25 ways to give back: Help others, meet people, make the world a better place

The urge to volunteer has a funny way of striking just as we’re about carve the turkey, head to the mall or trim the tree.

Now, imagine your alarm went off today, long before the temperature drops, when volunteering can mean giving a fraction of your time to park cleanups or garden work, playing with kittens or lending a hand to lost tourists on the Mall.

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For some, volunteering is about serving those in need, while for others, volunteer jobs can help polish a resume, expand a group of friends or be a way to access the arts for free. And newcomers can make friends at a large volunteer event organized by Greater DC Cares or One Brick DC without a regular commitment.

The Washington-based Corporation for National and Community Service estimates that 63.4 million Americans volunteered in 2009. And Kevin Foster of volunteer matching group One Brick DC says that as the economy has faltered, he has seen an increased need for volunteers among nonprofit groups.

So if you’ve always wanted to help out at a food pantry, work with shelter animals or even pour beers, now’s your chance. We’ve got 25 ideas to get you started.

Good Samaritan

Whether you’re an enviable cook or have a way with clothes, there are various ways to lend your skills and your time to a worthy cause.

1. Suited for Change

Have a flair for fashion? You can help low-income women pick out
interview and work suits and accessories from Suited for Change’s D.C. boutique of donated apparel. Volunteers also are needed for workshops on work and life skills. 202-293-0351, Ext. 201. www.suitedforchange.org.

2. HandsOn Greater DC Cares 9/11 Day of Service

To mark the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, this organization is planning 50 major service projects across the region on Sept. 9-11 — with a goal of 10,000 volunteers. Registration is required. 202-777-4441. www.greaterdccares.org.

3. Bread for the City

Bread for the City needs groups of five or more to glean crops from farms, as well as folks to harvest from fruit trees right in Washington. Volunteers are also sought for three-month stints of weekly shifts at the pantry, stocking shelves and helping clients pick out groceries; sign-up begins Sept. 1. www.breadforthecity.org/volunteer. 202-265-2400. E-mail volunteer@breadforthecity.org.

4. Ronald McDonald House Charities

Nearly 60 volunteers help at two homes for families with sick children — in Fairfax and Northeast Washington — by tidying the houses, making sure guests are comfortable, doing
administrative tasks or handiwork, working at special events and cooking meals. 703-698-7080 or 202-529-8204. www.rmhc.greaterdc.org.

5. Starlight Children’s Foundation Mid-Atlantic

Volunteers pitch in for three to four hours at monthly weekend Great Escape events for families of seriously ill children. The events include trips to museums and movies in the D.C. area; occasionally, volunteers are needed for face-painting or clowning.
202-293-7827. www.starlight-midatlantic.org. E-mail farrah@starlight-midatlantic.org.