Author: Darnelh Muolic

However, trust me when I say I understand how hard it can be to figure out where to start. As much as I love to get out, involved, and meet the kind people who are out there, I’m an introvert by heart. I still get nervous when I make phone calls or make small talk with people I’ve just met.

It can feel paralyzing at first, but when that happens, you need to calm that voice in your head that’s holding you back. What pushes me to move is remembering the warm, cozy, heart-beaming-with-joy-feeling I get when the day of volunteering is done. 

What usually stops my overthinking is action. Since the thought is there, I make it a point to act on it before it disappears! I put whatever energy I’m feeling into researching organizations in my area listing volunteer opportunities. 

It was when I decided to volunteer at my local soup kitchen that I learned lessons that would shape my mindset around the phenomenon of serving others. These simple adjustments to how I view things has helped me appreciate these experiences even better. It motivates me to want to consistently volunteer. In return, I learned there are benefits to volunteering for the community.

Here’s what I learned:

1. It’s a rewarding experience to share with someone special.

Volunteer experiences are perfect to share with someone you care about. I asked my best friend Chanelle if she could volunteer with me. 

We scheduled a time slot with the Institute for Human Services to serve dinner to the community.. Little did we know, we’d get to learn about the whole ecosystem that it took to prepare this weekly service.

This event took place in the heart of Honolulu where a majority of the city’s homeless population resides. Going into this we knew that we’d be meeting people who were in very difficult places in their lives. 

Upon arriving we entered the gates of the facility and we could already see a line of people forming outside from the small crowd that gathered near the street. We entered another gated office where we had to sign waiver forms. We met the sweetest people. One was a young lady who was a staff member and an older gentleman who introduced himself as a regular volunteer. 

They showed us around the facility. I noticed offices were filled with handmade art, names of the usuals who kept this place running, and their lunches waiting for them when they’d take their break. For us, it was a volunteer experience. For the people we’d work with, it was a family we’d get to know.

After fixing our hair and sanitizing ourselves we met the prep crew in the neatly kept kitchen. Compartments of vegetables, starches, and protein were organized in military-like fashion ready for the beeline of workers to distribute. Reggae music blasted from the kitchen into the dining area as Chanelle and I nicely yelled our names to introduce ourselves to the other volunteers. 

That evening felt like a blur as the dozens of people poured into the mess hall. We churned out plates of food one after another.  By the end of it Chanelle and I smiled at each other seeing that we were able to feed so many people after our one shift.

2. Volunteer work can help students be well rounded.

Although Chanelle and I aren’t in school anymore, I thought that it would’ve been a great opportunity for us if we were students because of the different types of people that we met. From the volunteer coordinator and food specialists to the volunteers that have extensive background in different projects, they offer a wealth of experiences to share with others– especially the younger crowd. 

I’ve learned that in settings like this, the common goal of helping others brings together loads of people who are kind and wanting to connect. When you are curious and willing to learn, you are bound to get experiences you will never forget.

3. You get to “screenshot” special moments.

That day we met so many people, but I won’t ever forget how they made me feel. I like to keep these as moments I “screenshot” in my head. 

I remember the thunderous laugh of the head kitchen staff lady who cracked jokes throughout the evening. I still smile when I think of the kind older gentleman who spoke to the patrons as if he had known them for years. 

These are the kinds of memories that I can save for later as inspiration when I’m searching for new volunteer opportunities.  

4. Smile in every moment.

Even if we were there just for a few hours, we wanted to be as attentive and accommodating to the staff and the people we served. Life is too short not to show every ounce of goodness inside of you to others who really need it. 

Although we were physically distant from the people we served, I made it a point to smile so hard my eyes looked like they were closed. Most of the people took the food and left without a word. But it was the very few, “God bless you”’s and “thank you”’s, that put the cherry on top of the whole experience.  

5. There are health benefits from volunteering.

It’s giving your time to another human being or a cause that is bigger than yourself. It’s a transaction of time and fulfillment that you can’t put a price on. These experiences help boost your serotonin levels, aka happy chemicals. 

Send that email. Text that friend. Make that move, and let kindness move you.

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About the author:

Adara Pineda is a staff writer at INC Media. She has been involved in INC Giving volunteer activities since she was 13 in her hometown of Honolulu, Hawaii. She loves helping the young children in her local congregation of the Church Of Christ Honolulu. Adara also loves to take long drives to admire the scenic views on Oahu on her way to her favorite beach spots to enjoy a good spicy ahi bowl.

An easy-to-follow guide to creating your own community event  

In 2020, during the height of the pandemic, news headlines were all about food insecurities and food shortages. It was around that time that my sister Joy and I had started volunteering with TCV Foodbank in Fremont, California, once a week.  

During the couple of hours spent handing out food, I started to notice that a lot of people were driving by with pets in their cars. You can tell some of these folks lived in their cars and their pets were their most precious possession. And so, I asked TriCity Foodbank if they’d ever had a Pet Food Drive before. They said they’ve always wanted one but just didn’t have someone to coordinate it and make it happen. And with that greenlight, I raised my hand and volunteered for the challenge. 

Finding the Opportunity 

But before I get into the nitty-gritty details, I want to tell you a bit about the TriCity Foodbank and the wonderful work they’re doing. The mission of the foodbank is to eliminate hunger and promote financial self-sufficiency in Alameda County, by distributing food and providing volunteer opportunities to improve the quality of life for all in our community.  Currently the food bank serves about 6,000 families. 

I was first introduced to the foodbank during one of the community service projects our church (Church Of Christ) did, which was coordinated by my sister Joy. And from there she found out that they were always looking for volunteers to help in their daily food drive where people can get the help that they needed with a bag of groceries that they can get in their trunks every day. 

The four-legged inspiration behind the food drive 

So, as Joy and I volunteered, I could feel the gentle tug at my heart strings with every car that passed by with pets. As a fur mom myself, I knew exactly how pets can change people’s lives. Koopa, our nearly 2-year-old puppy at that time, had become the baby in our family. Having him around especially during the first few months of the strict lockdown made the uncertainty a bit more bearable.  

I wanted that same feeling for the fur-families I was seeing at the food bank. 

Steps to organizing the food drive 

So with Koopa, aka our muse, and friends who loved Koopa just as much as we did, I knew that I could gather enough pet food donations to hold a pet food drive.  

Here are the steps that it took to sponsor a pet food drive and how we pulled it off in less than two months: 

1. Contact your local food bank to see if they’d be interested in doing a Pet Food Drive. If the answer is yes, find out a date that they would like to hold it on, that way, you’ll know how much time you must gather donations. 
2. Create a social media post to promote the Pet Food Drive. Include the details of what donations you’re looking for. Indicate if you’re looking for both dog and cat food, treats, dry or wet food, etc. I used a free design app called Canva where they already have pet themed templates.  
3. Post your graphic on your social media and watch all the interests pour in.  

Pro-Tip: I found that some would rather Venmo me, especially those that don’t live near us but there were some who asked, “when can I drop off the donations?” 

4. Reach out for more donations. Create a list of all your local pet store chains near you and start calling and see if they’d be willing to donate. What I found out was most pet store chains do quarterly donations to pet shelters. There were some who said they had just donated but to call in a month or a few weeks. Most pet stores will also have overstock of certain pet food.  

Here’s a script I used when I called Pet Stores that you can try, and make sure when you call, ask for the store manager: “Hi, I’m Aliw, I’m a volunteer at Tri City Foodbank in Fremont and we’re holding a Pet Food Drive, what pet food would _______ (name the store) like to donate?”  

Don’t ask them ‘if’ they’d like to donate, go straight to what they’d like to donate that way you lead with an open ended question that will lead to an open conversation, instead of a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer. In the end, I was able to get 7 bags of pet food donations along with treats from local pet food stores which were their surplus stock inventory.  

5. Keep everyone excited!  With each donation I received, whether it be a trip I made to the store and hauled 2 bags of cat food, I took a picture and posted it on my social media account and tagged the people whose funds I used. It was my “thank you” post but it was also my continued promotion to the upcoming Pet Food Drive to show people that they can still donate.   

Soon enough, our garage started to look like a pet food store with all the bags of

donations we were receiving. I was thrilled. I also kept Tri City Food Bank updated with the progress by letting them know how many donations we had received and roughly how many bags we would be able to hand out. 

6. Be sure to have promotions done by the food bank you’re working with as well. Tri City Food Bank posted promos on their social media accounts about the upcoming pet food drive.  

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7. A week before the pet food drive, I asked a few friends and family to come and help us pack the food. Here are essentials in packing: 
   1. Bought a lot of 1 gallon zip lock bags. 
   2. Created labels for “Cat Food” and “Dog Food” and of course put a picture of our own ‘Koopa’ on the sticker, along with the INCGIVING.ORG website for people to check out upon receiving our donations. 
   3. Pizza and snacks for the packing crew to make the packing fun.  
   4. As the day of the drive got closer, I asked friends who were all pet lovers as well who would be interested in helping us pass out the pet food, and asked them to all wear their INCGiving shirts. And soon, we had enough volunteers for the whole day.
       

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And on the day of the Pet Food Drive, the food bank placed our table right at the entrance of the driveway. Koopa did his part too. Looking handsome with a bandana around his neck, he greeted cars as they entered.  

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People rolled down their windows and asked to confirm if the dog food was free. Sometimes, it would take a second for them to realize that free pet food was part of the day’s donations they could receive. 

Some had their pets with them and Koopa gladly ran up to their cars to say hello. Within two hours or so, our supply began to dwindle. I must say, I was surprised on how many more cat owners there were than dog owners. The cat food went by quick, along with the cat litter and canned food that the Tri City Foodbank had which had been donated by others.  

In the end, we were able to pack 300 bags of pet food and served over 200 families in one day.  

In the end, our family felt good that we were able to put a little project together to help families that loved their pets as much as we did ours but were going through hard times. If there’s one thing we learned, it doesn’t take much to help, just a bit of time and finding others who are willing to do the same and give a piece of their hearts as well.  

Now it’s your turn! 

Is there something you are passionate about that could help someone in your community? Do a quick search online and find ideas on how  to create a community event on your own.  Once you come up with an idea, let us know! We’d love to stay connected and follow you as you organize your own community service event. 

You don’t need too many people to make a difference. Sometimes all you need is an idea. 

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ABOUT THE WRITER: 

Aliw Pablo is the supervising producer at INCMedia.org and host of Making Changes podcast. She’s a fur mom who isn’t shy to admit that she spoils her beloved Koopa.  Aliw enjoys learning from podcasts, writing and spending time with her husband and their two children and puppy. 

“Enjoy what you do and it will never be work.” We’ve all heard that saying. This typically applies to a career path or job choice. But I think it just as easily applies to volunteering. Most people would consider a full day at a construction site; climbing ladders, painting, hammering, and cutting, as doing “work.” But lucky for me, I enjoy helping in that way. So when I heard there was an opportunity to help with Habitat for Humanity in a nearby city, I signed up along with some friends! It was one of my favorite volunteer opportunities. Here are the top 5 things I learned volunteering at Habitat For Humanity.

The need is there

I live in California and you don’t have to travel far to see the need for housing. The housing crisis has worsened each year with more and more finding themselves homeless. While there are some more immediate solutions for individuals, housing for an entire family can be more challenging to come by. For some, it is practically impossible. While registering to volunteer, I learned that the homes I would be helping with were going to military veterans and their families. I have friends and family that are military veterans. So this opportunity hit a bit closer to home and made it even more fulfilling because I was familiar with some of the challenges veterans and their families face.

Friends make the experience even better

I must admit, I am a bit of an introvert. So when it comes to doing hands-on work like cutting, building, and painting, I tend to like being on my own. I like to focus on the task and enjoy the momentary solitude. But having friends work on such an awesome project, alongside me was really special. It was a day filled with paint splatters, shared laughter, and a lot of silly moments. It was a day we could reflect on happily for years to come. It was also special because I was reminded that my friends and I shared the same values and really connected on a level beyond the laughter and silliness of friendship. We were there together working hard to make the most of this opportunity–not for recognition or even peer pressure. It was a need we recognized and an opportunity to help some local families whom we wouldn’t have normally had the chance to help.

There is always something new to learn

Who knew you could learn new skills by volunteering? As mentioned, I enjoy this type of work–cutting, measuring, painting, assembling, climbing ladders. It’s great! But as familiar as I was with many of the tasks we were given, there were still a lot of things I learned. For the things I was familiar with, I found more efficient or effective ways to do it. I also learned how to do things I had never done before. For example, I had never painted the high portions of the walls along a stairwell. I never thought of how painters painted the spaces beyond their reach. I assumed a really long pole and a paint roller would do the trick. While that works in some cases, if you want a closer look and more thorough coverage, you have to get a bit closer. But how do you get closer? A ladder or two and a very thick wooden plank to walk on! With the use of the existing steps of the stairs and an adjustment to one set of legs on the ladder, a scaffolding can be created that easily adjusts  along the steps, bringing us safely closer to the harder-to-reach sections of the walls. 

There is always someone new to meet

Another really fun aspect of volunteering with Habitat For Humanity was meeting new people that shared a common goal. I’ve established that it was a lot of fun working with my friends, but it was also fun meeting these new people who were also on the construction site. Some were actual construction workers and home builders–actual experts. It was great picking their brain and learning what methods they used in accomplishing everything on our task list for the day. I thoroughly enjoyed all the technical lingo being thrown around. But just as there were experts from the field, there were those just as inexperienced as my friends and I; and we learned from them that there are other creative ways to successfully accomplish the tasks on our list. I really valued their out-of-the-box thinking and have held on to many of the things I learned from them and apply it even to my daily life. It truly shows that, beyond gaining technical knowledge, there are life lessons learned by volunteering.

Time well spent

Helping others, in ways big and small, is never a waste. On an individual level and as a team, we gained so much. We ended that day with a better understanding of how volunteer efforts like this truly make a difference. There is always something from an experience that will help us grow. We started bright and early at 7am and ended the day at 3pm. It was a full day of work. But since I enjoyed it so much, it really was just a full day of helping, friendship, laughter and learning. By all accounts, it was a day well spent and one I wouldn’t hesitate to do again. 

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About the Author:

Nan Zapanta is the host of Blueprint and is a producer at incmedia.org.

Every year new grads are faced with the predicament of needing the experience to land their first job. The problem is they don’t have a job to gain the experience they need. Tricky, right?

This year is no different. After starting the year in the strongest job market in 50 years, recent college grads now face an uphill battle when it comes to landing their dream job out of college due to the global pandemic. 

Consider the following:

• The unemployment rate for young people age 20 to 24 was 12.5% in September, the highest among adults.
• As of October, eleven million people remain unemployed, about twice the number in February.
• Job postings remain well below pre-pandemic levels.

While it’s easy to get caught up worrying about the stats and the current economy, here’s how you can gain valuable experience to build your resume and make a difference through volunteering. 

Three Ways Volunteer Experience Helps New Grads 

1. Gain experience and Do Good

Most non-profit organizations have a similar structure as the companies you’ve been sending applications to — human resources, digital media, marketing finance, IT, project management, etc. But while the corporation you want to work for has a budget to hire, many non-profits look to volunteers to help with their day-to-day operations.

Reach out to an organization you care about and volunteer. Whether it’s writing thank you letters to donors, helping manage their social media presence, or even helping design their website, there’s an opportunity to gain relevant experience and develop your skills while supporting an organization that matters to you.

2. An Opportunity to Network

Your fellow volunteers might be hiring managers, directors, entrepreneurs, etc. Having the opportunity to work side by side with them is an opportunity for you to create meaningful connections with like-minded individuals who may one day help you connect with a dream job or mentor you. 

Plus, when you’re volunteering, the atmosphere tends to be more relaxed, allowing you the opportunity to shine without the pressure to impress.

3. Helps with Your Stress Levels

Looking for a job can be stressful. You’re worried about paying back college loans, paying rent, and it’s easy to get caught up and stress yourself out. Volunteering helps you counter that by your brain releasing happy chemicals also known as dopamine, oxytocin, endorphin, and serotonin when you volunteer. 

According to the Mayo Clinic Health System, when we boost these chemicals in our brains, it helps to “decrease blood pressure and cortisol, a stress hormone that directly impacts stress levels” and you end up with those special, deep, and touching moments.

As you can see, while going out into your community to do good is useful in developing your resume and experience, volunteering can also help improve your well-being, especially when uncertainty about the future is causing increased anxiety and stress. 

Here’s how you can get started.

How to Gain Valuable Experience through Volunteering

1. Reach out to non-profits you care about and offer you help.

Maybe it’s an organization you’ve worked within the past or one you’ve admired from afar. Reach out and see what volunteer opportunities they currently have and how you can sign up. 

Pro-Tip: Regularly volunteering with the same organization can help you establish relationships with organizers and open up many more opportunities that may not be listed on their website.  

2. Look around your neighborhood

Sometimes the opportunity to help is just around the corner. When the pandemic hit in 2020,  INC Giving volunteers, Natalie Fitzpatrick from Surrey, British Columbia, and Kesha Marges from New York City discovered that they didn’t need to go too far to find individuals to help. With neighbors unable to leave their homes due to the coronavirus, Natalie and Kesha took it upon themselves to pitch in and volunteer.

Learn more about what Natalie and Kesha did and see how you can do it in your neighborhood. 

3. Get Creative and Create Your Opportunities 

Maybe you haven’t had the opportunity to volunteer yet, or you’re not sure where to start, but that shouldn’t stop you from creating an opportunity that brings together your interests and what you studied in school. 

Take, for example, Sharlene Oca, a young teacher who took it upon herself to set up a Storytime Online when the shutdown started and kids weren’t able to go to school. Or Josh Menachen, a young chef in New York who used his culinary skills to feed those on the front lines. 

Thinking outside the box and creating opportunities to do good can highlight soft skills your future employers are looking for like initiative, creative thinking, and problem-solving. 

It might take time for the economy and job market to get back to what it was pre-covid, but it doesn’t mean you need to sit and wait for that moment to come to work on your resume. Go out there and volunteer! While you’re out spreading kindness, you’ll be doing something to help your development. How great is that?

We’d love to hear how you’re making a difference in your community. Send us your story or post it on social media and use #incgiving and #makekindnesscontagious in your post. 

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About the Writer:

Renezen Benedicto is a web content producer for INCMedia.org. She’s a long-time INC Giving volunteer and loves helping local organizations like Muttville and Back on My Feet.

I love this time of year. 

Enjoying the great weather, drinking hot lattes, wearing sweaters, and volunteering with Special Olympics Northern California, has always made winter my favorite season. I loved spending my weekends wearing my INC Giving hoodie and running around Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, cheering and coaching athletes during the soccer season. Unfortunately, with Covid-19 cases still on the rise and social distancing guidelines, soccer won’t be happening for a while. 

However, not all opportunities to volunteer and help the community are on hold this year.

In fact, like many organizations, non-profits have taken the opportunity to pivot and shift some options online. All you need is a computer, an internet connection, and a passion for helping others.

Five Virtual Volunteering Opportunities and Where to Find Them

1. Mock Interviews for Job Seekers

Sign up with organizations that train students and job seekers to prepare for job interviews. Volunteering to conduct virtual mock interviews is a great way to help individuals prepare for interviews that will be conducted online.

Look up job training organizations in your area to find opportunities to help with mock interviews and even to review resumes. 

2. Connect with Seniors and Home-bound Individuals

The ongoing pandemic has left seniors even more isolated from the world, leading to higher levels of loneliness and anxiety among the elderly. To help reach out and connect with this at-risk population, volunteers call seniors and home-bound residents once a week to check-in and see how they’re doing. 

Research local organizations working with seniors before the pandemic, and see how they’re staying connected and how you can help. 

3. Contribute Your Language Skills

If you’re fluent in another language, volunteer to translate documents so they can be accessible for others. The process is simple. Follow the steps to become a certified translator and claim your first assignment with Translators without Borders.

4. Use Your Writing Skills for Good

Non-profits depend on clear communication with donors, volunteers, and their community to keep their organization going. Volunteer your time to write thank-you notes, help organizations tell their inspiring stories or help create engaging social media posts. 
These opportunities might not be listed online, so don’t hesitate to reach out and offer your help. 

5. Help Blind or Low-Vision Individuals

Sign up to be on call on Be My Eyes, a free app that connects volunteers with blind or low-vision individuals who need help to tackle challenges and solve problems through a live video call. 

From helping someone find something they dropped on the floor to helping read birthday cards,  the opportunities can happen anywhere and anytime. 

Spread Kindness and Connect Online

While volunteering online feels like you’re missing out on the vital face-to-face component, I’ve found that these virtual opportunities allow you to connect in a way that wasn’t always available in person or in large groups. 

I recently joined a group of volunteers to conduct mock interviews, review LinkedIn Profiles, and give feedback to trainees going through the Computer Technologies Program in Berkeley. Computer Technologies Program (CTP) provides people with disabilities for professional employment by providing technical training, coaching, and associated services. With breakout sessions and one-on-one feedback sessions built into the virtual event, we got the chance to provide much-needed support to individuals looking for help to move forward in their new careers. 

And as a volunteer, the opportunity was both a rewarding and humbling experience. 

Look for Virtual Opportunities that Interest You

With more and more organizations moving opportunities online, there is probably an opportunity that fits your passion and interest. Reach out to an organization you’re familiar with or try any of the options we listed above.
We’d love to hear how you’re volunteering online. Send us your story or post it online using #incgiving and #makekindnesscontagious, and let’s do our part in spreading kindness.

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About the Writer:

Renezen Benedicto is a web content producer for INCMedia.org. She’s a long-time INC Giving volunteer and loves helping local organizations like Muttville and Back on My Feet.