Volunteer Activities for the Holidays? (Chapel Hill, Carrboro: chapel, homes, college)

[Liza54]

What can we do around the holidays to volunteer locally? We of course gave to the toys for tots and local Salvation Army stops, but does anyone have ideas that we can do as a family ( w/ toddlers! )? Nursing homes or something?

[kennethhoff]

I don't know what town your from, but in Carrboro/Chapel Hill is the Interfaith Council (IFC). They serve the homeless and indigent population, and have three buildings - one of which serves woman who are trying to get back on their feet again. They almost always need volunteers and that particular building for woman takes volunteers to work with childcare (their kids). You might want to see if you can help there (I figured you may be able to bring your kids too). Just google IFC Carrboro NC and that should get you soem contact info. I volunteered there during a summer off from college a few years ago and their nice people.

[House Lady]

children under 16 to volunteer, even when accompanied by parents.
You may want to call some local churches.
Also, you can get together with your children and shop for a family, letting the children pick out gloves or other items, then wrap them together. You may be able to deliver them personally, but that depends on the organization from which you obtain the family's name and information.
I have a client with a young son who is always looking for ways to help folks. When they wanted to volunteer to serve a meal at Thanksgiving, I called all over and got the same answer at all the larger organizations... no one under 16! If anyone knows of places that do allow younger kids, I would love to pass that on.