We actually do want to volunteer. Really.

March 25, 2009 3:28 PM

I need to organize a group volunteer project for work.

The problem is we have a number of restrictions and I need inspiration.

Requirements:
We can only have a one-day event
We only have six people available to volunteer
The project must benefit children


Limiting factors:
We can't have a fundraiser
The project cannot be physically strenuous
We cannot provide tutoring
The activity cannot involve terminally ill children or special olympics (we already have existing programs in place)

Who knew six people could have so many limiting factors?

Thoughts? Anybody? For extra fun, we're located in South Bay and something local would be ideal.

HALP!

posted by Space Kitty to grab bag (8 comments total)

Clean up a local playground?
posted by otherwordlyglow at 4:11 PM on March 25

Host a bake sale to raise money for a school, seek out companies who have supplies they'd like to donate to schools, offer to paint a ratty school building or classroom, plant a garden at a school. Call principals at local schools and ask if they have any work/projects they need help with.

Is there something you can do to raise money to buy books for kids, e.g., a walk-a-thon or some such?
posted by HotPatatta at 6:37 PM on March 25

No fundraisers? Darn. Nix the bake sale and walk-a-thon. Do any of you have special skills that would benefit or entertain kids?
posted by HotPatatta at 6:39 PM on March 25

What is your job? Could you hold an event to do with careers or confidence building and link that to your job? What kind of kids do you want to benefit from this? (kids with disabilities, disadvantaged kids, kids in care, kids involved in crime, etc). What equipment /resources do you have at your disposal? I might have some ideas if you could answer those questions :)
posted by lemonpillows at 7:13 PM on March 25

Are there any Children's Festivals in your area? Children's Theater Festival, Children's Film Festival, Children's Book Festival, Children's Music Festival, etc? These tend to be shortish events that need a huge influx of volunteers on the day of for everything from trash collecting to ticket taking to performer introducing.
posted by jacquilynne at 9:18 PM on March 25

Call the local United Way and tell them you have volunteers and these are the parameters. This is exactly what they do.
posted by Miko at 9:32 PM on March 25

I second the United Way suggestion. Nobody likes to turn away volunteers, I'm sure they know someone in your community that can use your group.
posted by carpyful at 12:16 AM on March 26

Thanks for all your answers - as it happens, we STILL haven't had the team meeting to discuss this. However, other folks in the team have picked up the slack, so I'll be taking a back seat on organizing & will show up where/when I'm told.
posted by Space Kitty at 2:25 PM on April 25