As summer winds down and kids head back to school, many volunteer opportunities open up. There are many ways you can help a friend, neighbor, or your community this fall:
- Offer assistance. Do you know a single parent or elderly neighbor that needs help with seasonal preparations? This could include:
- Removing window air conditioning units
- Cleaning gutters
- Raking leaves
- Get crafty with your harvest. If you have leftover fruits and vegetables from your garden, use those to make jellies or jams. You can donate them to families in need or use them as holiday gifts.
- Assist youth organizations. As fall and winter activities gear up, local youth organizations are always in need of coaches, referees, and mentors. If you have the time and desire, consider helping.
- Support a park near you. Parks around the country need help and rely on volunteers. The National Park Service has a wide range of safe, outdoor volunteer activities, ranging from conducting tours to maintaining green areas or facilities.
- Clean out your closet. Changing seasons is a great time to clean out unwanted or ill-fitting clothes. You can donate these items to a shelter, nonprofit organization, or a family in need.
Remember, small actions can make a large impact. To find a volunteer opportunity near you, check out serve.gov.