Volunteering

Tips for being a good volunteer

Research shows that giving your time and energy to charity can benefit your health and happiness. Studies find that helping someone else decreases stress levels by interrupting tension-producing patterns and replacing them with a sense of purpose, positive emotions and high confidence levels.

There are dozens of wonderful charities in San Diego County to volunteer with, whether your passion lies with helping the homeless, tutoring children, environmental work, the elderly, or fighting cancer. View the list below of some of our favorite nonprofits in San Diego.

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."

— Mahatma Gandhi


Animal Shelters:

San Diego Humane Society

Dept. of Animal Services, SD

Helen Woodward Animal Rescue

(All shelters have volunteer opportunities)

Wildlife:

Project Wildlife

Fund for Animals (Ramona)

Living Coast Discovery Center (Chula Vista)

Rescue organizations:

Barking Lot (El Cajon)

Friends of Cats (olde highway 80)

Operation Greyhound

House Rabbit Society

SD Zoo:

SD Zoo Intern Quest (HS seniors only)

Community-Service Project Ideas:

  • Peer mentoring group trained in peer mediation and conflict resolution

  • Disability Awareness presentation

  • Pedometer Challenge

  • Conduct campus clinics to: check hand-washing techniques, measure blood pressure, conduct blood sugar screenings, adequate teeth cleaning techniques

  • Coordinate a campus-wide fundraising campaign for an organization that supports medical research

  • Create a children's book of health topics for local elementary/middle schools

  • Conduct a play or puppet show for local elementary/middle schools on a health topic

  • Health/Career Fair at

    • our school

    • middle school

    • elementary school

  • Create campus posters that teach students about a specific health topic/healthy choices

  • Conduct a campus research project related to health and wellness

  • Coordinate a run/walk/swim/bike event

  • Organize a campus blood drive

  • Organize a concert/play for fundraising

  • Peer mentoring group trained in peer mediation and conflict resolution

  • Healthy Eating Campaign


  • Beach Clean-Up

  • Healthier cafeteria food

  • Smoke-free parks

  • Time outside/ less technology

  • Sports club

  • Mural

  • Improved Recycling Program

  • High School/Elementary Tutoring Program

  • Leftover food from school for homeless

  • Prepare food for the homeless

  • Open Mic Night

  • Senior Citizens Visit

  • Fix potholes around the community

  • Homeless hygiene drive - give it to people in Wells Park

  • Have an organ donation awareness day - reach out to life sharing for help with this.

  • Anti-vaping campaign

  • Collecting school food that is not eaten and give it away to students who want it.

  • Clothes donation bins on campus

  • Inspirational messages / murals

    • on doors, painted on walls, on benches

  • Have a school-wide steps competition day (whoever has the most steps, and can provide proof via a google form, for example, gets a prize)