National Volunteer Week: Virtual Volunteering Options

Next week is National Volunteer Week (April 19-25, 2020). This is an annual celebration to showcase the many volunteer opportunities that are available to all of us and to highlight the impact of those who lend their time and talents to serve their communities.

For most of us, the current stay at home and social distancing orders mean that we are unable to volunteer in person. Thankfully, through the use technology, we still have opportunities available to volunteer and make a difference.

Below are several virtual volunteer options that caught my attention. Hopefully these opportunities will inspire and motivate you to serve during National Volunteer Week and beyond.

VOLUNTEER DATABASES

• All for Good: This is a global database of both in-person and virtual volunteer opportunities maintained by the Points of Light Foundation. Once you arrive on the homepage, click on "Volunteer from Home" to narrow your search to virtual volunteer projects. https://www.allforgood.org/
• Taproot Plus: A service from the Taproot Foundation where you can search for short-term pro-bono consulting projects where you can use your marketing, tech, HR, strategy, or finance experience to help strengthen nonprofits. https://www.taprootplus.org/
• United Nations Volunteers: Through this service from the United Nations, organizations and volunteers from around the world can work together on peace and development projects. The site has lots of projects looking for educators, graphic artists, social media managers, translators, web developers, and writers. https://www.onlinevolunteering.org/en
• VolunteerMatch: This is a robust database that matches millions of people annually to volunteer opportunities posted by nonprofits across the U.S. and Canada. You can customize your search based on your interests and geography. Be sure to click on "Help With COVID-19" for ways that you can Volunteer either remotely or on-site. https://www.volunteermatch.org/

Unique Volunteer Projects that Stood Out

• American Red Cross: You can volunteer to serve as a Digital Advocate to help spread the Red Cross' social media content, assist with the Red Cross' blog and organize online fundraisers. https://www.redcross.org/volunteer/volunteer-opportunities/be-a-digital-advocate.html
• Career Village: This nonprofit pairs up high school students with working professionals so that they can lend career advice. https://www.careervillage.org
• LibriVox: Do you wish that there were versions of your favorite books available on audio? Librivox works through volunteers to read and record public domain texts, resulting in free public domain audiobooks for all of us to enjoy. https://librivox.org/
• Million Mask Challenge: A grassroots movement that kicked into gear in late March as the realities of COVID-19 became visible. Critical shortages of masks and other personal protective equipment have forced health care workers to make their own protective gear. To bridge the shortage, volunteers have joined forces to sew cloth face masks to distribute to healthcare workers on the frontlines. Amazing! https://millionmaskchallenge.com/
• Project Gutenberg: Founded in 1971, Project Gutenberg works through volunteers to convert full texts of public domain books into eBooks. Volunteers can either transcribe books into a digital form or they can proofread others’ work. https://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Gutenberg:Volunteering_for_Project_Gutenberg
• Smithsonian Digital Transcription Volunteers: Help the Smithsonian make historical documents and biodiversity data more accessible to all. You can select to work on projects based on your areas of interest such as African American History, American Experience, Civil War Era, Native American History, Women's History, World Cultures and more. https://transcription.si.edu/
• Translators Without Borders: Are you fluent in more than one language? If so, you can help humanitarian agencies around the world by reducing the language barriers. A great option for those of us that are bilingual. https://translatorswithoutborders.org
• United Way of Greater St. Louis: If you are like me and live in St. Louis, you may want to check out the local United Way's Volunteer Center, which has several projects that you can complete from home. https://www.stlvolunteer.org/volunteerfromhome

OTHER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES (ON-SITE)

While the above opportunities can certainly deliver meaningful impact, the reality is that there are several services that can only be delivered in person. Some of these services are in high demand given the current realities, which is why I am including them here.

• Become a Blood Donor: The American Red Cross has implemented additional screening and safety protocols to keep everyone safe. https://www.redcross.org/give-blood.html
• Support Your Local Food Bank: With all the layoffs and furloughs, there is increased demand on the services provided by food banks and their partner agencies. https://www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank
• Help Seniors with Meals on Wheels: Meals on Wheels has a vast network of local programs that help feed and provide comfort to seniors. https://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/americaletsdolunch

CLOSING THOUGHTS

If you are passionate about the work of a specific organization that is not listed above, then consider contacting one of its leaders to ask how you may contribute during this time. You may still be able to support the organization's mission or to assist with its administrative functions while remaining at home. You have nothing to loose by simply asking the question.