USA.gov lists volunteering as one of the most popular New Year's resolutions. Here are some volunteer opportunities to get you started...
(List originally compiled by Ria Manglapus of The Washington Post).
For more volunteer opportunities, visit: Volunteer Alexandria
Alexandria Book Shelf, a citywide literacy program, seeks books for children at FACE, Child and Family Network centers, Alive! Child Development centers and more. Donations may be dropped off at ACT for Alexandria, 1421 Prince St., 2nd floor; Hooray for Books, 1555 King St.; Mount Vernon Recreation Center, 2701 Commonwealth Ave., CrossFit, 805 N. Royal St.; and Local Motion Studio, 2377 S. Dove St., Alexandria. 703-622-0965.
Mutt Love Rescue seeks foster homes for rescued dogs. www.muttloverescue.org.adopt@muttloverescue.org or 703-577-0106.
ReSET seeks volunteers to lead elementary students in hands-on science and math projects. www.resetonline.org.reset@resetonline.org or 703-250-0236.
Travelers Aid seeks volunteers to staff airport information desks and provide tourism information. Must commit to six months. Training, parking provided.travelersaiddca@mwaa.com or 703-417-3975.
TreeStewards is accepting applications for the volunteer training class Feb. 11-April 29 at Fairlington Community Center. To apply online, visit www.treestewards.org and e-mail the materials to info@treestewards.org.
Virginia Hospital Center Auxiliary in Arlington offers opportunities to help on information desks, the surgical center and in gift shops. 703-558-6401.
Volunteer Alexandria: Call the numbers below or contact Volunteer Alexandria at 703-836-2176, mail@volunteeralexandria.org or www.volunteeralexandria.org for information on the following opportunities:
Alexandria Black History Museum seeks a reception volunteer. 703-746-4356.
Alexandria Sheriff’s Office offers volunteer opportunities.cherye.echane@alexandriava.gov or 703-746-5079.
Alexandria Tutoring Consortium needs tutors for kindergarten and first-grade students. Must commit to once or twice a week through May. Training and lesson plans provided.www.alexandriatutors.org. 703-549-6670, Ext. 119.
Alexandria Visitors Center at Ramsay House needs tour volunteers.rcardone@visitalexva.com or 703-746-3313.
American Cancer Society Road to Recovery Program seeks drivers to take cancer patients to and from appointments. www.cancer.org. brenda.silvia-torma@cancer.org or 800-227-2345.
Casa Chirilagua seeks tutors, mentors and leaders for fundraising and networking events.sarah@casachirilagua.org or 703-933-3688.
Center for Alexandria’s Children needs play-group facilitators. www.alexandriava.gov.cstoltz@centerforalexandriaschildren.org or 703-746-6043.
City of Alexandria Domestic Violence Program seeks shelter and children’s support group volunteers, weekend coverage and help with children’s activities on Tuesdays at a women’s shelter. Must complete 40 hours of training. jen.clayton@alexandriava.gov or 703-746-4911.
Community Lodgings needs volunteers for the after-school program. To apply, go tocommunitylodgings.org.
Computer Core seeks career development coaches. holly@computercore.org or 703-931-7346, Ext. 104.
Empowered Women International (EWI) needs entrepreneur mentors and financial advisers. ewint.org/contribute/volunteer. virlen@ewint.org or 571-312-4781.
Family Nutrition Program needs an instructor to facilitate the curriculum. Training and supplies provided. mmauer@vt.edu.
Gadsby’s Tavern Museum needs tour guides. 703-746-4242.
King Street Cats needs cleaners and feeders. Adoption counselors are also needed on weekends. contact@kingstreetcats.org or 703-321-7199.
Lee-Fendall House Museum offers volunteer opportunities.jchristiansen@leefendallhouse.org or 703-548-1789.
The Lyceum needs volunteers for visitor services and the museum shop. 703-746-4994.
Mental Health Anti-Stigma HOPE Campaign of the Partnership for a Healthier Alexandria Committee seeks members. The committee meets at 4 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month. maweber@comcast.net.
National Organization for Victim Assistance seeks advocate certification volunteers.LizHariton@trynova.org or 703-535-6682.
New Hope Housing needs a front desk receptionist and a volunteer to help shelter residents develop résumés. cbramante@newhopehousing.org.
Senior Services of Alexandria needs volunteers to visit seniors for an hour, once a week.resourcecenter@seniorservices.org or 703-836-4414, Ext. 13.
Senior Services of Alexandria Meals on Wheels seeks delivery volunteers and teams.mealsonwheels@seniorservicesalex.org or 703-836-4414, Ext. 12.
Sexual Assault Center seeks hotline volunteers. To apply, visitwww.alexandriava.gov/volunteer. stephanie.shea@alexandriava.gov or 703-746-3127.
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) needs court-appointed special advocates.info@scanva.org or 703-820-9001.
RSVP Northern Virginia will hold orientations from 2-3 p.m. Jan. 16 and Feb. 20 at Charles E. Beatley Library, 5005 Duke St., Alexandria. To register, go towww.volunteerfairfax.org/individuals/rsvp.php. 703-403-5360.
Volunteer Alexandria’s Snow Buddies Program needs volunteers who will be matched with city residents who are low-income homeowners, elderly or disabled, and who are registered with Alexandria’s office of citizen assistance. Must sign a liability waiver. To sign up, visit handsonconnect.volunteeralexandria.org.
Wright To Read needs literacy tutors/mentors for elementary students. Must attend orientation and training sessions and pass a criminal background screening.www.wrighttoread.org or lreyes.wtr@gmail.com.
Volunteer Arlington: Call the numbers listed below, or contact Volunteer Arlington by calling 703-228-1760 or visit www.arlingtonva.us/volunteer for information about the following opportunities:
Arlington Transit seeks individuals, groups or businesses to participate in the Adopt-a-Stop program, agreeing to keep an ART bus stop clean. 703-228-0638.
Communities in Schools of Northern Virginia seeks volunteers to distribute groceries to students at the Arlington Career Center, 1-4 p.m. Wednesdays. 703-228-8694.
CrisisLink seeks crisis hotline volunteers. Three-hour shifts, once a week, are available from 6 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays; 8 a.m.-midnight weekends; and 9 p.m.-2 a.m. late nights. Must pass a screening process; and 50-hour training starts Feb. 1. volunteer@crisislink.orgor 703-516-6778.
RSVP Northern Virginia will hold an orientation, 11 a.m. Jan. 22, Shirlington Branch Library. www.volunteerfairfax.org/individuals/rsvp.php. 703-403-5360.
Virginia Cooperative Extension offers a Master Food Volunteers Program. Participants receive a 24-hour training on basic nutrition, meal planning, cooking techniques, food safety and working with diverse audiences; and in return must commit to 30 hours of volunteer service within one year of the training. Training sessions begin March 7 in Arlington. Apply by Jan. 15 by visiting http://handsonconnect.volunteeralexandria.org.
— Compiled by Ria Manglapus