Summer is here, but sooner or later that euphoria of "School's Out" will wear off, prompting kids to complain, "I'm bored!" Volunteering to help our community is a great way to pass the summer, but what opportunities are available to youth who are considered too young to volunteer at a particular agency? We contacted the volunteer coordinators with several of our partner agencies, and have gotten back some great suggestions. Please be sure to contact the contact person with an agency you're interest in to get more information on a particular opportunity.
- ACTS can always use families and youth groups to volunteer in the ACTS Thrift Store Donation Center and the Hunger Prevention Center food pantry, as well as take part in light landscaping projects. Please contact Shirley at SCouteau@actspwc.org to learn more.
- The Boys and Girls Club in Dumfries is looking for coaches this summer for basketball and volley ball teams. The program starts the week of June 17th. Coaches must be 18 yrs+ and assistant coaches must be 16yrs+. Please call Judy Moore at 703.441.0611 ext. 2617 for more information.
- Help protect the nature trails at Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre by helping spread mulch and weed the gardens! Volunteers should bring work gloves, sunblock, bug spray and water to drink, as well as wear clothes that can get dirty and sturdy shoes/boots. Please contact Paige Gibbons Backus, Historic Site Manager at pgibbonsbackus@pwcgov.org or call 703.365.7895. Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre is located at 12229 Bristow Road, Bristow 20136.
- Capital Caring in Aldie needs volunteers over 16 years old to help with medical records in their office (approx. a 25 min. drive). They may also have need for a family or two who would like to read, sing, play piano or other instruments to patients/residents in facilities in Prince William, Fauquier, Culpeper and Rappahannock Counties. Please contact Roxana at rrolbin@capitalcaring.org for more information.
- Independence Empowerment Center will be hosting their Annual ADA Fair July 27 at Harris Pavilion. Volunteers are needed 9am-3pm to help with setting up (including unloading items from vehicles), helping with the Silent Auction, operating children's games, face painting and post-event cleanup. For more information, please call 703.257.5400 or email mlopez@ieccil.org.
- National Museum of the Marine Corps has a teen volunteer program for kids over 16. It's a great opportunity for high school students with an interest in the museum field, customer service, working with veterans, youth education, public speaking, etc. Teens will receive 20 hours of classroom instruction followed by 20 hours of mentoring with experienced volunteers. Teens who successfully complete the training are asked to commit to one year of volunteer service at a minimum of eight hours per month. Staff is flexible and understanding of school and extracurricular requirements. For more information about the program and to download the application form please visit: https://www.usmcmuseum.com/teen_volunteers.html or email Rachel at Rachel.clark@usmcu.edu.
- Prince William Conservation Alliance has workdays scheduled on June 22 and July 6, 9am-12pm each date. These workdays are a great family activity! Volunteers under 12 are welcome, but must volunteer with a parent. Project Description: Come join us for a morning of weeding, pruning, and watering plants to make sure the Wildlife Garden looks terrific for our visitors! The Wildlife Garden is a great area to watch wildlife, learn about native plants and pollinators, and get ideas for your own backyard. We will also be tidying up and cleaning the Stone House. Every volunteer makes a difference, even if you just come once. Please wear long pants, long socks and sturdy shoes. Bring a smile and plenty of water! Please email alliance@pwconserve.org or call 703-490-5200 to learn more.
- Prince William Soil and Water District Water Quality Monitoring has several events scheduled over summer, open to volunteers of all ages. Please contact Veronica at waterquality@pwswcd.org to learn more.
- Saved Hands Foundation is already looking ahead to the 2019-2020 school year! They will host their 6th annual Back to School free backpack giveaway on August 10, 2019 at VFW Post 1503, 14631 Minnieville Road in Dale City. Volunteers are needed to assist with handing out school supplies to families that come. It's open to all ages, families welcome. Please register by July 26 by calling 571.572.9013.
- The SERVE Shelter can always use donation drives to collect items for the shelter guests. Weekend/ holiday meals are also an option; however, volunteers for this have to be 16 years old or older (and must be accompanied by an adult). Please contact Julie at jrmartinez@nvfs.org for updated needs list and information on meal preparation.
- Sweet Julia Grace Foundation needs families or groups to do a drive to collect items for their PICU (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit) outreach. Once a month they take necessities to parents whose children are patients at the PICU at INOVA Children's Hospital in Fairfax. You can learn more by visiting https://www.sweetjuliagrace.org/picu-program or email Sara@sweetjuliagrace.org.
- The Washington Nationals are looking for volunteer coaches to help with YBA PLAY, a movement to make baseball accessible to children across DC who otherwise would get priced out of the sport. No baseball experience is needed, you just need to have energy and give out a lot of High-5's. Volunteers work with kids new to baseball on fundamentals of baseball, and play games using modified rules. They will be at the Youth Baseball Academy, Trinidad REC, Ferebee Hope REC, and Greenleaf REC every Monday-Thursday from 6-8 pm. Dates are June 24-August 2. Email Rose.Broberg@nationals.com for more information.
- Weems-Botts in Dumfries has some youth-appropriate volunteer opportunities. Please contact Lisa at info@historicdumfriesva.org for more information.
- "Revolutionary War" weekend at the Annex where people can come in, drink different herbal/patriotic tea, and sign the Prince Williams resolves/write in invisible ink. A family could possibly assist with one of those activities. Dates are July 6 and 7, 10:35am-4:30pm (schedule very flexible).
- Two large summer school classes will be visiting the museum in July and staff could use 2-3 volunteers to help direct the flow and generally assist the group. Dates are July 19, 9:30am-11:30am and July 24, 10am-12pm.
Here are a few more ideas on how youth can help the community. Maybe you have some ideas of your own!
- Conduct a drive to collect items such as non-perishable food, books, clothing, diapers, cleaning supplies or new school supplies.
- Hint #1: Food assistance programs are ALWAYS in need of food donations during summer! (SERVE, ACTS, Haymarket Regional Food Pantry). Donations to food assistance programs historically dwindle during summer as people go on vacations, but hunger is a year-round issue, not just something that happens during the holidays. Your food donations can help feed families in our community this summer!
- Hint #2: Nonprofits are already planning their school supplies drives for the 2019-2020 school year! Check with an agency to see what school supplies they can use for their school-age clients.
- Please check the agency's website or contact the agency's Volunteer Coordinator for more information.
- Hold a party (birthday, anniversary, or just because) and ask that guests bring a couple cans of non-perishable food or a few new school supplies. Donate to a local agency. Testimonial: A few years ago, a 6-year old young man asked his birthday party guests to bring a couple of canned goods instead of presents. The result was a food donation to SERVE's food assistance program that was over 200 pounds! Every little bit helps!
- Habitat for Humanity Prince William County can always use volunteers to help prepare and donate lunches for teams working on building/repairing homes during summer. You can be as simple or creative as you like for the meal - make sack lunches, have pizzas delivered or bring the grill and cook up some burgers! Please visit www.habitatpwc.org for more information on how you can help; check out their Volunteer Sign-Up calendar (https://habitatpwc.volunteermatrix.com/) to see when donated lunches are needed for work crews. This will be ongoing through summer.
- Support local animal shelters and humane societies. Donations of canned pet food, cat litter, dog/cat toys and dog/cat treats are always appreciated! Can you crochet or knit? You can make dog and cat toys to donate and keep the pooches and kitties busy and happy! Please check with the local agency to see what donations they can accept.
- Support special events such as foot races/walks for charity, hand out water to runners, pass out flyers, cheer participants. Check local online community calendars for upcoming events.
Questions? Contact Jan at 571.292.5307 or email jhawkins@volunteerprincewilliam.org
