WASHINGTON – Volunteering is big this time of year as people start thinking of how they can help others or give back to their communities.
WTOP listeners have been asking the WTOP Answer Desk how can they get involved.
Holiday season volunteer opportunities:
The Holiday Project
The Holiday Project Arranges visits to nursing homes and hospitals in Washington, Maryland, Virginia and Delaware throughout the season to provide conversation and companionship.
Toys for Tots
Volunteer by doing as little as donating a new, unwrapped toy, or hold your own toy collection drive. There are more than 400 drop-off sites in D.C.
Food & Friends
Food & Friends provides meals for all people young and old living with HIV/AIDS, cancer, and life threatening diseases. Volunteers are currently needed for donations, help in the kitchen and help making deliveries.
Year-round volunteer opportunities:
Student Mentor
Become a role model by mentoring a college student. This program matches you to a candidate who can benefit from your professional advice.
Greater DC CARES
This program has 24,000 volunteers and 750 partnerships with nonprofits. It trains and mobilizes interested volunteers. Greater DC Cares is currently planning for “Holiday of Service,” MLK Jr. Day, Jan 17, 2011.
American Red Cross
The Red Cross is always looking for volunteers to do from as little as giving blood to becoming certified in First Aid/CPR to becoming trained to respond to disasters. Volunteers make up 96 percent of its work force.
Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia
HFHNV has helped build more than 50 homes in the Arlington/Alexandria area.
National Archives
Anyone 16 and older who has knowledge and an interest in history might enjoy this opportunity. It requires an interview and orientation, but there are fun benefits.
Erica L. Brecher and WTOP’s Michelle Basch contributed to this report. Follow Michelle on Twitter
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