Giving Back: Ways to Volunteer in Any Community

The strength of a community depends on the interactions within it. Whether you are volunteering your skills in your child's Montessori classroom, assisting those less fortunate, or simply making your community a better place for everyone, your contributions have profound effects on the local quality of life. Opportunities to volunteer can be found in many places. To give you some ideas on where to start or little ways to play an active role, we have provided some suggestions where volunteers are in high demand.

Schools Need Helping Hands

Education is a community effort. Schools are always in search of people willing to devote a little time for everything from sorting and stapling to event monitors. Ask your child’s teacher or contact the school's leader to find out how you can be of service.

Seniors Need Love Too

Senior citizens are often eager to receive companionship or assistance. Many elderly residents do not have family in the area and spend a lot of time feeling lonely and alone. You can help them by going for walks (or pushing their wheelchair along the path), playing games, or just listening to memories of times gone by.

Food for Thought

If the way to someone’s heart is through their stomach, then providing assistance to local food banks, meal services, or homeless feeds will earn you a place in someone’s fondest memories. Whether you are cooking, filling trays, or putting together holiday meal packages for the needy, your time and effort is a great way to make your community a better place.

Serving Your Community

Most communities offer a wealth of opportunity for anyone who wants to play a part. Community centers for example, rely on volunteers to assist local residents with everything from filling out paperwork to checking out a book at the library. Libraries are another excellent place to volunteer your time, putting book returns back on the shelves, helping people find pertinent information, or reading storybooks to young children are all examples of tasks performed by volunteers at local library systems.

This Land is Your Land

City and county parks are often understaffed and overworked. Picking up trash along roadways, dressing the part for local reenactments, and providing beverages to event participants are all examples of volunteer efforts that contribute to a stronger community. Your local parks and recreation department can help you find the perfect fit for your volunteer efforts, or contact the local Better Business Bureau to find out what types of nonprofits may be looking for volunteers in your area.

Volunteering in your community is a win-win opportunity. It benefits the community and the people who live in it. But it also benefits you in many ways. There is a special feeling that comes from knowing you have helped someone achieve a goal that could not have reached on their own and personal satisfaction in making the community better for everyone.

Montessori Children's House teaches its students the importance of community.  Each day, students work together, guiding each other as they learn and explore.  Contact us today to learn more about the hands-on Montessori Method.