Volunteer Idea of the Day

Recycle (and Buy Recycled Products)

Sun, 10 Jun 2007 23:33:25 -0500

The success of recycling depends on several things, including efficient collection of recyclable materials, and a continuous demand for those materials to produce recycled products. Consumers play a key role in ensuring that this recycling loop remains strong. Here's how to help.

Reduce the Toxicity of Your Garbage

Sun, 10 Jun 2007 17:30:16 -0500

Household hazardous waste poses a serious health threat to every man, woman, and child in the United States. Safe, responsible use, handling, and disposal of hazardous substances and switching to nontoxic alternatives can help protect people and the environment.

Organize a Used Clothing Donation Drive

Wed, 9 May 2007 00:46:37 -0500

Find out how to donate clothing or organize a clothes donation drive. Links provided to pick-up instructions and drop-off collection locations for The Salvation Army and Goodwill

Improve Community Services in Impoverished Areas

Tue, 8 May 2007 00:43:09 -0500

Basic community services such as health care, education and clean water are things many of us take for granted, but in impoverished areas, people often have to go without. These services require a working infrastructure of solid buildings and equipment — which simply don't exist in some communities, or have fallen into disrepair. By helping to build and repair local buildings and equipment, you can help bring critical community services to people who sorely need them.

Recognize Symptoms of Depression and Encourage Treatment

Mon, 7 May 2007 23:13:52 -0500

If you notice someone who is exhibiting symptoms of depression, ask the person how he is feeling and explain why you are concerned. Realize that you cannot diagnose the problem or offer treatment options, but you can be part of a support system. Tell the person that he is valued and deserves to feel better. Listen without passing judgment. Recommend that he discuss depression with his doctor and offer to accompany him to the first appointment. It may not be the easiest conversation you'll ever have, but it might be one of the most worthy. And whether or not the person chooses to take your advice, keep checking-in with him on a regular basis and extending invitations to partake in social activities so that he will feel he belongs.

Prevent Water Pollution: Clean-Up After Your Dog

Sat, 7 Apr 2007 14:19:11 -0500

Genetic studies of the water pollution from fecal waste in this country have found that roughly 20 percent of it comes from dogs. This water pollution promotes the growth of aquatic weeds and algae, which then limit light penetration and reduce oxygen levels: eventually, it creates a deadly environment for fish and other aquatic life, and widespread fish kills can be one result.
So next time you take Fido outside, make sure you clean-up after him too. It's such a simple and courteous thing to do, and such an easy way to make a difference for people, pets and aquatic life.

Leave Grass Cuttings on Your Lawn

Sat, 7 Apr 2007 13:25:06 -0500

Smart homeowners leave grass cuttings on the lawn: it's a practice that provides free, nutrient-rich fertilizer, conserves water, saves money, helps keep yard waste out of landfills, and reduces mowing time by nearly one-third. Don't bag grass cuttings: let them be free!

Volunteer Project for Your Child's Birthday Party

Sat, 7 Apr 2007 10:31:36 -0500

Excessive children’s birthday parties are becoming all too common. Simple birthday party celebrations with cake and a few friends are quickly being replaced by over-the-top displays of lavishness. Parents and children compete to "keep up with the Joneses." You can make a difference by helping your child have a happy, fun birthday celebration without the excess. Consider planning a volunteer project for your child’s birthday party. Your child’s birthday party will be unique and will reinforce the message that helping others is important.

Encourage Better Use of Paper and Supplies at the Office

Sat, 7 Apr 2007 08:52:09 -0500

Millions of tons of office paper and supplies are clogging landfills, contributing to global warming, depleting natural resources, and wasting energy. Efficient use, reuse, and recycling of office paper and supplies by responsible businesses and employees can help reverse these dangerous trends.

Save the Rhinoceros

Fri, 6 Apr 2007 23:11:37 -0500

More than 90 percent of the world's rhinos have disappeared since 1970; hundreds of rhinoceros species are now down to just five. Rhinoceros conservation projects are struggling to keep extinction at bay, and your effort could be what it takes to help them succeed.

Recognize the Symptoms of a Stroke and Act F.A.S.T.

Fri, 6 Apr 2007 12:49:19 -0500

Early medical care at the first symptoms of a stroke can greatly help the outcome. It is up to you, the bystander, to learn the symptoms of a stroke and get help fast.

Build a Habitat for Humanity Home

Thu, 22 Mar 2007 09:24:52 -0500

Habitat for Humanity and Habitat's Global Village Program offer rewarding volunteer vacations. Use this directory to find a Habitat for Humanity project in the US or internationally.

Reduce Street Violence

Thu, 22 Mar 2007 08:21:08 -0500

Gun violence and violent crime are equal opportunity destroyers: from rural Amish hamlets to the streets of Miami to the suburbs of Littleton, Colorado, street and gang violence kill more than 80 people everyday. They have also made millions of Americans everywhere afraid to walk in their own neighborhoods.

Prevent Cyberbullying

Sun, 11 Mar 2007 00:23:52 -0600

Cyberbullying is turning computers and cell phones into weapons of personal destruction. Prevent online cyberbullies from terrorizing students in your neighborhood

Mentor At-Risk Youth

Thu, 8 Mar 2007 00:20:01 -0600

Youth mentors are desperately needed to provide companionship and guidance to at-risk children who need help with their school work, a listening ear, and unwavering encouragement. You can make a difference by becoming a mentor for a child in your community or for a child in an online mentoring program.

Research and Protect Manatees

Wed, 7 Mar 2007 22:24:54 -0600

Manatee Volunteer Vacations: Research and protect manatees on next vacation, with organizations such as EarthWatch, the Manatee Behavioral Ecology Program, Save the Manatee Club, and The Manatee Observation Center

Help Boys Get More Out of Elementary Education

Mon, 5 Mar 2007 23:33:27 -0600

From their elementary education through their high school days, boys are struggling to succeed in the classroom. Boys receive as many as 70 percent of Ds and Fs given in schools, create up to 90 percent of classroom discipline problems, and constitute 80 percent of high school dropouts. You can help.

Rehabilitate Rescued Exotic Birds

Mon, 5 Mar 2007 01:41:48 -0600

Exotic birds are being mistreated. Avian rescue groups need volunteers like you to help rescue and rehabilitate these beautiful tropical birds.

Warn Men about Testicular Cancer Symptoms

Sun, 4 Mar 2007 23:17:18 -0600

How to recognize testicular cancer symptoms and encourage 15-34 year-old men to save their fertility and their lives. Learn testicular cancer signs and how to do a testicular self-exam.

Discourage Steroid Use among Student Athletes

Sat, 3 Mar 2007 10:55:59 -0600

How to reduce Steroid use among student athletes: step-by-step instructions for preventing students from taking steroids and performance-enhancing drugs.

Wash Clothes in Cold Water

Sat, 3 Mar 2007 10:31:39 -0600

When it's time to wash clothes, playing it cool is the environmentally responsible way to go. When consumers turn down the temperature and reduce water use in their clothes washer, they take a significant step in the fight against global warming.

Share Your Ideas with the President's Advisors

Tue, 20 Feb 2007 22:03:39 -0600

How to write a letter or email to The White House, The President, The First Lady, or The Vice President, to offer advice, register agreement or disagreement, or highlight an issue that deserves attention.

Save Money While Generating Less Garbage

Tue, 20 Feb 2007 21:31:02 -0600

Americans need to adopt a more aggressive reuse and reduce approach to their consumption of products to help conserve natural resources, reduce waste, and save money. The challenges posed by global warming make the goals to reuse more and consume less a critical one all consumers need to embrace.

Random Acts of Kindness for Environmental Protection

Sat, 10 Feb 2007 17:53:38 -0600

Directory of Random Acts of Kindness service projects for the environment. Do a random act of kindness to reduce pollution, conserve energy, preserve habitats, promote conservation, protect wildlife, or reuse resources

Volunteer for a Medical Mission

Sat, 10 Feb 2007 17:02:17 -0600

Medical missions give doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers the opportunity "to help people" in the way they dreamed of when they were kids. Medical missions bring hope to the three billion people throughout the world who live without basic healthcare services. Africa alone has a shortage of one million healthcare providers. Medical missions aim to bridge that gap.

Volunteers for medical missions are true heroes to those in need.

Join the National Bone Marrow Registry

Sat, 10 Feb 2007 16:21:12 -0600

The National Bone Marrow Registry is a source of hope to people fighting leukemia and other blood diseases. Every time a new name is added to the registry of potential bone marrow donors, the chances increase that a person in need of a bone marrow transplant will find the match that saves his or her life.

Promote Teen Driver Safety: Discourage Reckless Driving

Sat, 10 Feb 2007 13:31:05 -0600

Five to six thousand teen drivers die in automobile accidents every year in the United States. Tragically, many of these fatal crashes are due to preventable driving errors. Spend fifteen minutes talking to teens about reckless driving. You could help make the road safer for everyone.

Protect Endangered Animals

Mon, 5 Feb 2007 23:55:40 -0600

Protect endangered animals during a volunteer vacation. There are more than 1,000 endangered animals. Almost 500 threatened or endangered species live in the United States.

Participate in an Archeology Dig or Restoration Project

Mon, 5 Feb 2007 22:32:23 -0600

Volunteer at an Archeology Dig or Restoration Project. Join archaeologists to search caves, excavate dinosaur fossils, or restore ancient structures. Learn more from Archaeolink and Archaeologyfieldwork.com

Rescue a Human Rights Activist from Torture

Wed, 31 Jan 2007 00:32:11 -0600

Stop torture of human rights activists and political prisoners by sending letters of protest. Suggested emails are provided by Amnesty International and Act Now for Human Rights.

Volunteer at a Summer Camp for Children with Special Needs

Mon, 29 Jan 2007 11:14:13 -0600

Help children with special needs gain a sense of belonging and build self-esteem that can last a lifetime. Volunteer as a counselor at a camp for children with special needs.

Reduce the Spread of "The Common Cold"

Mon, 29 Jan 2007 02:26:41 -0600

The Common Cold: On average, you infect 4 people per year with "the common cold." Learn how to avoid catching colds and prevent passing them on.

Help Food Banks Stay Stocked

Fri, 26 Jan 2007 00:06:50 -0600

Help a food bank or food rescue center to provide emergency food assistance to the homeless. Links provided to America's Second Harvest and Meals on Wheels.

Hire an Adult with a Developmental Disability

Thu, 25 Jan 2007 00:39:19 -0600

By hiring an adult with a developmental disability, you'll do more than just give someone a job. You'll provide the developmentally-disabled adult with the opportunity to become part of a community, to contribute to society, and to feel a sense of pride. You'll also help strengthen a family, as financial obligations for parents get eased and they can come to see their developmentally-disabled offspring as a functioning adult.

Protect Raccoons from Harm

Wed, 10 Jan 2007 16:43:53 -0600

Humans are the raccoon's primary predator. In addition to the 2 to 4 million raccoons that are killed each year for their fur, countless others die painful deaths when they are hit by cars, get trapped in trash cans, are exterminated as household pests, or when their forest habitats are cleared.

It just takes a little awareness to protect these intelligent wild animals from harm.

How to Inspire Your Tween to Volunteer

Mon, 8 Jan 2007 14:17:36 -0600

Character. Self-esteem. Kindness. These are traits any parent would like to see in their developing child. Yet, such characteristics are not easily formed in front of the TV, computer, or video game console. In order to develop positive personality traits, young people need the chance to step outside of their own lives and help others. You can help your tween prepare for adult life and develop positive character traits by encouraging her to volunteer.

Organize a Blood Drive

Thu, 4 Jan 2007 20:25:10 -0600

By organizing a blood drive with just 10 people, you can save up to 30 lives. While 60% of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood, only 5% do. When asked, the #1 reason for not giving blood is because "no one asked me." So. please ask, by organizing a blood drive.

Become a Blood Donor

Thu, 4 Jan 2007 00:54:25 -0600

As a blood donor, you can help save up to 18 lives per year.

That's because you can donate blood 6 times annually and each blood donation is processed into at least 3 components (red blood cells, plasma, and platelets) that can save the lives of different people with different needs.

Prevent Teenage Drunk Driving Accidents

Wed, 3 Jan 2007 17:40:33 -0600

Teenage drunk driving accidents leave 5,000 parents devastated each year.

Thousands of other parents deal with teenagers who emerge from drunk driving accidents alive but gravely changed: beautiful young daughters burned, athletic sons paralyzed, promising college-bound teens now struggling for words.

The good news is that you can help prevent teenage drunk-driving accidents. Here's how.

Help Park Services Preserve National Treasures

Sat, 30 Dec 2006 20:45:47 -0600

National park services around the world face enormous challenges that threaten the lives and ecosystems they are intended to protect. People who spend a vacation volunteering for a national park service have an opportunity to help preserve our national treasures for now and the future.

Conduct Environmental Studies Research Projects

Sat, 30 Dec 2006 02:37:15 -0600

Environmental studies are crucial in the effort to preserve animal and plant life as an increasing number of species are threatened or in danger of extinction. A volunteer vacation with an environmental studies conservation team offers a unique opportunity to save these species.

SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence

Sun, 24 Dec 2006 21:27:36 -0600

SETI, or the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, is a scientific effort aimed at determining if there is intelligent life in the universe. SETI@home allows you to take part in the search at home

Make Your Gap Year Meaningful

Sat, 23 Dec 2006 02:04:45 -0600

A gap year is a twelve month break between high school and college. Many teenagers use their gap year to travel abroad before embarking on the next chapter of their lives. A year by the beach can be fun. But, a service-oriented gap year volunteer vacation can help a teen mature into an adult and can make a big difference to an inner-city school, a rural orphanage, or a developing community.

Promote Teen Activism

Fri, 22 Dec 2006 22:38:59 -0600

Encourage teen activism at school. Coach teen activists to "do something" for a cause. Tips from DoSomething.org, YouthNOISE, Youth Venture, and Youth Services America's ServeNET.org

Help Orphans and Abandoned Children

Fri, 22 Dec 2006 18:50:11 -0600

Help orphans, abandoned children, war-traumatized refugees, and street kids, who need the love and nurturing a parent would normally provide. Short-term projects at orphanages and peace camps.

Help Factory Farm Animals: Support Humane Farms

Fri, 22 Dec 2006 17:39:22 -0600

Factory Farm Animals: Humane living tips for people concerned about the impact of factory farm techniques (intensive-confinement, genetic alteration) on farm animals. Also covers treatment of livestock

Be Carbon Neutral

Fri, 22 Dec 2006 11:59:31 -0600

Being carbon neutral may be the most critical action people can take to fight global warming. Carbon neutral means neutralizing the amount of carbon dioxide released into the environment using conservation, avoidance, and offsets. For a better tomorrow, be carbon neutral today.

Share "The Drunk Driving Poem"

Wed, 20 Dec 2006 10:00:31 -0600

The 'Drunk Driving Poem' is also known as 'Death of an Innocent' or 'Mom'. Around major drinking and driving seasons, please share 'The Drunk Driving Poem' with friends.

Organ Donation Cards

Wed, 20 Dec 2006 02:07:03 -0600

Organ donation saves lives, but 19 people die each day waiting for transplants that can’t take place because of the shortage of donated organs. More than 89,000 people in the United States are currently waiting for an organ transplant, and 4,000 more are added to the waiting list each month.

Host a Neighborhood House Party

Tue, 19 Dec 2006 22:51:14 -0600

By hosting a house party for your neighborhood, you can help increase the safety of your community. With the busy lifestyles so many people lead today, neighbors rarely have time to meet, let alone socialize. Yet strong, safe neighborhoods depend on the community awareness of their inhabitants. House parties are one way to keep everyone in the neighborhood connected.

Eyeglasses Donation: Donate Your Out-of-Prescription Eye Glasses

Tue, 19 Dec 2006 22:12:20 -0600

How to donate out-of-prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses to New Eyes for the Needy, LensCrafters, or Lions Club, who will distribute your glasses to economically poor, visually impaired children and adults at medical missions."

Visually Impaired Children - Eyeglasses Collection Drive

Sun, 10 Dec 2006 21:29:15 -0600

Give visually impaired children the gift of sight by donating glasses or organizing an eyeglasses collection drive for New Eyes for the Needy or Lion's Club

Increase Heart Health in Women

Thu, 7 Dec 2006 11:07:56 -0600

Women's Heart Health: Do a big-hearted deed today by helping women to take charge of their heart health to reduce heart attacks, cardiovascular disease, and heart problems.

Build a School in a Developing Nation

Sun, 3 Dec 2006 23:05:01 -0600

Build a school in a developing nation during a volunteer vacation: By constructing a school building, you'll help students to pull their families out of poverty

Help Girls Excel in Math and Science

Wed, 29 Nov 2006 23:02:48 -0600

Math and Science alert: How to encourage girls to pursue studies and careers in math, science, and computing.

Tips for parents, teachers, and volunteers to inspire girls with exciting science and math activities.

Give Environmentally-Conscious Holiday Gifts

Wed, 29 Nov 2006 21:35:05 -0600

Do-it-yourself environmentally-conscious holiday gift ideas, plus "green" holiday gifts from Ecomall.com, Wonders of the World, Abundant Earth, Close the Loop.com, FindGift.com, EcoExpress.com, and Earth Fashions.

Teach Baby Car Seat Safety

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 21:02:58 -0600

Teach new parents about infant and baby car seats, booster car seats, and car seat safety. Post child car seat regulations on office and community bulletin boards. Consider giving children's car seats as shower gifts.

Support African-American Entrepreneurs

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 13:40:15 -0600

Encourage top management at your company to mandate supplier diversity in centralized and decentralized purchasing processes. The best supplier diversity programs are mandated from the top with more than lip-service, by installing formal programs for measuring, reporting and implementing progress toward diversity goals.

And if you control a budget within your company, make an active effort to request bids from black-owned businesses. Ideally, to be representative of the US population, 13 percent of your suppliers should be owned by African Americans.

Switch to Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs

Mon, 13 Nov 2006 23:42:08 -0600

Compact fluorescent light bulbs are impressive energy savers, help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save you money, and last about ten times longer than incandescent light bulbs. It's a no-brainer -- switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs today.

Today's compact fluorescent bulbs cost about $3 to $4 per bulb and provide instant, clear, highly energy efficient light. Are you ready to make the switch?

Promote Breast Cancer Awareness

Wed, 8 Nov 2006 23:55:39 -0600

In the three minutes it takes to read about promoting breast cancer awareness, another woman in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Most women receiving the jarring news will be taken totally by surprise, as 85 percent of women who develop breast cancer have no known family history of the disease.

Install Child-Safe Window Blind Cords

Thu, 2 Nov 2006 00:56:26 -0600

Window blinds purchased before 2001 pose a serious home safety threat. Hundreds of children have been strangled to death after being caught in long-corded blinds. You can make a difference by replacing your blinds with cordless window treatments or by requesting a free blind retrofit kit online.

Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Fri, 27 Oct 2006 16:14:05 -0500

Carbon monoxide poisoning can strike while you're sleeping and can kill without noticeable symptoms. Carbon monoxide is a silent killer.

Even when not fatal, carbon monoxide poisoning can cause headaches, weakness, shortness of breath, nausea, and confusion. Victims often mistake their symptoms for the flu and head to bed, failing to get out of the very building where dangerous carbon monoxide levels are causing their sickness.

Inspire Autistic Children

Wed, 25 Oct 2006 10:11:42 -0500

Autistic children lose their ability to connect and communicate with others. Proper treatment can help many autistic children learn how to communicate, make eye-contact, and perform basic life skills. You can make a difference by volunteering to inspire autistic children at an autism treatment center or summer camp.

Drink Shade-Grown Coffee

Tue, 24 Oct 2006 09:54:35 -0500

Is your coffee habit helping to destroy wildlife? Unlike shade-grown coffee, most of the $4 billion worth of coffee imported by the United States each year is grown under conditions that severely damage the environment and jeopardize wildlife, especially migratory birds.

Wildlife Conservation: Save Endangered Animals

Tue, 24 Oct 2006 08:40:43 -0500

Wildlife conservation efforts exist to save endangered animals, to ensure we never see a world without polar bears, hippos and sharks. Help conserve endangered wildlife during a volunteer vacation.

Furniture Donation Tips

Sun, 15 Oct 2006 14:55:39 -0500

Furniture Donation: Tips for donating the furniture that you do not use anymore. Free pick-up! Your furniture donation is urgently needed by low income families.

Cord Blood Stem Cell Donation Can Make Your Baby a Superhero

Sun, 15 Oct 2006 02:46:33 -0500

Your baby's umbilical cord blood could save the life of a critically-ill patient suffering from leukemia, lymphoma or more than 70 other diseases.

Cord blood donation requires simple, advanced preparation, and the obstetrician must act immediately after the umbilical cord is clamped and cut. Fortunately, the donated blood is withdrawn from the umbilical cord after it is detached, so there is no discomfort for the mother or baby.

Yet, most delivery room doctors discard life-saving cord blood as medical waste, even though cord blood donation is desperately needed by tens of thousands of people who have life-threatening illnesses.

Ride Your Bicycle Instead

Mon, 2 Oct 2006 23:37:03 -0500

Bike riding: By riding your bicycle instead of driving a car you save gas, create less pollution, stay out of traffic jams, and reduce the odds of road-related injuries to wildlife -- not to mention enjoying all the health benefits to you!"

Share Art Appreciation with Children Abroad

Sun, 1 Oct 2006 10:12:58 -0500

Art appreciation is regularly neglected in education, particularly in struggling countries that can't afford professional art teachers or art supplies for their young students. Unfortunately, failing to provide students with an art education deprives them of knowledge and skills that are crucial to healthy development.

If you have no artistic experience, you can help children at schools and hospitals develop art appreciation with simple arts and crafts projects. If you are a professional artist, you can create school murals with a positive message and spread art appreciation at festivals and community events. However great or small your artistic talents, your volunteer vacation can make a big difference in the lives of young artists around the world.

Recycle Your Computers and Peripherals

Sun, 1 Oct 2006 09:30:15 -0500

Computer Recycling: How to recycle computers and other obsolete technology to maximize tax advantages from gifts-in-kind tax deductions, by donating used office equipment to non-profit organizations.

The Internet is Changing the Way that Americans Volunteer

Wed, 27 Sep 2006 21:19:39 -0500

CharityGuide.org is the Internet antidote to the "I'm too busy to volunteer" syndrome.

To boost national voluntarism rates, Charity Guide is leveraging the internet to reach "would-be volunteers" on the cause of their greatest interest and at their moment of greatest willingness to act. The truly flexible volunteer opportunities featured at CharityGuide.org allow the internet generation to make a difference at anytime, from anywhere, in as few as 15 minutes. No advanced planning or registration is required.

Re-Use, Refill, Recharge

Tue, 19 Sep 2006 01:32:38 -0500

Re-use, refill, and recharge: all three help to reduce the overwhelming amount of trash that is produced each year -- trash that more often than not ends up in landfills or has other negative effects on the environment. Americans generated 247 million tons of nonhazardous waste in 1990 and tipped the scales at 409 million tons in 2001.

Remove Yourself from Junk Mail Lists

Tue, 19 Sep 2006 01:32:14 -0500

Junk mail is more than a nuisance: unsolicited mail has a tremendous negative impact on the environment. At least 100 million trees are destroyed each year to produce junk mail, and 28 billion gallons of water are used to produce the paper. All of these resources are wasted to produce items many people don't even look at: about half of all junk mail is thrown out unopened or unread, and the rate of response to junk mail is less than 2 percent. The result is that more than 4 million tons of paper is wasted every year,

Drink Organic Milk

Tue, 19 Sep 2006 01:27:22 -0500

When you drink organic milk instead of conventional alternatives, you support organic farming methods that emphasize treating animals humanely, minimizing environmental impact and reducing the presence of synthetic chemicals in milk and food.

Donate Cord Blood

Tue, 5 Sep 2006 16:28:56 -0500

Umbilical cord blood donation can save critically-ill patients suffering from more than 70 other diseases.

The blood in an umbilical cord consists of stem cells that can "transform" into various types of healthy cell tissue. That tissue may be a treatment for many serious illnesses, including leukemia and other cancers, sickle cell disease, brain tumors, and osteoporosis. In the future, stem cells from donated cord blood may also be used to treat Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and Diabetes.

Stem cell research has given "the miracle of childbirth" a whole new meaning: A newly delivered infant has the potential to save the life of another human being, just by donating umbilical cord blood that would otherwise be thrown away. Can you help?

Save Bottlenose Dolphins

Mon, 4 Sep 2006 02:41:56 -0500

Bottlenose dolphins and 37 other species of these highly intelligent mammals face potential extinction. Many dolphins, including pink dolphins, black dolphins, Amazon River dolphins, and Yangtze River dolphins, are critically or seriously endangered.

The gentle nature of bottlenose dolphins and other species makes working with them and preserving their habitats an especially rewarding experience. Several conservation groups are ready to help you share that experience.

Foster Newborn Kittens in Your Home

Mon, 4 Sep 2006 01:28:32 -0500

Newborn kittens, which are too young to be put up for adoption, overrun animal shelters. As litter after litter of newborn kittens arrive, already-overtaxed shelters can get stretched to the breaking point as their space and resources for caring for these unwanted animals begin to dwindle. By volunteering to foster newborn kittens in your home, you can help shoulder some of the shelters' burden and reduce the need for euthanasia during peak months, particularly in spring and summer.

Big Cat Rescue: Save Exotic Felines

Thu, 31 Aug 2006 14:09:18 -0500

By spending your volunteer vacation at a big cat sanctuary, you can improve the lives of exotic big cats such as lions, tigers, cougars, and panthers.

Make Baby Supply Kits for Newborns in Need

Thu, 31 Aug 2006 12:10:42 -0500

You can help a newborn have a brighter future by putting together a baby supply kit. Baby supply kits provide new parents with the items necessary to properly care for their child. With access to a blanket, hygiene supplies, and a few pieces of clothing, a desperate parent will find hope and a baby will get a better chance at life.

Hand-Me-Down Used Clothing for Women

Tue, 29 Aug 2006 14:57:08 -0500

You throw away 67.9 pounds of used clothing and rags each year, if you're like the typical American. Collectively, Americans discard two quadrillion pounds (that's a two with fifteen zeroes) of used clothing and textiles into the landfills each year.

Fortunately, there are many resources to which you can donate these clothes to make sure they reach the women who need them rather than find their way into already-bulging landfills.

Prevent Child Abuse

Tue, 22 Aug 2006 20:04:59 -0500

Child abuse leaves more than just bruises. Long after children have recovered from the physical results of a beating, abused children suffer from emotional and psychological trauma that can last the rest of their lives.

Abused children need your intervention. In their helplessness, they must rely on capable adults who are willing to take a stand and get them out of an abusive environment. By being aware of child abuse, and helping to educate the people you know, you can help prevent child abuse in your community.

Rescue Greyhound Racing Dogs

Tue, 22 Aug 2006 14:37:19 -0500

Greyhound rescue programs exist to find homes for racing dogs who are not fast enough to win. Greyhounds are one of the oldest breeds of dog known to mankind, and have long been revered for their speed and beauty. Unfortunately, because of that extraordinary speed, greyhounds are used for dog racing, a career that leaves even the most successful racing dogs homeless after just a few short years; many are euthanized when they start to slow down. By volunteering in a greyhound rescue effort, you can help give racing dogs another chance at life.

Improve Indoor Air Quality

Tue, 22 Aug 2006 12:42:18 -0500

Indoor air quality in your home, workplace, school, church, and indoor environments can be two to five times worse than outside air, and in some cases, as much as one hundred times worse. Such poor indoor air quality poses health challenges for people of all ages.

You can take steps today to help protect the indoor air quality for you and your family, your co-workers, and others in your community.

Donate School Supplies to a Classroom in Need

Tue, 15 Aug 2006 22:49:25 -0500

In low-income districts, school supplies are a luxury that many classrooms go without. A few months into the school year, teachers are presented with a small paper bag of limited, mismatched school supplies and are told to "make do." Often, they must purchase the supplies needed to run the classroom out of their already meager paychecks. In fact, teachers spend an average of $659 out-of-pocket on school supplies every single year. When they don't have the money, teachers must choose between giving their students an inferior education and taking more drastic measures. More than one frustrated teacher has been found spending hours at the copy machine, running off thousands of pages of illegal black and white copies so that their students can read a book.

Disaster Preparedness: Protect Animals when Disaster Strikes

Tue, 15 Aug 2006 21:26:00 -0500

Hurricane Katrina was a hard lesson in disaster preparedness that revealed just how much further this country's disaster planning still had to come to adequately protect both people and animals in emergencies. Plans for rescuing animals, in particular, were virtually nonexistent both among individuals and at the government level.

Passage of the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act will go a long way toward ensuring that we never again have to witness the suffering of animal victims as we did after Katrina, but much of its effectiveness will depend on the improved disaster preparedness of individuals and communities.

Today, there are a number of things you can do to protect animals ahead of time, and to get ready to help rescue them the next time disaster strikes.

Recirculate Old Books

Tue, 15 Aug 2006 13:28:29 -0500

Don't let old books waste away. Little good comes from unread old books stored for years on shelves, or in attics, or at the back of basements. Like most people, you probably have a collection of old books that you've outgrown, or no longer need for school or work, or received as a gift but don't plan to read.

The only thing worse than an unloved book in your home is a discarded book in a landfill. Although there are no definitive statistics of the numbers of old books that are thrown away, we do know that approximately 50 million tons of paper and paperboard bloat our landfills each year.

Baby Cuddlers: Volunteer to Cuddle Babies

Tue, 8 Aug 2006 00:41:37 -0500

Baby cuddlers are needed in orphanages, neonatal hospital units, group homes, nurseries, and wherever else there are babies and young children who may not have adequate human contact early in life to begin developing social interaction skills.

Locks of Love: Donate Your Ponytail

Mon, 7 Aug 2006 23:57:21 -0500

Hair donation is a simple way to provide a child with locks of love. If you have a ponytail that is 10 inches or longer, you can donate hair so a child who's lost theirs can look more like themselves.

Clean-Up Your Trash

Mon, 7 Aug 2006 21:38:45 -0500

Americans throw out more than 200 million tons of trash every year, or about 4.5 pounds per person each day. Not only does this trash create huge landfills and detract from the natural beauty of the landscape, it can also seriously harm animals and wildlife. By taking a few moments to think about the potential impact of your trash on wildlife, you can save animals' lives.

Choose Natural Cleaning Products

Mon, 7 Aug 2006 19:15:12 -0500

Natural cleaning products offer environmentally sound, cost-efficient alternatives to the toxic and potentially lethal household cleaning products used in many homes today. Use of these natural options is especially critical as most traditional cleaning products eventually contact the air, water, and/or soil, where they can cause significant and irreparable harm to animals, plants, drinking water, and food supplies.

Geeks for Good

Wed, 2 Aug 2006 01:50:47 -0500

You can use your geek skills for good. Here's a few ways you make the world a little better. You can start today, finish in a few minutes, and make a real difference without ever leaving your swivel chair.

Protect Wild Horses and Burros

Mon, 31 Jul 2006 20:11:48 -0500

Wild Horses and Burros Volunteer Vacations: Sanctuaries and research efforts to save wild horses and burros need your help to make sure that these legendary animals continue to survive.

Resume-Building Tips for College Students

Mon, 31 Jul 2006 18:09:04 -0500

Resume-building tips for college students: You know the dilemma... if you want to get a good job, you need experience; but to get experience you need a job. The answer: Flexible Volunteering.

Prevent Bullying

Mon, 31 Jul 2006 18:07:50 -0500

Stop bullies by learning how to recognize the signs of bullying, educating others, and intervening to stop children from being bullied.

Teach English Abroad

Mon, 24 Jul 2006 19:23:49 -0500

Teach conversational English abroad during a volunteer vacation in some of the world's most exotic and remote villages in countries such as Ghana China Poland India Indonesia and Vietnam.

Promote Environmental Education for Children

Mon, 24 Jul 2006 17:17:23 -0500

Environmental education for children is critically important and should start before school begins. Early environmental education experiences help shape children's values, perspectives, and understanding of environmental protection.

Trap, Neuter, and Return Feral Cats

Sun, 16 Jul 2006 01:20:26 -0500

Feral cats exist in the shadows of just about every community. These stray cats usually live short, miserable lives without consistent food, water, shelter or veterinary care. Living in colonies with other feral cats, they struggle to survive in a world filled with threats; many don't survive beyond one year.

A world free of homeless pets depends on the help of caring volunteers like you.

Save Sea Turtles and Sea Turtle Habitats

Sat, 15 Jul 2006 14:49:26 -0500

Protect sea turtles on a volunteer vacation: Save sea turtle habitats and nests. Endangered and threatened sea turtle species include the loggerhead, Kemp's ridley, olive ridley, hawksbill, green, leatherback, and flatback.

Protect Backyard Birds and Wildlife: Keep Pet Cats Indoors

Mon, 10 Jul 2006 23:00:06 -0500

Bird populations are declining faster than ever before; one of the leading reasons is predation by domestic cats. By keeping your pet cat indoors, you can help give backyard birds and wildlife the best possible chances for survival.

Prevent Teen Suicide: Distribute Yellow Ribbon Cards

Mon, 10 Jul 2006 18:55:46 -0500

Teen suicide is a devastating epidemic that destroys young lives, shatters families, and leaves a wake of sadness and confusion for those left behind.

Yellow Ribbon Cards can help prevent teen suicide by giving young people a tangible way to ask for support. When a teen is feeling depressed or unable to cope, he simply hands the card over to a trusted adult. The information on the card helps the adult know how to respond to the troubled teen. To date, over 2,500 teen suicides have been prevented with the help of Yellow Ribbon Cards.

Master the Basics of Plastics Recycling

Wed, 5 Jul 2006 02:45:15 -0500

Plastics recycling can seem confusing, but overcoming any challenges is important, especially because plastic is made from nonrenewable and increasingly expensive fossil fuels (petroleum and/or natural gas), and because discarded plastics occupy about 25 percent of landfill space.

Learn how to recycle, reduce, and reuse plastics such as PETE, polyethylene terephthalate, HDPE, high density polyethylene, Vinyl, LDPE, low density polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene.

Choose a "Green Hotel" Whenever You Travel

Tue, 4 Jul 2006 02:24:10 -0500

When you stay at a green hotel, you help reduce the tremendous negative impact that hotel use has on the environment.

"Green hotels" include any hotels, motels, and inns that use energy and other resources in environmentally responsible ways. These green hotels utilize renewable resources when possible, make efficient use of nonrenewable resources, and ensure that many byproducts are reused or recycled.

Collect Suitcases for Foster Care Children

Fri, 30 Jun 2006 01:15:27 -0500

Foster care children deserve to move their belongings with dignity and self-confidence. You can help by starting a local suitcase collection drive to benefit foster care children.

Help Migratory Birds Reach Their Destinations

Mon, 26 Jun 2006 00:41:17 -0500

Migratory birds are an awe-inspiring sight when they flock high above us on their way to distant lands. But their numbers are dwindling, largely because of the sweeping effects human beings are having on the planet. By making a few changes in your garden and community, you can help increase the odds that migratory birds will arrive safely at their destinations.

Guide "Aged-Out" Foster Care Teens to Become Productive Adults

Sun, 25 Jun 2006 16:30:28 -0500

Help aged-out foster care teens via mentoring, providing transportation, establishing scholarship funds, offering services, or donating supplies. Foster care kids that age-out need your friendship and guidance.

Make a Lifebook for a Child in Foster Care

Sun, 25 Jun 2006 02:33:41 -0500

Lifebooks can help foster care kids recognize their individual worth. A lifebook is a scrapbook-like creation that records a child's life, how he entered foster care, her experiences with different families, and her feelings along the way. Lifebooks are unique in that they document the journey, both good and bad. These books record the love shared by their birth families, their foster families, and other people who pass through their lives.

Avoid Real Fur When You Shop

Sat, 24 Jun 2006 15:02:02 -0500

By avoiding real fur when you shop for gifts and clothes, you can save as many as 40 animals required to make a single fur coat. You also take a stand against the suffering inflicted upon animals kept in fur farms or trapped in the wild for their fur.

Teach Children to be Kind to Animals

Sat, 24 Jun 2006 15:00:39 -0500

Humane education: By teaching a child to be kind to animals, you reduce animal abuse, animal cruelty and even domestic violence. Find out how to teach kindness to animals.

Cook with a Solar Oven

organ@charityguide.org — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 13:29:24 -0500

Cooking with a solar oven is an energy-efficient, pollution-free way to help fight global warming and take advantage of nature's free, inexhaustible energy supply.

Be the first on your block to own and use a solar oven, help reduce greenhouse gases, and get out of that hot kitchen!

Find ways to obtain and enjoy your solar oven:

Promote Reading: Share Books

Mon, 12 Jun 2006 16:10:37 -0500

Reading is becoming a lost art. Twenty-one million Americans can't read at all, 45 million are marginally illiterate and one-fifth of high school graduates can't read their diplomas, according to ReadFaster.com. Fewer than half of American adults read literature.

In fifteen minutes or less, you can make a difference by promoting reading with children and teens. Influence a child to pick up a good book -- it just may change her life.

Used Tires: Reuse, Recycle, Retread

Tue, 6 Jun 2006 01:46:33 -0500

Keep used tires out of the landfills: Delay your need to replace your used tires, and make sure your old tires are recycled properly when you do buy new tires. Tire recycling tips and reclamation information.

Treat Homeless Men and Women with Dignity

Sun, 4 Jun 2006 11:39:51 -0500

Homeless men and women are part of an expanding, often faceless community. When we come in contact with a homeless person, we may feel repulsed, annoyed, even angered as we avert our eyes and think, "Why don't they do something to help themselves?" or "If I look them in the eye, that'll just encourage them to ask me for money" or "They choose to be homeless."

Frequently, it is our lack of understanding about the complexities of homelessness that fuels our prejudices and fears about homeless people. Somehow, that gives us "permission" to act less compassionately towards a homeless person -- who is, after all, a human being just like us.

With the loss of a home comes the loss of a person's sense of safety, belonging, and self-esteem. Fortunately, you can make a difference in the life of a homeless man, woman or child

Promote Pet ID Tags

Tue, 30 May 2006 23:28:20 -0500

Pet ID tags make it possible for people unfamiliar with a lost animal to return the pet to its owner.

Unfortunately, many people neglect to tag their pet with adequate identification in case they stray from home and become lost. Promoting pet I.D. tags helps pets and their owners reunite before any harm comes to the wandering pet.

Support the Homeless, by Giving Food Gift Certificates

Tue, 30 May 2006 10:33:07 -0500

Homelessness has been rapidly rising over the last two decades. The National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty reports that up to 750,000 Americans are homeless every night, while there are only 250,000 spaces available in overcrowded homeless shelters. Sometimes, entire families become homeless, with no place to go, other than the streets.
If you're like most people, you get annoyed when someone asks for a handout. Perhaps you're apprehensive to assist because you think, "they should get a job", or "they're not going to do anything with the money but drink it or smoke it". Fortunately, you have the luxury of frowning down on the less fortunate, rather than living in their shoes.
Frankly, the homeless have had more than their fair share of 'no' for an answer. There is a way that you can give them the 'yes' that they have been seeking, but probably not expecting.

Cultivate Team Sports and Sportsmanship

Fri, 26 May 2006 03:11:40 -0500

Participation in team sports and athletic activities are excellent opportunities for children to learn the principles of sportsmanship; to develop physical, emotional, intellectual, and social skills; and to acquire other important life-enhancing values.

If you choose to participate in one of the many sports projects for children sponsored in countries around the world, you have the opportunity to act as a role model and to help boys and girls appreciate the value of sportsmanship and develop strong personal and interpersonal skills they can use not only to better themselves but to strengthen their communities as well.

Learn the Heimlich Maneuver to Save a Choking Victim

Thu, 25 May 2006 11:07:10 -0500

Use of the Heimlich Maneuver could have saved 95% of the choking victims who died in the past year.
Every day, some people die from choking, while other people choke and live to talk about it. In fact, temporary throat obstructions occur so frequently that choking victims are often ignored until it is too late.
Next time you hear someone coughing, take a minute to check what's going on; the person may be displaying the universal "choking sign". If you learn how to perform the Heimlich Maneuver safely, you could save a life.

Reduce Your Impact on the Greenhouse Effect

Tue, 23 May 2006 09:29:31 -0500

The greenhouse effect is changing the climate of the Earth.

Unless greenhouse gas emissions are reduced, the effects of global warming may have catastrophic consequences for wildlife around the world.

Learn simple steps to reduce the causes of global warming due to the greenhouse effect.

Spread Some Cheer... with a free eCard

Mon, 22 May 2006 19:56:01 -0500

Not all acts of kindness have to be directed at the less fortunate. In fact, everybody needs a little boost from time-to-time. Perhaps your boss is lonely at the top, or your friend is long lost, or your coworker feels unappreciated. You can make someone's day, by sending them a free, electronic greeting card, known as an eCard. eCards take just a few minutes to choose, personalize, and send. Yet your few minutes of effort can do a great deal to lift a friend's spirit. Just like traditional greeting cards, some eCards consist of a basic drawing and inscription, but many new eCards now feature music and humorous animation. You can choose from prewritten eCards that need only a signature, or you can personalize the cards to your heart's content.

Save Vanishing Wetlands

Thu, 18 May 2006 01:31:27 -0500

Save vanishing wetlands during a volunteer vacation. Preserve endangered species in wetlands such as floodplains, salt marshes, peat bogs, volcanic crater lakes, estuaries, deltas, and mangroves. Find out how to preserve wetlands.

Move Bird Feeders Away from Windows

Wed, 17 May 2006 01:10:45 -0500

Move wild bird feeders away from windows. Find out how to assess your windows and placement of bird feeders, including hummingbird feeders, in your yard.

E85 Ethanol: Check If You Already Have a Flex Fuel Car

Tue, 16 May 2006 09:36:49 -0500

E85 ethanol alternative fuel: Check if you have a flex fuel vehicle that can use E85 fuel. Learn more about E85 from the National Ethanol Vehicle Association, the US Department of Energy's Clean Cities Program, and Clean Air Choice

Donate Toys to Inspire Children

Mon, 15 May 2006 09:15:19 -0500

Toy Donation Tips: Find where to donate toys and games for sick and needy children, with toy donation addresses for the Salvation Army, Toys for Tots, Ronald McDonald House, and Artists Helping Children

Share "The Drunk Driving Poem"

Sun, 14 May 2006 14:20:46 -0500

The 'Drunk Driving Poem' is also known as 'Death of an Innocent' or 'Mom'. Around major drinking and driving seasons, please share 'The Drunk Driving Poem' with friends.

For National Volunteer Week: Flexible Volunteer Opportunities for Busy People

Thu, 11 May 2006 23:33:49 -0500

National Volunteer Week is for busy people too. Hectic lifestyles and unpredictable schedules don't need to be a barrier during National Volunteer Week, because Charity Guide enables even the hardest working people to volunteer -- from wherever they are and whenever they want.

Promote Community Service Scholarships to Students

Thu, 11 May 2006 22:48:21 -0500

Community Service Scholarships for College-Bound Students: Help college-bound high school students as they help others. Many community service scholarships are available to college students and high school students

Protect Others from Catching Your Colds

Wed, 10 May 2006 21:47:43 -0500

Remedies for the Common Cold: How to Protect yourself and others. Did you know... on average, you infect 4 people per year with "the common cold". Learn how to avoid catching colds and prevent passing them on

Stop Littering Cigarette Butts

Wed, 10 May 2006 21:41:58 -0500

Reduce the 4.5 trillion cigarette butts littered annually. By limiting cigarette litter, you can prevent serious fires and save birds which would otherwise mistake the cigarette butts as food

Donate Clothes and Shoes That Do Not Fit Anymore

Wed, 10 May 2006 21:41:49 -0500

Clothes Donation: Find out how to conveniently donate clothes and shoes to The Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, or Goodwill Industries. Plus, links to clothes donation pick-up information and drop-off locations.

Prevent Childhood Obesity

Wed, 10 May 2006 21:39:37 -0500

Childhood obesity affects millions of overweight children in the United States. Find out how to prevent obesity in children."

Charity Shopping Portals

Wed, 10 May 2006 18:33:01 -0500

Information on charity shopping portals, such as GreaterGood.com and iGive.com. Via Charity Shopping Portals, many of the internet's best known stores are willing to donate a portion of their sales to charity.

Cell Phone Recycling: Donate Your Old Mobile Phone

Wed, 10 May 2006 18:30:40 -0500

Cell Phone Recycling: Find out how to recycle your cell phone at a mobile phone recycling center. Alternatively, you can donate your mobile phone to senior citizen's home or to a domestic violence shelter.

Convince a Battered Woman to Seek Help

Wed, 10 May 2006 18:07:23 -0500

Battered women: Recognize the signs of domestic abuse and find out how to convince a battered woman to seek help. Learn the dynamics of battered woman's syndrome and domestic violence.

Avoid Antifreeze Poisoning

Wed, 10 May 2006 18:05:35 -0500

How to avoid antifreeze poisoning by using an anti-freeze free of ethylene glycol and propylene glycol, such as Sierra Antifreeze and Prestone LowTox. Use an antifreeze with a bittering agent.

Animal Testing: Choose Safe, Cruelty-Free Products

Wed, 10 May 2006 18:02:57 -0500

Animal testing alternatives: Searchable cruelty-free product directory and free, pocket-sized cruelty-free shopping guide. Animal testing is not required to prove cosmetics and household product safety, according to the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act.

Post an Amber Alert Ticker on Your Website to Save Missing Children

Wed, 10 May 2006 17:04:15 -0500

AMBER Alert Tickers serves as an early-warning system to track missing children. So far, the AMBER Alert plan has recovered over 200 missing children."

Eat More Vegetarian Dishes

Wed, 10 May 2006 01:11:20 -0500

Vegetarian Dishes: How to eat more vegetarian meals and use vegetarian substitutes; changing a little at a time. Enjoy vegetarian recipes (e.g. tasty vegetarian chili) while saving animals and the environment.

Prevent Animal Cruelty: Help a Neglected, Chained Dog

Wed, 10 May 2006 01:10:36 -0500

Prevent animal cruelty: stop abuse by safely rescuing neglected dogs and chained dogs. Abused dogs often suffer without adequate food, water, shelter or care. Dogs deserve better. Find out how to unchain neglected dogs.

Save Chimpanzees from Extinction

Wed, 10 May 2006 01:09:50 -0500

Volunteer vacations at chimpanzee sanctuaries to save chimps from extinction. Join chimpanzee and monkey conservation efforts in Africa, Europe, and the United States.

Cultivate Music Appreciation Among Children

Wed, 10 May 2006 01:00:25 -0500

Music Appreciation Volunteer Vacations: Teach music lessons and music appreciation to children in third-world countries. The gift of making music keeps giving long after you return.

Turn Deforestation Into Reforestation

Wed, 10 May 2006 00:52:55 -0500

Reforestation Volunteer Vacations: Turn deforestation into reforestation by saving natural forests from logging, clear-cutting and burning. Restore tropical rainforests and dry forests via volunteer reforestation projects.