50 Fun Ways to Make Summer Count!

Summer’s here, and that means it’s time to volunteer! Whether you’re an individual, family or group of friends, summer is the perfect time to bring service to the community into your life. Why? Summer means great weather, good moods, and maybe even less hectic schedules. It is a great time to be outside and proactive in your community or inside enjoying the air conditioner and helping your neighbors.

Want some ideas? 

1. Summer reading anyone? Sign up to read a book to children at your local library.
2. Volunteer at your local animal shelter.
3. Volunteer at a summer camp as a counselor.
4. Sign your kid up for Grab the Torch Summer Leadership Camp.
5. Plant a community garden.
6. Be a lifeguard at your neighborhood pool.
7. Sell cold lemonade to your neighbors for free
8. Bring water to your local dog park on a hot day.
9. Start a school supply drive for needy children starting school in the fall.
10. Mentor a child through program such as the Boys and Girls Club
11. Build a house with Habitat for Humanity
12. Check with your local animal shelter to see if they need dog walkers
13. Get your child to clean out their room and donate old toys to a children’s shelter or Good Will.
14. Give blood to the Red Cross
15. Help clean up a river in your community.
16. Help a young child or adult learn how to read.
17. Put a quarter in a jar everyday of the summer and donate your collection to your favorite charity!
18. Volunteer to clean up an older neighbor’s yard.
19. Make dinner for a family in need.
20. Volunteer at your local museum.
21. Volunteer at your community zoo.
22. Clean up a nature trail.
23. Plant a tree or a vegetable garden.
24. Start a neighborhood watch program to improve public safety.
25. Make sure your family is prepared for hurricane season.
26. Hold a garage sale and donate your proceeds to a local charity
27. Start recycling
28. Hold a fundraising barbecue for your favorite charity.
29. Adopt a shelter cat or dog
30. Make cards for soldiers over seas
31. Visit a senior in a retirement home.
32. Teach a class at your local community center.
33. Teach older adults how to use a computer.
34. Volunteer at your local Fourth of July celebration
35. Plant flowers at military cemetery.
36. Volunteer to drive a senior citizen around
37. Clean up your local park
38. Volunteer your services at a nonprofit organization
39. Volunteer for the Special Olympics
40. Organize a dog and cat food drive for your local shelter
41. Volunteer at a summer festival
42. Join generationOn and Alex’s Lemonade Stand June 8-10 to help raise money for cancer research.
43. Nominate a volunteer for an award contest.
44. Register for the National Conference on Volunteering and Service.
45. Nominate a community do gooder for Scholastic’s BE Big Contest.
46. Help coach a youth sports team.
47. Volunteer at a local fair.
48. Collect cans and donate them to a food bank
49. Teach English or learn a foreign language
50. Check out one of our more than 250 HandsOn Action Centers to find an opportunity near you!

The Volunteer Center will be posting Summer Volunteer Opportunities on our homepage.  Check them out here and check back often!

Thanks to Hands On Network for providing these tips!

http://handsonblog.org/2012/06/04/50-fun-ways-to-volunteer-summer-style/