Volunteer Opportunities 4 Families in Des Moines

Volunteer Opportunities 4 Families in Des Moines

Volunteering is a great way to teach kids about giving back to their community and helping others.  It’s also a great opportunity for families to share new experiences that will bring them closer. 

I talk to a lot of families who express an interest in volunteering, but are not sure where they can volunteer, or if kids, especially younger kids, are even allowed to volunteer.  There are literally hundreds of mission driven non-profit organizations in the Des Moines metro area.  These organizations have a number of volunteer opportunities that are suitable to families.

Do a little brainstorming to see what types of projects each family member would enjoy.  If you’re outdoorsy, a local clean-up project might be appealing.  Do you have an animal lover?  Working at a local animal shelter might be a good option.  Fortunately, there’s a volunteer opportunity out there for every family, no matter what your age or interests.

Once you decide on the type of mission you’re interested in, check out the listings below to find an organization where you can start volunteering at today.

United Way of Central Iowa

The United Way of Central Iowa’s mission is to improve lives by uniting the caring power of our community.  They have a Volunteer Matching Site, which allows you to search for one-time or ongoing volunteer opportunities for yourself, co-workers, groups or family in Polk, Dallas and Warren counties.

Volunteer Iowa

Since many people looking for volunteer opportunities begin their search online, the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service (Volunteer Iowa) has instituted a statewide Volunteer Solutions system.  By using this registration system, potential volunteers can enter their area of interest and the geographic area they would like to serve and instantly see a list of organizations that are currently looking for volunteers.

Volunteer Match

Volunteer Match is a non-profit organization best known for its web services.  They aim to strengthen communities by making it easier for people to find good causes by providing volunteer information and listings in your local community.

Have you had a good family volunteering experience?  Tell us about it in the comments below.