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Competition
This works especially well for schools; have each class compete to see who can get the most items donated in a given time, and have a reward for this class (free period, pizza, etc). Area businesses may want to get involved and provide certificates for the winning class as well.
Adopt-A-Shelter/Monthly Donations
You may wish to adopt a shelter and make monthly donations to it. When doing this, there is no need to be extravagant in your donations; shelters truly appreciate knowing that monthly donations will happen consistently, no matter how big or small. You can also do a monthly theme for what to donate each month; this brings variety to what you donate and to your collection efforts. Finally, you may want to call the shelter or program prior to each month and find out what they need the most; this is also a good way to make the most of your efforts.
Where to Take Collections
Many people don't know what to do with their collections; food should go either to shelters, food banks, or programs for reduced income people (Meals on Wheels), clothing should go to shelters, Salvation Army/Goodwill, or Dress for Success programs, personal care items should go to shelters, health care programs for reduced income families, or other places specific to the items. A call to a local program will help you find the proper place for your donations to go.
Volunteer Activities for (almost) any age*
- Volunteer to cook or serve meals to residents
- Volunteer to talk with residents
- Volunteer to tutor children and adults
- Volunteer to play games with children and adults
- Volunteer to care for children while adults are at work
- Volunteer to read to young children
- Volunteer to clean inside the shelter (sweeping, dusting, washing dishes, taking out garbage)
- Volunteer to clean outside the shelter (picking up trash, mowing, weeding, raking, sweeping, planting flowers, planting a garden, planting trees, painting, other upkeep)
- Volunteer to make additions (build a bookshelf, a TV cart, bunk beds, lofts, other improvements)
- Volunteer to decorate for holidays or just in general (add indoor plants, pictures, move furniture around)
- Adopt a shelter that becomes the focal point of all of you activities
Volunteer Activities for Adults
- Volunteer to help with clients overnight
- Volunteer to counsel clients
- Volunteer for emergency phone lines
- Volunteer to help transport homeless children and families to school/work**
- Adopt a homeless family or child for a holiday meal in your home
- Sponsor summer camp scholarships
* Age requirements for volunteers can vary; please check ahead.
** Check with shelter guidelines and legal issues before doing this.
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