VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AT PARK AND RECREATION

PRESCHOOLERS AND YOUNGER

Bright Blessings. Local non-profit that provides services for homeless children through its Bless-A-Baby and Bless-A-Birthday programs. Volunteers of all ages can participate in projects at the organization's Matthews facility, The Giving Village. Call 704-846-2329 or visit BrightBlessingsUSA.org.

Charlotte Area Gleaning Network/Society of St. Andrew. Harvests produce that is good but not marketable and gets it to people in need. Children of all ages are great helpers in the fields, as long as they have a responsible adult with them. 704-553-1730. www.endhunger.org

Hands On Charlotte. Children of all ages can participate in various projects, including activities at local nursing homes such as Bingo, bowling with children who have disabilities, visiting group homes and more. The organization is also in the process of creating a program to offer projects specifically for families with children. For more information, call (704) 333-7471. www.handsoncharlotte.org

Friendship Trays. Children can join their parents to deliver meals and visit with recipients of the program. Daily, weekly or monthly commitments, whatever suits your schedule. 704-333-9229. www.friendshiptrays.org.

Room At The Inn. Children of all ages are welcome to help provide shelter to the homeless at local churches and other agencies. Children can help set up beds, set the table, serve meals, clean up and more. Sign up through the church, temple or other agency hosting Room At The Inn that night.

SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN

United Family Services. United Family Services provides shelter, court advocacy, referrals and counseling programs for victims of domestic violence. Children of all ages – including preschoolers – can help with yard maintenance and playground upkeep at the shelter. With a parent or chaperone, teenagers can help provide childcare at the shelter. To volunteer, call Debbie Wolfe 704-688-9845. www.unitedfamilyservices.org.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina. Children can help organize a food drive in their neighborhood, church, organization or school. Call 704-375-9639, ext. 24. www.secondharvestmetrolina.org.

Crisis Assistance. Children age 6 and up can sort clothing and help out in the production area of the agency’s store. Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, Tuesday evenings until 9 p.m., and the first the three Saturdays of each month from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 704-371-3000 ext. 114. www.crisisassistance.org.

Loaves & Fishes. Collects food for the hungry. Children age 6 and older can help sort food in pantries across the region. (Children younger than 12 need to have an adult with them.) Call Valerie Crockett at 704-523-4333. www.loavesandfishes.org.

Charlotte Emergency Housing Plaza Place & Rainbow Room. Offers a shelter and daycare center, and services to help residents move back into theri own homes. School-age children can volunteer by reading to children at the daycare center. Teenagers can help with projects such as landscaping and data entry. Call 704-335-5488. www.charlotteemergencyhousing.org.

The Harvest Center of Charlotte/Community Outreach Christian Ministries. With a chaperone, children ages 10 and older can help serve meals, wrap silverwear in napkins, open coffee packages, fold clothing, put canned food on shelves and more. Call 704-333-4280, ext. 107. www.theharvestcenter.org

Adult Care and Share Center. Children ages 8 and up and their parents can interact with older and disabled adults at the center. Activities include playing card games, doing arts and crafts, playing games such as ring toss or bowling and more. Volunteers also visit one-on-one with adults, reading books to them, helping them put puzzles together, play cards and more. Call 704-567-2700. (No web site.)

Charlotte Rescue Mission Rebound/Dove’s Nest. With a parent, children age 10 and up can help serve a meal. One adult from the family would be required to attend an orientation first. Call Andrea Tindell at 704-334-4635, ext 214. www.charlotterescuemission.org.

Habitat For Humanity. Young people ages 5 to 15 help families in need of a decent, affordable place to live. The Building on Youth program is designed to offer a way for youngsters to make a difference even though construction activities are limited to those 16 years and older. www.habitatcharlotte.org.

TEENAGERS

Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina. Children age 14 and up can help sort food, pack meals into boxes and backpacks for the hungry and do other work in the warehouse. Call 704-375-9639, ext. 29. www.secondharvestmetrolina.org.

Nevins Inc. Children age 17 and up can help disabled adults participate in activities such as bowling, sports activities, sorting jobs and more. 704-596-1392. www.nevinsinc.org

Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region. Teenagers age 15 to 18 can sign up for the charity’s TLC program, or Teens Learning and Caring. After 12 hours of training, the teens visit hospice patients at local nursing homes. Call Elise Hurst at 704-335-3577. www.hpccr.org

Habitat For Humanity. Children age 16 and older can help build a home for a low-income family. www.habitatcharlotte.org