Virtual volunteer programs may help. Through virtual volunteering, people can help organizations without having to be physically present. A number of websites such as CharityGuide.org and Volunteermatch.com help match interested volunteers with nonprofit organizations needing help. Organizations can register on these websites, describing their needs. Volunteers sign up on the websites, and search the available opportunities.
Searches can be done by causes such as children’s or animal welfare, environment, disaster relief or seniors. Some sites, such as CharityGuide.org, also have opportunities divided by amount of time involved, 15 minutes, a few hours, or longer. Some opportunities are one time, while others may be continuous.
Here is a small sampling of some of the opportunities currently available:
- Online mentoring. Help an older foster child make the transition to independence through an online mentoring program. E-mail with the child on a weekly basis to provide guidance.
- Donate hair to Locks of Love, or drop off old eyeglass at an eye care facility to be given to people who can’t afford glasses.
- Create a newsletter for the National Center for Missing Adults or send out e-mail blasts on behalf of the Humane Society.
- Interview potential pet foster home caregivers who want to take care of pets of deployed military personnel.
- Make blankets for Project Linus, which are given to seriously ill or traumatized children.
- Provide web content for the Sierra Club.
Your organizational needs may be somewhat different, but finding a virtual volunteer may be just the solution to enhance your volunteer base.
