Volunteer Opportunities for Kids Around DC

Lisa R:  Wreaths Across America seeks to remember fallen veterans, honor those who serve, and teach children the value of freedom through wreath laying ceremonies at cemeteries throughout the country each December. Kids can help in every part of the mission, from raising funds to laying wreaths at 14,000 locations across the US, including Arlington Cemetery. Online teaching materials are available to compliment youth-group fundraising activities. To volunteer, fill out the form online and specify the location or group where you would like to participate.

Age: All

Lisa R:  Kids love to support this organization that shelters and finds permanent homes for all types of pets. In addition to fundraising and fostering animals at home, kids in grade 3-12 can read to the cats and other small animals in the adoption room in 20 minute sessions. The program provides the animals with much needed socialization. The shelter also awards service hours for projects that kids can complete at home, such as making toys for the animals and thank you cards for donors. Suggested projects can be found here.

Ages: 3rd-12th Grade

Lisa R:  The Greater DC Diaper Bank helps more than 8,000 families each year by collecting and distributing much needed baby and feminine care items. Kids can support a donation drive or volunteer in the warehouse with a parent or group. Kids helping in the warehouse will typically spend their 2-3 hour shift sorting, packing, stacking and organizing diapers and baby items. Sign up online around the 15th of the month proceeding your desired shift. Adults must accompany all volunteers under 18 yrs. Max 4 kids per adult.

Age: Infant to Adult.

Lisa R:  A Wider Circle fights poverty by providing basic-needs items & housing assistance to those in need. Kids can volunteer with parents at the Center for Community Service where they sort donations and assist clients in selecting items. Student service hours are awarded from work in the Center for Community Service, organizing food drives, and special events throughout the year.

Age: Ideal for school age+. Parents must accompany children under 14.

Lisa R:  Thrive DC provides a variety of services for homeless and low-income individual, including meals, showers, laundry, mail delivery, counseling & more. It is also one of the few programs that lets young volunteers work directly with homeless clients. Elementary-aged kids volunteer with their parents to prepare & serve a meal, hand out hygiene supplies and coordinate shower and laundry schedules during the evening program for women and their dependents. Volunteer groups with kids 3rd grade+ can also help set up and distribute food as part of the centers free Farmers' Market.

Age: Elementary+

Alexandra F.:  Volunteers help host monthly birthday parties at homeless and transitional living facilities at partner agencies around Washington, DC, where all children with a birthday that month are joyfully celebrated along with any children and family members staying at the agency. Families are welcomed and encouraged to volunteer together, setting up, decorating and helping out with party activities, though please note that each community agency may have unique age or other restrictions party by party. Adults 18 and older will be required to complete a background check.

Lisa R:  DC Central Kitchen takes food that would otherwise go to waste and turns it into healthy meals for those in need. Volunteers are needed every day of the week to help in the kitchen- no previous kitchen experience needed! Budding chefs aged 12 and up love picking up new culinary skills while making a difference. Stay tuned to the volunteer page June-October for additional opportunities picking vegetables at local farms.

Age: 12 yrs and up.

Lisa R:  The Capital Area Food Bank provides food to thousands of area residents. Their Urban Demonstration Garden produces 2,000 pounds of food each year that supports their programs. Volunteering in the garden is perfect for families who like to spend time outside. Kids love learning to plant, harvest, and care for the organic veggies. Parents love the simple online sign-up process that lets you claim 3 hr shifts that fit in your schedule.

Other Food Bank volunteer opportunities for kids 12+ include the Distribution Center, Community Market & Events.

Age: 1yr+

Lisa R:  This national program provides year round athletic training and competition opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities. Volunteer opportunities include short term assignments to help with special events (including as a cheerleader), as well as longer term positions as coaches and "Unified Partners" who play alongside Special Olympics athletes. Most opportunities are for high school+, but younger kids may be able to cheer or help with event set-up alongside an adult. Contact the chapter nearest you for opportunities: DC, Virginia, Maryland.

Age: Typically high school+

Lisa R:  The Maryland SPCA helps adoptable pets find homes and provides low-cost medical care and other services to pets in needs. Families who wish to help by fostering animals until they find their forever home receive specials training, supplies, and 24-hour support. An adult must serve as the primary caretaker, however children may be able to help with day to day tasks depending on the animal and individual circumstances. Kids 6-12 yrs can also sign up to read to the animals during the school year, which provides the animals with much needed socialization.

Age: Ideal for school age+

Lisa R:  Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland delivers healthy meals and social interaction right to the door of those who need it most. Two person volunteer teams work 60-90 minute routes delivering food and chatting with homebound neighbors. Kids can accompany adult volunteers on regular routes or shopping trips (including quarterly ones for pets), sign up to deliver during school breaks through the Moms for Meals program, or get student service hours for volunteering in the Main Office Kitchen. Kids can also create special service projects of their own design.

Age: All with adult.

Lisa R:  S.O.M.E. breaks the cycle of poverty and homelessness by providing numerous services for those in needs, including basic items, meals, showers, job training, social services & housing. Kids 13+ can sign up online to serve meals and and sort donations during regular shifts. Younger kids can help by decorating a 45" x 96" dining-room bulletin board either at home or on-site and by participating in donation drives. Older students can inquire about occasional opportunities to tutor younger students in the Family Housing program or work with senior citizens.

Age: Generally 13+

Lisa R:   MCCCS focuses on causes related to hunger, homelessness, and other issues of injustice in DC. Their high-impact volunteer projects are designed to be inclusive of all ages, abilities, and availabilities. Families can easily sign up online for projects that fit their schedule and interests. Opportunities include everything from making handmade items for the homeless, to preparing & serving meals at a soup kitchen, to small renovation projects.

Their group projects can be customized for birthdays, alternative school break activities, and special service projects.

Age: All