Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer opportunities exist everywhere and finding the right volunteer opportunity for you can make all the difference. Check out these articles from HowStuffWorks to learn about some interesting volunteer opportunities.
10 Best Volunteer Activities in Retirement
Does the Peace Corps want retired volunteers?
Top 5 Volunteer Organizations for Retirees
How Charity Boards Work
How Planning a Charity Event Works
How is a charity different from a foundation?
How to Register for Toys for Tots
Can you be a professional volunteer?
Did women volunteers serve in World War II?
How Food Banks Work
How the Association of Junior Leagues International Works
How Serve.gov Works
Learn More
Four million veterans living in the United States are disabled, and many of those men and women need help in one way or another. So what can you do to donate your services to those in need?
Citizen science projects are sprouting up everywhere. Researchers and laypeople love them -- though there are a few critics.
Nursing homes don't have to be depressing places. If you have an outgoing personality and enjoy interacting with people, you might try volunteering in a nursing home and letting some light into someone else's life.
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Professional burnout is pretty common in the nursing world. One way to regain your love of nursing is to volunteer your services and help the people who need it most.
By Libby Little
When the President of the United States issues a call to service, it's hard to say no. You can volunteer with the POTUS within your own community -- we'll show you how.
Every day, millions of people visit museums to admire ancient artifacts, commune with the likes of Monet and relish the simple beauty of a Japanese garden. Volunteers help make this possible.
From collecting native plant seeds in Alaska's Denali National Park to digging for fossils in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, the U.S. Geological Survey offers hundreds of volunteer opportunities to those wanting to donate time to natural science.
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Across the country, parks and recreation departments maintain outdoor recreation facilities, run programs and offer classes such as yoga, karate and arts and crafts. With so much going on, it's obvious that these departments need volunteers.
With more than 922,000 acres of wilderness, Olympic National Park in northwestern Washington offers stunning views. It also offers plenty of opportunities to volunteer.
"Experience your America." It's an inviting proposition, isn't it? It's the welcoming slogan of the U.S. National Park Service.
By Eleanor Duse
The African Scientific Research Institute is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving African American culture as a legacy for future generations. Want to get involved? You can -- as a volunteer.
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You don't need a medical degree to volunteer at a hospital. Sometimes all you need to offer is a smile and some conversation. You'll be brightening someone's day -- and yours in turn.
By Libby Little
Before life-saving (or erection-inducing) drugs reach the public, they go through a lengthy and rigorous series of tests to ensure they're safe and effective. What is life like as a human guinea pig?
By Tom Scheve
The government agencies, nonprofit organizations, substance-abuse centers and mental health clinics that provide mental health services are often understaffed and overwhelmed. This is where you come in.
By Tom Scheve
Want to experience the sights, sounds and smells of history? We're not talking about a musty pop-up book about the Civil War. If you've got the time and mettle, volunteer in historical reenactments.
By Jane McGrath
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The YMCA -- or Young Men's Christian Association -- is a large nonprofit with international reach and several thousand local branches that rely on the help of volunteers.
By Eleanor Duse
On any given day, there are 100,000 active missing persons cases in the United States, with 52 percent of those cases involving children under the age of 18. The statistics are enough to make anyone want to do something about it.
As John F. Kennedy once said, "We have the power to make this the best generation of mankind in the history of the world -- or make it the last." Volunteering is a big part of that, here and abroad.
By Libby Little
Most people dread doing their taxes -- it's right up there with getting a root canal. But if you don't see what all the dreaded fuss of preparing taxes is about, you may be the perfect person to volunteer income tax assistance.
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Millions of kids dream of becoming a firefighter when they grow up. If you still have dreams of fighting fires, becoming a volunteer firefighter might be the right path for you.
Bankruptcy. Divorce. Eviction. Civil lawsuits. Debt collection. Unfortunately, the times we need professional legal assistance aren't necessarily the times we can afford lawyers.
By Eleanor Duse
You're retired and ready to enjoy your leisure time. There's only one problem -- you have a little too much leisure time. If you're finding retirement a bit boring, you may want to consider becoming a volunteer.
Every year, millions of Americans die from illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes. And every year, roughly 400,000 hospice volunteers help many of these people through their last few months of life.
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Volunteering at the White House is a privilege and an honor. But you can't just walk up to the front gate and ask for an application to volunteer.
One good thing about Christmas is that it gets many of us thinking about others and how we can help those in need. Even with COVID19 restrictions in place, there are still many ways to volunteer.