Jan. 13 may seem like an arbitrary date that’s still far away, but believe it or not, this very important date is creeping up rather quickly. Jan. 13 marks the end of first semester, which means for sophomores and seniors, a huge chunk of service learning hours are due. Seniors must have twenty completed, and sophomores fifteen. If you’re among the many students who still need to fulfill this requirement, this deadline could mean trouble. Here are some ideas for last-minute volunteer projects you can get done easily before the big date arrives.
1.) Child care/babysitting.
Most churches have a daycare room where younger children can go while their parents are in a church service. Many of these churches are always looking for volunteers to help watch, care for, and play with the children during those times. “I watched some kids under the age of 7 for a few hours at church,” says sophomore Elyse Howard. “It was good. I like working with children.” Even if you don’t have a church you regularly go to, many churches are welcoming and will let you help out to fulfill your service hours. If there’s a church near your house, don’t hesitate to give them a call and see if they have any childcare positions available. If you love young children, this an easy and fun way to get your hours done.
2.) The Family Museum
The Family Museum is a great place to get service hours because they are among of the few places who allow you to sign up for as many hours as you’d like, meaning if you’re in a pinch, you can stock up on hours and power through it all within a week or two. Whether you help out with the occasional seasonal events they have for kids (many of them being kids’ crafts), or if you are just a regular volunteer who helps tidy up the toys after the kids are done playing, the Family Museum offers many volunteer opportunities that could satisfy anyone’s needs. If you like kids, or if you like crafts, the Family Museum might be the perfect place for you.
3.) Animal Shelters
Animal shelters are also one of the best places to get service hours done quickly. Just like the Family Museum, many animal shelters will let you sign up for as many hours as you can handle. Animal shelters are always in need of volunteers to help feed, clean up after, walk, and simply just love the pets. If you’re an animal person, or if you at least have a dog or cat or are familiar with them, the animal shelter is an ideal place to not only get your hours done, but also give love to pets who are in need of a home. Some people are afraid cleaning up after animals would be a dirty and smelly job, but in reality, it’s not bad at all and is no different, if not easier, than changing diapers for young toddlers. There are many animal shelters around the QC, so do a little research and find one that suits you. King’s Harvest Pet Rescue or QC Pets are great options.
4.) The YMCA
The YMCA is a great place to get last-minute service hours while doing a variety of quick and easy jobs. W.T. Grampp, advisory board member of the Utica Ridge YMCA says, “The YMCA is a great place to volunteer because of the vast array of services they deliver to the community. Around 20% of the services the Y delivers is staffed by volunteers.” The YMCA holds many special events volunteers can work at, but they also offer day-to-day regular volunteer positions high school students can apply for. At the Bettendorf YMCA, volunteers complete tasks such as shoveling snow in the winter, doing laundry, checking to see if the locker rooms are clean, wash windows, vacuum the entryway, and other minor housekeeping jobs. The YMCA is a great way to get hours done if you’re not interested in working with children or animals.
5.) The elderly
If you’re someone who is patient and enjoys helping others out, volunteering in a retirement home is a great option. Many retirement homes are always in need of volunteers to help serve food in the cafeteria and keep things tidy, but some retirement communities are also looking for high school students who are willing to spend time with residents by helping with craft nights, reading, or even playing games with some of them. The Fountains Senior Living off of Devil’s Glen Road in Bettendorf is a nearby and excellent place that offers such activities with elderly men and women. The residents are always happy to spend time with teenagers, especially if their own grandchildren are grown-up or live far away. It’s a great opportunity to get some service learning hours done without feeling like you’re working at all.
If none of these options suit you, remember that there are countless more volunteer opportunities around the Quad Cities. With a little research, you’re bound to find an opportunity that’s perfect for you!
