Giving back to our community is so important for so many reasons. Teaching our kids to do so is fundamental as well. Sometimes it’s hard to find the right opportunities close by. That’s where we come in! Check out this list below to find the best local volunteer and donation opportunities for your family!
For local Toys for Tots drop-off locations, visit http://quantico-va.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/donate-toys.aspx
Washington, DC
Food and Friends volunteers are needed to deliver meals to people in the community living with HIV and AIDS on Christmas and New Year’s Day, or help prepare meals during three hour shifts in the kitchen from Dec. 24-Jan. 2 at 219 Riggs Rd, NE. 202-269-2277.
www.foodandfriends.org
House of Help Shelter and drug treatment program seeks donations of gift cards, unwrapped toys, new winter clothing, personal hygiene items and more. Items may be dropped off from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the House of Help transitional housing facility, 2322 16th St. SE, lower level. 202-249-8511.
House of Ruth donations are welcome year-round to provide day care, counseling, job training and other domestic abuse support services to women and children. 202-667-7001.
www.houseofruth.org
Capital Area Food Bank volunteers are needed for the annual Stuff-A-Truck program Friday to greet donors and collect food at four District Giant supermarket locations, along with locations in Virginia and Maryland. 202-644-9800.
www.capitalareafoodbank.org
Bread for the City holds its annual Holiday Helpings campaign to provide 8,000 area families the ingredients to cook a holiday meal; a $29 donation provides one meal.
www.breadforthecity.org
Serve DC is dedicated to promoting service as an innovative, sustainable solution to the challenges we face as a community and a nation. Serve DC encourages DC residents to get involved with service and volunteer activities around the District.
http://serve.dc.gov/service/service-opportunities-page
NeighborGood is a free, online District of Columbia-specific volunteer opportunity database and search engine. NeighborGood connects residents with meaningful District-based volunteer opportunities and connects community-based organizations and others with the city’s cadre of dedicated, experienced volunteers.
http://serve.dc.gov/service/neighborgood
Serve DC promotes the District’s spirit of service and engages residents in meaningful volunteer opportunities through its Seasons of Service Days campaign, a diverse portfolio of international, national and local service events and opportunities designed to empower individuals, strengthen communities, bridge barriers and create innovative solutions to social challenges we face as a city and a nation.
http://serve.dc.gov/page/seasons-service-days
One Brick brings volunteers together to support other non-profit organizations by adopting an innovative twist to the volunteer experience: we create a friendly and social atmosphere around volunteering, and after each volunteer event, we invite volunteers to gather at a local restaurant or cafe where they can get to know one another in a relaxed social setting.
http://washingtondc.onebrick.org
Maryland
Holiday Giving Project of Montgomery County collects and distributes donations to low-income residents in a coordinated effort by nonprofits, local governments, and faith groups. Contact Susan Klavon. 240-687-9629.
www.awidercircle.org.
Hospice Caring, a nonmedical, nonprofit hospice, needs volunteers to help wrap gifts at three Barnes & Noble locations this month. To sign up for your choice of dates and shifts, go to the Hospice Caring Web site. 301-869-4673.
www.hospicecaring.org
Montgomery Avenue Women’s Center the daytime shelter for homeless women needs volunteers to help serve meals, answer phones, complete forms, introduce arts and crafts projects and write donation thank-you letters. Contact Audra Cannon, 301-984-7765.
Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless seeks volunteers to prepare and/or serve meals on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day. Student service learning hours can be earned. Contact Naira Hirz at [email protected] or call 301-917-6658.
A Legacy Left Behind seeks personal care items, such as toothpaste, soap, lip balm, lotion and deodorant for young women living in foster care. Drop off items Monday-Saturday at Greenbelt Library, 11 Crescent Rd. or Bowie Library, 15210 Annapolis Rd. 301-938-5752.
www.alegacyleftbehind.org
List of 20 Local Maryland Volunteer Centers:
http://marylandvolunteercenters.org/
Holiday Gift Wrapping for Charities at Westfield Montgomery Mall (Bethesda): http://www.volunteermatch.org/search/opp979404.jsp
Angel Tree Gift Sorting (Hyattsville): http://www.volunteermatch.org/search/opp1863213.jsp
Meals on Wheels (Baltimore and Central MD): http://www.volunteermatch.org/search/opp1863008.jsp
Maryland Food Banks (multiple locations):
https://www.mdfoodbank.org/volunteer/
Virginia
Community Partners for Children is holding its 25th annual toy drive. Donations of new unwrapped toys, infant and toddler items, gifts for children 10-12 and grocery store gift cards may be dropped off. For locations and volunteer opportunities:
www.cpc.wildapricot.org
Alexandria Department of Community and Human Services Holiday Sharing Program seeks sponsors for senior or disabled residents and 109 families with children for the holidays and to sort and deliver gifts from 9 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday. 703-746-5663.
alexandriava.gov
Salvation Army needs volunteers to sort gifts for children participating in the Angel Tree program, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. through Tuesday. Gift distribution is from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday through Dec. 20. 703-836-2427. www.salvationarmyusa.org
Lorton Community Action Center needs money, nonperishable food, baby wipes, soy baby formula, cleaning supplies and other items. 703-339-5161.
www.lortonaction.org
Holiday Coalition needs items including new infant, toddler and children’s clothing and toys; preteen and teen gifts and clothing; gifts and clothing for seniors and adults with disabilities; cash and/or $10 gift cards. Store location is 23520 Overland Dr., Suite 110, Sterling.
www.loudoun.gov/holidaycoalition
Link Needs include nonperishable food and toys, games and gift cards for children of all ages. 703-437-1776.
www.linkagainsthunger.org
Loudoun Interfaith Relief needs volunteers to help fill stockings and work in the Holiday Store. For needs, e-mail [email protected] or call 703-737-8367.
www.interfaithrelief.org
Volunteer Fairfax’s List of Holiday Volunteer Opportunities:
http://www.volunteerfairfax.org/individuals/holiday.php
Northern Virginia Family Services:
http://www.nvfs.org/volunteernow
Volunteering for Fairfax County:
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/volunteering/
Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia:
http://www.volunteermatch.org/search/org18492.jsp
HomeAid Northern Virginia:
http://www.homeaidnova.org/get-involved/volunteer/
