By Addie Rising, SHARECharlotte.org, a free, easy and local website that makes it easy to learn about and engage with our local nonprofits.
As moms, we volunteer a lot. In fact, 30 percent of parents volunteer in some capacity, according to data collected by the Corporation for National & Community Service. But most of my volunteer hours are spent at my children’s schools or at church, which I love.
But I’m always searching for ways my entire family can get out together and DO GOOD. Luckily there are many opportunities that are family-friendly.
Here are six volunteer activities you can do with your family:
Help with childcare at Project 658
Project 658 meets immediate needs of Charlotte’s international community by providing English classes for adults, a clothing store, child care, after school activities, medical services, counseling, culinary training and job development opportunities. Volunteers will assist room teachers in taking care of and instructing children ages 0-5 of ESL students. Activities include reading, playing outside, coloring, snack time, etc.
Host a ‘Books on Break Book Drive’ for Promising Pages
Promising Pages is collecting 80,000 books to improve reading proficiency in Charlotte-Mecklenburg through our Books on Break Program which provides FREE one-day pop-up book fairs at 15 CMS Title I schools serving 8,000 students. But they need books. Consider holding a book drive in your neighborhood and then donate the books to Promising Pages.
Gardening at McCreesh Place for Supportive Housing Communities
McCreesh Place offers supportive services to all residents, which will help them obtain and remain in permanent housing. Volunteers are needed nearly year-round to provide spring preparation, summer harvest and fall clean up in the community garden, mulching, planting, harvesting and weeding. A great opportunity to plant seeds as a family.
Community School of the Arts DO GOOD Volunteer Day
Community School of the Arts is looking for volunteers during DO GOOD Week! This is a great opportunity for older kids and teens to serve with an accompanying adult. If you can’t come out during DO GOOD Week, CSA’s monthly Volunteer Days take place on the second Thursday of each month. Volunteers will work in CSA’s Spirit Square office to help with a number of projects.
Provide a Meal for QC Family Tree’s Youth Group Meeting
QC Family Tree works in West Charlotte to engage with and empower youth, create social entrepreneurship opportunities for young adults, and provide affordable housing options to those facing poverty in our neighborhood. Volunteers are needed to bring a healthy meal for the organization’s weekly youth group meeting on Wednesday nights. Grab the kids and and share a meal with new friends!
Beautify grounds at Metrolina Association for the Blind
Metrolina Association for the Blind works to reduce or eliminate the daily living challenges imposed upon people by blindness or visual impairment. Volunteers will help beautify building grounds by weeding, trimming bushes, and planting flowers.
AND, if you’re looking for a great time to get your kids involved, there is no better time than DO GOOD Week! For one week, April 23-29, we are encouraging all you Charlotteans to think about how you spend your time this year.
DO GOOD Week, powered by Duke Energy, is a collaboration between SHARE Charlotte and Hands On Charlotte (now a program of United Way of Central Carolinas) for a week-long celebration of volunteering. This campaign is intentionally timed to coincide with National Volunteer Week (April 23 – 29) and our hope is everyone in Charlotte will find some way to DO GOOD.
Volunteer needs exist 365 days a year, but choose DO GOOD Week to get started.
