I was just wondering how many of you out there really volunteer your time or donate money to a cause. If you do, what are some of the things you volunteer/donate too? I know one of my biggest efforts is to give money to the Stand with Africa fund to help end AIDS, hunger, and poverty in Africa. Are there any other really good charities out there?

Many small towns do not have paid fire departments. Those who do not usually have volunteer fire departments. Most of these departments have youth programs to teach kids to become firefighters. There is no better way to help your community then to be a volunteer firefighter and be there for the people of the community when they need you the most!
Interested in church? Some fire departments have Chaplin programs and grief councelors. You should check it out!

NoisyMermaid! There are so many things that you can do with out an organization. Although I do know a good organization that would only cost you like $10. Operation Christmas Child is an organization that gives children in 3rd world contries a Christmas that the wouldn't have otherwise. This past year I gave a box full of stuff that I bought at the dollar store. I enjoyed writing to the little girl I was donating it to. There's always something to find at a church, soup kitchens and other things.

I really want to volunteer, but I have no idea where to start. I go online...I don't find anything. I call my local volunteer center...I don't find anything. I really don't care what I do, I just want to volunteer. I guess I was wondering if there were any suggestions that would help me to get started. Keep in mind, I am still a teen (which has seemed to be my biggest obstacle). Please don't think that I'm just being lazy. Help!!!!!

I dont volunteer everyday. However I have given back to the community. And I have donated my hair to children with cancer. I might not volunteer alot but it's because I don't like to it's just isn't easy to do that these days. (everyones lookin for employees, not volunteers)

Well, i volunteer at a Veteran Hospital, it was quite boring and also disgusting at first because of the smell, and the lack of patients who can talk, but then for some weird reason i began to like what i was doing which is to escort patients to their appointments from their room. It's like i understood them in a way without the need to really talk to them. Then there're also others of course who can talk, and that's usually fun. But yes, i think volunteering is a great thing to do, it not only gives someone else help, but also bring yourself the pleasure of a feeling of accomplishing somethin. So next summer, you'll definately see me volunteering again either at a hospital or some other places where i can make a difference.

i volunteer at a childrens hospital. i play with children that can not go to the playrooms. it makes me happy to see them happy.

I do because I need Honor Society Hours and this helps kids and adults.

I ring the salvation army bell at Christmas, and I spent this Summer volunteering at my town's public library. That worked out pretty good, because they just offered me a year-round, paying job there. I'd like to do more volunteering, but I don't really know how to get started!

I mostly volunteer for local stuff like school sports and the student council. It is hard to think on a global base when you live in a cloistered world of 500 people. I do what I can.

200 Christian Teens
250,000+ Dollars
30hours locked in room with no food.
70,000+ meals for starving people worldwide.

I donate money to organazations (sp) I helped out last year for a little bit, I helped disabled people I don't like that word disabled so lets call them special people. But I don't do it 24/7. I would donate blood but I'm to young... I donated for a food, book & clothing drive... & I donated some money to get camels,tents,chickens,rabbits ect. for the people in Africa & I donated to the Salvation Army & that's about it.

I volunteer at a retirement home with the alzhtimers and dementa patients. Did a summer at Maryland National Park and Planning Commision(MNCCP) and voulnteered at my neices school with the babies.

Hey, I go to the salvatin army and my cousin and I voluneer during the school year fr their after school program and during the summer, we volunteer at their vbsand day camp but this year, we have to do a safe from harm class before we volunteer andI haven't de it yet so I couldn't do the summer stuff. And we volunteer fo the annual food drive every year. An Every other sunday, we go to th nursing hms and do a little thing for them. I love volunteerin' and it's really fun. Lori Jo

I hve done Habitat for Humanity a ton of times. It's actually fun ya'll, you should try it. I volunteer at the church with my friends. We settle in homeless every week and help them find jobs, education, and a decent place to live. And every holiday, we cook all kinds of food for those wo need it. Not to mention the food drives, clothes drives, and the daily dog visits ot the hospital (the kids love my lhasa pup Allie). I mean, there's so much to do, but a lot more could be done if people just got off their ***** and helped.

Well I would have been a volunteer so to speak if I had won the school board election (lost by 19 votes), but this citizen committee that our new superintendent is trying to get going is looking for people, and I was probably the first one to sign up.

It has to do with the future growth our district is facing. I think it's called the Future Growth Committee believe it or not, but yeah, that's how I'm personally volunteering.

Leadership positions - especially citizen committees - are a great way to volunteer.

This is only a step to my presidential race

http://www.joeydauben.com/President.htm

Does required school activities count? I dont think it does, but in school we do a lot of that stuff like Pennies for Patients, and Can Food Drives and making blankets for sick kids, and stuff like that.

-Nicole

I don't really donate money to any cause and I don't volunteer because they is no place I know of to volunteer in my town. Two years ago I donated my hair to "Wigs for Kids" and this year I am walking in The Cure for Diabetes walk because my best friend is a diabetic.

This year will be my fourth year doing the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk, to raise money for cancer research. One of my best friends had leukimia, which is why I do it. I also volunteered at a Family Network through a program at school last year.

If you're looking for somewhere to donate money, I think Amnesty International is a great place. Right now I'm saving up money to give to them. They work for human rights all over the world. I've given money to Unicef too, which works to help children across the globe.

I've worked for the Special Olympics here in Atlanta, and have volunteered for a race called Lauren's Run at the Atlanta Zoo. I do various things for Beta when I can, but that's only because I'm required to, heh, or I'll get some nasty emails from the director.

As for donation, I'll give about $15-20 to the local animal shelter every once in awhile. ($15 can help one dog or cat get groomed, de-flead, and sometimes neutered/spayed, thus bettering their chance for adoption.)