Volunteer Ideas

Think about volunteer projects that you've done in the past that you might be able to do from home with slight changes (maybe they can fax typing projects to you, for instance). If the school has an annual fundraising carnival, craft show, bake sale, etc., can you help make phone calls, organize it, and/or donate crafts or baked goods for it?

It's really going to depend on the school. Some teachers might appreciate help with grading papers, but others can't allow it because of school policies. Some schools really appreciate donations of home-baked treats for classroom parties and special occasions, while others now have to serve only pre-packaged treats.

I would call the school and ask if there is anything they need done that you can do for them from home. Ask the teachers, ask the school secretary, ask the principal. If they can't think of anything, ask them to keep you in mind if something comes up, and repeat the offer every so often so they know that you are still available and serious. If they don't have much for you to do, you might also call the school district office and make the same offer for all the schools in the district.

In addition, if you want something to keep you busy, you can also look into volunteer opportunities for other organizations. You might try www.volunteermatch.org to get some ideas.

HTH!
--A.

2 moms found this helpful

:I K., I feel your pain. I also am disabled. Could you get another mother to pick you up who has a van or even a truck? Or call the school and see if the can e-mail you some work that you can do and e-mail them back. What School does your son go to? My daughter is in Middle school, she goes to Frontier Middle. I wish you lots of luck. D.

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you can ask the teachers if they can send home any thing they want/need doen craft projects to prepare or grading papers, editing something or maybe proofreading or creating a newsletter.

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K., I don't really have any ideas for you - but I did see that you got several good ideas. But I just wanted to give you a pat on the back for what you do. I can't even make to the PTA meeting and don't have a transportation problem. So, you go girl!!!

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Ok, here it goes...you asked...LOL
Bake cookies for the class/teachers lounge; count Box tops for education or Campbell's soup labels so they can be mailed in for redemption, fold letters that have to be sent en mass to families. Talk to the principal and let them know what's going on...maybe they will let you help in researching grants or best prices for items they are getting ready to purchase.

If you are artistic, perhaps helping in some sort of creative way...organizing the art projects for the teachers or helping to decorate the school (there are usually a lot of cut out projects and few bodies to do them).

Perhaps the library has books that need to be mended...the head librarian could bring the things over to you and pick them up when they are done.

The key here is communication. Let them KNOW you really really want to do something and offer some of these as ideas for them to contemplate...this is a unique request and should be treated so! Talk to the PTO leader as well!

Can you make fliers on your home computer? Our PTA always needs fliers for something or other.

Does your school have/need a directory? That can be a huge task best done from home. The yearbook takes a lot of home computer time too.

I'm sure they can find something if you make it clear that you really want to be involved. I wish we had more moms like you my kids' school!

I think it is awesome that you want to be so involved in your son's school. My suggestion would be to ask the teachers. As a former teacher I would often have parents assemble games for me (cut, glue, put together from cut outs) or cut laminated items for me. I'm sure the teachers would have lots of ideas on how you could help and they will be so grateful for you offering.

J.

There are so many angels, like you, who seem to only think about what they might give rather than how they might help others have an opportunity to give. If the school could use your skills as a volunteer, maybe you could use someone else's skills to help get you there. Perhaps there is another parent, community member, or member of a local religious community that would love to have the opportunity to help you get through the front door of the school so you can volunteer there.

Also, it is quite possible that the grade school your son attended could still use your help. I don't understand why we so often assume that the only people who should be volunteering at a school are parents of the children attending it. There may be many schools out there that could use your help.

Anyway, these are just a couple of ideas. What always works for me is to first put it to prayer. I have truly discovered that there are reasons for everything and that the best ideas always seem to come from a Higher Source.

May you be blessed in all you do.

I know our PTO always has things going on that people need contacted about. Maybe you could volunteer to do a newsletter, or contacting ppl for things that you need volunteers for, like teacher luncheon, etc.

What about a news letter for the team of teachers and actually writing it and putting it together where all they have to do is print it, or even e-mail it. Does the school have a blog? Could you help them by writing for the blog by doing phone interviews and such... How about helping them with the content on their website.

I am sure if you were to ask the front office staff, the teachers, even the Principal, that they could find something for you to help with from home.

Not sure of your wheelchair type, but What about asking other parents that are on the PTO/PTA and involved like you, asking them to help you out by picking you up?

you mentioned that you have a highly-functioning autistic child....I am assuming he has an IEP at school. What about contacting that coordinator &/or the counselor...maybe even the principal or distric superintendant. They all have contact with many different groups & agencies which could help point you in another direction for your volunteering skills.

I applaud your desire to help others!

Good Morning K., I give you Kudos's as you have a very full plate with your home life. I applaud you.

Could you possibly volunteer to bake for fund raisers? or if a teacher needs some type of craft help, you could cut shapes, sort the colors, then have some one pick them up for you to deliver? Maybe there is someone who has a van who would be willing to pick you up, to get to the school.
See if there are parents with access to Van's to come and get you ..

Does your school district have bus that picks up children with disability's? Maybe that would be a way for you to be out and about. In Wichita they have a bus service I signed my husbands cousin up for. She can call them a day or so in advance tell them where she needs to go, they pick her up and take her back for like $2-$4.

God Bless you Abundantly K.
K. Nana of 5
PS Call around and see if there is a mechanic or a church that would be willing to help you get your van fixed. I know there are several places here that will do this for either free or a small price. Especially if you have 2 children plus yourself with special needs.