We loved the article, Serving Together- Charities You Can Work at With Your Children from this month’s FredParent so much that we decided to give you even more local places that you can volunteer at right here in our community!

1 Feed Fred. Feed Fred has been dedicated to delivering hot, homemade, nourishing meals to those in need within the area since April 2012.  They accept food donations and also any type of home-cooked dishes such as casseroles that can be easily portioned out and frozen.  So get cooking with your kids or pick out a few extra items the next time you are at the food store.  To find out more visit their website www.feedfred.com.

2 Fairy Godmother Project. The mission of Fairy Godmother Project is to ease the burden of everyday life for local families who have a child in treatment for a form of pediatric cancer.  Families can easily double the meals they are already making for their own meal time or work together to do some yard work or cleaning for one of the FGP families.  Check out their website www.fairygodmotherproject.org or our Community piece on their founder and executive director. 

3 Doctor Yum. Where can you help foster a culture of wellness, contribute to the health of local kids, and sample delicious, healthy food all while donating your time? The Doctor Yum Project, of course! This pediatrician-led non profit is dedicated to bringing kids into the kitchen for a hands on experience with local, seasonal plant-based food. When you volunteer with the Doctor Yum Project, you might be passing out tasting spoons, or helping kids to plant seeds in their instructional garden. You will also have the chance to cut fresh fruits and vegetables, wash dishes, and meet other volunteers. Visit www.doctoryum.com to find out more.

4 CMoR- Fredericksburg. The Children's Museum of Richmond in Fredericksburg offers a range of opportunities all of which can be found on their website: http://www.c-mor.org/volunteer. Volunteers are welcome to come in any time during their hours of operation and help with the following: assisting in activities and play in their exhibits, creating projects and maintaining their supplies in the art studio, preparing donated books in their book bank, or lending a hand with parties and special events. Their Junior Volunteer program is perfect for students age 14-17 who would like to fulfill required hours for school.

5 Hope House. Hope House provides homeless mothers and their children with safe housing opportunities to transition to successful, independent living. Families can organize a donation drive for supplies that are desperately needed. See www.hopehouseva.org for a complete list of items needed and for other ways that your family can help.

6 Micah Ecumenical Ministries. The mission of Micah Ecumenical Ministries is to help homeless people who often face barriers such as mental health, disabilities, substance abuse, and loss of supportive relationships. They hope to overcome these barriers by bringing the community together in a holistic approach that serves all. Families can serve together in many ways such as preparing and providing meals, helping at the cold weather shelter, or collecting needed items. Their website www.dolovewalk.net lists all their current needs.

7 Saint Seton's Orphaned Animals. Love animals? Check out Saint Seton's Orphaned Animals. Your family can sign up to deliver pet food to seniors or disabled persons in the local area. They would love your help! Email them at [email protected] or go to their website www.saintseton.com.

8 Greater Fredericksburg Habitat for Humanity. Habitat for Humanity relies on volunteers in addition to donations to provide simple, decent, and affordable homes to families in our area. Your family can donate and deliver lunch for volunteer construction workers, collect soda cans for their recycling program, or go to their website www.fredhab.org to find other things that you can do to help!

9 Friends of the Rappahannock. Who doesn't love the Rappahannock River? Friends of the Rappahannock constantly needs the help of volunteers to achieve their conservation goals on behalf of the river. Go to their website, www.riverfriends.org, to find out about upcoming river cleanups and make a day of it with your family!

10 Get CREATIVE!!! While there are many, many amazing organizations in our community, sometimes small acts of service can have a BIG impact. We recently heard of a group that went to a local senior apartment housing complex and did reverse trick-or-treating. Instead of the children going door to door asking for treats, they went to each door and brought a treat and showed off their costumes to local seniors who miss out on the excitement of Halloween! What fun and so creative!!

 

Where are your favorite places to volunteer? 

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