WHERE TO VOLUNTEER WITH YOUR KIDS IN SUFFOLK COUNTY, LONG ISLAND

Lend a little hand in your community, and make it a family affair! We've put together a guide to some places around Suffolk County, Long Island, that need your help, including non-profit organizations, animal shelters, nursing homes, and many more. Volunteer opportunities are availablefor kids and adults alike at these locations - and remember, big or small, everyone has the power to make a difference!

When your child asks, “Why should I volunteer?” you might not have an answer at the ready. Sure, your instinct is to say something like “Because it’s the right thing to do,” but that really sounds like “Because I said so,” and we all know how that response generally causes kids to do the exact opposite.

Moral implications aside, though, the benefits of volunteering—especially from a young age—are nearly endless: Make new friends, build confidence and self-esteem, connect with your community, learn any number of skills that could come in handy later in life, gain an edge for your college applications…

Our advice: Skip the whole “why you should volunteer” lecture altogether and teach your kids by example. Whether you do it once a year or once a week, make volunteering a family affair. Below is a list of local organizations looking for a little extra help, from hands big and small.

ACT LOCAL...

Befriend a Few Furballs

Save-A-Pet Animal Rescue and Adoption Center is a “safe harbor” for companion animals. The shelter also serves the community by teaching and practicing humane behavior toward man and all living things. Save-A-Pet accepts adult volunteers and children 16 and older can work with the center’s cats. Volunteers can help out in a variety of ways, from tidying up and fixing the shelter and its grounds, to bringing pet therapy to the residents of the Jefferson Ferry Assisted Living community (21 and older only), to hosting a supply drive in their school or community. To volunteer, contact Lynne Schoepfer at saveapetedu@optonline.net. The center is located at 608 Route 112, Port Jefferson Station. For more information: 631-473-6333 or saveapetli.net.

Build a Home

Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk recruits volunteers as young as 16 years old to pitch in building houses for underprivileged families. Teens ages 16 and 17 must have an adult present. School-aged children can prepare and serve morning refreshments to work crews, help prepare and deliver lunches to the construction sites, assist new homeowners with seasonal cleanups, and assemble housewarming gift baskets. Enterprising families can also organize fundraising campaigns to raise money needed for building supplies. For more information, call 631-924-4966 x104 or 631-422-4828. 643 Middle Country Road, Middle Island. habitatsuffolk.org.

Do Something Special

Special Olympics New York aims to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-style sports for all children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Volunteers can coach athletes, raise money, coordinate events, provide office support, volunteer at one-day events, serve on local program committees, help with sport development, and so much more. There is a place for volunteers of all ages (kids ages 13-16 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian), abilities, and interests. For more information on sports events, contact Faith Latella at flatella@nyso.org. For more information on development, contact Merrell Angstreich at mangstreich@nyso.org. For more information on the organization, call 631-254-1465 or visit nyso.org. The Long Island office, which serves both Nassau and Suffolk Counties, is located at 819 Grand Blvd., Suite 3, Deer Park.

Feed the Hungry

Island Harvest works to end hunger and reduce food waste on Long Island. The organization offers opportunities for all ages to make a difference, including children involved in a school club, scout troop, or youth group. Kids and adults alike can help out at community fairs, food drives, and other special events. Groups can also organize their own “Food Raisers” or fundraisers with help from Island Harvest. One idea is to run a themed food drive through your group or in your neighborhood, like Sandwich Fixings, Kid’s Stuff, or Holiday Trimmings. To become a volunteer, contact Joan Flynn at 516-294-8528 x121 or joan@islandharvest.org. If you are planning a food drive or collection, contact Doreen Principe at 631 873-4775 x208 or doreen@islandharvest.org. For more information, visit islandharvest.org.

Students United Against Hunger is a joint project funded by United Way of Long Island that provides young people with an opportunity to volunteer at The Harry Chapin Food Bank in Hauppauge. Volunteers assist in sorting food, personal care items, household supplies, and pet food and school supplies that are delivered to Long Island Cares’ network of 560 community-based member agencies. Students United Against Hunger consists of two components: a Hunger 101 workshop and a community service project, both of which young volunteers (ages 7-14) attend with their parents or teachers. Sessions fill quickly and are booked on a first-come, first served basis. For more information or to register for the Students United Against Hunger project, contact Donna DeRiggi at United Way of Long Island: 631-940-3759 or dderiggi@unitedwayli.org. 819 Grand Blvd., Deer Park. unitedwayli.org/volunteer.

Help a Family Far from Home

The Ronald McDonald House of Long Island provides a home away from home for families of seriously ill children undergoing critical medical treatment in area hospitals. RMHLI strives to provide a comfortable and supportive environment, to help families through their most difficult time. Volunteers are the “heartbeat of the house,” and opportunities to get involved are offered on many different levels. Donate a few hours of your time to help with administrative duties or represent the house at community events and distribute information to the public about its mission. Individuals and groups can also help organize and participate in fundraising events. If you’re short on time, show a little love for families far from home through comfort food—donate nonperishables to the house’s food pantry or participate in the dinner or brunch program, where your family, friends, or community organization can prepare a meal for resident families in-house. To find out more about what you can do, contact volunteer/program coordinator Betti McClellan at bmcclellan@rmhlongisland.org, or call 516-775-5683 x131. 267-07 76th Ave., New Hyde Park. rmhlongisland.org.

Make a Wish Come True

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Suffolk County grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. Kids For Wish Kids is a program that enables kids between the kindergarten and college level to devise fundraising projects such as bake sales, dance parties, and talent shows to help make local kids wishes come true. For more information on Kids For Wish Kids, or to become a registered volunteer (must be 18 years old), call 631-585-WISH or visit makeawish-suffolkny.org. Mail inquiries to 1 Comac Loop, Suite 1A1, Ronkonkoma.

Show Some Love

Have A Heart Children’s Cancer Society is dedicated to alleviating some of the financial burdens of families with children diagnosed with cancer. Individuals of all ages can help out by volunteering their time at events or organizing their own fundraiser for the cause. Fundraising ideas include a bowling night, neighborhood garage sale, block party benefit, carwash, bake sale, or school dance. To fill out the volunteer application form, visit haveaheartcharity.org/volunteer.htm. For more information, call 631-470-1198 or visit haveaheartcharity.org.

Spring Clean Your Closet

The Salvation Army has locations throughout Suffolk County and offers many opportunities for families to lend a helping hand to others in need. The Salvation Army accepts volunteers of all ages—as long as an adult is along to supervise—to work in a wide variety of programs, from soup kitchens to after-school programs. Jobs could include cooking, cleaning up, serving meals, or playing soccer with other children, but programs vary by location. For more information, call 631-363-6100 or visit salvationarmyny.org. 

You can also donate your old clothes to the organization’s thrift stores. Take the time to help others as you help yourself. Enlist your kids in the process of cleaning out their closets before springtime. It can even turn into a fashion show to see what fits and what doesn’t. Take your kids with you when you donate the clothes so that they can see the good their efforts are doing. Check with your local Salvation Army thrift store for instructions on donating clothes:

• 227 Little East Neck Road, Babylon; 631-669-1354
• 110 Bellrose Ave., East Northport; 631-754-4449
• 414 E. Main St., Patchogue; 631-654-9380
• 319 E. Main St., Riverhead; 631-727-1571

Start Your Own Project

The NYC-based DoSomething.org is one of the largest organizations in the United States that helps young people rock causes they care about. Kids older than 12 can join or start their own Do Something Club in their community and take action all year through Do Something's campaigns and their own projects (apply at dosomething.org/clubs). You can also apply for a Do Something grant (dosomething.org/grants) to start your own community project—the organization gives out two $500 grants per week. For more information, contact Chloe Lee at 212-254-2390 x231 or clee@dosomething.org.

Support a Senior

At local nursing homes and rehabilitation centers, an afternoon of your time and company can make all the difference to someone. Take the opportunity to tackle a craft project or just sit and talk with a senior resident. If your family wants to devote more time, you can “adopt a grandparent” and invite him or her to dinners and holiday parties.

Broadlawn Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center offers volunteers as young as 14 (accompanied with adult supervision) the opportunity to serve senior citizens. Whether playing bingo, attending a cooking class, transporting a resident from one program to another, or simply helping a resident write a letter, volunteers fill an irreplaceable role in the care of Broadlawn’s residents. For more information, contact Lisa Rubino at 631-264-4000 x4121 or visit broadlawn.org. The center is located at 399 County Line Road, Amityville.

Walk for the Cause

Head to nymetroparents.com/walks to find fundraising walks in your community. Walking together for a cause can bring your family closer together while supporting a worthy organization. It’s also a great way to get outdoors, add exercise, and make new friends. Most charity walks in the Connecticut and the New York metro area take place in the spring and fall. Be sure to plan ahead, because the sooner you register, the longer you have to raise money for the cause.

Work for Water

The UNICEF Tap Project is a nationwide campaign that affords everyone the opportunity to help provide the world’s children with safe, clean water. We don’t usually think twice about the quality of our water but more than 900 million people around the globe do not have access to clean drinking water and approximately 4,100 children perish from water-related illnesses daily. A one-dollar donation can provide a child with clean water for 40 days, or 40 children with access to safe water for one day. World Water Week (March 19-25) will raise awareness of the world water crisis and vital funds to help millions of children it impacts daily. Kids can join the cause by organizing a lemonade stand, bake sale, car wash, or similar fundraising event and donating their proceeds. Visit tapproject.org/volunteer to sign up and find a list of ways to get involved.

 To further encourage your children to volunteer, check out this great contest opportunity from Kids Who Give.

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