May 2016 - New York 

 
Intergenerational Books and Bites
The Book Blossoms and DOROT
 
Date/Time: Four Wednesday afternoons, May 4, 11, 18, and 25, 4 - 5:30pm
 
Location: Dorot, 171 West 85th Street off Amsterdam Ave.

Please join Dorot for a special four-session intergenerational reading adventure workshop for first and second grade students and Dorot seniors. The program is ideal for youth who need extra encouragement to reach for a book. Nurture your child's natural love of reading through a variety of fun and creative activities. Participants will read aloud two books over the course of four sessions and discuss the major themes of the books - respecting one another's differences and the value of kindness. Food and art activities will follow.

Ages: First and second grade students
 
Time Commitment: One and one-half hours
 
Contact: Shelley Levine, slevine@dorotusa.org, 917.441.5051
www.dorotusa.org
 
 
Mitzvah Day 2016
The Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services
 
Date/Time: Sunday, May 15, 1 - 3pm
 
Location:  Various locations including Westchester, Ward's Island, midtown Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Upper East Side and Staten Island (visit their website for more details on specific locations and activities, or contact Dana Mindlin.

Volunteer opportunities include:
  • Plant vegetable/herb gardens.
  • Pack it up for literacy (assemble packages for young children).
  • Snap photos on a nature walk to help create a photo montage.
  • Host a "mitzvah day" party for residents with developmental disabilities.
Ages: Most activities are for high school age teens, but some welcome children ten years and older.
 
Time Commitment: Two to three hours, depending on activity
 
Contact:  Dana Mindlin, dmindlin@jbfcs.org, 212.632.4688
www.JewishBoard.org/MitzvahDay
 
 
Host Birthday Parties
Celebrate U
 
Date/Time: Saturday, May 14, 2:30 - 4:30pm
 
Location: Ittleson Center, 5050 Iselin Avenue

Founded in 2014 in New York by two teens, Talia Eskenazi and Chase Kauder, Celebrate U is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to spread happiness by throwing birthday parties for disadvantaged children, living in underserved communities. The effect of these celebrations goes way beyond cake and party favors. Celebrate U believes that by showing children that their community truly cares about them, it can raise self-esteem, provide hope for a brighter future and empower children.

Ages: Children in sixth grade and older may participate alone; fifth graders and younger may participate if accompanied by a parent
 
Time Commitment: Two hours, plus ½ hour training session
 
Contact: Heidi Packer, heidi@celebrateu.org, 917.415.0963
www.celebrateu.org
 
 
We Care Cards for Mother's Day
Catholic Charities
 
Date/Time: Flexible
 
Location: Your home or community.

Throughout the year, volunteers are needed to help provide dignity to New Yorkers in need. Last year alone, Catholic Charities served over 356,000 individuals. Cards are a simple way of communicating with someone in need. When direct service is not possible, these cards let people know that they are loved and not forgotten. Your family can send cards around significant dates such as: Mother's Day, Father's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Cards can be also made around significant events, such as "Welcome to New York!" or "Good Luck on Your Interview!" Add a personal touch by including your own personal message of hope and cheer. The cards express love, support, and encouragement for those who are struggling. This is a great volunteer opportunity for young children. After expressing interest, the volunteer coordinator will contact you to confirm participation and provide directions for this opportunity. 

Ages: Families with children ages five and older are welcome to volunteer.
 
Time Commitment: Varies
 
Contact: Staci-Jo Bruce, Director of Volunteer Services, ccvolunteer@archny.org or 212.371.1000
www.catholiccharitiesny.org
 
 
Keeping It Green For Families
Central Park Conservancy
 
Date/Time: Sunday, May 8, (Mother's Day) 10am - noon
 
Location: Central Park
 
Celebrate Mother's Day with your family helping keep Central Park green. Environmental educators will lead mulching and leaf-raking projects throughout the Park. Closed-toe shoes are required.  This program is for families; no groups. Space is LIMITED, advance registration is required. This program is made possible by the GM Foundation.
 
Ages: Families only, maximum of three children per parent/guardian; no groups. Children need to be age five or older. An adult must accompany all children under age 18.
 
Time Commitment: Two hours

Contact: For more information or to register, email discovery@centralparknyc.org
www.centralparknyc.org/keepingitgreen


 
Annual Hippo Playground Project Spring Fair
Hippo Playground Riverside Park NYC
 
Date/Time: Sunday, May 1. There are multiple 90 minute shifts available. You may sign up for one or more of these shifts:
  • 10 - 11:30 am
  • 11:30 - 1 pm
  • 1 - 2:30 pm
  • 2:30 - 4 pm
Location: Hippo Playground - entrance is at Riverside between 87th or 90th Streets

VOLUNTEERS ARE STILL NEEDED for this fun family volunteer opportunity, working at the Hippo Playground Project Spring Fair. Volunteers are needed to take tickets, distribute prizes and assist young children with fair activities and games like spin art, face painting, flower pot painting, cupcake decorating, ball toss, etc. Funds raised will be used to maintain the Hippo Playground. If you can't help out, come and join the festivities. All proceeds from the Fair go to support the Hippo Playground Project which maintains Hippo Playground, provides free and low cost art and music classes at Hippo Playground and provides seed monies for repairs and replacement equipment in playgrounds within northern Riverside Park.

Ages: Families are welcome to volunteer. An adult must accompany children between the ages of 8-14. Teens 15 years and up may volunteer alone.
 
Time Commitment: Shifts are 90 minutes. You may sign up for one or more shifts.

Contact: Ruth Lefkowitz rlefkowitz@gmail.com. Registration is available online.
www.riversideparknyc.org/groups/hippo-playground/ 
 
 
Sort and Pack Non-perishable Food Donations
Hope for New York and Cru Inner City
 
Date/Time: Saturday, May 21, 9 - 11am or 11am - 1pm
 
Location: CRU Inner City Training and Distribution Center, 9-11 44th Drive, Queens

Join Cru Inner City to serve families in need throughout NYC. Volunteers will sort and pack non-perishable food donations that will be distributed to communities in need. This is a great family-friendly opportunity -- children are welcome!
 
Ages: Everyone can participate
 
Time Commitment: Two hours

Contact: Registration is available online. IMPORTANT: Once you request information for this event through this page, you will receive an email with a separate registration link from Cru Inner City to complete your sign up. Your volunteer spot is NOT reserved until you complete the registration process through the second link.  
 
Download DGT's Feelings Flashcards and Play Empathy-Building Games
Doing Good Together
 
Date/Time: Anytime
 
Location: Your home or community
 
Download and print our Feelings Flashcards and use them to play a variety of games that help kids of all ages recognize and converse about different emotions.
 
Ages: Preschool on up
 
Time Commitment: Games will take 15 to 60 minutes.
 
Contact:  mail@doinggoodtogether.org
www.doinggoodtogether.org
 
 

For your next reunion, company party, or school gathering, help your organization help others! Doing Good Together™ Family Service Fairs allow groups of all ages to serve others in a two-hour fair-style event. Attendees come together to do simple and fun hands-on projects that benefit nonprofit organizations. Want to host a fun fair of your own? Our Family Service Fair Manual with Online Toolkit has everything you need to get started.

 

 

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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. 
                                                                            

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