Volunteering with families in and around Washington, DC

GIVE, GIVE, GIVE!!! (And not just around the holiday season!) There are so many ways you can help others in our area and the best part is they all welcome children to participate. Teaching our littlest the value of giving and not just receiving is critical. Below are several places to check out and many more you probably already know about. Find one that’s best for you and take the entire family.

(Photo: So Others May Eat)

Volunteer your time:

A Wider Circle has MANY ways to volunteer and donate through Holiday Giving Programs

Mary’s Center Reading Pals, Special Events and Patient Portal Volunteers needed

Make sandwiches (throughout the year in your home) for CCPC Transition Assistance Program

Family Bagging Night for kids ages 5 to 11 at Arlington Food Assistance Center

Foster an animal from Humane Rescue Alliance

15 and up Ambassador Program at Children’s National Medical Center

Help provide food to clients, pack and shelve food, and interact with clients at Spend Yourself Food Pantry
Helping dogs at Lucky Kids Club

Read to cats at Animal Welfare of Arlington’s Paws and Read

Create and send holiday cards to injured, ill or hospitalized service members and veterans through American Red Cross
Planting trees through Casey Trees

Various events and ways to help at DC Diaper Bank

Sort and pack food for delivery at Capital Area Food Bank

Helping the poor help themselves at Art for Humanity

Organize a drive to collect food, clothing and toiletries for Bethesda Cares
Help prepare meals at DC Central Kitchen
Help prepare and serve meals at So Others May Eat

Assist inner-city seniors at We Are Family

Help with food, clothing and special events at Martha’s Table

List of ways to volunteer in Fairfax County
Lay wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery December 16, 2017Making Donations:

Diapers to the DC Diaper Bank
Kids Crafts for a cause through Little Loving Hands

Legos, art supplies, books etc to Children’s National Medical Center
Seasonal clothing to Bethesda Cares
Non-perishable food items to Spend Yourself Food Pantry

Other ways to show you care:

Create holiday cards for Cards for Hospitalized Kids
Find a Toys For Tots drive and donate
Spend time at a Nursing or Assisted Living Center
Host a refugee family
Shop with your children at a local grocery store for non-perishable items and donate them to a canned food drive
Claude Moore Colonial Farm has many ways to volunteer and donate
Star Gazing Farm has many ways to volunteer and donate