Volunteer Matters, Vol I Ed I, 2023

Volunteer Opportunities You
May Not Have Thought Of
When you think of volunteering
certain things may come
to mind. Working with the
unhoused population, helping at a food
bank, giving money or time to animal
shelters, or supporting the known charities
in your area. But there are many
ways you can volunteer, so you’re likely
to find an opportunity that really speaks
to you. Here are a few ideas to get you
started.
The point is to think about what you
already do and try to match it to a way
you can help others. If you’re having
trouble finding a way to match an opportunity
with your talents, contact Volunteer
Victoria or your local volunteer
agency who can help.
Use Technology to
Help Others
With technology taking over, there are
many hotlines people can access via text
appointments with drivers (and if there
isn’t then create one!) But there are many
others who may require drivers to get
places. Perhaps there is a teenager who
is a brilliant basketball player but is unable
to get to practice due to his parents
not having a vehicle, or there may be a
younger person with health or mobility
issues that is having trouble accessing
appointments because they don’t qualify
for the senior driver service.
You may also be able to help by delivering
food or medication from food banks
and local health organizations to people
who aren’t able to go in person.
Utilize Your Talents
This is the best place to start when
you’re trying to find a way to volunteer.
Because wherever your talents lie and
what you love to do can almost always
be transferred into a volunteer opportunity!
Do you love to do crafts? Contact a
local community centre to see if you can
do crafts with seniors or children. Are
you an avid reader? Perhaps the hospital
may allow you to come up and read to
children. Do people call you an amazing
seamstress or knitter? Consider making
some outfits, hats, or scarves for local
charities to give to kids or the unhoused.
Love art? Volunteer your time to do art
therapy with youth mental health services.
or social media to obtain mental health
and other services. If you’re a whiz with
technology, this could be an incredible
opportunity to connect with people in
need and help them get the help they
require.
Technology such as zoom, or another
online video service can also help you
connect with seniors or others who are
immunocompromised and can’t leave the
home. You can connect with people from
all over the world, keeping them company
and giving them a vital connection
a few times a week.
Become a Driver
There is likely a service in your area
that connects seniors who need to get to
Organize a Clothing/
Food/Money Drive in
Your Community
If you see a need in your community,
go ahead and tackle it yourself by organizing
an event to gather money or supplies.
Maybe a community member or
co-worker has recently lost a spouse or
had a flood, and you want to help them
get through this tough time. Or maybe
you feel strongly about supporting a local
animal shelter or another organization
and want to help them.
Set up a time and place to gather
needed supplies and/or funds and spread
the word on social media, and by using
posters in your neighbourhood. Perhaps
your community centre or local school
could be a drop-off place and help you get
the word out.
Become a Blood/Plasma/
Organ Donor
As the Canadian Blood Services commercial
says, “Blood, it’s in you to give.”
It’s easy and generally takes less than an
hour of your time to donate blood. Look
online for your local donor centers and
find out how easily you can give blood
and plasma. Your donation can save a lot
of lives!
It’s also important to consider becoming
an organ donor. There are a few different
options for which organs you may
be willing to donate, and a strict process
when it comes to donation.
30 Volunteer Matters 2023