Do you have a passion for collecting stamps from obscure nations? Are you turned on by exotic reptiles? How about scrap-booking, is that your specialty? If you’re ready and willing to forego a few hours of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills to help your community, there’s most certainly a volunteering opportunity out there for you, no matter what your interests might be.
If you don’t know where to get started, try doing a Google search of your interests. For example, if you love dolphins, search “volunteer + dolphin.” You’re immediately offered up page after page of opportunities to volunteer to help save endangered dolphins. If you’re still not convinced, here’s a quick peek at some distinctive opportunities that are just a few clicks away:
1. Got Cavities? Travel to Honduras with Bridge Volunteers to serve as a dental assistant. Educate the community on the importance of dental hygiene and learn Spanish all while gazing at one of the bluest oceans in the world.
2. Will Work for Yoga: The New York-based Universal Force Healing Center is offering free yoga classes to those yogis who are willing to help them with flyer distribution and administrative tasks. They say, “An action that is performed with devotion, commitment and joy will in turn clear your Karma.” Couldn’t we all use some clearer Karma?
3. Get Dirty, Plant a Tree: Our City Forest is a non-profit organization in San Jose, California with a mission to keep urban spaces green. They’re recruiting volunteers for just a few hours on a few different occasions to help them plant trees around the city.
4. Preserve Coral Reefs in Israel: Work with GoEco.org in Eilat, Israel to “help preserve one of the richest marine environments on Earth” in the Red Sea.
5. Grant a Wish: Check out this post on craigslist.org from a single mother needing some help to ensure her kids have a happy holiday season. Imagine how much a gift, a note or some holiday cookies would be appreciated by a family like hers.
6. Ho, Ho, Ho, Merry Christmas: If you’ve got kind eyes, a white beard and a belly full of jelly, this is the job for you. Toys for Tots in Treasure Coast, Florida is seeking volunteer Santas to hand out gifts to kids in need. (I bet they could use a few elves too.)
7. Helping Endangered Insects: If arachnids and two-headed flies intrigue you, look no further. The University of California, Berkeley had created a list of organizations that work to conserve dying breeds of insects and would love some helping hands.
8. Kristi Yamaguchi, Is That You? Double lutz and triple toe loop your way around the rink at the Pettit National Ice Center in Wisconsin. Volunteer at this Olympic training rink to help with family nights, school events and public skating sessions. In turn, you’ll get all the free skating your feet can withstand.
9. Nifty Knitting: Show your support for the 2011 Special Olympics by knitting a scarf for Olympians. According to the website, “Handmade scarves donated as a result of the 2011 Special Olympics USA Scarf Project will be a symbol of unity, support, compassion and empowerment, as the Special Olympics athletes, coaches, families, volunteers and supporters wear them with pride in knowing they have become part of the Special Olympics family.”
10. Powerful Puppies: If you’re a dog lover, there’s no greater gift you can do for a pup then teaching it how to help someone in need. Volunteer to train a dog with Guiding Eyes for the Blind and give someone who can’t see the gift of sight.
These unique opportunities to volunteer prove that there’s no task to big, no hobby too random or no person too busy to donate some of their time to help someone in need.
Image courtesy of lululemon athletica, flickr.