October 2017 - Twin Cities 

 
Thank you to our sponsors



 
River Island Cleanup + Lunch
Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR)
 
Date/Time: Saturday, October 7, 9am - 1pm
 
Location: Spring Lake Park, Hastings. Registrants will receive detailed directions to the meeting spot.

Join Friends of the Mississippi River and Hastings Environmental Protectors for a unique island cleanup. Spring Lake Park stretches around the bend of the Mississippi River. After meeting in the Dakota County Park, volunteers will be shuttled to the nearby islands by boat to pick up trash. All volunteers are welcome and encouraged to work at their own comfort level. Due to wet island conditions, waterproof knee or muck boots are highly encouraged. Bags and gloves will be provided. Following the cleanup, a light lunch will be provided for all volunteers courtesy of Hastings Environmental Protectors.

Ages: Best for families with children ages six and older.
 
Time Commitment: Four hours
 
Contact: To sign up and receive directions to the meeting spot, contact FMR Volunteer Coordinator Amy Kilgore via the contact form  (please select Amy by name from the staff list under "Category") or at akilgore@fmr.org, 651.222.2193 x31. Please include the name of the event, your name, address and phone number, and the number in your party. You will receive a confirmation email from akilgore@fmr.org within two business days. To ensure a high-quality experience, capacity is limited and pre-registration required. Registration closes Thursday, October 5, or upon reaching capacity.
 
 
Oak Woodlands Brush Haul
Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR)
 
Date/Time: Saturday, October 14, 9am - noon
 
Location: 3M Woodlands, Cottage Grove

We will start the morning with a light breakfast at the meeting site (exact directions will be provided to registered volunteers) and a brief presentation about FMR's restoration efforts and future plans for this site. Then volunteers will break into smaller groups heading off to work with FMR staff to haul and stack pre-cut brush, primarily buckthorn, to help open the area for valuable native plants to return improving biodiversity. Thanks to the ongoing support of local volunteers and a long-term partnership with 3M, FMR has had the privilege of helping to preserve and restore the oak woodlands around 3M's Cottage Grove facility near the Mississippi River. Former invasive species thickets are now home to wildflowers and wildlife, helping to connect adjacent natural areas and form part of a green corridor in southern Washington County. Following the haul 3M will provide volunteers with a catered lunch! As always, no experience is needed. All supplies are provided and everyone is encouraged to work at their own comfort and ability level.
 
Ages: Best for families with children ages ten and older.
 
Time Commitment: Three hours
 
Contact: To sign up and receive directions to the meeting spot, contact FMR Volunteer Coordinator Amy Kilgore via the contact form (please select Amy by name from the staff list under "Category") or at akilgore@fmr.org, 651.222.2193 x31. Please include the name of the event, your name, address and phone number and the number in your party. You will receive a confirmation email from akilgore@fmr.org within two business days. To ensure a high-quality experience, capacity is limited and pre-registration required. Registration closes Thursday, October 12, or upon reaching capacity.
 
 
Fall Tree Planting Events
Tree Trust
 
Date/Time: A variety of dates and times in October. Check website for dates and times. Most events are on Saturday mornings.
 
Location: A number of locations throughout the metro area. Check website for locations.

Volunteering with Tree Trust is a great way to improve your environment and invest in your community. Each year, Tree Trust plants and distributes more than 2,000 trees and shrubs in the Twin Cities metro. Tree Trust will provide hands-on training to volunteers; no experience is required.

Ages: Families with children ten and older are welcome to volunteer
 
Time Commitment: Three hours
 
Contact: Jessica.talley@treetrust.org. Registration is available online.
www.treetrust.org
 
 
Come Help Us Clean and Refurbish Bikes Gently Used
Free Bikes 4 Kidz
 
Date/Time: October 9 through December 1. Shifts are:
  • Noon - 3pm
  • 3 - 6pm
  • 6 - 9pm
Location: Free Bikes 4 Kidz Warehouse, 7300 49th Ave N, New Hope. Conveniently located between highways 169 and 100.

Volunteers are needed to haul, move and organize over 5,000 bikes! Join the Cleaners, Preppers, or Mechanics for a shift to repair bikes. We need volunteers of all skill levels to help us move and clean bikes. We love folks with mad bike repair skills, but if you and your family members are handy with rags, we can put you to work. This is a super fun way for a family to volunteer together. The more the merrier! No experience necessary. Help us share the joy of having a bike with more kids!
 
Ages: Responsible children ages 10 or older are welcome to volunteer with an adult. Youth groups with ages older than 12 are welcome, but we ask for a 1:5 child to adult ratio.
 
Time Commitment: Three hour shifts
 
Contact: Catherine at catherine@fb4k.org or visit our website to sign up!
www.fb4k.org/
 
 
Mentor a Child
Kids 'n Kinship
 
Date/Time: Ongoing opportunity
 
Location: Your home or the community
 
Kids 'n Kinship matches volunteer mentor families, couples, & individuals with youth ages 5-16 in need of additional positive role models for fun and enriching weekly activities. Mentoring Works! Please consider stepping forward today to mentor a child with your family. We are based in Dakota County and have served families in Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, Farmington, Lakeville & Rosemount for 44 years. Matches are made based on compatible personalities, ages and interests as well as preferences of both volunteer family and the youth and parent/guardian. Our families say that mentoring together ensures they have weekly family time and that it's easy to include another child with the family activity, whether it's a board game, sledding, a trip to a park, or going to the zoo or a museum. We offer discounted passes to area attractions to make activities more affordable, a 45-minute information session, a 2-hour training session, as well as ongoing training and support. We ask mentors and mentees to commit to a year's time together in order to build their relationship; however, many of our matches become lifelong friendships and our average match is about 3 years. Please consider being a mentor to a child - it is one of the most challenging and rewarding ways to volunteer!
 
Ages: Mentors are families, couples, or individuals over 21
 
Time Commitment: One to four hours per week, on your own time (very flexible scheduling: can be weekends, evenings or after school)
 
Contact: Rita Younger, Kinship Coordinator at rykinship@aol.com or 651.686.0990, www.kidsnkinship.org
 
 
Rake The Leaves Fall Yard Cleanup
HOME Program of Senior Community Services
 
Date/Time: Pick your own date and time, starting in mid-October (depending upon the weather).
 
Location: Yard cleanup at a senior's house in any of the following communities: Bloomington, Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Crystal, Deephaven, Eden Prairie, Edina, Excelsior, Golden Valley, Greenwood, Hopkins, Long Lake, Maple Grove, Minneapolis, Minnetonka, Minnetonka Beach, Mound, New Hope, Orono, Osseo, Plymouth, Richfield, Robbinsdale, Shorewood, Spring Park, St. Louis Park, Tonka Bay, Wayzata, and Woodland.

Leaves do fall. Improve your health while helping a senior citizen remain independent in their home! Volunteer tasks include yard work, leaf raking, window washing, weeding, garage sweeping and cleanup. The Household & Outside Maintenance for Elderly (HOME) Program of Senior Community Services provides affordable home maintenance and chore services to help seniors age 60+ continue to live independently in their own homes in 29 Hennepin County communities.
 
Ages: Families with children age seven and older are welcome to volunteer.
 
Time Commitment: Varies, feel free to volunteer once or multiple times.
 
Contact: Jeanne, scsvolunteer@seniorcommunity.org or call 952.767.7894 www.seniorcommunity.org
 
 
Fall Yard Cleanup
DARTS
 
Date/Time: Pick your own date and time between October 24 through November 7.
 
Location: Seniors' homes in West St. Paul/South St. Paul, Inver Grove Heights, Mendota Heights, Eagan, Burnsville, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Farmington or Rosemount

Families can play a crucial role in helping older homeowners in Dakota County area by raking and bagging up leaves this fall. This is a great way for families of all ages to spend time together and connect with a senior. Please bring rakes and gloves.

Ages: Families with children ages five and older are welcome to participate.
 
Time Commitment: Two to three hours per yard.
 
Contact: Jennifer Pfefferle, jennifer.pfefferle@darts1.org
 
 
Rake a Difference Day
Community Thread
 
Date/Time: Saturday, October 28, 9am - noon. Groups are encouraged to rake yards between 9am - noon, but group leaders are welcome to work with homeowners to schedule another raking time prior to or following the event. The inclement weather date for the event is Saturday, November 4.
 
Location: Seniors' yards around Washington County

Make a difference in your community by helping seniors remain independently in their homes. Volunteer with Community Thread for Rake a Difference Day on Saturday, October 28 (around Make a Difference Day nationwide) to rake the yard of a fellow community member. This is a great family-friendly opportunity to connect with local seniors and enjoy a morning outdoors. Locations are available throughout Washington County. Volunteers should bring their own rakes and gloves; homeowners provide leaf bags.

Ages: Open to all ages, volunteers 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult (one adult per every five children age 12 and under).
 
Time Commitment: Three hours or until yards are finished.
 
Contact:  Community Thread at 651.439.7434 or Volunteer@CommunityThreadMN.org. Sign up by Wednesday, October 11 to secure your participation!
www.CommunityThreadMN.org
 
 
Knitting for Good
Ramsey County Library
 
Date/Time: Thursdays, 7- 8pm
 
Location: Shoreview Library, 4560 Victoria St. N., Shoreview

Come gather with your crafty neighbors as we Knit for Good! Bring your creative talents to support good causes, like preemie hats and welcome blankets! All skill levels and all crafters are welcome at our drop-in group. Please bring your projects and ideas.
 
Ages: All types of crafters are welcome, so as long as kids have the skills to work on their own project or are accompanied by adults. All ages who want to craft for charity, including families, are welcome.
 
Time Commitment: This is a drop-in program; you can come as often and for as long as you'd like.
 
Contact:  Carol Jackson, 651.724.6090, cjackson@ramsey.lib.mn.us
www.rclreads.org
 
 
Tree Planting at Victoria Park
Great River Greening
 
Date/Time: Saturday, October 7, 9am - 1pm
 
Location: 1455 Victoria Way W, Saint Paul N. Click here for directions

Volunteers are needed to continue enhancing the new park in Saint Paul's West Seventh Street neighborhood! Victoria Park replaces a brown field with much-needed green space, access to the Mississippi riverfront, and connections to other parks. There is a small, kid-friendly work area that is flat and close to parking. The larger work area is somewhat steep and up to 1/2 mile from parking. Volunteers will be dropped off at the site from a shuttle bus and will hike through the park to a part of Crosby Farm Park on the river where they will plant trees to help build resilience and diversity of our floodplain forests. Snacks will be provided throughout the morning and a late lunch will be served at 12:30pm.

Ages: Families with children of all ages are welcome to participate. An adult must accompany children under age 12.
 
Time Commitment: Four hours
 
Contact: May Yang, Outreach Coordinator, volunteer@greatrivergreening.org or 651.272.3993. Registration is available online.
www.greatrivergreening.org/
 
 
The Great Candy Run 5K Run/Walk
Fetal Health Foundation
 
Date/Time: Saturday, October 14, 7:30 - 11:30am
 
Location: Lake Phalen, St. Paul
 
The Great Candy Run 5K Run/Walk is a sweet themed event that welcomes families to enjoy some time together having fun, getting outdoors and enjoying all things in moderation! Volunteer opportunities include everything from helping with the kids race to registration to handing out water and candy at the finish line! There will also be a family festival featuring games, activity stations, amazing face painting, great refreshments, giveaways and much, much more! The Great Candy Run is ultimately about saving lives and helping families. Proceeds from these events directly benefit the Fetal Health Foundation. The Fetal Health Foundation supports families battling a fetal syndrome during pregnancy through information, support, and research. This event highlights awareness and provides hope to  families.
 
Ages: Families with children of all ages are welcome to volunteer. Children under 14 must participate with an adult.
 
Time Commitment: Between two and one-half and five hours
 
Contact:  Michelle Somers, michelle@thegreatcandyrun.com. Registration is available online.
www.thegreatcandyrun.com
 
 
Meal Delivery
Open Arms of Minnesota
 
Date/Time: Weekdays, 10:30am - 1pm
 
Location: 2500 Bloomington Ave S., Minneapolis

Volunteer to deliver meals to our clients and help Open Arms bring nourishment to those who need it most. This year, Open Arms' network of more than 5,500 volunteers will help deliver more than 600,000 meals to people living with life threatening illnesses in the Twin Cities. Pick the delivery route that suits you and your family best. Drivers must have a valid driver's license.

Ages: Families with children of all ages are welcome to volunteer.
 
Time Commitment: One to two hours per shift. After you've attended a new volunteer orientation, you may sign up to volunteer when you are able. There is no minimum time commitment.
 
Contact: Email Jennifer Bliss at jenb@openarmsmn.org or call 612.767.7340. Follow these links to get started: Youth application, Parent application
www.openarmsmn.org
 
 
Meal Prep and Packaging
Open Arms of Minnesota
 
Date/Time: Weekend and evening shifts six days a week from 7:30am - 7pm
 
Location: 2500 Bloomington Ave S., Minneapolis

Youth are welcome to help us in the kitchen scooping cookie dough, making Jell-O, and packaging cookies for our client's weekly meal deliveries. Submit online applications for each adult and youth interested in volunteering. After attending orientation, you may sign up for kitchen shifts as often as you'd like.

Ages: Families with children ages 8-15 years old are welcome to volunteer. Click here for more information on age requirements and adult to youth ratio.
 
Time Commitment: Two hours per shift
 
Contact: Email Jennifer Bliss at jenb@openarmsmn.org or call 612.767.7340. Follow these links to get started: Youth application, Parent application
www.openarmsmn.org

 
 
Bag Decorating
Open Arms of Minnesota
 
Date/Time: Flexible
 
Location: 2500 Bloomington Ave S., Minneapolis

Our clients receive a brown grocery bag filled with meal items every week. Brighten their day a little more by adding color and creativity to their brown grocery bag. It is simple acts of kindness like this that remind clients just how many people in their community care about them. We provide the brown bags; you provide the creativity! Stop in during our business hours to pick up as many brown bags as your group can decorate. Bring the bags home to decorate and spread the spirit of giving back with friends and family as you color!

Ages: Families with children of all ages are welcome to volunteer
 
Time Commitment: Varies
 
Contact: Interested in setting up a time to pick up bags to decorate? Email Jennifer Bliss at jenb@openarmsmn.org or call 612.767.7340
 
 
Minneapolis and Suburban Host Homes
Avenues for Homeless Youth
 
Date/Time:
  • October Info Session: Tuesday, October 24, 6 - 7pm.MoveFwd, Eisenhower Community Center, 1001 Highway 7, Room 237, Hopkins
  • November Info Session: TBD
If you are unable to attend an info session call Ashley directly to schedule a time to meet.
 
Location: Hosts must live in Minneapolis or a Suburb surrounding the metro area.

Learn more about being a host family for a youth experiencing homelessness at one of our fall information sessions. Every night in Minnesota, 6,000 youth are homeless and on their own. The Minneapolis and Suburban Host Home Program of Avenues for Homeless Youth is a community response to youth homelessness. This community-based program recruits, screens, trains and supports volunteer hosts who open their home and hearts to youth experiencing homelessness. Youth receive intensive supports from Avenues as they work towards achieving their goals, and hosts receive support from Avenues staff and ongoing training. Avenues is currently in need of hosts to support ten youth in this program.
 
Ages: A Host Home serves youth ages 16-24. Adult hosts must be at least 25 years old and it's okay if there are children in the home.
 
Time Commitment: Hosting a youth is an ongoing commitment for between 12- 18 months.
 
Contact: Ashley Morgan, Minneapolis and Suburban Host Home Program Manager, 612.967.1672 or email amorgan@avenuesforyouth.org
 
 
Make Sandwiches for the Hungry
Doing Good Together
 
Date/Time: Flexible
 
Location: A homeless shelter your community.

Many homeless shelters really appreciate having a supply of sandwiches on hand to give to their residents for lunch. You and your family can help by making sandwiches to bring to a local homeless shelter in your community. First, find a local shelter interested in your donation, check on any specific instructions, and arrange a delivery date and time. Then gather your supplies, make your sandwiches, and deliver them as a family. Find more information and ideas on the Doing Good Together Make Sandwiches Project page.
 
Ages: Everyone can participate
 
Time Commitment: Varies
 
Contact:  mail@doinggoodtogether.org
www.doinggoodtogether.org
 
 
As you know, Doing Good Together promotes lessons in kindness and empathy through big-hearted conversations which often take place during storytime. Reading DGT's recommended books on topics such as kindness, gratitude, and mindfulness leads to great discussions. Likewise, DGT offers book lists on challenging issues, like bullying, hunger, and global poverty. Our newest book list focuses on the important subject of Death & Grief. We hope these books help you and your young ones start age appropriate conversations on a tough topic that deserves discussion.
 
 

 

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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. 
                                                                            

                                                                                                     © 2017 Doing Good Together™