As we head into the holiday season, it is important to give thanks to many local causes that are trying to make the world a better place. If you want to give back to society, there are multiple options available for volunteering in the Capital Region.
- Mohawk Hudson Humane Society
-
Who doesn’t love kitties and puppies? If you’re an animal activist with free time on your hands, check out the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society in Menands, NY. We are always looking for new volunteers to come give our furry friends some needed TLC. We also offer services for the animals as well as educational programs for their owners. On average, our volunteers provide over 25,000 hours of service each year. As an added bonus, you can sign up to be a foster parent if you live locally. Every little bit helps make the world’s most vulnerable creatures feel that someone, somewhere cares.
- Regional Food Bank
-
You know how there is always at least one food donation drive going on at some point during the year? Well, this is one benefit that these actions take part in. The Regional Food Bank takes in donations from community members, sorting it into piles in order to distribute it to people in need. It is especially important during the holiday season, when not everyone has something to feed their families. When volunteering here, you are helping provide a holiday memory for someone else that they will cherish forever.
- Habitat for Humanity
-
One of the clubs on campus is Habitat for Humanity. This community service project helps to provide families in need with a place to call home. We all overlook the fact that not many people have a safe place to sleep at night, and Habitat helps to bring this important issue to the public’s attention with the chance to change someone’s life forever. What makes it even more special is the new owners are helping to build their own homes!
- Make a Wish
-
Another possible community service option on campus is Make a Wish. As a member of this amazing group of individuals, we hold multiple fundraisers in order to aide in the ability for a terminally ill child to enjoy something they really want. This spark of happiness makes everything worth it just to see these children smile despite all of the issues that are affecting them.
- Best Buddies / Special Olympics
-
You may have seen Best Buddies at your high school. At Siena, we have a Best Buddies chapter that pairs members with special needs children and give them a friend that they can count on to be there for them. Best Buddies allows for these special souls to gain social skills that they otherwise struggle with.
Want to participate in something special on campus? Siena has played host to the Special Olympics many times over the years. This event allows special needs individuals of a variety of ages to participate in athletic activities that help show that they are unique in their own ways.
- Ronald McDonald House
-
When you hear this organization’s name, you probably think of the well-known image of Ronald McDonald. Not just a clown that you see in McDonald’s commercials, this organization provides aide to families with children who are critically ill. They house parents and siblings who need to be close to a relative receiving medical care. Also, they take donations that vary from everyday food and necessities to special items such as event tickets and Girl Scout Cookies. I myself have donated cookies to the Albany, NY location as well as my mom and I giving two boys the opportunity to go to a local wrestling tournament at the Times Union Center. It’s moments like these that make you grateful for what you have in life instead of complaining about what you don’t. Additionally, volunteers are brought in to cook meals, help kids read, drive families to and from the hospital, cleaning, and many other activities.
These are just a few of the volunteer options available. Have a safe and happy holiday season!