Major Volunteer Organizations

[Mark]

www.americorps.org
This organization has engaged more than 280,000 volunteers since its inception in 1984. Volunteers help tutor students, repair buildings and participate in other projects.

www.Conservation.Org
Conservation International has a number of special websites about biodiversity conservation with topics for many different audiences. Please visit them all.

www.Habitat.org
Habitat for Humanity, working in partnership with low-income families to build decent homes they can afford to buy, Habitat helps to break the cycle of poverty and hopelessness.

www.idealist.org
If you're looking for something full time for your benevolence, but know you can't afford to give up that paycheck, visit this organization.

www.mowaa.org
Sign up to deliver Meals On Wheels to the elderly and disabled for one lunch hour per week. If you're itching to do more, get your office mates involved and make it a companywide event.

www.peacecorps.gov
Nearly 200,000 Peace Corps volunteers have spread their knowledge and goodwill throughout the world since 1960. While most think the Peace Corps is a place for recent college graduates, there are plenty of older members who take a couple years out of their lives to help others.

www.redcross.org
The American Red Cross is always looking for volunteers to help with food and clothing drives, especially in the continuing aftermath of Katrina. Locate the chapter nearest you by entering your zip code or with the organization's interactive map.

www.volunteermatch.org/, www.volunteersolutions.org or volunteer.care2.com/
Whether you're looking for an individual project or something that can involve your family or co-workers, these are must-bookmark sites for anyone considering volunteering their time.

[louise90]

I work voluntary for the British Red Cross. This is my 10th year! I really enjoy it, and have met a lot of interesting people along the way!

[Mark]

Louise, feel free to post their URL here in the Major Volunteer Organizations list at the top. You are equal members across the pond.... ;D

[Maria]

Another really good volunteer site is Habitat for Humanity:

The national headquarters is in Plains, Georgia. However, there are offices in almost every state that is doing good work building homes. My understanding is that it is now doing international work also. What a way to spend a vacation. My daughter has volunteered for this group in several states. I have done (as a volunteer) organized special events for them.

[Mark]

Thanks! I'll copy this up to the first entry so they'll all be together.

[Maria]

Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)

The mission of the National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Association, together with its state and local members, is to support and promote court-appointed volunteer advocacy for abused and neglected children so that they can thrive in safe, permanent homes.

This organization is a good way to volunteer your time to help abused kids. I have done volunteer work for them in the past. Great organization

www.nationalcasa.org/


I also put this under child welfare. I hope that is ok?

[Mark]

Of course, and do you feel up to taking a stab at posting in on the Vida website I put up this morning?

[Maria]

Well I could try but you know what a dunce I am. I do like learning new things--even if it is a challenge So send me an email telling me how and I will do it.

[Mark]

All you have to do is login, Click on 'Edit', and follow directions. There are links at the bottom of the window to Help Sections. It's not exactly like this, and it's a lot different from regular webpages. Basically, you can just type. If you want to format it all so it looks nice, organized, lined up, etc., then HTML helps. That's why I wrote the tutorial in HTML and made it available. It's not something easily explained in an email or Forum entry. Specific questions are no real problem, but to explore a whole subject in an email would be difficult to do - at least for me, that is... ;D