Top+Ten+Volunteer+Ideas

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1. **Spend time at a local nursing home** - there are many ways to go with this idea. From reading, to dancing, to playing games, local nu r sing homes can always use helpful and willing volunteers. Call or visit the nursing home and fill out an application, and prepare to have fun and learn something new.



2. **Organiz ****e a community clean-up day **- not only will you be helping out your neighborhood and town, but you will be improving the condition of our entire world. Get friends and family involved, and get the word out about your project. There are many ways to help from improving playgrounds, cleaning trash from roadsides, or planting flowers around the community.


3. **Develop a reading group **- gather friends and talk to elementary teachers about volunteering to read to younger students. This is a good way to develop their literacy skills, and you will be surprised how quickly you will become a role model to these children. Also a great way to get experience with children and being in a teaching situation if you are interested in going into education.

4.** Sponsor a Food Drive **- contact your local care house or soup kitchen and ask what foods or supplies they are in need of. This may be especially important around the holidays when the number of those fed is at the peak. You may also be interested in helping serve these meals to those in need to see first hand where your gifts are going.

5. **Collect coats for children in need** - during cold weather, a coat is a much needed and appreciated gift. Around the holidays is a good time, when people are usually buying new coats already. Ask for new or gently used coats. You may even get a local business to offer a discount for customers who donate.



6. **Volunteer time a local animal shelter** - especially if you love animals, this is a fun and productive way to give back. From bathing, walking, and playing with dogs, to helping with food distribution and cleaning, there are many opprotunities to provide services.



7. **Organize a violence free campus group-** bullying and fighting is a big problem in schools around the nation. Organize a group of students to advocate and inform other students about the problem, and hold a rally promoting all students to avoid violence.

8. **S ****tart a student prayer group **- many students are involved in church and religious activities, but don't know a way to incorporate that into school and friends. Make a group that meets once a week to discuss requests and pray.

9. **Adopt a Mile-** Ever notice the sides of the highway being scattered with trash? You can change that! Gather a group of friends and choose a mile of highway to keep clean, and make signs to encourage others to help keep it that way.

10. **Tutoring-** If you have good grades, tutor. It can be students in your own class, or those younger than you. Make sure to get a log of the time you spend.