TEENS IN ACTION
Volunteering Resources
and Go-to Sites for Getting Involved

Volunteers of America
If your community is one of the 400 in 44 states where Volunteers of America operates programs for those in need, then you can find many ways to get involved to help. Volunteers of America is a nonprofit, faith-based organization that serves more than 2 million people nationwide. Volunteers of America also partners with the Major League Baseball Players Trust on the Action Team national youth volunteer program. Visit the Volunteers of America national site to investigate volunteer opportunities in your area.

VolunteerMatch
Did you make a resolution to volunteer more this year? VolunteerMatch promises to be your "resolution solution." This easy-to-use site connects volunteers with volunteer opportunities. You can select an area of interest - such as volunteering with children, animals, environmental causes and many more - and specify the distance from your area. Then type in your zip code for a list of local groups requesting volunteers. Or find online volunteering opportunities by choosing "Virtual" for your search.

Best Buddies International
Best Buddies works to help people with intellectual disabilities by promoting friendships between disabled and non-disabled peers. This nonprofit organization was founded by Anthony Kennedy Shriver in 1989. (His mother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, is the founder of the Special Olympics.) There are programs for high schools as well as middle schools and colleges. Buddies can be matched locally for one-on-one activities. There is also an e-Buddies program that connects students for online sharing. Visit the home page and access the "High Schools" information to find out more about the program, including how to start a Best Buddies chapter in your school.

Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly
Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly (LBFE) welcomes volunteers who want to help and befriend the elderly. Its motto is "flowers before bread" - which emphasizes the group's focus on being friends to the elderly as well as helping with basic needs. Among the Little Brothers' activities are special parties for elderly members and volunteers, to bring seniors together for social activities. There are currently Little Brothers chapters in the following locations: Boston; Chicago; Cincinnati; Houghton County, Michigan; Miami; Omaha; Philadelphia; San Francisco; Twin Cities (Minneapolis/St. Paul). Visit the national site to find out more and to get contact information for the city chapters.

Make a Date . . . to Volunteer in February and March

February: American Heart Month
Sponsored by the American Heart Association
The aim of this annual month is to educate about heart disease and stroke and promote the importance of healthy lifestyles to have a healthy heart. Check with your local American Heart Association office or with a local hospital for Heart Month activities that you can help with as a volunteer. Your class or club can also sponsor fund-raising programs like Jump Rope for Heart - or volunteer to assist with a Jump Rope for Heart marathon at a local elementary school. Click here to find out more.

February 10-16: National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans
Sponsored by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Be part of this national effort by sending or hand-delivering valentines to veterans. It's also a great time to investigate other ways to get involved as a volunteer at your local veterans hospital. Actor Mike Vogel is leading the 2008 patient recognition program. Find out more.

February 12-18: Random Acts of Kindness Week
Sponsored by the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation
Although this foundation works to inspire people to practice more kindness every day, it sets aside the week around Valentine's Day to emphasize the importance of good deeds and getting involved to help others. It provides ideas for projects and activities, such as making valentines with homebound elderly or planning a holiday egg hunt for children living in homeless shelters. Click here for a list of ideas for individuals and groups, and how to start a Random Acts of Kindness Club in your school or community.

February 29: Yellowstone Park Day
On this day in 1872, Yellowstone National Park was created, the first national park in the world. Mark the day to visit the National Park Service site to find out about volunteering opportunities at national parks and the over 25 youth programs throughout the National Park System.

March: Youth Art Month
Sponsored by the Council for Art Education
Youth Art Month promotes the value of art education for children and teens. Among the activities sponsored by the Council for Art Education to observe the month is a student flag designing contest. Click here to learn more about the contest and other ways to promote art in your community during March. And check with a local arts council or art teachers at your school about Youth Art Month activities that you can help with as a volunteer.

March 20: Absolutely Incredible Kid Day
Sponsored by Camp Fire USA
This annual day, always the third Thursday of March, is a letter-writing campaign. The goal is for every child in America to receive a letter explaining what an incredible kid he or she is. Camp Fire USA encourages civic groups and others to get involved to write letters. Volunteer with a local Camp Fire council to help promote the day and write letters to children in your community. Click here to learn more.

Here's how the Action Teams work: Major League Baseball players committed to community service work with Volunteers of America to recruit and help train high school students who are dedicated volunteers and eager to motivate others.

These students become Action Team Captains, who spread the players' message about the importance of community service to teens in their area.

To date, more than 8,000 students have made a difference in their communities through the Action Teams, helping over 38,000 people where they live.

What do Action Team members do? They volunteer in ways their communities need--from assisting in local day care and reading programs, to serving meals in shelters and soup kitchens.

With offices around the country, Volunteers of America connects Action Team students with local programs and people who need the help of energetic teens.