August 2018  - Silicon Valley 
 
2018 Tour de Cure Silicon Valley
American Diabetes Association
 
Date/Time: Sunday, August 5. Various times and roles available ( View online)
 
Location: HP Campus Palo Alto, 3000 Hanover Street, Palo Alto
 
Looking to have fun while helping a great cause? Join the rockstar team of volunteers at the annual American Diabetes Association Walk, Run, Ride Fundraiser, the 2018 Tour de Cure. This is a huge event with over 1,000 participants so they need YOUR help! Approximately 200 volunteers are needed to help with set up, registration, lunch, and many more roles. Volunteers will receive a 2018 commemorative volunteer t-shirt and complimentary lunch ticket.

Ages: Recommended for ages 10 and up, but we can accommodate younger volunteers (with parents) if spots for kid-friendly duties are still available.
 
Time Commitment: Varies. Approximately two to three hours depending on role.
 
Contact: Jennifer Bryant, JBryant@diabetes.org, 408.241.1922 x7470 or Leah Reeves, LReeves@diabetes.org  
 
 
Farm Days
Big Wave Project
 
Date/Time: Saturday, August 11 and August 25, 10am - 2pm
 
Location: The Big Wave Farm, 335 Airport Street, Half Moon Bay

The Big Wave Project is dedicated to: creating an inclusive and interactive community of people and businesses to provide a purposeful and independent life for individuals with developmental disabilities through affordable housing, meaningful employment, and a supportive community. The Big Wave Farm was created to provide a place people to come learn about organic gardening, chicken care, and build community to support people with disabilities. Volunteers are invited to help out on Farm Days, occurring every 2nd & 4th Saturday of the month, which are aimed at maintaining and improving the farm. Projects range from building composting bins, constructing trellises or chicken coops, and growing harvesting fruits and veggies.

Ages: Families with children ages 5 and older are welcome to volunteer. Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult and minors under 18 are allowed with a signed waiver.
 
Time Commitment: Four hours, including a lunch break around noon
 
Contact: Christine Preziosi, farm@bigwaveproject.org. You can also fill out the online volunteer form on their website, www.bigwaveproject.org/get-involved/
 
 
Tunitas Creek Beach Clean-Up
TLClocals
 
Date/Time: Sunday August 19, 10am - 1pm
 
Location: Corner of Hwy 1 & Tunitas Creek Rd., Half Moon Bay

Tunitas Creek Beach is a hidden gem to the South of Half Moon Bay that, due to its secluded and challenging location, has been pretty badly polluted by visitors. Volunteers are needed for their monthly clean-ups to keep this beach beautiful and its sea life safe and healthy. TLClocals is a movement to strengthen local communities through community projects, fundraising, small business support, and local classes & workshops. Tunitas Creek Beach Clean-Ups are organized in partnership with San Mateo County, CalTrans, Pacifica Beach Coalition and Heirs to Our Oceans.

Ages: There are no age restrictions, however it is not recommended for toddler aged children or younger due to the challenging hike, glass on the beach, and other dangers.
 
Time Commitment: Three hours
 
Contact: aloha@TLClocals.org with additional questions, information or concerns. Registration is available online.  
 
 
River Health Day
Coastal Watershed Council
 
Date/Time: Saturday August 11, 9:30 - 12pm
 
Location: Santa Cruz Riverwalk, between Soquel Avenue and Laurel Street Bridges. Directions will be provided upon registration.

Join Coastal Watershed Council staff in making a difference in the lower San Lorenzo River. Volunteers will help with caring for native plants as they grow and create habitat along the river. While you are at the river, take a closer look at the willows, alders, evening primrose and mugwort native to the watershed. Listen to the calls of bushtit and warbler over the babble of the lower river, and learn about this unique river ecosystem. Volunteers should dress in comfortable gardening clothes, including long pants, socks, and sturdy shoes. Please bring sun protection and a reusable water bottle.

Ages: Families with children five and older are welcome. Volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
 
Time Commitment: Flexible, approximately two and one-half hours
 
Contact:  info@coastal-watershed.org, 831.464.9200. Registration is available online.
www.coastal-watershed.org/
 
 
Late Summer Wonders: An Evening Hike at Arastradero
Grassroots Ecology
 
Date/Time: Sunday, August 19, 6 - 8:30pm
 
Location: Arastradero Preserve, 1530 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto. Meet at the buildings next to the parking lot.

Join Grassroots Ecology for a unique opportunity to see Arastradero Preserve during the evening and see what late summer wonders there are to discover. Participants should expect to stay for the entire duration of the hike. Bathroom access will be available at the start and end of the hike. Please bring: a flashlight (bring one with a red filter or red tape if possible), a reusable water bottle, dinner or snack. Dress for hiking, rain, and cold nighttime temperatures (sturdy closed-toe shoes, long pants, and layers are recommended).

Ages: All ages are welcome to participate. Children under 12 require an accompanying adult and minors under 18 who are not accompanied by an adult require a parent to approve the online waiver when registering for this event.
 
Time Commitment: Two and one-half hours
 
Contact:  Melisa Perez, melisa@grassrootsecology.org. Registration is available online.
http://www.grassrootsecology.org/
 
 
Fresh Produce Bagger
The Salvation Army
 
Date/Time: Ongoing. Monday through Thursday 9am - noon or 1 - 4pm; Friday 9am - noon
 
Location: Salvation Army Silicon Valley, Food Pantry, 359 N. 4th Street, San Jose

The Family Services Department at Salvation Army Silicon Valley makes weekly distributions of fruits and vegetables to the public. Volunteers are needed to bag fresh produce into smaller distribution units that will be given to individuals and disadvantaged families. Volunteers are reminded to wear closed-toed shoes and dress in clothing appropriate for working outdoors. Volunteer waiver forms are required and will be provided after registration has been confirmed.

Ages: Families with children 12 and older are welcome to participate; volunteers under 15 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
 
Time Commitment: Three hours
 
Contact: Liwayway Gimenez, liwayway.gimenez@usw.salvationarmy.org or 408.282.1165.
 
 
Martial Cottle Workday
Our City Forest
 
Date/Time: Ongoing. Thursday and Friday,  9am - noon. Shifts can be flexible, so please inquire if you're interested in volunteering at a different time.
 
Location: Martial Cottle Park, 391 Chynoweth Ave., San Jose

The mission of Our City Forest is to cultivate a green and healthy Silicon Valley by engaging community members in the appreciation, protection, growth and maintenance of the urban ecosystem, especially our urban forest here in Silicon Valley. Over the past year, Our City Forest has planted over a dozen trees in the new 2-acre site located within Martial Cottle Park. There are plenty of opportunities to build and maintain an ever-increasing number of projects here! Bring water (re-usable containers encouraged), snacks, sun protection, and clothes you don't mind getting dirty. Closed-toed shoes are required.

Ages: Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Youth ages 13-17 need to either have a signed permission slip from their parent/guardian (will be emailed once you sign up) or be accompanied by an adult.
 
Time Commitment: Three hours
 
Contact:  Email treecarevolunteers@ourcityforest.org or 408.998.7337 x118. You can also sign up online: sign up as a "Tree Care Volunteer" and indicate "Martial Cottle" in the message section.
www.ourcityforest.org
 
 
12th Annual Harvest Festival: Setup and Breakdown Volunteers
Big Wave Project
 
Date/Time: Saturday, October 6. Two shifts are available: 10 - noon and 4 - 6 pm. Please sign up early to volunteer!
 
Location: The Big Wave Farm, 335 Airport Street, Half Moon Bay
 
The Big Wave Project is dedicated to creating an inclusive and interactive community of people and businesses to provide a purposeful and independent life for individuals with developmental disabilities through affordable housing, meaningful employment, and a supportive community. The Big Wave Farm was created to provide a place people to come learn about organic gardening, chicken care, and build community to support people with disabilities. Volunteers are needed to assist in setup and/or breakdown for the upcoming Annual Harvest Festival, a hallmark event at the Big Wave Project. It promises to be a fun-filled autumn celebration for the entire family, so you can volunteer AND join us for the festivities! Look forward to: pumpkin decorating, flower arranging, water balloon toss, pie-eating contest, an old-fashioned cake walk, silent auction, cork pull, live music, dancing and much more! You'll also have a chance to visit the chickens, check out the harvest, and purchase a perfect Halloween pumpkin from Big Wave Farm's bountiful pumpkin harvest.
 
Ages: Everyone is welcome to participate.
 
Time Commitment: Two hours
 
Contact: Email Christine Preziosi, farm@bigwaveproject.org.
 
 
Back to School Kindness Challenge
Doing Good Together

Date/Time: Starting September 1

Location: Your home and community
 
Take the Back to School Kindness Challenge! The back-to-school season is a great time to re-orient ourselves to our priorities. Let's resolve to make this a big-hearted school year full of compassion, reflection, and thoughtful acts of kindness. These unique ideas help students focus on daily acts of kindness before, during, and after the school day. Choose from the elementary grade and/or upper grade challenge. Starting on September 1 you can follow along with DGT on social media, both on Instagram and in our Big-Hearted Families community on Facebook, for kindness reminders and personal stories.

Ages: Everyone can participate

Time Commitment: Varies

Contact: mail@doinggoodtogether.org  

 
DGT's Big-Hearted E-Books

Families who are part of our Membership Circle may already know about our big-hearted e-books which expand on important topics and offer in-depth learning opportunities. We're proud to introduce our newest e-book "Host a Mini Family Service" created just in time for National Night Out™ on August 7th. Choose any of the three e-books (on building community, exploring nature, or becoming an upstander) for just $4.99 each in our online store. Or, become a member (for just $29.99) and receive all three of these e-books for free! As always, your purchase supports DGT and helps us offer free and budget-friendly resources to families nationwide.
 

 

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This list was compiled by Doing Good Together™ (www.doinggoodtogether.org)
 When calling to volunteer for any of the opportunities listed above, please let the coordinator know you found it through this listing. You are encouraged to ask any questions you may have of the sponsoring organization before committing to a project.
Disclaimer: This list is provided as a service to families. Inclusion of organizations in this listing does not imply affiliation, endorsement or quality assurance on the part of Doing Good Together.™ Doing Good Together™ bears no responsibility whatsoever for the activities and actions of the listed organizations. 
                                                                            

                                                                                                     © 2018 Doing Good Together™