Giving back to your community can be a great way to spend a day, but sometimes it can be tricky to actually learn about the volunteer opportunities that exist - especially if you’re based in a rural area. However, with a little digging, you might be surprised to find just how many ways you can find to give back in your area. If you’re looking to donate your time and support a meaningful cause, here are five great ways to find volunteer opportunities in your area.
Five Ways To Find Volunteer Opportunities In Your Area
Contact your local government
Not sure where to start your search? Your city or county may be able to help you identify volunteer opportunities in your area or recommend organizations known for their work. Many local governments rely on volunteers to support school programs, clean parks and trails, and lend a helping hand in other ways.
Check Facebook
Facebook’s Events section is a great way to find local events and activities in your area - even ones around volunteering! This section of the site allows you to sort activities by category. Select the Causes category, and you’ll find a list of charitable events in your area. While many of these events tend to be fundraisers, if you find an organization or cause you’d like to support, you can usually locate contact information and reach out to see how you can contribute.
Do some Googling
There’s a ton of information on the Internet - including details about volunteer opportunities in your area! A quick search can reveal nearby nonprofits, organizations that make the greatest impact, or groups of volunteers who work together to support local initiatives. If you’re passionate about supporting a particular kind of organization, such as one that supports pets or gives back to children in need, this can be a great way to find a group that suits your needs.
Use VolunteerMatch.com (or a similar website)
There are a handful of independent websites out there that aim to connect eager volunteers with organizations in need. VolunteerMatch is one of the biggest, but there are others, such as Create the Good and Idealist. Websites like these are a great way for people - especially those in larger cities or metro areas - to learn about ways to give back in their area.
Create your own!
Sometimes, you might not be able to find an upcoming volunteer opportunity that works for you. Whether it’s due to living in a more rural area with less outlets to give back or simply poor timing, it can be frustrating to seek out volunteer opportunities and find nothing at all. When that happens, see if you can find your own way to give back and make a difference. From beautifying a local park, picking up litter in public or performing random acts of kindness throughout your community, your efforts will certainly be appreciated!
How have you found local volunteer opportunities? Have you used any of these techniques, or have you learned about them in other ways? If so, please share! Leave a comment and let me know how you found your favorite volunteer opportunity.
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