Looking for charity work for my 15 year old son for school project. He needs to have 5 hours of community service work done before December 1st. Does anyone have any good ideas? Plano area desired but willing to go into Dallas. Also prefer work that is on the weekends.
I would strongly suggest www.equest.org; they are a great organizatin that uses horses to help those with disabilities. :-)
In McKinney, we have the Samaritin Inn. My son has gotten a lot out of serving food there to the residents. He was as young as 5 when he's done this with us. It's a safe place and you really see what you have. If you aren't familiar with the Inn, it's a place for people in between jobs and homes to stay while they pull themselves back up! Good luck!!
I would recommend either God's Food Pantry or Plano Food Pantry. They both provide food to families in need. I'm sure they could use any help. Plano was recently rated the #1 richest city in the nation, however, we have our problems of people not able to feed their families. It's quite a contrast and a valuable lesson for anyone.
K. C.
Teen Court is an option and you get credit for it. It is in Plano and it is very interesting. Real cases, handled by teens.
My daughter is in NJHS (National Junior Honor Society) and has to do community work before they are officially acknowledged into the society.
Also, her cheer group (most all are NJHS candidates) are being excused from 1/2 day at school on Fri to assist with the Breast Cancer Walk. They will get 3 hrs credit for that work.
Try your local food bank or Habitat for Humanity.
In McKinney, each of our high schools has "Green cord hours" which are community service hours which they need to complete before graduating, which I think is wonderful. If Plano has something like that, there should be a "green cord" or the like coordinator at the school who would have a list of the available opportunities for a 15 year old to volunteer.
Also, The McKinney SPCA is always looking for volunteers and I think you only have to be 13. Good luck!
Try the Volunteer Center of Collin County. They can tell you exactly which places accept minor volunteers. It will save you a lot of work. One thing, though. He needs to call and talk to them and whatever agency he decides to work at. The volunteer coordinators tend to get irritated if moms talk for the kids. Teenagers are old enough to make the call themselves. Just speaking from experience there...
The Salvation Army Store at Spring Creek and Greenville is always looking for helpers.
My son did several hours of service there earlier this year.
Hi F.,
Contact Robin at the City of Plano, ____@____.com is the volunteer coordinator and would be able to direct you on what opportunites exist for your son. Although the city animal shelter is a great place to volunteer, they do have an age restriction, but they have many other opportunties within the city needing help.
I have an awesome one time experience for your son. The Sunday before Thanksgiving Bigheart Ministries will be feeding the homeless a holiday meal downtown at City Hall. Some folks show up as early as 7 am to help set up, but most of the work starts around 10 when the food really gets cooking and Don Hart (AKA Big Heart) preaches a message around 10:30. Lunch is served starting around 11:00 and the meals wraps up about 1:30, then anyone who is available can drive a few miles down the road to help do dishes at the ministry center - that lasts until about 3:00 or 3:30. Soif he came to serve around 10 and then helped with dishes at the ministry center ( aneed that is always difficult for us to fill) he would have his 5 hours, and an awesome experience of sharing his blessings with the homeless. The web site for BigHeart Ministries is http://www.bigheartministries.net/home.htm - there are full details there.
My 15 year-old son recently had community service hours to complete (unfortunately not for a school project), anyway he went to a local church and talked to someone there and they were able to give him "odd jobs" to do. He completed 10 hours in 2 weeks after school. Also, you can try local fire stations and police departments. Hope this helps.
He could come and volunteer with Angel Food Ministries at First Baptist Church Carrollton on Saturday, November 22 from 8 am until 11 am. I am the director and I would love to have him help with our food distribution.
For more info about Angel Food visit www.angelfoodministries.com or www.fbcc.org/angelfood
If you are willing to come to McKinney, The Samaritian Inn works with the students to fulfill their community service work. You can check out their web site at http://www.thesamaritaninn.org/
D. T
I know that Frisco Family Services is ALWAYS looking for volunteers. Our boy scouts have volunteered in the thrift stores on a Saturday before, sorting donations.
Frisco Family Services Center
www.friscocenter.org
8780 3rd St
Frisco, TX 75034
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GOOD LUCK
I know the DMN used to list opportunities and needs every week in the paper around the area. You may also want to try City House, might be good for him to see other kids his age in pretty rough situations. It is in East Plano.
How about the North Texas Food Bank? This is their busy time of year and would welcome the help.
Plano Children's Theatre works with community service volunteers, if that sounds interesting to him. There are lots of other kids his age there.
God's Food Pantry at 14th Street is very humbling on Saturday mornings. Also, check with the schools. They can use mentors and tutors.
Habitat for Humanity retail store on Summit in E. Plano
Might check with the Plano Volunteer Center. Go to the Plano website.
