What Are Some Volunteer Activities – Wild Apricot Membership Management Software / The Blog / 15 Ways to Volunteer from Home and Give Back During COVID-19
We’ve learned to work remotely, entertain close, and not kill our loved ones (but at least our pets thrive!).
What Are Some Volunteer Activities
We’ve had to give up a lot in the name of stopping the spread of the coronavirus, but one thing you don’t have to give up now is volunteering.
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Volunteering from home is a great way to spend some of your time during social isolation, and it’s much needed. No matter what your skills and passions, there are plenty of opportunities to volunteer online or from the comfort of your own home (or at a safe social distance).
In this post, I’ll share how you can practically support a variety of causes as well as give back to your own community during this scary and uncertain time.
If you are looking to use your skills in the service of an organization or get your organization online, check out these pages.
VolunteerMatch is a long-standing volunteer organization that connects passion and talent with important causes. They have hundreds of virtual volunteer experiences in areas ranging from health and medicine, children and youth, education to community building. They’ve also created a COVID-19 hub specifically for coronavirus volunteer opportunities.
Volunteers — Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre
Points of Light Global Network organizes an annual Global Volunteer Month, which is held in April. They connect virtual volunteers with projects in 37 countries around the world. You can look for off-site projects that fit your schedule and skills, or find do-it-yourself projects that you can do from home.
The UN has created an online portal of online volunteering activities, many of which support women and young people. They currently have numerous virtual projects specific to COVID-19. Find volunteer opportunities ranging from translation, art and design, writing and editing, consulting, community organizing, technology development and more.
The Crisis Text Line is staffed by volunteer crisis counselors who work from home. Trained crisis counselors respond to texts from people in crisis, using active listening, collaborative problem solving, and safety planning. The current COVID-19 pandemic is having a huge impact on mental health, with many struggling with uncertainty, panic, unemployment and overwhelm. Now more than ever, those in crisis need support. Other crisis hotlines in your area may also be looking for support.
If you are bilingual, this is for you! Translators Without Borders uses volunteers to translate millions of words. Volunteers are used to translate medical texts and crisis responses, which are much needed at this time. They also rely on volunteers for other functions, such as project management, graphic or web design, and fundraising.
Volunteer Opportunities Archives
Bookshare® is an organization that makes print materials accessible to children and adults with disabilities. Rely on virtual volunteers to take on tasks like scanning and reviewing, describing images, and providing support to Bookshare® teachers and families.
Table Wisdom connects adults and international students through weekly mentoring video chats. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has launched a co-video partner program that matches volunteers with someone from another city (including those who are not foreigners) who are affected by social distancing. Participants will participate in weekly 30-minute video chats that enable meaningful conversations during this crisis.
Become a desk wisdom volunteer for an international student or isolated person in need by visiting this site.
The coronavirus has affected every community in the world. With mass business and school closures, isolating quarantines, frontline workers at risk, and depleted public health resources, everyone is struggling.
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Call or text your high-risk neighbors, whether they’re elderly or sick. Ask if they are okay and need items like groceries, toiletries, and prescription pickups. To be extra careful, leave items at the door to keep your neighbors safe.
Hospitals and other healthcare facilities are running out of protective equipment such as masks, gloves and other personal protective equipment. If you’ve been stockpiling medical equipment before or to prepare for the pandemic, or work somewhere like a nail salon that has these types of supplies on hand, consider donating them to medical workers on the front lines.
Blood donation is always needed, especially in times of crisis. With blood donation events and drives canceled due to the spread of COVID-19, the American Red Cross is experiencing a severe blood shortage. According to the US surgeon general, “You can still go out and give blood. We are concerned about a possible blood shortage in the future. Social distancing does not have to mean social distancing.”
If you are healthy and able to donate blood, make an appointment here or call 1-800-RED-CROSS to find a local donation site.
Volunteer Work Period — Dharmalaya
Nonprofits around the world have canceled fundraising events, but are still trying to meet the growing needs of vulnerable populations caused by the coronavirus. Reach out to local nonprofits and churches and find out how you can use your skills to support them virtually.
You’d be surprised at the variety of talent that nonprofits can now use. Some required tasks may include:
While being stuck at home is a huge challenge, frontline workers are putting their health at risk every day during the coronavirus pandemic. If you know a doctor, nurse or healthcare worker, consider sending them $15 for coffee or a meal, through an app like Venmo or PayPal. Or, send food delivery to health centers. Even a simple thank you email or text will go a long way.
The restaurant industry is taking a big hit right now. Although sit-down service is not available, many restaurants still offer delivery or offer it. Support your favorite restaurants by ordering meals and treats for takeout and delivery. Or, delivering food as a gift to families and people who have a greater need at this time.
Interesting Pros & Cons Of Volunteering
In addition to restaurants, almost all retail businesses have been significantly affected by COVID-19 and will continue to be so. You can support them by making intentional purchases online from local stores instead of global e-commerce brands like Amazon. Consider purchasing small business gift cards that you can use later while keeping them current.
Don’t forget how the coronavirus is affecting our furry community members. Not only are many animal shelters closing, but an increase in pets in need may arise from those who are sick or cannot financially care for their animals. If social isolation has left you both and given you more time to adopt or foster, now is the time to give a pet a new home.
We can all do our part to support each other through this incredibly difficult time. If you have the means, donating money to organizations responding to COVID-19 will make a big impact. Try giving to one of these top organizations.
Is your nonprofit currently looking for more volunteers? Read our post on how to recruit volunteers from start to finish and how to create a solid volunteer strategy, or comment below if you have other ideas for virtual volunteering.
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This website uses analytical tools to collect anonymous information, such as the number of site visitors and the most popular pages. A large part of National Honor Society responsibilities is for students to volunteer and accumulate community service hours. But there is often a disconnect between National Honor Society students and the administrators responsible for collecting their hours and keeping track of National Honor Society volunteer hours.
For example, what type of volunteer work can a National Honor Society student do to count toward the National Honor Society volunteer hours total? And can a National Honor Society administrator help students get their volunteer hours?
We suggest that you clearly answer these questions by providing examples and different types of National Honor Society volunteer hours.
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This National Honor Society volunteer category includes activities that the National Honor Society may promote or work on that year. The four pillars of the National Honor Society are scholarship, leadership, service and character. But sometimes they want to focus on one initiative.
For 2021, the National Honor Society is running a “Take Down Tobacco” campaign. Therefore, for specific National Honor Society volunteering, students may be asked to volunteer specifically for this campaign, and this may count toward the required National Honor Society volunteer hours.
These National Honor Society volunteer hours are community service opportunities that students find on their own time without help. These volunteer hours are good because they help student volunteers gain independence and leadership skills.
The best way to let students know that you would like them to volunteer on their own time and find their own activities is to give them ample examples and let them know that they can introduce volunteer opportunities to a National Honor Society administrator within the school to check that it is acceptable.
Ways To Volunteer From Home And Give Back During Covid 19
Make sure students are aware that they cannot be paid