May 2018 - New York City

 
Hippo Playground Spring Fair
Hippo Playground Project
 
Date/Time: Sunday May 6, 10am - 4pm (Rain date May 20). Choose from the following shifts:
  • 9:45am - 1pm
  • 12:45pm - 4pm
Location: Hippo Playground in Riverside Park at 91st Street

The Hippo Playground Project is an all-volunteer, community-based affiliate of the Riverside Park Conservancy that works in conjunction with the Parks Department to maintain the playground and provide free activities for the community. For 35 years, the Spring Fair has been the primary fundraiser to support The Hippo Playground. The Hippo Playground Project funds and runs free programming: Art in the Park, our Free Summer Concert Series, and the Halloween Parade, etc. Volunteers are needed to assist children enjoying Hippo Playground Spring Fair activities. Activities include helping children with cupcake decorating, ball tosses, bowling, serving burgers, face painting, and much more!
 
Ages: Ages 9 through 13 accompanied by an adult, or 14 and up can volunteer without an adult.
 
Time Commitment: Three hour shifts
 
Contact: Nicole Moore, 917.414.3145, [email protected]. Registration is available online.
https://riversideparknyc.org/groups/hippo-playground/
 
 
Hungry to Help
UJA Federation of New York - Time for Good
 
Date/Time: Sunday, May 6. Times vary by project.
 
Location: There are locations in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn and Westchester (round trip transportation from Manhattan provided in some cases).

Join hundreds of New Yorkers for a community-wide day of service addressing hunger and poverty. Projects include packing and delivering food to homebound seniors, Sort and Pack at the Food Bank for New York City, brightening an outdoor space at a low-income senior residence, and packing meals for families in need. 

Ages: Families are welcome at several of the projects. Check individual project descriptions for details.
 
Time Commitment: Varies, depending on the project.
 
 
 
Month of Charity and Compassion
Muslim Volunteers for New York (MV4NY)
 
Date/Time: Saturday, May 5 - Thursday, May 17.
 
Location: Volunteers can shop and donate via our  Amazon wishlist. Select the MV4NY gift registry address at checkout. Please check the list starting May 5 as items are still being added.

The mission of Muslim Volunteers for New York is to engage Muslim-Americans along with the community at-large in a variety of grass-root efforts to give back to our City and its residents. Our key areas of focus are: Health & Wellness, Education, the Environment, and Hunger & Poverty Elimination. Muslim Volunteers for New York has organized its 3rd Annual Ramadan Food Drive to benefit the New York Common Pantry and their commitment to alleviating hunger and poverty. Ramadan is a special month for Muslims throughout the world. It is a time for self-reflection, fasting, spirituality and charity. We invite you to join us in this effort and illuminate NYC with our collective charity and compassion.

Ages:
Everyone can participate
 
Time Commitment: Varies
 
 
 
Soup Kitchen - Food Preparation and Service
Manhattan Church of Christ
 
Date/Time: Saturdays: May 12, 19, and 26, 9am - 2pm
 
Location: Manhattan Church of Christ, 48 East 80th Street between Park and Madison

The Saturday Lunch Program provides hot meals to the homeless with dignity and compassion. Volunteers are needed to help set up, prepare, and serve meals to members of the community who are homeless and/or live marginally. 

Ages: Families with children of all ages are welcome to participate
 
Time Commitment: Full service is five hours, but volunteers are welcome any time during the day.
 
Contact:  Carl Garrison, [email protected]
www.manhattanchurch.org
 
 
SandSational
Riverside Park Conservancy
 
Date/Time: Saturday, May 19, 10am - 1pm
 
Location(s):  
  • Neufeld 'Elephant' Playground, 76th Street
  • River Run Playground, 83rd Street
  • Hippo Playground, 91st Street
  • Dinosaur Playground, 97th Street
  • 105th Street Tot Lot
  • 110th Street Tot Lot
  • 117th St Tot Lot
  • Sakura Playground, 122nd Street
  • Claremont 'Dolphin' Playground, 124th St behind Grant's Tomb
  • Riverbank 'Camel' Playground, 143rd Street
Fresh sand means one thing in Riverside Park: Spring! Help start the season off right by volunteering to help move new sand into your playground's sandbox. SandSational begins with a family bucket brigade, followed by parents and adults completing the job. Pails and shovels for kids will be provided by Riverside Park Conservancy. Community volunteer events are rain or shine. Please check the website two weeks prior to the 19th as project details and meeting sites will be determined two weeks before the project based on the weather and the needs of the park.
 
Ages: Everyone is welcome to participate
 
Time Commitment: Three hours
 
 
 
We Care Cards for Mother's Day
Catholic Charities
 
Date/Time: At your convenience, from home
 
Location: Mail completed cards to:
Catholic Charities
1011 First Avenue, 11th Floor
NY, NY 10022

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 the people we serve 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 also be 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 project.
 
Ages: Families with children ages five and older.
 
Time Commitment: Varies
 
Contact: Staci-Jo Bruce, Director of Volunteer Services, [email protected] or 212.371.1000
www.catholiccharitiesny.org

 
Pitch In, Pick Up
Central Park Conservancy
 
Date/Time(s):
  • Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, daily, 10am - 5pm
  • Chess & Checkers House, Tuesday - Sunday, 10am - 5pm
  • North Meadow Recreation Center, daily, 10am - 5pm
Location(s):
  • Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, Inside Central Park at 110th Street between Fifth and Lenox Avenues.
  • Chess & Checkers House, Mid-Park at 64th Street.
  • North Meadow Recreation Center, Mid-Park at 97th Street
Want to get outside and get dirty with your kids this Spring? Volunteering with Pitch In, Pick Up is a great way to help keep Central Park clean and beautiful. After a brief orientation at a visitor center, you will be given a trash grabber, gloves, and garbage bag for litter. Click here for more information about the Pitch In, Pick Up volunteer program.
 
Ages: Everyone can participate but children under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Volunteers must show a valid form of ID when they arrive and fill out a waiver form
 
Time Commitment: Flexible
 
Contact(s): Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, 212.860.1374; Chess & Checkers House, 212.794.4064 ; North Meadow Recreation Center, 212.348.4867

www.centralparknyc.org

 
 
Explore Nature with a Scavenger Hunt
Doing Good Together
 
Date/Time: Anytime you can get outdoors with your family!
 
Location: Your local park or nature center

When children learn to appreciate and enjoy nature, they are more likely to grow into adults who value and protect our environment. You and your family can use Doing Good Together's printable Nature Scavenger Hunt checklist to liven up your next walk in the woods. Enjoy exploring nature as a family, invite friends along, or bring this activity to your scouts meeting, classroom, or community gathering. Check out Doing Good Together's Nature Scavenger Hunt project page for more ideas and reflection questions.

Ages: The whole family is welcome to participate
 
Time Commitment: Varies
 
 
 
Celebrate Milestones This May!

Whether you are celebrating the graduation of a preschooler or college student - or any big moment in between - these milestone moments offer opportunities for sharing gifts that encourage kindness and giving. Visit our Shop Kind Vendor Page for our favorite gift-giving books. And for advice on tackling transitions (by kids and parents), revisit this post from our Blogger: www.doinggoodtogether.org/bhf/blog/masterful-transitions.

 

 

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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™