It’s the time of year to seek out brighter horizons. Grasp those exquisite moments, feeling so alive, that cascade over us when we reach out to others and step into new experiences. Here are a few opportunities to get you started.
Natural Support
Nature’s Nursery is the center for wildlife rehabilitation and conservation education. It is a deeply satisfying experience for staff and volunteers who care for orphaned and injured birds and animals. The non-profit, located in Whitehouse, OH in a natural, park-like setting, is always looking for volunteers to help with wildlife care at the facility, to foster baby animals, build or repair enclosures, do presentations, transport and release animals and more. For info on volunteering (training provided), memberships, donations, scheduling a nature/wildlife presentation and visiting hours go to natures-nursery.org or call 419-877-0060.
Prop up pantries
Food For Thought is the non- profit organization that “feeds Toledo in a thoughtful way” by reaching out to hungry people with their mobile pantry and wagons. The mobile panty transports food right to the folks in need and gives them the freedom (that we enjoy when grocery shopping) to choose. In addition, the staff and volunteers gather on Friday evenings to prepare sack lunches (FFT’s trademark peanut butter and jelly sandwiches) for their Saturday mini mobile wagons. They head out on foot in the downtown area handing out the food to those they meet offering a moment of conversation and friendship and providing the dignity of acknowledgement to those that are often overlooked and ignored. To learn more about volunteering and donating visit feedtoledo.org or call 419-972-0022.
Outdoor Aids
Toledo Metroparks offer an incredible variety of volunteer opportunities to get outdoors while interacting with others and learning about wildlife, plants and nature. Choose your passion from gardening, harvesting native seeds, joining the horse care corps, becoming a nature interpreter or walk leader, or monitoring butterflies, bats and birds. Training provided. Visit metroparkstoledo.com for a complete list of amazing ways to become involved!
Choose your own adventure
Find more ways to join in by checking out volunteermatch.org, for getting involved with all kinds of short term and long term volunteer experiences from the quirky to the serious. Just type in your city, your volunteer preference (animals, people, nature, writing, photography, management, artistic, construction, etc.) and a listing of opportunities with descriptions will appear. Some even have previous volunteers’ ratings and comments.
