Throughout my life, it has always been important to me to be active in my community by volunteering in a variety of settings. Since my son was born in 2007, my family has regularly participated in local family-friendly volunteer opportunities throughout Indiana. By 
volunteering and doing random acts of kindness with my son these opportunities instill compassion, responsibility and an understanding of why it is important to help others.
Below is a list of organizations, listed in alphabetical order by county, offering volunteer opportunities for families and youth of various ages throughout Indiana. I’ve also included a section for national organizations, that you can easily assist from the comfort of your home.
If you know of other organizations that allow families and youth to volunteer, please contact Indy With Kids, so we can add it to our list.
BOONE COUNTY
Morning Dove Therapeutic Riding Inc.
Morning Dove’s focus is to enhance the lives of individuals in the greater Indianapolis area with physical, cognitive, behavioral challenges through equine assisted therapies and activities.
Volunteer Opportunities in Zionsville for families with children ages 14 years and older:
Support with lessons (must be at least 16 years of age)
Grooming and tacking horses
Side walking with a rider
Leading a horse
Office work
Barn work and horse care (must be at least 16 years of age; or, 14 years of age accompanied by a responsible adult)
Contact:
Emily Keenan
317-733-9393
Zionsville Food Pantry
Zionsville Food Pantry serves residents in need throughout Boone County.
Volunteer opportunities for families with children of all ages:
Families sort and distribute food on Thursdays from 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. and Fridays from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. Assistance is also needed with shopping, organizing and unloading items.
Contact:
Food Pantry Team
317-873-8137 ext. 1087
HAMILTON COUNTY
Conner Prairie Interactive History Park
This museum offers an interactive experience to learn about the pioneering days while creating fun learning experiences for families.
Volunteer Opportunities for Youth Between 10 and 18 Years of Age:
Play historical games; lead hands-on activities in costume
Portray a character
Work behind the scenes
Assist with special events
Help care for animals
Contact:
Sarah Morin
317-776-6000 ext. 259
Foster Fairies Inc.
Non-profit organization dedicated to supporting children in foster care, who are receiving services through Child Advocates Inc., by providing for their specific needs and granting special birthday and holiday wishes.
*This organization is located in Fishers where donations are collected, but Foster Fairies helps children who are receiving services through Child Advocates Incorporated located in Indianapolis (Marion County).
Volunteer Opportunities:
Families can donate new items throughout the year for children in need.
Contact:
Aleksandra Pesalj
(317) 413-7766
Good Samaritan Network
Serves the physical, financial and emotional needs of individuals and families throughout Hamilton County
Volunteer Opportunities for Families and Youth of All Ages:
Volunteers are needed year-round to assist with food drives and sort items.
Contact:
Volunteer Services Coordinator
(317) 842-2603
Merging The Gap
A service project where children along with their parents volunteer at Meadow Brook Senior Living located in Fishers with fun monthly activities.
Volunteer Opportunities:
Children of all ages along side with their parents may sign up as often as they would like for monthly activities.
Contact:
Kayleigh Lyell
Merging The Gap
MARION COUNTY
Art With A Heart
Provides hands-on art experiences to educate and inspire at-risk youth.
Volunteer opportunities are available to high school students:
Prepare materials; organize classrooms; photograph art; set up exhibits; work with children, and serve on the Junior Board of Directors.
Contact:
Kaitlyn Aikin
317-602-7222
CHEER – Childhood Hunger Education, Engagement and Reverence
Children and their parents help stock the shelves of the Mid-North Food Pantry and can participate in self-run food drives at their schools, churches, scout groups, etc. For more information visit the following link.
Volunteer opportunities are available for children ages 3-12 and their parents.
Contact:
Erin Vincent
cheer@midnorthfoodpantry.org
CHEER Facebook Page
Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
Commits to create amazing learning experiences that have the power to transform the lives of families.
Volunteer Opportunities for both families and youth between 8-17 years old:
Through a variety of activities, volunteers positively influence youth, support community initiatives and help enhance visitors’ experiences. Family volunteers are placed together as a team, which provides opportunity to spend quality time together while giving back to the community.
Contact:
Family/Youth Online Application Form
(317) 334-4000
Gleaner’s Food Bank of Indiana
Committed to lead the fight against hunger in Central Indiana.
Opportunities for families with children ages 9 years and older:
Volunteers inspect and assemble food baskets, assist with clerical duties, and help stock and organize items.
Contact:
Jessica Barnett
317-829-1764 ext. 156
Humane Society of Indianapolis
Provides services to animals through sheltering and adoption, providing positive reinforcement behavior training through the shelter’s public training classes, and outreach through community programs.
Volunteer Opportunities for Families with Children Ages 8 Years and Older:
Parents and teens are able work directly with the animals.
Children ages 8 and above provide assistance doing laundry, washing dishes and cleaning windows. Families are needed to foster animals as they wait for a permanent home as well.
Contact:
Volunteer Services Coordintor
(317) 872-5650 ext. 106
Indianapolis Zoo
Empower communities, both locally and globally, to advance animal conservation.
Volunteer Opportunities for Teens 14 Years and Older:
Assist with events, gardening and groundskeeping, animal care, serve as a naturalist, and serve on the zoo’s associate council.
Contact:
Volunteer Services Coordinator
317-630-2041
Indy Urban Acres
An organic farm is dedicated to donating 100% of their fresh fruits and vegetables harvested to local food pantries.
Volunteer Opportunities For Families with Children of All Ages:
Families can come to weed, plant, harvest and clean produce. Families can also participate in the volunteering events held on the first Saturday of each month from 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M.
Contact:
Tyler Gough
317-654-4217
Keep Indianapolis Beautiful
Engages diverse communities to create vibrant public areas, helping people and nature thrive.
Volunteer Opportunities For Families with Youth of All Ages:
Plant trees, park clean-up, adopt a block, and assist with public art creation and installation. Visit the online calendar. Volunteer events are added each week.
Contact:
Abby Dennis
317-264-7555 ext. 123
Second Helpings
Offers free Culinary Job Training, Food Rescue & Hunger Relief in Central Indiana
Volunteer Opportunities for Teenagers 16 Years and Older:
Kitchen and on-site tasks.
Family Opportunities Include:
Organize collection drives, work at farmers’ markets, wash and clean the vehicle fleet, and work in the on-site garden.
Ask to be placed on the volunteer call list to be contacted when new projects are added using the contact information below.
Contact:
Mary Parks
317-632-2664 ext. 11
The Villages
The state’s largest not-profit child and family services agency
Volunteer Opportunities for Families (Youth of All Ages Assist Their Parents):
Collect new children’s books, create personal care kits and host gift card drives for those who care for foster children are just a few ways families can help. For more info on opportunities, see the contact information.
Contact:
Sarah Cline
(317) 775-6500
STATE-WIDE VOLUNTEER PLACEMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Best Buddies
Best Buddies matches students with disabilities with middle school, high school and college peers throughout Indiana to mentor and build friendships. An array of activities are scheduled throughout the year.
An e-Buddies program provides a secure and safe online setting where student peers can connect with students who are ten years and older with disabilities in other communities.
Volunteer Opportunities are available to youth in middle school, high school and college.
Contact:
Ryan Sullivan
317-436-8440
Indy Honor Flight
Transports America’s Veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit memorials dedicated to honor their sacrifices.
Volunteer Opportunities for Families (Youth of All Ages Assist Their Parents):
Families can organize personal fundraisers to sponsor a veteran, and they can also participate in creating signs, singing songs and serving refreshments when veterans return to the airport.
Contact:
Volunteer Services Coordinator
317-559-1600
Meals on Wheels
Provides fresh, nutritious meals delivered directly to the homes of seniors and individuals with disabilities throughout that state.
Volunteer Opportunities For Families (Youth of All Ages Assist Their Parents):
Families deliver meals to seniors who are homebound.
Contact:
Volunteer Services Coordinator
317-252-5558
Special Olympics of Indianapolis
Provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in more than 20 olympic-type sports for people with disabilities.
Volunteer Opportunities for Families (Youth of All Ages Assist Their Parents):
Assist with the Young Athletes Program. The program prepares athletes between the ages of two and seven years old for traditional participation in Special Olympics events. Volunteers are needed to peer model and assist athletes during sports practices and events.
Contact:
Rachel Robertson
317-328-2000
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS – VOLUNTEER FROM YOUR HOME
Cards for Hospitalized Kids
International charitable organization that spreads hope, joy & magic to hospitalized children across the nation through uplifting, hand-made cards.
Volunteer Opportunities for Families of All Ages:
Give your time by making cards for children in hospitals around the country. You can even host a card making party and invite your friends and extended-family members to your home or other location such as a public library to create handmade cards together.
Contact:
Cards For Hospitalized Kids
Soldiers’ Angels
National program provides aid and comfort to men and women of the United States Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, their families, and veterans.
Volunteer Opportunities for Families of All Ages:
Team Angels or Verified Angels are volunteers who serve virtually by mail. Soldiers’ Angels has twelve teams you can volunteer with from the comfort of your home anywhere in the world: Deployed Adoptions, Chaplain Support, Special Operations Forces, Angel Bakers, Ladies of Liberty, Letter Writing, Cards Plus, Operation Top Knot, Women of Valor, Living Legends, Sewing, and Adopt-a-Family.
Contact:
Soldiers’ Angels
210-629-0020
If you do not see any volunteer opportunities that interest you on this list, please visit Volunteer Match to find something that does suit your family.