How can I volunteer for something meaningful like assisting with the cattle stranded in colorado or maybe...?

Question

in a homeless shelter or soup kitchen in detroit? I've e-mailed the capuchin soup kitchen a few times with no response. I have time on my hands and I have a big heart that I want to put to good use. I'm not afraid to get down and dirty. Serious answers only please!

Answer 1

There are many organizations that specialize in matching people and groups with meaningful volunteer opportunities. One such organization would be your local volunteer center. They have access to hundreds of non-profit organizations that can match your interests. The closer that your interests match up with the volunteer project(s), the more effective the contribution can become.

For example, I wanted to make a larger contribution within my own volunteer center, so I used the skills from my day job to help with Marketing, Human Resources, and other necessary activities to run the organization as a volunteer member of the Board of Directors.

I would suggest that you start by seeking out your local volunteer center. Use the following links:

http://www.handsonnetwork.org/our-network/
http://www.pointsoflight.org/centers/find_center.cfm

If no volunteer center exists in your immediate area, check with your local United Way. They provide similar services to connect you with non-profit agencies that match your interests.

Another alternative, if you have a lot of extra time, is Americorps:

http://www.americorps.org/

The Americorps members that work with our non-profit have a one-year commitment, and provide invaluable services with disaster management, volunteer management, program coordination, and many other tasks. Americorps can also match you with projects within your range of interests.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Instead of e-mailing go to the soup kitchen and ask to speak with someone in charge of how you can volunteer your time,check out also your local hospitals for they have several volunteer opportunities-delivering mags/books to patients,helping in the info center just to name a few.Also Nursing Homes often need Volunteers to assist the elderly in writing letters,reading to them and or kust visiting for many have no one to visit them. The cattle situation I doubt would allow volunteers for involves them being stranded in very high snow and would be considered too dangerous.Saw on the News where they are dropping bales of hay and so forth to the cattle stranded and on one ranch the cattle was able to go through the high drifts to safety. Doing something for others is always worth doing.

Answer 3

In addition to all the other answers here... Go to a website like CharityNavigator.org and check out charities in your area. You'll find lots of them. Give your time, your money, whatever.

To repeat what someone else said: If you really want to help the soup kitchen with your time or effort, then don't simply rely on email. Call them. Go there. Make more of an effort.

Answer 4

What are you going to do for the cattle in Colorado? Get on your pony and ride? If you want a serious answer don't ask silly questions. Get off your rear and take yourself down to the nearest homeless shelter and get to work. You can clean bathrooms, do laundry, watch children so parents can go out and find jobs and housing, you can cook, wash dishes, prepare beds, sweep the floor, etc. If you wanted to truly help you would be helping, not asking about it.

Answer 5

Try visiting a retirement home for the elderly. Many elderly folks get no visitors and are lonely just for someone to talk to.

Contact your local food pantries, there always looking for volenteers.

Helping People who are less fortunate then you are.

Answer 6

If you're going to commit libel, at least use a gag that's not older than Noah.

Answer 7

Try volunteering at the local SPCA. They always need a little help.