June 2020 - NYC

 
 
Creating Connections
Met Council

Date/Time: Ongoing

Location: Items can be sent to:
Leah Schechter
Met Council Fulfillment Center
171 Lexington Ave
New York, NY 10016

Ages: Everyone can participate

Time Commitment: Varies

Met Council is America's largest Jewish charity dedicated to serving the needy. We fight poverty through comprehensive social services and by treating each client with compassion, integrity and respect. So many of our clients have come to us because they had no one else to turn to for food, for housing, for someone to care for them. We are committed to our mission of getting emergency food to all of our clients and taking care of the senior residents that live in our buildings. The hardest part of COVID-19 is the isolation, loneliness, fear and anxiety that many of our seniors and Holocaust survivors are experiencing while they stay home to remain safe. We want to remind them that we are here for them, even if we can't sit next to them. We want to send mail to our over 1400 senior residents just to give them a connection every day!

You can help from home by creating connections by mail! Kids, teens, adults, anyone who wants to help can send us:
  • Poetry
  • Letters
  • Short stories
  • Plays
  • Essays on interesting topics (High school kids- Start writing your college essays early!!)
  • Cards
  • Illustrations, drawings, art work
Anything that can be mailed... or slipped under the door to our seniors in their apartments would help to make our seniors feel connected! Thank you in advance for all your time, thoughts, and help to make sure our seniors and survivors know we are here and thinking about them. 
 

 
Brighten a Seniors Day
Letters Against Isolation

Date/Time: Ongoing

Location: At home project

Ages: Everyone can help

Time Commitment: Varies

Your family can help brighten the days of a senior citizen by sending letters to seniors in assisted living facilities or care homes. Once a week, we will send you the address of an elderly care facility in the continental US. You can write about whatever you would like, but remember that these letters will be brightening days; try to make them cheerful, and be creative! Do not include your address, phone number or anything else that would identify yourself and do not send gifts. Younger volunteers are welcome to send decorated cards. When you finish writing your letters, carefully copy the address onto your envelope(s), and mail your letters! Once you've mailed your letters, email us at [email protected] and tell us how many letters you sent. This is really important as it allows us to work with the senior centers and allocate volunteers more efficiently. Learn more here.

Contact: [email protected]. Click here and scroll down to find the Get Involved form.
https://www.lettersagainstisolation.com

 
The Longest Day
Alzheimer's Association

Date/Time: Saturday, June 20

Location: Your home

Ages: Everyone can participate

Time Commitment: Varies

The Longest Day is the day with the most light - the summer solstice. On June 20, people from across the world will fight the darkness of Alzheimer's disease through a fundraising activity of their choice. Use your creativity and passion to raise funds and awareness for the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer's Association. From basketball to baking and card games to crafts, there's an activity for everyone! Plus, nearly any fundraising activity can be done at home or online while practicing physical distancing. Click here for a variety of creative fundraising project ideas!


 
Getting to Zero - Advocacy
EndCoronavirus.org

Date/Time: Ongoing

Location: At-home project

Ages: Everyone can participate

Time Commitment: Varies

EndCoronavirus (ECV) is an international coalition of over 4,000 volunteers, including scientists, community organizers, caring citizens, business owners, and individuals like you. We have been operating since February 29, 2020, starting at our parent organization, the New England Complex Systems Institute (NECSI). We develop effective, community-based solutions to end the pandemic. We were one of the first to offer guidelines and advocacy for policy makers, businesses, and individuals. For this task, discuss as a family the steps you're taking to protect your health and help our city crush the curve and get to zero. What are some areas for improvement? What are the hardest parts? How can you help each other to reduce the risk of infection and cope with the current situation? You can look at some of the guidelines we have on our website: https://www.endcoronavirus.org/families 

 
Create Animal Drawings
Animal Care Centers (ACC)

Date/Time: Ongoing project

Location: Send a photo of your artwork to ACC at [email protected]

Ages: Everyone can participate

Time Commitment: Varies

Animal Care Centers is seeking all artists! Throughout history, artists have used their skills to inspire people to take action. For years, ACC has been using profile pictures to help potential adopters get to know each of our individual animals. By drawing a one-of-a-kind profile portrait for an animal ready for adoption, you can help inspire someone to add a new pet to their family. Take a look through the ACC website or app to find an animal you think would benefit from an awesome portrait; then send a photo of your artwork to ACC at [email protected]. Be sure to include the animal's name and ID number. Submissions are limited to one drawing per family and the ACC can include up to three portraits per animal in their adoption profile, but all submissions can be featured and shared on social media. Learn more here: www.nycacc.org/communitykids.

 
Make Cards for Cancer Patients
The Scarlet Fund (at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)

Date/Time: Ongoing project

Location: Drop off or mail cards to:
Timna Sherman Chefetz
c/o The Scarlett Fund
2211 Broadway, Apt 6E
New York, New York 10024

Ages: Everyone can help

Time Commitment: Varies

The Scarlett Fund (TSF) is calling on our community to help make cards for our friends who are battling cancer. Due to COVID-19, most patients will no longer be allowed to have visitors. These patients need our support more than ever and we are asking that everyone take a moment to write a note, share a poem, draw a picture, or craft an inspirational card to be distributed to patients. These cards will remind them that they are not alone. While we usually focus on our younger patients, for this card drive, we will be sharing our notes with patients of all ages. Our recipients love to know about YOU! If you like, you can share your name, your age, your hometown and even a photo of yourself. Please refrain from referencing the words "Cancer", "COVID-19" and "Get Better" in your cards. This is an ongoing drive so feel free to keep making and sending cards. We will also be supporting our health care workers. Please write cards of thanks and inspiration to our nurses, doctors, technicians and other employees of Memorial Sloan Kettering. They are our frontline and are working harder than ever to care for our most vulnerable patients. You are welcome to make as many cards as you like. If you are a child, please ask an adult to review your cards before you send them 

Contact: [email protected] 

 
Thank You Letter to a Sanitation Worker
Department of Sanitation and the Big Reuse

Date/Time: Ongoing project

Location: At home

Ages: Everyone can participate

Time Commitment: Varies

Sanitation workers work hard to keep our city clean, healthy, and sustainable. Especially during this time, they are putting themselves at risk to do a job that our city depends on. Please show them your support by writing a letter of thanks. If you know your sanitation worker's name, you can personalize it. And feel free to use drawings, too! Then take a picture of your card, and send it to us. We will then share it with the sanitation garage in your community, (and, if personalized, will do our best to make sure your particular sanitation worker sees it). Send pictures of you thank you letters to [email protected]

Contact: Baruch Blum, Outreach Associate, 818.984.6572, [email protected]
bigreuse.org

 
At Home Projects
Good+Foundation

Date/Time: Ongoing project

Location: Your home

Ages: Projects are recommended for five years and up with adult supervision

Time Commitment: Varies depending on project and age-level

Our mission at Good+Foundation is to dismantle family poverty by pairing tangible goods like baby diapers, formula and strollers with innovative services for low-income fathers, mothers and caregivers. Good+Foundation is going virtual with our volunteer opportunities! We've developed several opportunities that families can work on together at home. Families can help by creating "No Sew Blankets" or "Braided Pacifier Clips" for Good+Foundation families in need. Right now, our NYC and LA warehouses are only open to receive large-scale emergency donations and supplies for the families we serve, but please remain in contact with us to organize a drop-off or to ship your items when we are able to receive donations again. The families we serve will need these items when we reopen. Contact Anastasia to order your project materials and for full project instructions.

Contact: Anastasia Plavnicky, Volunteer Coordinator, [email protected]
https://goodplusfoundation.org/

 
Park Slope Donation Drive
Little Essentials

Date/Time: Saturday, June 6, 11am - 2pm

Location: Sidewalk outside of Fig Tree, 688 Union Street, Brooklyn

Ages: Everyone can participate

Time Commitment: Varies

Little Essentials offers at-risk families living in poverty urgently needed children's supplies and parenting education to promote the health, wellbeing and safety of their children under five years of age. Local Brooklyn friends, we are holding another donation drive outside of the Fig Tree Program. While you are out for fresh air/exercise, you can safely drop off your new and gently used, clean, and sanitized items at our table. Please make sure to observe physical distancing and face covering guidelines so we can keep everyone safe. We especially need: 
  • Diapers (sealed bags only)
  • Wipes (new)
  • Hygiene items
  • Pack 'n Plays & Bassinets
  • Car Seats
  • Snap N' Gos
  • Strollers
  • Carriers
  • Blankets
 
Make Paracord Bracelets
Soldiers Angels

Date/Time: Ongoing

Location: Mail completed bracelets to:
Soldiers' Angels
2895 NE Loop 410, Suite 107
San Antonio, Texas 78218

Ages: Everyone can help

Time Commitment: Varies

The mission of Soldiers' Angels is to provide aid, comfort, and resources to the military, veterans, and their families. Thousands of Soldiers' Angels "Angel" volunteers assist veterans, wounded, deployed personnel, and their families in a variety of unique and effective ways. Making paracord bracelets to share with our military service members and veterans is a fun arts and craft activity that will keep your children busy and help to teach them the power of giving! Paracord bracelets provide an easy-to-carry line of cord that can be used for a variety of survival needs. Ready to get started? Please Note: Paracord bracelets made for military service members have two important rules that must be followed in order for the service member to be allowed to wear the bracelet with their uniform:
1.    They must be in specific colors only: black, olive green, tan, or camo
2.    They must use MIL-SPEC cording
Your bracelets will be included in the care packages we are sending to deployed service members around the world. You can find all the supplies you need on Amazon. Click here for more information about paracord bracelets, including detailed instructions for making the bracelets.


Contact: Nancy Marshall, 210.629.0020. [email protected]
https://soldiersangels.org/

 
Playdates with a Purpose: International Children's Day
Repair the World Harlem

Date/Time: Monday, June 1,  3 - 3:40pm

Location: Zoom link will be sent upon registration

Ages: Geared to families with children 3 - 7 years old, but younger and older siblings are welcome.

Time Commitment: About 40 minutes

Join Repair the World Harlem and JCC Harlem for a project for our youngest volunteers! Playdates with a Purpose includes facilitated play, learning and story time around issues of equity. We'll be celebrating International Children's Day this month! Join us on Zoom to play and learn at home, together! Generously made possible by PJ Library, a program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. 

Contact:  Kate Thomas, [email protected]. Registration is available online.  
https://werepair.org/harlem/

 
Father's Day Family Service Project
Repair the World Brooklyn

Date/Time: Wednesday, June 17, 3 - 3:40pm

Location: Zoom link will be sent upon registration

Ages: Geared to families with children 6 - 12 years old, but younger and older siblings are welcome.

Time Commitment: About 40 minutes

Families are invited to learn with Repair the World Brooklyn in an engaging virtual service project! In preparation for Father's Day, we'll celebrate our own fathers and our community heroes! Join us on Zoom for a special project at home, together! Open to the public, free of cost. Generously made possible by the UJA Federation of NY. 

Contact: Kate Thomas, [email protected]. Registration is available online.    

 
How to Help Now

Repair the World Brooklyn has transformed our workshop at 808 Nostrand Avenue into a distribution center. Our transformed space has re-opened and we are collecting non-food supplies for our Central Brooklyn neighbors who need them. Some items that we're asking for are feminine products, hygiene supplies, cleaning supplies, paper goods, and baby supplies. You can purchase items directly from our Target Wishlist, or ship items to:

Repair the World: Donation
808 Nostrand Avenue Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11216

We are also fundraising for our local service partners:
  • The Campaign Against Hunger, which is in need of donations to purchase the thousands of grocery bags necessary to package wholesome food for clients. 
  • DOROT, which serves more than 3,500 older adults each year who are homebound, homeless or need to be connected to their greater community.
  • Met Council on Housing, which fights to ensure where everyone has access to safe, decent, affordable housing.
  • The Food Bank for New York City, which provides millions of meals to soup kitchens and food pantries throughout the five boroughs by donating here.
  • St. John's Bread & Life, which is serving to-go breakfast and lunch and pantry bags to clients in Brooklyn.
  • Bushwick City Farms, who are continuing to focus on growing healthy free food for the community.
 
Check out our featured Project of the Month!  


EXPLORE our growing list of at-home projects you can do whenever you're ready, each with conversation starters, book ideas, and more! Follow along on social media as other families tackle this month's projects and share their stories! Simply join our Facebook group or find us on Instagram (@doinggoodtogether and #sharekindness)
 
 
Customize and co-brand DGT's Kitchen Table Kindness Kits for your organization!

As camps close and summer events are cancelled, many organizations are looking for ways to connect to their campers, students, and congregation members. DGT™ is here to help. DGT's popular  Kitchen Table Kindness Kits - delivered by mail or downloaded to home computers - contain projects to help families serve others while prompting conversations about empathy, compassion, and the common good. We are pleased to customize these kits for your organization! Each kit created would be co-branded with your logo and include the kindness and service activities most relevant and appealing to the families you serve. Your members can receive the kits via mail or digital download. It's just one more way we are able to promote more kindness and service even as we stay safer at home. Learn more about the kits here:  https://www.doinggoodtogether.org/kitchentablekindnesskits

To connect with DGT about customizing a kit, please contact  [email protected]

 

 

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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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