Holiday Volunteer Opportunities for High Schoolers

The holidays are a perfect time for students to volunteer for (or lead) service opportunities. Here are some ways students can get involved with their communities (click the links for more information about each organization).

NEW YORK

• Organize a NY Cares coat drive. Students can collect coats from friends and neighbors and drop them off at different locations in New York City. They can put drop boxes in their buildings or other locations.

• Host a food, toiletries, or clothing drive for the Bowery Mission. Teens can also put together Practical Care Kits. Make sure to consult their list of accepted items.

• City Meals on Wheels has volunteer opportunities ranging from card and letter writing to kitchen help and meal delivery.

• Support LGBTQ+ homeless youth by organizing a toiletries drive for New Alternatives.

• Want to help animals? Best Friends has volunteer and foster opportunities in New York and around the country.

NATIONWIDE

• Toys for Tots organizes toy drives all over the U.S. Students can collect toys and use the website to find drop boxes in their neighborhood. They can consider organizing a location to be a drop-off spot.

• Petfinder can help students find local animal shelters where they can volunteer or donate blankets and other items. The holiday season is a great time to organize a collection.

• Volunteer at a food bank. Feeding America has volunteer and donation information for food banks nationwide. They also have instructions for planning a canned food drive.

• Room to Grow makes it easy to host a collection drive for baby and toddler items. Items can be shipped to their locations in New York or Boston from anywhere.

There are many other organizations doing wonderful work. Students should investigate different opportunities and decide which organization is right for them.

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