Getting children involved in helping, in various ways, right here in your own community can be a great experience for them. They may learn about hard work, empathy, justice, what it means to donate your time or your money and they may learn about how good it feels to help people right here in their own community.
Many organizations have age restrictions for volunteers or workers, but there are often other ways for families to be involved. Here are a few local opportunities you can explore:
Chester County Food Bank - Hold a neighborhood or community food drive and deliver them to the food bank. Children and groups can also participate in decorating Kindness Boxes (part of the Senior Food Box program). There are other volunteer opportunities at the CC Food Bank, but confirm dates, times and age minimums on their website.
West Chester Food Cupboard - Must be 18+ to work at the cupboard but families can run food drives in their neighborhoods, or consider asking party guests to bring a canned good! Find more ideas on how to get involved and when/where to donate goods here.
Cuddle My Kids - Consider donating a Happy Household Bin or a Healthy Snack Bin or some of the other service project ideas listed here. Contact Valerie at Cuddle My Kids for more information - valm@cuddlemykids.org
Team CMMD - The Team CMMD Foundation is a local organization that has rallied together in various ways to help fight cancer and to help support local families. There are different outreach ideas on the website (teamcmmd.org) and if your family likes to run, walk, or bike you can join them on a Sunday Run(Walk or Ride). Some weeks are special "dedication" weeks where they honor a local cancer-fighter and show support with a run/walk/ride on one of the local trails.
Chester County Hospital - Volunteering positions have a minimum age requirement of 16; however, the one exception is in December, when Chester County Hospital welcomes groups (of all ages) to sing carols in the hospital for patient, visitors and staff.
Habitat for Humanity, Chester County - Habitat requires that volunteers be at least 15 years old to volunteer at the ReStores and at least 16 to volunteer on our construction site. Children in 5th grade can enter the Build a House, Build a Dream contest coming up March 19th. Some other service ideas from Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity, Chester County - Habitat requires that volunteers be at least 15 years old to volunteer at the ReStores and at least 16 to volunteer on our construction site. Children in 5th grade can enter the Build a House, Build a Dream contest coming up March 19th. Some other service ideas from Habitat for Humanity
Chester County include:
- Make a welcome basket for new homeowners. These baskets can consist of cleaning products, household items, and other basics needed to start a home! A list of suggested items is available upon request.
- Make welcome home and congratulations cards for our new homeowners.
- Host a tool drive. Our construction crew and volunteers are always in need of certain tools/supplies to use at the site like tape measures and painting supplies. Full list available upon request.
- Decorate or refurbish a small item like a bird house or old piece of furniture and donate it back to the ReStore to be sold. That money then benefits the construction of new Habitat homes.
- Decorate a planter or flower pot to be donated to a new Habitat homeowner upon move-in.
- Volunteer appreciation: We are also starting to offer an opportunity for groups to bring a lunch or snacks to our daily construction site volunteers.
To Love a Canine Rescue - Mini Paws Junior Volunteers Program - designed to train children, ages 4-18, in proper animal care and instill a love of community service. Through monthly meetings our Mini Paws are educated about responsible pet ownership by learning the importance of proper veterinary care, grooming & dog handling, as well as educated about working dogs (service dogs, K9 police officers, search & rescue dogs), disaster preparedness, etc. The children are given the skills to feel confident in public speaking, the opportunity to participate in peer-to-peer educational programs, and encouraged put their newfound leadership skills to use by developing and/or leading community projects of their own.
Cradles to Crayons - located in nearby Montgomery County, this organization collects and distributes the basics for children age 0-12 yrs. including clothing, school supplies, toys, and much more. Cradles to Crayons has opportunities for individuals as well as families to volunteer. Ongoing collection locations listed here.
Cradles to Crayons - located in nearby Montgomery County, this organization collects and distributes the basics for children age 0-12 yrs. including clothing, school supplies, toys, and much more. Cradles to Crayons has opportunities for individuals as well as families to volunteer. Ongoing collection locations listed here.
Some other general sites that may be helpful:
Volunteer Chesco
West Chester University - Find a Volunteer Opportunity
United Way of Chester County
Do you know of a local organization that can use some help from Macaroni Kid families? Email Jen at JenA@macaronikid.com with the organization's information.
