Spring is considered to be “the season of new beginnings and rapid growth.” When new beginnings emerge, it is often difficult to find ways to manage. There are many volunteering opportunities to explore in the area to give yourself a fresh start to a season full of growth and replenishment.

Animal Welfare Association

The Animal Welfare Association offers a variety of volunteer opportunities such as: Community Events, Student Volunteering, and Corporate Groups. Since I am a student, what caught my eye first was the Student Volunteering opportunity listed on the website. A Student Volunteer must be 16+ to partake in the program, although there is a junior program for students ages 12-15. To volunteer, a student must review the essential requirements listed in the website and contact the volunteer coordinators. The following steps, if there for less than a year, are just a new application and an attended Volunteer Orientation. The AWA focuses on dogs and cats. Hosting many events, which kindly accept volunteers, to try and get them adopted into loving homes.

Lions Gate

Lions Gate offers volunteering opportunities such as: Friendly visitors, Activity assistants, entertainers, etc. The friendly visitors can read to and visit the residents, the activity assistants can help with crafts and games, and the entertainers can share music, theater, and dancing with the residents. There are also opportunities to support the Cantor during religious services and work in the gift shop. What is required for this program is nothing except a big heart, patience, and an aspiration to enhance the lives of the senior residents. How to start is by contacting the Volunteer Coordinator via email or message from the links on the website.

Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge

Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge offers volunteering opportunities such as: assisting in the Wildlife Hospital, care for animals in the Nature Center, and repairing wildlife enclosures / grounds maintenance. The requirements to volunteer are that the person volunteering must be at least 16 years old to apply for a permanent position, volunteers that are 18 and over must pay a fee and have a criminal background check along with much training and processing in order to have a permanent position. For students, a volunteer day is offered to have fun and help out. To get started, you can find the email of the volunteer coordinator on the website.