November 20th is National Family Volunteer Day!
Volunteering as a family is an excellent way to be present and involved in the community, spend time together, and teach young people about the importance of civic engagement and giving back to others.
Volunteering provides kids and teens with opportunities to explore various interests, learn new skills, consider future jobs, and support causes of budding importance to them. Volunteering also allows families to self-direct their community involvement toward projects and programs that they know, through research, are the best fit for their needs, interests and passions.
There are many ways to volunteer together as a family!
You can volunteer as part of a larger group supporting a one-time activity or project; or, you can commit to regular service, such as on a weekly or monthly basis. For example, perhaps you can accompany your animal-loving child to the Everett Animal Shelter to walk adoptable dogs and spend some quality time together. As a family, you might select one day each month for volunteering to sort, pack and distribute food donations at the Snohomish Community Food Bank or Edmonds Food Bank. The ladies in the family might enjoy spending time together, giving back and learning new skills at a Women Build event supporting Habitat for Humanity of Snohomish County. With the holidays right around the corner, the Marysville Community Food Bank is seeking volunteers to support the annual, on-site Toy Store.
While it is convenient to join in an organized event or establish a regular volunteer schedule with a local nonprofit, giving back to the community does not require such formality. Your family can create their own ways to volunteer together!
Points of Light is the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service. The Points of Light website is set up to help connect community members with volunteer service opportunities. In addition, the website includes an Open Resource library of Do-It-Yourself Volunteer Projects that can be adapted and implemented in your neighborhood and wider community. This DIY project page includes such ideas as a “Photojournalism for Good” project, supporting local refugee communities, and creating “birthday boxes” to donate. Learn more at pointsoflight.org.
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About National Family Volunteer Day:
- Family Volunteer Day — Points of Light
- 5 Benefits of Volunteering as a Family — Points of Light
- Benefits of Family Volunteerism — Volunteer Logistics
- Inclusive Volunteering — The Arc U.S.
More Resources for Community Volunteering:
- Find a Volunteer Opportunity — Points of Light
- Western Washington Volunteer Opportunities — Volunteers of America
- Snohomish County Parks Volunteer & Service — Snohomish County
- Library Volunteers — Sno-Isle Libraries
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Whitney Stohr is a Parent to Parent Coordinator at The Arc of Snohomish County. She is passionate about advocating for medically complex children and children with disabilities and their families. She is a mom and medical caregiver herself, who is energized by working closely with other parent/family caregivers. She lives with her three-year-old son Malachi and husband Jason in Lynnwood. Connect with her online at whitney@arcsno.org.