With our normal busy lives, it can be hard to find time to volunteer. However, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have found themselves with too much time on their hands. As we wait for the world to reopen and for live events to start back up, we want to encourage you, our amazing brand ambassadors, to volunteer your time to help others.
Volunteering not only helps those in need but it also empowers us to do something meaningful in a world that we aren’t quite able to make sense of at the moment. It can also help reduce stress by giving you something to focus on, and volunteering allows you to connect and network with others.
In this article, we’ve pulled together a list of potential volunteer opportunities for you – many of which can be done from home.
Volunteer Opportunities for Brand Ambassadors During COVID-19
Virtual Volunteer Ideas: Give Back From the Comfort of Your Home
Text or Phone Hotline Assistance
- The Trevor Project enlists volunteers to provide assistance to young people who are struggling with issues such a coming out, LGBTQ identity, depression, and suicide.
- 7 Cups is an online/chat-based emotional support group that uses volunteers to respond to people who are in need of emotional support.
- Crisis Text Line is a free 24/7 text line, volunteers respond to individuals who are experiencing a crisis and help them through it.
- Break The Silence is an organization that supports victims and survivors of domestic abuse. This organization is in need of volunteers to answer hotline calls and/or assist with social media management by sharing relevant content and stories.
- United Nations Volunteer Program needs volunteers to assist with a variety of virtual tasks that will contribute to the peace and development of communities worldwide.
Reading and Writing Opportunities
- Be My Eyes is an app that allows blind and low-vision individuals to connect with sighted volunteers through a live video call. During the call, volunteers provide visual assistance to users by verbally explaining things that the user may need assistance with such as reading instructions, expiry dates, navigation of new surroundings, etc.
- Bookshare creates e-books for those with reading barriers (dyslexia, visual impairment, Cerebral Palsy) and they have volunteer opportunities that involve scanning and/or proofreading those materials.
- Translators Without Borders provides assistance by utilizing volunteers who can translate medical terminology and provide crisis support for those who do not speak English. Additionally, they have creative opportunities (non-bilingual) for graphic and web designers.
- Love for the Elderly invites volunteers to send uplifting handwritten letters and homemade cards to the elderly.
- Chemo Angels is an organization that pairs cancer patients and volunteers with one another. Volunteers help give emotional support to patients by sending cards, uplifting messages, supportive words, and by providing a lot of positive energy.
Local Non-Profits
Local non-profits are always looking for volunteers to assist with a variety of tasks that can be done from home, including social media and marketing, grant writing, sponsorship coordination, and administrative tasks. Here are a few examples of local organizations to contact:
- Animal rescue agencies
- Homeless shelters
- Women’s shelters
- Religious organizations
- Food pantries
- Senior services
In-Person Volunteer Opportunities*
There are many organizations that rely on in-person volunteers. If you are comfortable with volunteering in person, check out the organizations below.
- Volunteers with the American Red Cross assist with a variety of tasks including delivery assistance, disaster relief, and they also have virtual opportunities available. Additionally, the Red Cross is in desperate need of blood donations since regularly scheduled blood drives have been canceled. If you are interested in donating blood, please visit the Red Cross website or call your local Red Cross to schedule an appointment.
- Feeding America and local food pantries need volunteers to donate, organize, pack, and/or deliver food to local families in need.
- Consider volunteering with Meals on Wheels to deliver nutritious meals to seniors and disabled individuals.
- The American Cancer Society needs volunteers to drive cancer patients (who do not have access to transportation) to and from their treatments.
- The Humane Society and local animal rescue agencies rely on volunteers to perform administrative tasks, assist in shelters (cleaning kennels, dog walking, feeding, etc.), and/or fostering dogs and cats.
- Hospitals use volunteers to assist with a variety of tasks. Check with your local hospital to find out if they are accepting new volunteers.
- If you are crafty, consider making and donating face masks to healthcare workers that are serving on the front lines. If you’re not crafty, there are plenty of other ways that you can help support our healthcare heroes.
*Please note that organizations that are in need of in-person assistance are going above and beyond to ensure the safety of their volunteers.
Volunteer Matching
Volunteer matching sites like the ones listed below can help you discover local volunteer opportunities that are available in your area. These sites can also pair you with organizations based on your interests and skills.
More Ideas to Consider
If you aren’t able to volunteer with an organization, there are still many ways that you can give back to your local community. Examples include:
- Reach out to neighbors when you’re making a grocery run.
- Drop cards off at your local nursing home.
- Check-in with an elderly neighbor to see if they need assistance with yard-work, errands, or maybe just to chat (while socially distancing of course).
- Pick up litter in your community and properly dispose of it.
Conclusion
There are so many benefits to volunteering, from helping others to giving you a sense of purpose. And no matter how much time you have you to offer, remember that when it comes to giving back, every moment counts.
“Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”
~Fred Rogers
We hope that you enjoyed this article! Be sure to check out ATN Event Staffing’s talent blog for even more resources that can help brand ambassadors during this time. Happy volunteering, #TeamATN!
