Fun for the whole family doesn't need to cost money. United Way Volunteer Center makes opportunities available for families to be together and help their community.
"Volunteering is a great way to bring the family closer and help others at the same time," said Lile Lavaki, director of the United Way Volunteer Center.Some ideas for family volunteers include:
- Adopt a grandparent or friend who resides in a local nursing home. As a family, visit at least once a week for one hour, go on walks, read, play bingo or just talk.
- Put on a program - musical, drama, skit or variety - for individuals with disabilities.
- Form a traveling "clean-up crew" to help spruce up non-profit agencies by washing windows and walls or providing decorative items. Or clean vans used to transport individuals with disabilities to and from appointments.
- Adopt-A-Campground or trail through the Forest Service.
- Put together an activity kit for potentially abused children; include crayons, coloring books or other small toys as well as commercially packaged treats.
- Spend an hour helping the homeless by sorting and stacking donated non-perishable food items at the local emergency food pantry. Volunteers are needed from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on the weekdays and every other Saturday from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
- Go on scavenger hunts to collect items for homeless and potentially abused individuals. Call the United Way Volunteer Center for lists of needed items.
- Make arts and crafts materials for children in the Crisis Nursery, dye macaroni noodles and provide string to make necklaces and bracelets or make homemade dough.
- Take field trips or go bowling or swimming while helping a group of individuals with disabilities participate in those activities.
For more information on family and other volunteer opportunities, call the United Way Volunteer Center at 374-8108.