homeless individuals and families.
Ages: Any
age child can participate.
Time Commitment: Take as much
or as little time as you'd like to collect donated cereal from friends
and family.
Christina
Giese
612.874.8683
www.simpsonhousing.org
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Play
with Children
Mary's
Place Transitional Shelter
401 N 7th St
Minneapolis, MN 55405
Play
with kids at the Children's Center, a day-care facility for children
living at Mary's Place, a transitional shelter for families
experiencing homelessness. The Children's Center is open Monday through
Wednesday, 2 PM to 4:45 PM, and Thursday and Friday from 2 PM to 4 PM.
The Center generally serves 10 to 30 children between the ages of 4 to
8 years. You can schedule a tour of the facility before volunteering in
order to learn more Mary's Place and the people they serve.
Ages:
Use your own judgment or discuss your family's size and ages when with
the volunteer coordinator.
Time Commitment: Stay for as long as
you'd like. Volunteer one time or on a regular basis.
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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.
© 2008 Doing Good Together
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