Any ideas for charity or volunteer work for single 40 year old male and female team?

Question

I have been asked by a woman who I have liked for a long time, who recently divorced, to find a charity that we can work on together. Neither of us have children and are both college educated. It could be local, international, or even faith related. It could be organizing a foriegn mission, working with local retarded kids, or helping homeless. I don't want to get too commited right away but it would be nice to find something with potential for expansion!

Answer 1

Single Volunteers of D.C.

http://www.singlevolunteers.org/dc/

There's also:

VolunteerMatch, http://www.volunteermatch.org

Idealist, http://www.idealist.org

Change.org, http://www.change.org

CraigsList, http://www.craigslist.com

Network for Good, http://www.networkforgood.org

http://www.1-800-volunteer.org/

ServeNet, http://servenet.org/

Also, contact your local volunteer center; you can find this via the Points of Light Foundation web site, http://www.pointsoflight.org/centers/

Altogether these list volunteering opportunities with thousands of organizations.

There's also this government sponsored site, http://volunteer.gov/gov/ which provides volunteer positions through USA federal land agencies like Fish & Wildlife, Forest Service, National Parks, etc.

If you want to be a volunteer to help with the consequences of a natural disaster, such as Hurricane Katrina, you need to register and prepare NOW. Here's a web site where you can register and start your preparation so that you can help the next time disaster strikes:

http://www.helpindisaster.org/

Answer 2

Boys and Girls clubs

Tutoring children and adults..through schools and libraries

Big Brother/Big Sister Programs

Children's Miracle Network

Helping at Nursing Homes... (start a wheelchair dance program)

Start a grant program for elderly, disabled and low income persons....

Make a wish

Habitat for Humanity

School supplies program.... gym shoes..... clothes.. coats and boots..

Bell ringer for Salvation Army

Easter Seals of America..... Easter Seals of your state

(camper-ships are needed for disabled children and adults to go to camp......it is expensive.....but so worth it....)

Start a handicap parking assistance enforcement council in your community....

Start your own meal program to feed people or help at a meal site.

Answer 3

If either of you is interested, there is always Habitat for Humanity.  They are worthwhile and they are always looking for volunteers to help build homes in many areas.  Myself, I go to the VA hospital in my area and work with the men coming back from Iraq who are recovering from their injuries.  Since I spent 10 years in the USMC I feel that this is where I can do the most good.

Answer 4

OMG!  American Red Cross would love to have you!  There is the disaster action team that helps people affected by fires.  WE encourage couples to join together.  You will make a huge difference in your community and make friends as well and "network".

Answer 5

www.thepencilproject.com

Answer 6

Be a wish granter for the Make-a-Wish foundation.  You can be wish granters together because they require 2 people to go on each wish.  I really enjoy it.

http://midatlantic.wish.org/involved_vol...

Answer 7

First of all your use of the phrase retarded kids , signifies that you also need to engage in programs not only to help others but to also change the way you view others as well for your own sake. The correct term would be mentally-challenged kids or differently abled kids. There are many charities not only in the Usa but across the world. I am actually surprised that you came online to ask for one, when there are newspapers, magazines and other forms of informative material detailing the need for help. Since you have no kids, i would insist that you get involved with charities that deal with feeding, clothing, nourishing kids, so as to build them for their role as the men and women of tomorrow. But you can also engage in any other activity you so desire. When selecting a charity to assist one must take into consideration  their own personality, the task at hand and if they see the need  for a change and think they have the desire to bring about a change. Good luck and God bless.