Using your time to volunteer has many benefits. It can brighten someone's day, it can leave you with a good feeling for helping another person, and it can show you care about your community and the people in it. Volunteering WITH your child has those same benefits, plus so much more. When you take your child with you to volunteer in our community, you are not only setting a good example, but you are teaching your children about compassion, kindess, and responsibility. You are showing your child that if we all work together to help others, we can make a difference. You are increasing the chance that your child will volunteer as an adult, and you get to spend quality time with your child while changing someone's life, possibly your own.
Here is a list of volunteer opportunities right here in Bloomington-Normal for children accompanied by their parents. You can even make this a family affair.
Salvation Army and Safe Harbor Shelter: The Salvation Army is still in need of coat donations as well as donations for the food pantry. Click here for more information.
The Safe Harbor Shelter: Want to volunteer as a group that includes children? The Safe Harbor Shelter is in need of group volunteers to serve evening meals in the shelter. These groups would prepare a meal for 60-70 people in need and serve the meal at Safe Harbor. Children can assist in this volunteer opportunity but must remain supervised at all times. Interested groups please contact Connie Wilson at 309-829-9476 ext. 219 from 5am-1pm.
For more information about either of these volunteer opportunities, please contact Thomas Fulop at Thomas_Fulop@usc.salvationarmy.org.
Humane Society of Central Illinois: Volunteer opportunities at the Humane Society include walking dogs, working in the cat room, assisting with laundry, dishes, grooming, and other tasks. All volunteers must complete Volunteer Training. Children are welcome to volunteer (those under 16 must be accompanied by a parent at volunteer training and each time they volunteer). Click here for more information on New Volunteer Classes to get started.
Home Sweet Home Ministries: There are many opportunities for parents and their children to help at Home Sweet Home Ministries. Kids 12 and over with their grown-up can help in the kitchen and warehouse sorting donations and clothing. Younger children can help bag baby wipes and make sack lunches. Kids and parents can also help in the Mission Mart (proceeds benefit the shelter) by volunteering to help clean and dust. To sign up for these volunteer opportunities click here to access the online volunteer application.
Midwest Food Bank: Parents and children can help at Midwest Food Bank by sorting donations. This volunteer opportunity is perfect for groups! Click here or call 309-663-5350 for more information.
The Baby Fold: Want to teach your child about giving to others in need? You can find the Baby Fold Wish List online by clicking here. Helping a child in our community is as easy as picking up an extra pack of diapers or socks for The Baby Fold.
Cleaning up the Constitution Trail or Local Parks: The next time you head to the park with your child, take along some gloves and a bag and pick up some of the litter you see. This simple task is a way to keep our community beautiful and can be done by even the smallest of helpers!
Do you know of any other volunteer opportunities in our community? If so leave it in the comments section below!
