im 13 and need to volunteer!! please help!?

Question

im now 13, and in order to graduate this year from 8th grade, my school requres me to do 5 hours or more of community service! I've been searching around for weeks but cant find any places that accept people my age!

ive tried volunteermatch.org already, and some of the local shelters. (btw i live in SF,CA)

i really love animals, and was also wondering if places like PetCo and PetSmart might accept volunteers my age!

Thanks sooo much for your help!

also, i dont mind volunteering for something other than with animals!!

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Answer 1

You have probably gone online to look for a place, instead of down the street...

Local will be easier :) I support the answers here that state LOCAL nursing home, animal shelter, library or even community centres. Stay in the area and introduce yourself as a LOCAL.

Answer 2

Go to a local nursing home. Contact the activities director or the social services director. It really can be rewarding work. Consider staying on even after you've done all of the necessary hours. Spending time with a young person can mean so much to some of the people in nursing homes. Good Luck.

And I hear the Red Cross has volunteer spots for younger people, call them if you don't like the nursing home idea.

Answer 3

You have already got a lot of good suggestions. Just go to these places and explain the situation. They will have jobs you cannot do because of your age and laws, but they will all have things you can do. Check in your own neighborhood. Is their an older couple that could use some help, a young mother that would enjoy an hour a day off. Just look, you will find something and will find the good feeling you have about yourself by helping someone unselfishly.

Answer 4

You could serve meals to the homeless at the holidays. There are always churches and such that do that. The Salvation Army could probably tell you about that. You could gather up used clothing and toys and take them to a shelter, either homeless or one for battered women and children. You could probably find an elderly person in your community who needs a little help around the house and would be willing to write a letter that you helped. In April there is Earth Day where communities all over the country clean up beaches and parks, etc.

Answer 5

Check out the ASPCA in your area, if you haven't already.

Otherwise, check out www.rebuildingtogether.org, for an April service day all over the country. It's pretty awesome, and something you could do with a bunch of your friends (who will also have to do community service, I assume).

Or visit a hospital and ask if they take 13 year old volunteers.

Answer 6

if u can't find anything with animals try going to your local library. they will most likely be more than happy to let u volunteer. u could shelve books or help with children. i did this and in two days i had already put in 8 hours. so give it a try the worse they can tell u is no.

Answer 7

I would suggest that you contact the local 4-H program. They are in contact with a lot of people looking for volunteers, plus you may get to meet awesome people!

Answer 8

*chuckles* Try a local church- find people who are shut ins but still live at home, see if you can run errands for them. Or you could mow their lawn.

Or call up the local animal shelter- they're ALWAYS short of good help

Answer 9

Please check out the local nursing homes in your area. Older people are amazing - they have so much wisdom and the life experience they have is great. You will make someones day and while I love animals youare going to get much more satisfaction from helping an older person!

Answer 10

Ask a local vet, volunteer at a nursing home, hospital (candy striper) or child care center or school reading to children.