September 2017  - Silicon Valley 
 
Decorate Rosh Hashana Gift Bags for Senior Holiday Delivery
Oshman Family Jewish Community Center/Jewish Family and Children's Services (JFCS)
 
Date/Time: Tuesday, September 5, Noon - 4pm (Drop In)
 
Location: Oshman JCC, Room L-101 Family Center, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto

Help make a senior's holiday season extra special and sweet by decorating a bag for them to stuff with goodies. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund. Volunteers of all faiths, beliefs and backgrounds welcome.
 
Ages: Families with children preschool and up are welcome to volunteer.
 
Time Commitment: Up to four hours
 
Contact: Robin Vasilakos, rvasilakos@paloaltojcc.org, 650.223.8791
 
 
Disaster and First Responder Multi Cultural Awareness and Service Event
Oshman Family Jewish Community Center
 
Date/Time: Sunday, September 10, 4 - 6pm
 
Location: Oshman JCC Taube Koret Campus, Schultz Cultural Arts Hall, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto

Bring your family to this special and unique day as we remember 9/11. Volunteers will help by working together on projects that will be donated to those living in emergency shelters, and preparing thank you packs for First Responders in our area to show our appreciation for all that they do. Families will learn vital and potentially lifesaving information they can use if ever faced with an emergency situation or disaster. Volunteers of all faiths, beliefs and backgrounds welcome. If you are unable to make it to this event you can still donate these needed individually wrapped first aid items to the OFJCC:
  • Antiseptic wipes (BZK-based wipes preferred; alcohol-based OK)
  • Antibacterial ointment (e.g., Bacitracin)
  • Assorted adhesive bandages (fabric preferred)
  • Gauze pads (various sizes)
  • Nonstick sterile pads
  • Rolled gauze
Ages: Children of all ages are welcome to participate with adult present.
 
Time Commitment: Two hours
 
Contact:  Robin Vasilakos, rvasilakos@paloaltojcc.org, 650.223.8791. This is a FREE event, prior online registration is required.
www.paloaltojcc.org

 
Superhero Heart Run
Heart Heroes Inc.
 
Date/Time: Sunday, September 10, 7am - 5pm
 
Location: Quarry Lakes Regional Recreation Area, 2100 Isherwood Way, Fremont

Superheroes are taking over the Bay Area! Proceeds raised from this event will be utilized to provide support, education, research and to create awareness for Congenital Heart Defects, the most common birth defect worldwide. Families in California will benefit directly through the programs and services provided by Mended Little Hearts and Heart Heroes, Inc.
Volunteers are needed to help with the following tasks:
  • Water Station
  • First Aid Tent
  • Hospitality Tent
  • Walk-up Registration
  • Registrant Check-in
  • Cape, shirt and prize distribution
  • Sponsor Check-in
  • Event set-up/ cleanup
  • Garbage Duty
  • 2k/ 5k Route Markers
Ages: Volunteers of all ages are welcome with adult supervision.
 
Time Commitment: Shifts vary based on task.
 
Contact: Margaret Keller, margaret@heartheroes.org, 303.807.9772  
www.my.superheroheartrun.com
 
 
Coastal Clean Up Day - San Francisquito Creek
Grassroots Ecology
 
Date/Time: Saturday, September 16, 9am - noon
 
Location: 1 Alma Street, Menlo Park (at the park near the intersection of East Creek Drive and Alma Street)

Grassroots Ecology leverages the power of community volunteers to create healthy ecosystems across Silicon Valley, from the foothills to San Francisco Bay. The City of Menlo Park and Grassroots Ecology are partnering to host volunteers for Coastal Cleanup Day at San Francisquito Creek! This annual event brings communities together throughout the state to clean California's beaches, lakes, and watersheds. Volunteers will be removing trash and recyclables from our local watershed to celebrate and enhance our beautiful waterways. Please wear appropriate attire for working outdoors - long pants and sturdy shoes are highly recommended. Please "Bring Your Own (BYO)" buckets, gloves, and reusable water bottles to help reduce our footprint at the event. (There will be extras available if you don't have your own.)
 
Ages: All ages are welcome to volunteer. Please note that volunteers will be spreading out over a large area of the creek, therefore a responsible adult should accompany youth. Hazards typically encountered in the creek include poison oak, sharp objects, and deep pools of water. All volunteers under the age of 18 must have a Grassroots Ecology waiver (to be completed through the Eventbrite website) as well as a Coastal Cleanup Day Event waiver. All adult volunteers are also required to complete a Coastal Cleanup Day Event waiver form for themselves. Waiver forms are available in  English and  Spanish. Although there will be Coastal Cleanup Day Event waiver forms on site on the day of the event, you can print and sign the waiver form now to expedite check in
 
Time Commitment: Three hours
 
Contact: Jeremy Merckling, Jeremy@grassrootsecology.org, 650.419.9880. Registration is available online.
www.grassrootsecology.org

 
 
Coastal Clean Up Day - Coyote Creek
Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful
 
Date/Time: Saturday, September 16, 9am - noon
 
Location: Tully Ball Fields, 800 Tully Road, San Jose

Let's work together for a vibrant Coyote Creek! Coastal Cleanup Day is a terrific way to show your support for your California waterways, not just the Coast. Spend a few hours at Coyote Creek and help beautify our creek through a community cleanup. Be sure to wear long pants, long sleeves, and closed-toed shoes since you will be near poison oak and around loose or muddy soil.
This event is co-sponsored by Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful and the Senter Monterey Neighborhood Association.

Ages: All are welcome to participate (those under 13 must be accompanied by an adult). Volunteers under age 18 must have a signed waiver (available upon completed registration). Community service hours are available.
 
Time Commitment: Three hours
 
Contact: Deb Kramer, deb@keepcoyotecreekbeautiful.org, 408.372.7053. Registration is available online.
www.keepcoyotecreekbeautiful.org
 
 
Stevens Creek Water Quality Monitoring
Grassroots Ecology
 
Date/Time: Sunday, September 17, 9am - 1pm. Please arrive on time as we will leave McClellan Ranch when we finish introductions around 9:15 and carpool to the other sites on Stevens Creek.
 
Location:  McClellan Ranch Preserve, 22221 McClellan Road, Cupertino

Do you have science minded kids or budding environmentalists in your family? Then this volunteer opportunity is a great fit for you! Starting from McClellan Ranch we will visit eight sites on Stevens Creek to gather data on pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, specific conductance and turbidity. Volunteers are responsible for arranging their own transportation. We generally finish with the upper watershed by about 11am and the lower watershed by 1pm. No experience is needed; we will train you. Come enjoy and learn about these beautiful creeks while you collect data to protect their health. Please bring a reusable water bottle. You will not be getting into the creek, but it is best to wear comfy shoes and dress appropriately for the weather.
 
Ages: Volunteers of all ages are welcome; minors under 18 require a parent to approve the online waiver when you register for this event, and children under 12 require an accompanying adult.
 
Time Commitment: Three to four hours
 
Contact: Jeremy Merckling, Jeremy@grassrootsecology.org, 650.419.9880. Registration is available online. Please contact Jeremy for more information or to register groups larger than four.
www.grassrootsecology.org
 
 
Chicken Soupers Meal Preparation
Oshman Family Jewish Community Center/Jewish Family and Children's Services (JFCS)
 
Date/Time: Sunday, September 17, 1 - 5pm
 
Location: Oshman JCC, Community Kitchen, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto

Prepare a meal for an individual or family who are unable to prepare their own meals. Jewish Family and Children's Services (JFCS) has partnered with the OFJCC to make it possible to help support these people. This project will be done in two stages. First, we will prepare individual meals in our community kitchen, pack them and then deliver them to the designated people. This is a great opportunity for families to do a project together as well as take it personally to someone in need. Volunteers of all faiths, beliefs and backgrounds welcome.

Ages: Children ages eight and older are welcome to participate with adult present.
 
Time Commitment: Four hours
 
Contact: Robin Vasilakos, rvasilakos@paloaltojcc.org, 650.223.8791. This is a FREE event, prior online registration required.
www.paloaltojcc.org
 
 
Canary Challenge Event Volunteers
Canary Challenge Foundation
 
Date/Time: Saturday, September 30, various shifts available between 6am - 5pm
 
Location: Varian Medical Systems Inc., 3100 Hansen Way, Palo Alto

Volunteers are needed to help with all of the logistics of the Canary Challenge Event. The event is a cycling/5K walk and run event that benefits the Canary Foundation - a nonprofit focused on the early detection of cancer. On the day of the event, volunteers will be working closely with the Canary Challenge staff to help with the lunch, merchant, registration, volunteer and information booth set up at our Village (start/finish point for cyclists). There are also six rest stops along the various routes for the cyclists, and volunteers are needed to help with snacks/drinks for the resting cyclists at each rest stop. This is a very fun filled event! Volunteers will receive volunteer t-shirts and a  complimentary lunch at one of our three gourmet food trucks in the Village.

Ages: Ten and older with an adult present
 
Time Commitment: Varies depending on volunteer role.
 
Contact: Sadaf Majidi, sadaf@canarychallenge.org or 650.646.3197
www.canarychallenge.org

 
 
Help Provide Valet Bike Parking
Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition
 
Date/Time: Varies by event (see description below)
 
Location:  Varies by event

The purpose of SVBC is to create a healthy community, environment, and economy through bicycling for people who live, work, or play in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties. Valet bike parking is one of many ways that Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition encourages people to bike to public events. Volunteer responsibilities include accepting event attendees' bikes, placing them on bike racks, keeping a watchful eye during the event and then happily returning them to the attendees when they are ready to leave. Perks (such as snacks, free entry, or a meal) are usually provided for volunteers, depending on the event.
 
  • Volunteer to park bikes at the 49ers v. Carolina Panthers game on September 10 at Levi's Stadium. Find out more or sign up here!
  • Volunteer to park bikes at the 49ers v. LA Rams game on September 21 at Levi's Stadium. Find out more or sign up here!
  • Volunteer to park bikes at Canary Challenge on September 30 in Palo Alto. Find out more or sign up here!
Ages: Children ages eight and older can volunteer with an adult guardian and signed waiver; those ages 14 and older can volunteer with a signed waiver.
 
Time Commitment: Two to three hours
 
Contact: Alison Paulin, alison@bikesiliconvalley.org, 408.987.1965
www.bikesiliconvalley.org
 
 
Dinner Serving Program and Community Garden
Loaves & Fishes Family Kitchen
 
Date/Time: Monday - Friday (See below for times)
 
Location(s):
  1. Goodwill Building (4 - 6pm): 1080 N. 7th St., San Jose
  2. Eastside Neighborhood Center (3:30 - 6pm): 2150 Alum Rock Ave., San Jose
  3. Community Garden at Goodwill (Fridays only 9am - Noon), 1080 North 7th St. San Jose
Meal Serving Programs: Volunteers are needed to help with meal preparation, set-up of the dining hall, dishwashing, serving food and drinks, and clean up. Wear comfortable "work" clothes and closed-toed shoes (i.e., jeans, walking shorts, tennis shoes, etc.) Please do not wear sandals, halter or tank tops, short shorts, etc. For those with longer hair, please wear your hair up and off your face.
Goodwill Community Garden: The garden provides fresh vegetables for our dinner service program. Support is needed with weeding, planting and harvesting the vegetables, depending on the time of the year. Please wear comfortable clothes, bring water and sunscreen. Gloves are optional. The Garden is located at the far rear right corner of the parking lot, please proceed through the parking lot and park in the back.
 
Ages: Families with children of all ages are welcome to help with the meal serving programs. An adult must accompany children 14 and younger. Community Garden volunteers must be 15 or older.

Time Commitment: Two to three hours depending on program.
 
Contact: Hyru Gau, 408.922.9285 or 408.922.9085 x104 or volunteer@loavesfishes.org.
Registration is available online. Please bring a completed Volunteer Agreement form to your volunteer shift.
 
 
Community Services and Fresh Market Distribution Volunteers
Cityteam
 
Date/Time:
  • Community Services: Tuesday through Saturday, 9am - noon & 1 - 4pm
  • Fresh Market Distribution: 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month, 2 - 5pm
Location: 1297 North 13th Street, San Jose

Cityteam San Jose Community Services helps meet the critical needs of community members living below the poverty line by providing them with the resources they need to overcome the hardships they are facing and to break out of the cycle of poverty. Cityteam receives donations of food, clothing, household items, diapers, hygiene products, and furniture that are then distributed to families in need. Volunteers may help with tasks such as sorting donations, packing food boxes, maintaining the gallery (free store), organizing the warehouse, cleaning, distributing food bags, and/or assisting clients. Volunteers should be prepared to work hard as you make a meaningful impact in your community! Fresh Market Distribution volunteers are needed to hand out  fresh produce to individuals and families .

Ages: Volunteers ages 12 and 13 can volunteer with a parent. Older teens can volunteer on their own.
 
Time Commitment: Three hour shifts
 
Contact: Erin Campos, Ecampos@cityteam.org, 408.232.5620. Registration is available on the Cityteam Volunteer Projects Calendar. The above volunteer opportunities are listed under "Community Services" on the Projects Calendar. Registering a minor is the same as registering an adult. To register a minor, you will need to create an account for them in addition and agree to the volunteer terms on their behalf.
www.cityteam.org/
 
 
Adopt Everyday Big-Hearted Habits
Doing Good Together
 
Date/Time: Flexible
 
Location: Your home and community
 
We are what we do. By adopting one or two simple, caring routines, you'll give your children a strong sense of themselves as helpers. In this way, big-hearted habits empower kids to become thoughtful, engaged citizens throughout their lives. Visit the Big-Hearted Families Adopt Everyday Big-Hearted Habits page for ideas to add kindness to your everyday family routines.
 
Ages: There are ideas for families with children of all ages.
 
Time Commitment: Varies
 
Contact:  mail@doinggoodtogether.org
www.doinggoodtogether.org
 
 
Take DGT's 30-Day Back-To-School Kindness Challenge!

Big-hearted families may be familiar with our popular 30-Day Kindness Challenge and our Summer of Kindness Bucket List. Now with the fall season upon us, we're offering children and tweens/teens their own "30-Day Back-To-School Kindness Challenge"! These unique ideas help students focus on daily acts of kindness before, during, and after the school day. Let's make the 2017-18 school year the kindest one ever! Print and post yours today. Choose from the elementary grade and/or upper grade challenge.
 
 

 

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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™