Best Volunteer Opportunities For Families In Sacramento

Our community has many needs and just as many ways that you and your family can help. A variety of non-profit groups depend on volunteers to make ends meet and to meet their goals. Volunteer opportunities can range from a few hours to an annual commitment, depending on the needs of the non-profit. All ages can help with some projects, while others are specific in needing adults to help. Read below for ideas of how you and your family can volunteer in our area to help fill the needs of others.

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AFS Intercultural Programs
Sacramento, CA
(800) AFS-INFO
www.afsusa.org

The Host a Student Program would be a great family event. Host Family Orientation is held in July to let you know what to expect. Your new "family member" would arrive in August. There is a mandatory Arrival Orientation in August and Post Arrival Orientation in September. There is an application process and a time to choose your student through profiles and photos. Everything begins by filling out the application online. Sacramento is in the Silver and Gold Area. For more information about hosting or volunteering for this cause, contact AFS Silver and Gold Hosting Coordinator Carol McCaulley at afssilverandgold@gmail.com.

All About Equine
2201 Francisco Drive #140-174
El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
(916) 520-4223
www.allaboutequine.org

All About Equine (AAE) has its main facility in El Dorado Hills at a private family ranch. To preserve the privacy of the family, all visitors must set appointments. There are numerous volunteer projects in need of help at this horse facility such as animal care and handling, farrier/trimmer help, fundraising, grant writing, program leaders and facility maintenance, to name a few. It also has an Adopt-A-Horse program. For more information about helping, email volunteer@allaboutequine.org.

Family Acts of Kindness: Sacramento
www.meetup.com

Family Acts of Kindness: Sacramento is a meetup.com group organized by Steph Baker. Its goal is to develop volunteer opportunities for families with children. Examples of work the group has done includes trash pick up for an hour, a cookie exchange to benefit others and a make-a-blanket project. The goal of the group is to instill core values in children, work together to build relationships and to help its Sacramento neighbors. In order to get specifics of the next volunteer project, you need to contact the group through its online contact form found on the website.

Related: Family Guide To Holiday Volunteering

City of Sacramento
915 I St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 808-1907
www.cityofsacramento.org

There is a huge list of volunteer opportunities with the city of Sacramento. One example is an Animal Care Volunteer. An Animal Care volunteer family can serve as a foster family for puppies or kittens, help cats socialize and walk dogs. Other needs from volunteers are care for and education about farm animals, which includes helping staff clean, feed and maintain animal exhibits. Other opportunities with the city are Adopt-a-Park, Arts and Crafts, Community Service Projects, Bike Trail Cleanup, Special Events and Trail Cleanup. For more information, contact Mary Lynn Perry at (916) 808-1907.

Swim for MS is a wonderful way to help others, teach by example and have fun doing it. It has a program where you register to swim, are given a personal webpage to promote your fundraiser and you will swim laps or do cannon ball jumps to earn the funds. This can also be done as a team (with your family). There is a registration fee, groups of 25 or more get a special rate.

Related: Best Places To Adopt Puppies And Kittens In Sacramento

Deb Ling is a freelance writer covering all things Sacramento. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.