Volunteer opportunity w/ 3 year old?

[Anonymous]

We are stay-cationing from Christmas to New Years and would like to spend at least one of the days volunteering as a family. We have a curious 3 year old. Can anyone recommend organizations that have volunteer opportunities for us all to participate in? We are particularly interested in opportunities related to helping other people (versus animals, environment clean-up, etc.). We live in DC but are willing to drive up to 30 minutes. Many thanks in advance for your suggestions!

[Anonymous]

https://greaterdcdiaperbank.org/volunteer/

Haven’t been but heard this is kid friendly

[Anonymous]

Volunteering should be a part of your day-to-day life. Not once a year "show-and-tell."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://greaterdcdiaperbank.org/volunteer/

Haven’t been but heard this is kid friendly

Its says Fall/Winter volunteering are for 6 years old and up due to their expansion project

[Anonymous]

None with a three year old. You are there to help others. One parent stays home with three year old, other volunteers. Or get a babysitter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:None with a three year old. You are there to help others. One parent stays home with three year old, other volunteers. Or get a babysitter.

+many. Your little one is NOT helping.

[Anonymous]

Impromptu adopt a spot trash pick up, and if it’s possible sort for recycling. You could use a wagon and set up compartments for sorting. Have everyone wear gloves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:None with a three year old. You are there to help others. One parent stays home with three year old, other volunteers. Or get a babysitter.

This. Your kid will not be helpful, and at 3 does not get it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Impromptu adopt a spot trash pick up, and if it’s possible sort for recycling. You could use a wagon and set up compartments for sorting. Have everyone wear gloves.

Sorry I guess I didn’t read your whole post. I don’t think it’s really possible with a child that small to do volunteering in the manner you’d like to. You could talk to them about what you’re doing as a volunteer. The only other thing I can think of is to contact local shelters or food banks and see if they have any family projects. You could also have child pick some toys to donate. Have everyone in the house contribute to things to pass on or make care packages for families living in group houses etc.

[Anonymous]

I don't have specific suggestions but agree with others you should try and find an organisation where you can do this type of thing year round.

The Church we go does a Thanksgiving dinner every year and houses the homeless for a week in the Winter ( other Churches do other weeks)
My daughter is now 7 but has been coming with me to these since she was 2. The first year she came to the dinner all she did was help wrap cutlery and put decorations on the tables, now she takes orders and helps serve.

I know Church is not for everyone but try and find something ongoing.

[Anonymous]

3 year old is a liability at most volunteer sites.

Maybe take her to shop for toiletries to donate to a women's shelter or homeless shelter? Or put together care packages to send to deployed soldiers or individuals in nursing homes and have her make a card to put in the box?

[Anonymous]

Hit a couple parks to do a nature walk /litter pick up.

Or go to Columbia Heights and pick up litter. Bring big bags, you’ll need them.

[Anonymous]

What about something like going to costco/target and getting a bunch of toiletries (don't include mouthwash or hand sanitizer), but little toothpaste, tooth brushes, playing cards, small notebooks, pens, small kleenex, gloves, snack bars, chapstick, or anything else you can think of.

You could even make a 'child focused' ziploc bag with snacks, crayons, inexpensive coloring books, hats/gloves/mittens), chapstick, etc.

Then sit at home with you child and a box of gallon-sized ziploc bags and 'stuff' each bag with some items. And then drop them off at a local shelter (we like The Carpenters Shelter in Alexandria.)

This is fun, service-minded and you can talk about how it's easy for us to take things like kleenex for granted. And you can save the other "in person" volunteer opportunities for later.

[Anonymous]

You might have to figure out something on your own.

There is an elderly couple in my neighborhood. My one neighbor and her young kid bring their newspaper to their door every day. I’m sure shoveling / raking for any elderly neighbors would be nice.

You can make bird feeders and feed animals.

At one point I made trail mix bags with kids and brought them to Martha’s Table but I don’t know if they’re doing that anymore.

We live in Fairfax County and there is an organization that collects food for kids to take home on the weekend. My friends have organized things where people sign up to bring food & pack the bags, then someone gives it to the program.

[Anonymous]

I don’t know of any in this area off the top of my head but I will say one volunteer area that toddlers are generally welcomed is with elder care. If you can find a nursing home to volunteer with you can go by and bring holiday cookies, sing carols, and generally bring a bit of family love and attention to residents whose own families are not necessarily able to be there for the holidays. As PPs have mentioned, regularly volunteering time for elder care can definitely be turned into a year-round thing you do together as a family.