History enthusiasts will delight in the digital volunteer work that the Smithsonian has on offer—namely a boatload of fascinating transcription jobs. Smithsonian digital volunteers play an important role in making historical data more accessible for the institute—volunteers have contributed over 700,000 pages of transcribed material since 2013—and since the Smithsonian provides both general and project specific instructions, even those who are new to transcription work can sign up and join the team. Best of all, the material is far from snoozy (think: field notes from archaeological digs and historic audio recordings) and you can set your own schedule and pace.
Give the gift of good vibes by crafting a handmade card with an uplifting message for a sick or injured child—a small, but meaningful gesture that will bring a lot of joy to a young person who needs and deserves it. Plus, there’s no limit to the number of cards you can make and send to Cards for a Cause, the organization responsible for distributing them, so you have the opportunity to touch more than one young person with your creativity and heartfelt sentiment. Note: Be sure to check out the guidelines before you start the card-making process, as certain content (i.e., “get well”) and decorations (think: googly eyes and pom poms) are off-limits.
The Writing Wonders Organization was founded in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic with the objective of spreading positivity and kindness through writing and art. Volunteers for WWO write letters (as short as one paragraph or as long as four) or create original artwork (digital or drawn) to send to individuals who are struggling with unfortunate circumstances. Once the writing or art is complete, volunteers can choose one of the many organizations on the WWO website that will ensure it reaches an elderly person, healthcare worker or child in need of the good vibes. Note: WWO doesn’t send the work for you, but their website does include organization-specific information on how to submit your writing or art—and if you also submit it to WWO they will respond with a certificate that serves as credit for the volunteer hours you’ve put in.
Be My Eyes is a free app that matches sighted volunteers with blind and low-vision individuals who are in need of visual assistance with a wide range of daily tasks, from reading instructions to navigating new surroundings. Getting started is exceedingly easy: All you have to do is download the app and sign on whenever you have a moment to engage in a video call and be of service. In other words, this innovative virtual volunteer opportunity is incredibly flexible, so even the busiest person should be able to participate—and every time you do, the small gesture will have a significant impact, allowing blind and low-vision people to enjoy easier and more independent lives.
Join the fight to end suicide among at-risk LGBTQ youth by volunteering to be a counselor for the Trevor Project, a national organization that provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to young people who reach out for help. You don’t need to have prior counseling experience to apply: The Trevor Project provides extensive training in the form of a 40-hour, 10-week course to ensure that volunteers have all the crisis intervention skills needed, as well as a firm grasp of the technology used to connect with callers. Once the remote training process is complete, counselors can begin taking calls—a job that entails two four-hour shifts per month and a minimum commitment of one year. Bottom line: If you have both the time and passion to see it through, you’ll be rewarded with a volunteer experience that actually saves lives.
Another organization created to serve the needs of seniors, Lifetime Connections Without Walls is an eldercare program that enlists volunteers who are willing to provide social engagement and coordinate enriching classes and activities for older adults—and all the work can be done over the phone. This program is specifically seeking volunteers who can expand the course offerings, so your contribution can be tailored to your specific talents and interests. You can also determine how much and how often you volunteer depending on your availability, as there are no hard and fast rules in that regard. The takeaway? This one is a fun, flexible and stimulating way to bond with and improve the quality of life for previous generations.