Ideas for Volunteering in the Colder Months
With colder weather comes the urge to curl up on the couch with a blanket and hibernate until the weather warms up. Even though the winter months are just around the corner, volunteer opportunities are just heating up! If you’re wondering what you can do as the temps drop, check out these volunteer ideas perfect for the changing weather and winter months to come.
Provide Food for Those in Need
Thanksgiving is a time where many soup kitchens and food banks ramp up collections. Volunteer or donate with a local organization that provides meals for those in need this holiday season. Cold weather also means some people may not be able to get out of the house as easily. Consider partnering with an organization that delivers hot meals to those in need.
Donate Extra Warm Clothing
As temperatures drop, the need for warm clothing is dire. Look through your closet to see if you have any coats, hats, mittens or other warm clothing you can donate. Consider involving your friends and family by getting them to look through their closets, too. You could be the person to pick up the items from your loved ones and deliver to a local organization.
Scoop a Neighbor’s Driveway
If you live in an area that gets snow, consider lending a hand to scoop your neighbor’s driveway. You could also help remove snow for those in need throughout the community. In the meantime if it hasn’t snowed, consider doing the same by raking leaves. You can translate this thinking to any act of kindness for a neighbor in need!
Try Your Hand at Virtual Volunteering
The world of volunteerism has evolved so much that you may not even have to leave your couch! Virtual volunteer opportunities exist with some organizations. This could include meeting via video conferencing software to learn about helpful tasks that can be done from anywhere. Consider computer skills you excel at and offer those up to a volunteer coordinator to see if you can match a need the organization has to fill.
Make Your Volunteer Plans for the New Year
As the year winds down, it’s the perfect time to develop new plans for the coming year. Use this time to draft out your volunteering and giving plans for 2023. Consider organizations you’ve already helped and would like to continue with, while also identifying new causes you may be passionate about. Write it down so you can help keep track of your goals.
Although the weather is cooling down, that doesn’t mean volunteer opportunities are also cooling! Use this season to participate in activities made for the colder months. As you make your plans throughout the end of the year, don’t forget to consider how you’ll contribute to making the world a better place in 2023.
We Are Here to Answer Your Questions
What does your organization do?
EmpathyHQ provides counseling to individuals, groups, and families and empowers communities to live authentically and thrive. We break down barriers to accessing care, offering comprehensive and accessible mental health support on your journey to health and self-discovery. We are here to pave the way to a better you—and a better community.
With over 12,000 individuals benefiting from 100,000 hours of evidence-based mental health care and case management in the past four years alone, EmpathyHQ is making a tangible difference in the lives of Texans.
For a list of specific programs and services we provide, visit our Get Support section.
How can I get involved?
We welcome individuals who are passionate about mental health support and increasing access to resources. If you care about these issues, we'd love to have you join us. We support remote and in-person volunteer opportunities.
Visit our Get Involved section to find out ways to learn more, donate, or volunteer.
If I were to donate funds, how is my money used?
We take our responsibility to our community and donors seriously, striving to ensure EmpathyHQ's long-term sustainability. Our funds are used to provide mental health services for clients in need.
What is your organization's privacy policy?
Our organization takes our privacy policy seriously and protects the safety of our supporters. We do not sell or otherwise disclose information about our clients, volunteers or supporters outside of our immediate organization. This policy has no exceptions. We do not sell or exchange your information with any other organizations—public, private or nonprofit. For more detailed information visit our Privacy Policy page.
Do I have to have custody agreement or court order for my child to receive services?
YES. If your child does not live with both biological parents and there is any court order or custody agreement in place, it must be on file. In order for a counselor to see your child, they must have obtained and reviewed the MOST RECENT custody agreement or court order, and any applicable part of a divorce decree that mentions custody. When federal or state statutes provide an exemption to secure consent of a parent or guardian prior to providing services to a minor, the counselor must follow the protocol set forth in such federal or state statutes. If documentation is not provided, your child cannot be seen by a counselor.
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