Looking for ways to volunteer from home during the COVID-19 pandemic?
If you would like to give back, organizations of all kinds are still in need of support. Yes, in-person options are limited because of the coronavirus.
There is still plenty to do, however, and many organizations are figuring out how to engage with people differently in order to meet their volunteer needs.
As always, if you already have a favorite, local nonprofit, give them a call first to see what needs they have.
If you’re looking for new options, this post provides some resources and ideas that you should find helpful on ways to volunteer from home.
How Do I Find Virtual Volunteer Opportunities?
There are a variety of websites dedicated to connecting people to volunteer opportunities, so sometimes it’s hard to know where to start.
So, I typically recommend people start with two established websites: Volunteer Match and Idealist.
Volunteer Match
Volunteer Match believes, “everyone should have the chance to make a difference,” and I couldn’t agree more!
This website therefore wants to make it easy for people to connect with meaningful causes and the organizations that need volunteers to make an impact.
The site also helps organizations recruit volunteers.
Volunteer Match already has a dedicated section for people who want to volunteer virtually. In fact, as of this writing, the site has close to one million virtual volunteer opportunities listed.
They have 29 detailed categories for the opportunities that include things like:
– Education and literacy
– Disaster relief
– Arts and Culture
– Media and Broadcasting
– Sports and Recreation
The specific needs range from content writers, to project managers, to people willing and able to bake cakes to donate.
There truly is something for everyone so I am confident there will be something that will peak your interest.
If you prefer to have the opportunities ‘present’ themselves to you, simply follow Volunteer Match on Instagram, because they regularly post details about opportunities in their feed (like the above screen shot).
Idealist
Idealist wants, “to help build a world where all people can lead free and dignified lives.”
This website lists job, internship, and volunteer opportunities. They pull from listings from some other sites so sometimes you’ll see Volunteer Match branded opportunities in their lists.
They not only have a setting that lets you search on virtual volunteer-only opportunities, but also options specific to COVID-19.
These 4 Worthy Causes Want You! (To Volunteer From Home)
Don’t have the time or the inclination right now to look through lists of options? Here are 4 worthy organizations that need you to volunteer from home ASAP.
Support Seniors: Write Letters To Elders On The Northern Cheyenne Reservation
As I mentioned, many organizations list volunteer opportunities using their social media channels. So my hat tip for this wonderful project goes to Global Guardian Project’s Instagram feed.
Their post explained:
Since the beginning of the lockdown on the Northern Cheyenne reservation, residents of the Shoulderblade Complex haven’t been able to leave or see their family members.
A pen pal program is the perfect way to socialize while keeping our elders safe.
While email and online communication seem to be the preferred mode of communication, I can’t think of one person who doesn’t love getting a physical letter in the mail. Can you?
Being a pen pal is also a way to have a interesting, personal conversation with a new person while social distancing.
This project has no age requirement so you can get the whole family involved. I think it would be a lot of fun for school-aged children to correspond with someone in this “old school” approach.
To participate in the pen pal program, just select one (or more!) of the people above then write a letter and address it to:
Northern Cheyenne Elderly Program⠀
c/o (name)⠀
P.O. Box 470⠀
Lame Deer, MT 59043⠀
If you are able to include a self-addressed stamped envelope in your communications, I imagine that would help out too!
Support Those Impacted By COVID-19: Invisible Hands Deliver
Invisible Hands Deliver is a “community-based non-profit organization comprised of thousands of volunteers delivering groceries, prescriptions, and other necessities to those most vulnerable to COVID-19 in New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia (and, coming soon, Atlanta!).”
If you like interacting with people without having to leave the comfort of your own home, this may be a great fit for you!
Invisible Hands Deliver is currently in need of volunteers to help staff their call center. If you would like to connect with them, click here.
Support Our Troops And Veterans: Operation Gratitude
Operation Gratitude’s mission is, “to forge strong bonds between Americans and their Military and First Responder Heroes through volunteer service projects, acts of gratitude, and meaningful engagements in communities nationwide.”
They have a list of projects you can do throughout the year that aren’t season-specific.
This September, however, they are holding a Clear Your Stash Challenge to inspire people to donate as many scarves and hats as they can.
These handmade items will be sent in holiday care packages to deployed service members around the world as well as Veterans, Wounded Heroes, and Caregivers here in the United States.
So now is a great time to break into your stash of of yarn and try those new patterns you pinned on Pinterest.
If you are some who wants to win the challenge, why not find all of the knitted hats or scarves you made that just need finishing? You would have a bunch of items to donate in no time and just might be a contender!
Plenty of yarn but low on inspiration right now? Take a look at the Create To Donate Pinterest feed below and you’re sure to find something to interesting to make.
Support Healthcare Initiatives: The University of Washington Geriatric Dental Clinic
The University of Washington Geriatric Dental Clinic provides very low cost or free general dental care to seniors who have low incomes and don’t have dental insurance.
What originally started it out in a mobile van is now located in a small, but modern dental clinic in Lynwood, WA. For those unfamiliar with the area, this is in Snohomish County, north of Seattle.
The program operates one day a week as the University of Washington Geriatric Dental Clinic; the rest of the time it is a dental community clinic that treats uninsured patients.
The Clinic’s Needs
If your sewing machine and all the pretty cotton fabrics are still calling to you after your first wave of mask making, this volunteer project is perfect for you.
The clinic is reopening in September 2020 and they are in need of personal protective equipment donations.
They are currently asking for 20 – 30 N95 masks covers to extend the life of the masks. If you have made them before, here is tutorial and pattern for an N95 mask cover.
They also need 20 – 30 scrub caps to be paired with the masks. Here is a simple scrub cap pattern and detailed tutorial to get you started.
Please note: The fabrics used for the N95 mask covers and scrub caps do not have to match.
After you’ve made some PPE to donate, please send them to Dr. Jeffrey at the the address below.
Make A Difference And Volunteer From Home
These 4 ways to volunteer from home are just a sample of what’s out there.
Regardless of what you do, the act of giving back does everyone good.
Share The Goods
How do you like to volunteer from home? Please let us know in the comments below so we can learn more about the causes you love.