Do you volunteer? If so, what do you do?

I've gone to two trash clean-ups at local parks, so far. One was with my county, and the other one was a different organization (that also does tree plantings.) They provide the gloves, bags, and trash grabber things.  

ETA:  I volunteered heavily for my elementary PTA but due to having older kids in time consuming activities (HS sports...) not being able to "give 110%" at every event (aka work the entire event and not actually get to go with my child), and conflict of personalities, I am taking a break this year...

ETA 2: I grew up volunteering at my church, and various other things that came up, it would be weird for me not to do something...

I volunteer regularly (quarterly) at the Houston Food Bank. Although this is tied to our corporate volunteering goals, I would do this anyway. The last activity I did there, was making meal packs for kids to take home on weekends when they don't have access to the free meals at the school.

I also volunteer annually for CYCLE. It is an organization here that gives elementary-aged kids a free bike and helmet when they achieve their reading goals. We give a day of our time to build the bikes that go to these kids.

I volunteer weekly with a local youth ministry program that I participated in as a HS student. I stepped down from being a local lead for Moms Demand Action after the rest of the leadership moved/stepped away/etc. but did enjoy it. I am still part of the local group. I'm currently moving into local leadership for Free Mom Hugs and have gone to several of their state events in the past couple years. I've also volunteered as-needed at our local LGBTQ center.

My mom has always volunteered in various ways, and now I do the same. Being involved in the community helps me with the "extra" time I have now that my children are getting older and only with me half the time + is a way that I manage my anxiety and depression + is a good way to meet like-minded people and get out of the house since I WFH.

I did quite a bit when my kids were younger and at home. I did volunteer for a lot of things at school, for their athletics and anything else they were in.

I am a SAHFW (Stay at Home Farm Wife) so my times is mostly taken up with farm stuff. Harvest now, but too wet for me to haul grain - so I am catching up at home. ...and tootlefarting around on the computer... lol

I don't really volunteer now, because my schedule really isn't free. I do have days where I could help with things, but I can't plan those very far out in advance. So I tend to not raise my hand for much now.

Another idea is your local library either for story time or to help adults learn to read. Or book clubs, helping people find books, etc.

DD is going to volunteer at our local museum. They opened it up and this will help her with her degree choice.

I volunteer as a board member at my church, and am on a region wide property development committee (basically repurposing surplus church property to serve our community)

I am a long time Girl Scout volunteer. I held many jobs over the years, in addition to being a troop leader. I am currently only doing outdoor trainings--as we travel a lot.

my parents were always volunteering.. a lot. so it was a family tradition to pitch in where you can. I used to volunteer with pta at schools, at gs alumnae group, and so on.

I like the social aspect, but I also like sharing my skills, esp about the outdoors, as doing so enables more girls to get outside!!

Since I still work, most of my volunteer work is through events my company sponsors. We’ll clean up a beach/park, throw a Christmas party for a kids organization, spend a day at a food bank, etc. After I retire I want to volunteer at an animal shelter.

I deliver for Meals on Wheels once a week which is good for me since I could easily stay home every day of the week. I have a regular route and I enjoy the little chats with my clients. At least once during my route, someone will tell me it is so nice of me to do this but I assure them that it really does work both ways.

I also volunteer with a local resource centre when they need help with events throughout the year such as special coffee mornings and the like.

I wonder if that's true for a lot of us who are serial volunteers. We volunteer in part because of the way we were raised and the examples that were set for us.

My Mom always volunteered at our schools. When the kids were young I volunteered at their schools and for their extra-curricular activities; Girl Scouts, Sea Scouts, Sea Explorers, etc. I also had my kids come along and volunteer at food banks, and when our temple served meals at the homeless shelter every year the week of Christmas. Now that they are adults, they have continued to volunteer in their communities.

I recently ended a 20 year volunteer position with our local IRS Volunteer Income Tax Preparation program. I held many positions and am burnt out.

Currently I volunteer with our Jewish Community Center's senior program by sending out donation letters and birthday cards (from home) and with our County's Adult & Aging Department on their Financial Abuse Specialist Team. We help law enforcement gather evidence of financial crimes against seniors.

If you are looking for something else to do, see if you have a volunteer center in your area or check with your city or county offices for other opportunities.

I'm on the board for our summer camp. I do a lot of work with Camp Fire. When the kids were little (and I took three years off from teaching to be home with them) I did volunteer work in their classrooms and at preschool. I did a little PTA volunteering (but quite frankly, it drove me nuts so I kept it to a minimum).

When I retire, I'd like to volunteer in an adult literacy program. I might volunteer at our local schools too, especially with middle schoolers who are struggling. They are my people!

I volunteer through my church and also through the school system.

My church has multiple events during the year. You don’t have to be a member to volunteer or to get things. We have a coat drive, a back to school drive, a food pantry and a wellness fair. My church is in Harlem. Every time people talk about NYC or Harlem there is this image that everything is gentrified and everyone has money. All they have to do is come to one of our events and see the 5 people deep line around the block an hour before the scheduled start to get a different perspective. I do it because I’m not a billionaire so all I have is time to give to people who need it more than I do.

I also volunteer as a mentor to a public school high school student. One thing I realized back when I was in high school was that there was a HUGE difference between what I had access to as a private school student and what my friends had access to in public school. For example my headmaster at the time had no problem running up to Harvard to rub elbows and advocate for one student. 30+ years after starting at my school there are times I mention I went there and the name recognition is instant. Half the time my friends were lucky to even know their guidance counselor. I started volunteering to try and bring my knowledge to someone who may not be familiar with what’s available.

As a volunteer I can only do so much but I can certainly be an ear and a cheerleader. There is a rigorous training program and constant feedback from the teachers and students involved. The young lady I’m mentoring this year is a joy to work with, even though it took us a minute to get there.

I volunteer once a month at First Baptist, They have a lunch program, every saturday they provide a hot meal for the food insecure. All the food is donated by local markets and or restaurants. We provide soup, salad and a hot main course along with fruit and dessert.

It is very satisfying to be helping those in need.
I have learned a lot in the several years I have been doing this...
I have a great respect for those we serve.