Great Places to do Community Service

[tanzera]

My sorority is Lambda Phi Xi and my chapter is in Reno, Nevada but over the summer our convention was in Florida. We decided to find a service project that we could do while there, We ended up working for the day at Give Kids the World, a theme park for seriously ill kids. Most of them are Make A Wish families there to visit Disney World. The experience was amazing so I thought I would start a thread asking for people to provide places in their state that are amazing to do projects at so that other Greeks can work with them if ever in the area also. Even if you dont post look up Give Kids the World, its so cool.

[PhiGam]

Florida has a lot of Habitat for Humanity stuff- its truly a great charity.

When I was a collegian, we did a lot of work with the Ronald McDonald House -- washing their cars/vans, making dinner, playing with the kids, etc.

I remember having such a great experience there despite the fact that a lot of the kids were really, really sick. A lot of people think that they're going there to help out to make things a little easier for those kids and parents...but oftentimes it was I who got something out of it. And to this day, I have those kids to thank for that.

[jmagnus]

While not exactly a "great place" in terms of the OP, adopting a road is pretty neat. Not only do you help the environment, you get reconized with a sign with your name on it on your section of road...it's nothing like "Make-A-Wish" but it's still nice...

[brownsugardivah]

In Pennsylvania working with youth is a really good oportunity. Programs such as YMCA, Boys & Girls Club, Ronald McDonald House, or just doing a big brother/big sister program at a local high school.

[brunetteddd]

Aside from large, national charities/organizations, there's always lots of smaller, local charities and organizations that can use help.

I know there's a local girl's home that we partner with quite a bit.

[OPhiAGinger]

Just last week I vounteered at a Junior Achievement event that was amazing! Junior Achievement is an organization that works with kids (of varying ages) to teach them some real-world lessons about the economy. Previous JA opportunities intimidated me because it involved mentoring students in developing and marketing a product --- quite a long term commitment that I was not ready to make.

But Phoenix has an incredible new Junior Achievement facility that models a little town. They bring in kids (we worked with 6th graders) to run the little "businesses" in JABiztown. There is an entire set of scripted tasks that the student citizens of JABiztown work through, which teach them how to balance a checkbook and pay back a business loan.

It was a BLAST, for both the students and the adult volunteers and would be the perfect kind of thing for a sorority to participate in. I think this is a new facet of Junior Achievement across the nation, so check in your area if you are in a major metropolitan area.

[askmarymac]

Hello,

I read your post inquiring about organizations worthy of your philanthropic work.

I am the Founder and President of the Foundation for Grieving Children, Inc., a national public charity whose mission is to raise funds and provide grants to community-based organizations which assist, educate, counsel and comfort children, teens, young adults and their families who have experienced the death of a loved one.

We are searching for members of the Greek Community to host a fundraising event for the benefit of bereaved children.

I'd love to hear from you. I've got some fun ideas that don't take tons of time...and I'll help you promote them beyond campus lines, if you'd like.

Best Regards,
Mary M. McCambridge
www.foundationforgrievingchildren.org
www.askmarymac.com
www.askmarymac.blogspot.com

[PhiGam]

Also,

[Fiyah98]

My Sorority's national philanthropy is Sickle Cell Research and Awareness. My chapter is located in the metro Atlanta area and I volunteer frequently with The Salvation Army, the National Black Arts Festival, and Hosea Feed the Hungry, as well as the Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia and the Center for Black Women's Wellness.

During the holidays - Hosea Feed The Hungry and the Salvation Army are excellent places to volunteer and offer your services =)

http://www.hoseafeedthehungry.com
http://www.salvationarmy.org

[JustThinking]

The Red Cross!
MANNA!

[Dionysus]

On your knees!

Badum Badum!!!

[tld221]

volunteermatch.org

[pshsx1]

If you want to fit in, maybe you shouldn't spam the whole forum.

[xisep252]

hi! I just signed up on this forum. I am a Phi Sig from George Mason University, and I am currently the Philanthropy/ Community Service Chair. I take my position seriously, and I really like the ideas that you all have brought up in this thread so far.

I'm thinking we should make this or another thread a sticky with all the info on the opportunities that exist for us chairs?