photo by Kyla Slack
With the arrival of December, many organizations are looking for volunteers.
December is typically regarded as the time for serving others, but oftentimes, people don’t know where or how to donate their time and volunteer. There are many options around Colorado, and this article is a list of some of the amazing opportunities available.
One Hope Church of the Nazarene is located at 5301 S Federal Circle in Littleton, Colorado, and has many opportunities for the season. On Saturday, December 20th, from 11 a.m.to 1 p.m. they will be hosting their monthly Community Open House, where those in need will have access to a free food bank, toys, clothes, and coffee. Volunteers will be in charge of set-up, take down, running the food bank, managing the clothing and toy drives, and making sure visitors feel welcomed.
Movement 5280 is an organization dedicated to being a “family of support for at-risk and unhoused youth and young adults.” Their services are split into three programs: survive, thrive, and revive. Survive is dedicated to providing the essential needs that people might be lacking, including food, water, shelter, and hygiene items. Thrive includes options for mental health counseling, dentist visits, barber visits, life skills counseling, job readiness and employment, and personal goals. Revive focuses on the spiritual, offering Bible studies, church services at the Lost & Found Church, and help with addiction and emotional recovery through coaches and a Celebrate Recovery class. Volunteer opportunities and ways to donate food and clothing can be found on the organization’s website.
Operation Christmas Child is a program run by the Samaritan’s Purse organization to ensure no child goes without a Christmas gift. They pack shoeboxes full of toys, school supplies, and hygiene items to be delivered to children by local pastors. There is a guide on what and how to pack, as well as drop-off locations available at the program’s website.
Children’s Hospital Colorado offers many medical services for children in need. From orthopedics to cancer treatments, their pediatric doctors are there to help. They have many campuses with many ways to volunteer. This includes working at the gift shop, welcoming new families, working at the consignment shop, volunteering at fundraising events, and more. The Children’s Hospital will provide specific opportunities and times based on one’s interests and schedule.
The Salvation Army is one of the most widely recognized volunteer organizations in America, and they are always looking for volunteers. They offer many services such as help with food, shelter, thrift stores, recovery, and resources for survivors of disasters or violence. Ways to help include donating food, clothing, and your time to help with their operations. Visit their website or contact a local Salvation Army to connect.
Humane Colorado, formerly known as the Dumb Friends League, also has a year-round need for volunteers. Opportunities include cleaning cages, helping animals recover after surgery, helping animals get adopted, and, of course, fostering any animals. There is also the option to be an equine volunteer, which would entail working with horses. Students who are interested in either of these positions should feel free to contact Humane Colorado.
December kicks off the season of giving generously to others. However, it shouldn’t be this way. Helping out around the community shouldn’t be a seasonal thing, otherwise it becomes easy for individuals to forget that other people have struggles. The youth pastor at One Hope Church, Alex Edwards, explained, “no matter what your religion or your position on faith is, it’s important for all people, especially in today’s culture, to turn outside of themselves…it helps you view people differently, it helps you love people better, it helps you be kinder to people because you start to see people as real people.” Please consider volunteering this holiday season and find opportunities to do so year round!
