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Yesterday kicked off National Volunteer Week in both Canada and the United States. Here are some ideas for ways to help your community, even if you cannot physically be present, April 19-25. #CheersToVolunteers #NVW2020 @PointsofLight
Check on neighbors to see if they need anything, especially if they are elderly. If you have something they’re looking for, offer to leave it outside their front door so that they can pick it up without coming in direct contact with you. https://www.idealist.org/en/careers/help-others-coronavirus
Be a maker: Some are stepping up to sew masks to give to pharmacy and grocery store workers and others on the front lines. Find a tutorial here. https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/want-to-sew-your-own-face-mask-heres-a-video-tutorial/
Give blood: As COVID-19 continues to spread, we can expect to see a decrease in those available to donate blood while an increase in need for blood rises. Find your nearest donation location here. https://www.redcross.org/give-blood.html @redcross
Help the food insecure: Food banks need help now more than ever. Donate food or funds directly with Feeding America. https://www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank @feedingamerica
Join a mutual aid group or network: In these online groups, neighbors are able to post their immediate needs—groceries, translation services, pharmacy runs, even cash to make rent—and others can choose to answer the call if they are able. https://www.idealist.org/en/groups?q=&searchMode=true
Deliver meals to the elderly: Find a Meals on Wheels provider near you, or see if any local restaurants are transitioning into volunteer meal delivery. https://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/find-meals @_MealsOnWheels
For more ideas and a list of organizations who need help now, check out this article. https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/03/21/how-you-can-help-during-coronavirus/?arc404=true
For more information about Volunteer Week in Canada, visit https://volunteer.ca/nvw2017 .
For information about volunteering in the United States, visit @PointsofLight. https://www.pointsoflight.org/nvw/
