Need Creative Ideas for Volunteer Group! Got any?

If your group is handy with their hands, have any home maintenance or construction skills, and enjoy working outdoors, I recommend Habitat for Humanity. This is one of the most heart warming and rewarding charitable efforts there is.

If you want to do something that is your own group's project, here is one that gets a good write-up in the newspaper every year and is a true kindness for senior homeowners.

Have you given any thought to the Adopt-a-Highway program? In many cases, coporate sponsorship is available for Adopt-a-Highway groups, defraying or even fully assuming the costs of safety vests, trash bags, and such. Your organization would get highly visible signs along your chosen section of road, too. I'd look into that. Besides, its a great program. Contact your state's Highway Department for more info.

These are great ideas!

Here's one that can spread positive word of mouth with minimal expense.

Do light yard, around the house chores for the elderly. Clean a gutter, flush a downspout, rake a yard, clean out a garage. They will spread your name like wildfire to family, friends, churches (which harbor people)... These old folks are so forgotten. The job would be so useful, and the PR should be great.

In addition to the word of mouth, and possibly leaving a 'business card', you could erect a little sign to plant in the front yard as you work--

Yard Improvements
courtesy of
Our Group
Phone number.

Thanks guys. I do want it to be a project of our own, much as I love Habitat for Humanity, et. al.
The people who will be volunteering with me are people who receive supportive services from the agency, and they have very few real skills. We hope to change that in the course of this project.
So far, all I'm coming up with are town-beautification projects, which is good, but I like variety. I imagine we'll also be lending a hand during community-wide events, collecting tickets and so forth during town fair, etc.
Thanks for your input. I appreciate it!

No time just now but I recently went through a similar experience and I'll be back later to share tips!

How about a blood drive Suzy? Set it up in a church or community center--these will almost always cooperate. The local blood bank or Red Cross will furnish the nurses to draw the blood - your group gets out the flyers and drags people screaming and kicking in to be siphoned

The only skills you need are the ability to walk the neighborhood and put door hangers (flyers) on the doors and notices under windshields. It helps to get the hosting organization to buck up their members too.

I head up a volunteer group in the Boston area so I may be able to give you some suggestions. If you want outdoor work and like animals, contact ZooNewEngland. They have projects for groups to help plant, and do garden work at the Franklin Park Zoo. We had a great time working with them. With many cut backs the Zoo was hit hard. I would look up many other types of organizations and local charities- the United Way would be able to direct you. Boston Senior Home Care has many elderly home care apartments for those on a fixed budget. They organize lots of volunteer projects including yard work around the apartment buildings. Many of these organizations will put you in their newsletter stating your organizations help.

As far as any additional sponsorships, you could contact any vendors that you work with - that is the best resource. It is much easier to get additional sponsorship from other companies where you already have a relationship with. Another thought, try contacting a T shirt place and see if by including their name on the Tshirt, they will give you a discount. Also, if you need to purchase any supplies, always tell the vendor what charity project you are working on, typically they will give you a discount and may even give you some stuff for free.

Great ideas, you two! Thanks.