Volunteer Ideas

 While there has been a slew of controversy recently over Community Service Learning, with many students and parents advocating for a reduction in the 60 hours required for graduation, the administration has made it clear that they intend to uphold these requirements despite the unprecedented year. Although it has been acknowledged that community service may look quite different this year, the administration has reiterated that it is certainly possible to find opportunities, and, in a time when so many communities are suffering, service is perhaps more pertinent than ever. However, many senior families in particular feel that students have not had ample time nor opportunities to fulfill the entire requirement in time for a June 6th graduation. This article does not intend to express an opinion on the requirement of hours; it simply aims to provide some ideas for students who are struggling to find opportunities. 

1. For those of you who are fans of Officer Rocket, you can actually volunteer at the facility where he and his siblings are trained: Golden Opportunities for Independence. Volunteers can sign up to help with various activities, including dog training, dog grooming, social media, marketing, general maintenance, etc. If you are interested in applying, check out their application here.

2. Jewish Family and Children’s Services is looking for volunteers to help with the distribution of food from their Family Table, a food pantry that has recently seen a rise in demand due to the pandemic. Volunteers are needed to pack and deliver groceries on Sunday distribution days, pack bags, and assist during Marketplace, which entails setting up, packing groceries, and distributing them during curbside pick-up. To learn more, check out their website here. 

3. Needham Nutrition Services is looking for high school students to help distribute lunch for their remote meal program. Starting April 5th through the end of the school year, students are needed from 11:00-12:30 pm, and there will be slots for two volunteers per day. If you are interested, contact jen_tuttelman@needham.k12.ma.us for details. 

4. Temple Aliyah is in need of volunteers for a myriad of jobs pertaining to their “Operation Vaccine,” an effort to get local seniors vaccinated. There are four main groups that volunteers can sign up for: outreach, schedules, drivers, and check in, three of which are completely virtual. Outreach volunteers will reach out to seniors through email and telephone calls to see if they need help signing up for a vaccination appointment. The schedules group will help seniors sign up for an appointment and co-ordinate with drivers. The drivers will drive seniors to appointments, and must be fully vaccinated or COVID-immune. Finally, the check in group will call seniors on the day following their vaccine to make sure they are okay. If you are interested, email melisssa@templealiyah.com and let her know which group you would like to volunteer for. 

5. The Red Cross is always in need of volunteers, especially during this health crisis. They are looking to fill a series of various virtual and in-person positions in the Boston area, including event volunteers, fundraising volunteers, community youth volunteers, and blood drive volunteers. For more information, visit their website here.  

6. Assistance From a Distance, an NHS club, matches high schoolers with K-12 students to tutor over Zoom. In order to get involved, contact them at assistancefromadistance2020@gmail.com.  

7. Relay For Life is still happening this year, albeit with certain modifications. Students are encouraged to participate as part of a team and fundraise, while receiving service hours for practicing in virtual events. There will also be a parade in Needham on May 22nd. If you are interested in participating, check out this link. 

8. The Rotary Club is looking for students to help install planting beds at one of the Needham Housing Authority locations, beginning at the end of April. If you are interested in participating, reach out to Kathy Whitney, the Interact Club Advisor, at bigboatmama@me.com.  

9. Pollard is looking for various volunteers, including tutors for 7th and 8th grade students, workers to beautify to Pollard grounds, and helpers to put student art around town. If you are interested in tutoring, contact Ms. Ghizzoni at tammy_ghizzoni@needham.k12.ma.us. If you are interested in working with the Garden Club, they will meet on Thursday afternoons and you should email Mr. Yetman at mark_yetman@needham.k12.ma.us. If you are interested in putting student artwork up around town (in abandoned storefronts, etc.), contact Ms. Bibbo at tamatha_bibbo@needham.k12.ma.us.  

10. Mr. Bill Paulson of Keller Williams Realty is looking for a tech savvy volunteer to put together a one-page website for him. He already has a domain registered but needs help putting together the html, and incorporating text content, images, and a series of links. If you are interested, contact him at bill@billpaulson.com. 

Looking for more opportunities? Check the NHS Guidance Department website for an ongoing list, or reach out to your guidance counselor or an assistant principal.