LIFEBALANCE COMMUNITY CORNER

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Not sure where to get started?  Visit these websites to find volunteer opportunities based on your interests, availability and desired commitment level!

• Idealist.org
  A great resource for family friendly volunteer opportunities along with special activities for teens.  Sign up to receive personal email updates of new volunteer opportunities that fit your interests!
• Servenet.org
  Narrow down the opportunities by selecting the causes and populations that you would like to work with and lets you identify special skills that you would like to use in your volunteer experience!
• Volunteermatch.org
  Helps you find special opportunities for groups, adults over 55, kids and teens while keeping your interests in mind!
• Handsonportland.org
  Assists Portland Metro residents in building a better community!
• Seattleworks.org
  Assists Seattle Metro residents in finding the right local volunteer opportunities!

Want to volunteer in your own neighborhood or even in your own house? Check out these easy opportunities!

• Plant A Row for the Hungry (PAR)
  Partner with the Garden Writers Association and plant an extra row of produce each year and donate your surplus to local food banks, soup kitchens and service organizations to help feed America’s hungry.
• Makeachildsmile.org
  Learn about children battling severe/chronic life-threatening illnesses and brighten their day by sending a special homemade card (in many cases you can write to their parents and siblings too.)  This can be a fun family or office activity and doesn’t cost much at all! 
  
• Teddiesfortragedies.org
  Comfort children braving tragedy around the world. Craft a bear in your free time and follow its path through Uganda, Peru, Lebanon or one of many other locations around the world!
  
• AmnestyUSA.org
  Find a human rights issue that interests you and join Amnesty International’s Letter writing campaign. Compose your own text or use the standard letter to further the cause of your choice.
  
• Projectlinus.org
  Sign up to be a “blanketeer” and use your craft skills to provide new, handmade, washable blankets to seriously ill and traumatized children ages 0-18. Project Linus welcomes all types of blankets including quilts, tied comforters, fleece blankets, receiving blankets, crocheted or knitted afghans, so all skill levels are welcome!
  
• Onlinevolunteering.org
  Engage in sustainable human development activities via the Internet and contribute your individual strengths to support all types of organizations!
• Solv.org
  Neighborhood clean up. (Portland Metro only.)  Help make your Portland Metro neighborhood beautiful by participating in local neighborhood clean up and beautification projects!
• Faith in Action
  Faith in Action brings together people of many faiths to help their neighbors in need. Faith in Action volunteers shop, cook, drive or just check in on the millions of Americans with long-term health needs. Potential volunteers in the Newberg, OR area can also check out Faith in Action, Newberg.
• Anchorage Parks and Recreation
  Help keep your Anchorage Metro parks and neighborhoods looking their best by participating in local clean up efforts!

Looking for more out of your vacation this year? Try Voluntourism. Explore new parts of your state, country or even the world while giving back. In some cases your efforts can even lower your vacation costs.

• Habitat for Humanity
  Not only do you get to build affordable housing in another country, you also get to interact with local residents and learn about another culture all the while developing your construction skills!
  
• VolunteerLouisiana.gov
  Help repair hurricane torn Louisiana by participating in any of a wide variety of ongoing projects.  Plus, while you’re there you’re also helping stimulate the local Louisiana economy, giving hope that the area can be restored!
  
• Pepytours.com 
  Education and volunteering are the key elements of all PEPY adventures.  Explore cultures and topics that interest you while making our world a better place!
  
• Bestfriends.org
  For something a little closer to home, visit Best Friends Animal Society and help thousands of animal residents find a better life! 
  
• OID-Organization for International Development
  Help OID facilitate sustainable community development by offering your skills!  These trips always have room for those able to provide medical, administrative, graphic design, engineering or educational skills.  Visit the website for a complete listing of current opportunities!
  
• Earthwatch
  Work side-by-side with leading environmental researchers to understand climate change, restore coral reef health, save endangered species and habitats and preserve unique cultures.

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