8 ways to fit volunteering into your busy life

You hear it all the time. We say it all the time. "I'm just so busy."

Sometimes we get so busy that is seems there just isn’t any time for volunteering. If there is, we'd probably prefer an afternoon nap or extra family time. But there is always time. Did you know that giving back can be as simple as writing a letter to brighten someone’s day? With these ideas for volunteering you are sure to find at least one that will fit into any busy schedule – even yours.

1. Make a Difference in...

http://www.volunteerguide.org/

Volunteer Guide lets you choose to make a difference in 15 minutes, in a few hours or on a volunteer vacation. They have hundreds of volunteer opportunities that will fit even the busiest of schedules.

2. Micro-volunteer

http://helpfromhome.org/

Help from Home is a UK based organization that connects volunteers to micro-volunteering opportunities all over the world.

3. Make a Blanket

http://www.projectlinus.org/

Make a blanket; comfort a child. Project Linus volunteers make blankets that are then distributed to children in hospitals, social services – to any child that needs comforting.

4. Find an Opportunity to fit your Schedule

http://www.volunteeryourtime.org/

Volunteer your Time has a unique search feature that allows you to find volunteer opportunities that fit your schedule.

5. Sponsor a Family in Need

http://www.boxproject.org/

The Box Project matches volunteer sponsors to families living in rural poverty in the United States. Sponsors send care packages and encouraging letters to the families, mentoring them and helping them.

6. Become an Angel

http://chemoangels.wix.com/chemo-angels-1/

Write a letter to a chemo patient or to a lonely senior.

7. Knit a Hat for Someone going through Chemo

http://www.knotsoflove.org/

If you can knit you can make a chemo patient smile. Knots of Love collects your hand knitted caps and gives them to chemo patients. You can knit the cap at your own pace and you are still giving back.

8. Fulfill a Soldier’s Wish list

http://www.anysoldier.com/index.cfm

Deployed soldiers often do not have access to many of the comforts that we take for granted like toiletry items, food items and even letters from home. AnySoldier.com is changing that. Access the database, find a wishlist and support a soldier.

10 ways to get your kids involved in the community

Kids have a short attention span when it comes to volunteering. It's worse when you're competing with technology. Trust me, I would know. I have no kids, but used to run a local non-profit and often would use kids to volunteer at our events to help them get their hours for college. We didn't always have Instagram-worthy opportunities for them to share with their friends that qualified for the "#myweekendwasbetterthanyours" hashtag war.

So how can you get them to recognize all ages are needed to build a community? Here are a few ways that will have them SnapChatting their friends in no time.

1. Let them bring a friend

Because everything is cooler when my #bff is with me.

2. Allow them to pick the clothes they donate

When they are in charge, kids and teens take great pride in what they do. If you're donating a bag of clothing to an organization, let them decide what to give to another child who is in need. It will help them resonate with the project more.

3. Supermarket sweep!

Pick up a few items for your local food pantry in a hurry. Each of you take a list of items needed and the first one who gets to the cash register with all their items wins... and the loser buys ice cream.

4. Storytime

Find your nearest children's hospital or special needs school and have your tweens brighten someone's day by reading them a book. Everyone loves a good read and new visitors!

5. Pick a park or a monument to keep tidy

No one really LOVES cleaning, but by allowing your kids to choose where and what they are going to keep tidy in their community builds pride in their neighborhood.

6. Make a neighborhood e-newsletter

Kids and technology are inseparable these days. Put all that knowledge to good use by building a weekly newsletter for your neighborhood. Coordinate BBQs, neighborhood clean up or make special announcements. Communication goes a long way!

7. Help them start a "Random Acts of Kindness" (RAK) Club at school

Because let's be honest, who doesn't LOVE a good random act of kindness? Your son or daughter could lead a movement to bring a more positive environment to the classroom with just one RAK.

8. Find a run/walk to support a cause they love

5k or 10k runs are so much fun for kids (plus it gets all their energy out of the way early in the morning) especially if it is behind a cause they are familiar with. Educate them on why they are running so they can continue to know the importance of fighting illness or helping those in need as they grow older.

9. Do I hear $10? $20? - Art Auction!

Kids of all ages LOVE to make art. Host an art auction as a fundraiser for their school library or a fellow students who need school supplies. It doesn't have to be a painting. It can be made of wood, an old antique they fixed up for reselling, jewelry and more. Plus it teaches them to take ownership in their work early in life.

10. Find a community garden 

Teach your children the importance of food care by renting a spot in your local community garden. Take it a step further. If you don't need the fresh veggies, bring it to a family who does. The gift that keeps on giving. :) Mother nature!

All for now!

Kelly

Where can high schoolers earn volunteer hours in Orlando?

By: Kelly Trace

It's that time of year again when all of you high schoolers can volunteer your services just in time to pick up a few of those high level scholarships requiring volunteer hours. Think outside of the box and I'm sure you will come up with your own ideas, but here are a few places that would love to see your smiling face and likely welcome your volunteering spirit.

Community Events
Most towns or cities host some sort of walk or benefit for a worthy cause. Some are for raising awareness, others are for raising funds. Each event runs smoothly because of the efforts of volunteers. Check out your local newspaper for upcoming events and give them a call. They will be happy to get another volunteer.

Animal Shelters

Check with your local animal shelter of S.P.C.A. There are always animals in their care and most times they are overwhelmed, overworked and could use your help with feeding, walking or just loving these dogs and cats.

Food Banks
Find out where the food banks are located and stop by to offer your help. They could be in need of your assistance in sorting food or deliveries to homebound recipients. Perhaps, they need help packing groceries up for customers or cleaning up at the end of the day.

Tutoring other students
It is amazing how many children could use your expert knowledge of school subjects. Offer your tutoring skills to the neighborhood elementary or middle schools. You have at least one subject that you really good at and this could be the one that a child struggles with.

Nursing Homes

This is a good volunteer opportunity for you, especially if you enjoy hanging out with those that would love your company. Older folks love the youth and would welcome your time to sit and read to them or even play games. It's a perfect match.

Have other ideas? Send them to me at kellyanntrace at gmail dot com.

Kelly