Finding Your Place as a Volunteer
By: Lawyer Vaughn Jr.
Do you need an infrequent activity to compliment your spontaneous schedule? Have you ever considered volunteering? Dedicating an hour or two of your time to others can help change your perspective and lead to a fulfillment perhaps you didn’t know was lacking.
Veteran Affairs Hospital
Consider joining the Veteran Affairs Hospital in their effort to create a health care experience that is worthy of our veterans. The VA offers plenty of volunteer opportunities where you can work directly with patients such as a bingo host, hospitality treat server, or even an ER helper. The VA also offers some clerical positions to help you get your feet wet in the administrative field. Learn more about the VA Hospital at https://www.volunteer.va.gov/.
Boys & Girls Club of SE Michigan
Since 1926, the Boys & Girls Clubs has provided a world-class environment of nurturing and growth for children. From barbecues to fancy luncheons, and golfing to dances, there is never a dull moment. Serving over 15,000 children and young adults in the Southeastern Michigan area alone can be quite challenging; why not lend a hand and become a role model for our leaders of tomorrow. See how you can help! Go to http://www.bgcsm.org/.
Growing Hope
Growing Hope helps people improve their lives and communities through gardening and increasing access to healthy food. They are one of the leading efforts to educate neighborhoods on urban agriculture. If reaching out to the community is not your forte, help out a few hours a week on their private farm or even volunteer in their office. For more information, visit www.growinghope.net/get-involved/volunteer/.
U-M Opportunities
The University of Michigan has an endless list of volunteer positions. Help bring a smile to patient and learn flawless customer service skills. This is also a rare opportunity to see the hospital’s operations up close while gaining quality experience. With U-M’s five-star staff and patient-centered goals, the sky is the limit. Learn how you can volunteer; go to http://www.med.umich.edu/volunteer/.
Alzheimer’s Association
Their most popular volunteer attraction is “The Longest Day.” This event takes place on the summer solstice where you raise funds in one of the coolest ways! Select an activity you wish to participate in: sports, tabletop games, or even a party. Pick an activity that will hopefully create the best possible environment for you to raise funds. You can join an existing team or create your own. Create or help organize a plan for the day of your activity. Lastly, have fun and raise funds to end Alzheimer. Keep in mind when you register to be a participant you will be given tips and tricks to help promote your event. Thankfully the Alzheimer Association has experience with a multitude of different events posing for their cause. The supportive info you will receive will more than likely be specific to your type of activity. The best part is that nearly 80% of proceeds goes into Alzheimer care, support, research, awareness and advocacy. To start volunteering today, go to http://act.alz.org/site/TR.
Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Washtenaw County
You don’t have to be perfect to be a Big Brother or Big Sister. When you are a Big Brother or Big Sister you are making a significant difference in a young child’s life. Your guidance and mentoring will help them develop, set, and achieve their goals. This could be a great opportunity to show our youth different and exciting parts of life they may never knew existed. Check out all the volunteer opportunities available! Go to www.bbbswashtenaw.org
Magic of Christmas
The Magic of Christmas Adopt a Family Foundation is a non-profit organization started in 1996 by former University of Michigan All-American track athlete and former LPGA Tour player, Debbie Williams-Hoak. Debbie partnered with the Ann Arbor Police Department to fulfill a lifelong dream of helping children at Christmas and also to help change the perception of the police in the eyes of the children and what better way than to have the police officers become Santa. Interested in supporting the Magic of Christmas Foundation? Visit their website at http://www.magicofchristmasfoundation.org/
For more ideas of local organizations to consider giving a little time (or even money) to, check out Manpower’s association list on our community involvement webpage, www.manpowermi.com/community-involvement.