Easy Adventure
Right to Play
This global organization creates play and sports programs in areas of the world dealing with poverty and conflict. In addition to the health and wellness benefits of play to the children, the programs also educate communities about disease and immunization, teach conflict resolution and promote peace, and foster community leadership and role models through participation as coaches and volunteers. Top athletes from around the world including Wayne Gretzky, Dikeme Mutombo, the Chelsea Football Club, and many more visit the program’s projects to work with the children and raise funds. The organization has a 12-month volunteer program. To donate, go to Right to Play.
“Good” to Go
Global Volunteers
This group began its work in 1984 placing volunteers in micro-economic and human development programs a decade for the term “volunteer vacations” was coined. Today, more than 2,500 volunteers work in more than 100 communities around the world. Global Volunteers always works under the direction of and at the invitation of local leaders. They have programs for teaching English, caring for children, providing health care, repairing or constructing buildings and much more. Standard programs are for two weeks (although some one-week programs are available) leaving from North America and Europe. Volunteer service fees pay the costs of accommodating and feeding the volunteer and go toward supporting the ongoing programs. Other opportunities include the chance to sponsor a child or classroom. To donate, go to Global Volunteers.
Passions New & Old
Songs of Love
The Songs of Love Foundation, using the healing and comforting power of music, provides personal musical compositions for chronically and terminally ill children and young adults. More than 120 songwriters are currently working with the program to create songs of love for the children. 14,496 songs have been created and given to sick children to date. A child’s parents, guardians or members of the hospital staff may request a song by filling out a personalized profile. Songwriters work with that information including the child’s name and interests to create each child’s song. Each song costs $250 to produce. Donors receive a credit on the CD given to the child and a copy of the child’s song. To give, go to Songs of Love.
Splurge!
Flower Power
This group, currently in New York and Los Angeles and planning to expand to other cities, takes flowers from large events, reassembles them into bouquets and delivers them to the elderly, sick or terminally ill in order to brighten their lives. Corporations, events and individuals can call to have the flowers picked up on a one-time basis or as part of a regular schedule. If desired, table cards are provided that describe the re-purposing of the blooms. Volunteers help pick up the flowers, create the individual bouquets and help deliver them to the recipients. Flower Power works with major care institutions including Veterans Hospital, James Lenox Assisted Living House, Santa Monica Rape Crisis, and Memorial Sloan Kettering to identify recipients. To donate, go to Flower Power.
Taking Care of Me
Dress for Success
This program provides a suit or other suitable work apparel to disadvantaged women for job interviews and after employment a week’s worth of outfits. Clothing is often donated. Dress for Success has expanded its mission and now provides a Professional Women’s Group program for its clients. Monthly meetings cover topics such as the “unwritten rules” of the office, childcare, financial planning and more with an expert speaker followed by time for networking. In addition, it makes a career center and mentoring available to give the women additional tools for success. There are volunteer opportunities for personal shoppers, mentors, fundraisers, and expert speakers. Donations of clothing and accessories, as well as funding are welcomed at Dress for Success. To donate, go to Dress for Success.
Tribes
Room to Grow
This wonderful organization, currently located in New York and Boston, gives babies born in poverty a head start during the crucial first three years of life by providing one-on-one support to parents and critical baby needs such as clothing, books, toys, strollers, high chairs and other baby essentials. Quarterly visits to the Room to Grow center offer developmental information, parenting strategies, examinations by clinicians and resources for stressful situations. Expectant parents are referred by pre-natal care agencies. Volunteer opportunities include organizing collection drives or “baby showers.” Donations of new or nearly-new baby items as well as funds are welcome at Room to Grow. To Donate, go to Room to Grow.