Holiday Volunteering with Kids in NJ

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, the time is right to get kids thinking about how thankful they are for what they have... and teaching them to give back to the community.  The younger the kids, the harder it seems to find meaningful, hands-on volunteer opportunities.  Here are some ideas to put a little more meaning (and some fun!) into your kids’ volunteering....

Food Banks and Soup Kitchens


Your local food bank or soup kitchen is a great place to start with hands-on volunteering.  Children ages 7 and up can help with food serving at soup kitchens.  Children 4 and up can help with activities like making sandwiches.  Smaller food banks may let younger kids help with packaging and distribution of food.  The best way to find out what you can do (besides food donations) is to call your local food bank or soup kitchen to find out how you can help and what is age appropriate. Find a food bank or soup kitchen near you.

Meals on Wheels


Meals on Wheels often seeks volunteers to help delivery meals to the elderly.  This is a great way to experience volunteering as a family.  To volunteer, contact your local Meals on Wheels or Senior Meal Program to find out how you can help.  See a listing of all programs.
 

Nursing Homes


One of the easiest places for kids to volunteer is at nursing homes.  Nursing homes are constantly seeking volunteers to spend time with their residents–the company alone cheers them.  The holiday season is one of the best times to get involved since many nursing homes are looking for kids ages 5-and-up for Christmas Caroling.  Residents also appreciate donated cards and crafts (for example kid-made holiday ornaments).  To join a group of Christmas Carolers at a Nursing Home near you, start by looking at www.holiday-project.org.
 



Planting & Cleanup


It’s not too late in the season to help with this!  Great volunteer projects for even the youngest kids include planting trees and plants.  Park clean-up is also a great project for kids and does not always involve just picking up trash. You can find local programs ranging from planting trees, adopting a local beach, recycling, and even becoming a "Clean Water Rainger" at NJDEP-SEEDS.  Another great resource for invasive plant removal (among other things) is Morris Parks.
 

Foster an Animal


Many animal shelters and rescue centers need foster families for pets waiting for adoption.  Most look for volunteers for a two-week period at minimum.  It’s a short commitment, but allows your children to help, and to understand the responsibility involved in owning a pet.  (See www.njcares.org/animal.htm for a list of animal welfare organizations in New Jersey.)
 

Become a Seeing Eye Puppy Raiser


The Seeing Eye in Morristown is always looking for families to raise puppies until they are old enough to become trained as Seeing Eye dogs.  Families receive a 7-week old puppy and have a 13-15 month commitment to raise it.  (Current wait for a puppy is about 9 to 12 months.)  For extra child involvement in the puppy-raising process, join a Seeing Eye Puppy Raising Club.
 

Visiting Animal Shelters with Donations


While small children cannot handle the animals at a shelter, my kids still get a thrill out of seeing all the animals.  For a great excuse to visit, bring along donations such as dog or cat food, treats, toys, or blankets or towels for pet bedding.  You may want to call the shelter in advance to see what they need most.  For a list of animal shelters, visit www.njcares.org
 

Looking for more volunteer opportunities?  
Here are two websites to get you started in your search:


www.volunteermatch.org


www.njcares.org