Volunteer for the Holidays!

The volunteer opportunities listed below come to us through area nonprofits with which we are familiar; however, they are not Greater DC Cares’ projects. Greater DC Cares assumes no responsibility for these events. You do not need to be an oriented Greater DC Cares to participate in these projects.  If you're interested in one of the opportunities listed below, please contact the organization directly at the number provided.

As you may know, Greater DC Cares offers high-impact, well-run volunteer projects all year long.  To become a member of Greater DC Cares and gain access to these opportunities,

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for a one-hour orientation so that you can learn how to get involved.

Volunteer Opportunities

Parrticipate in the 22nd Annual Washington DC Jewish Community Center December 25th Day of Service

Join over 1,000 other people who will volunteer at 50 non-profits throughout the greater Washington, DC area on December 25th. Projects vary from 2-4 hours and encompass a variety of activities including visiting the sick, serving meals to seniors, preparing food for the homeless and throwing holiday parties. For more information or to register, visit www.washingtondcjcc.org/volunteer.

Become a Team Leader at The Holiday Project

Every year, The Holiday Project organizes groups of volunteers to visit, spend time, and talk with nursing home residents.  Team Leaders are the “visit hosts” who make arrangements with the facility, choosing dates and times for the visits, they enroll the visitors, and lead short opening an closing meetings on visit days.  Team Leaders are trained in person or over the phone by a Steering Committee member.  For more information about becoming a Team Leader, e-mail holidayprojectdc@hotmail.com or call 703-370-0370.

Volunteer with The Holiday Project

The Holiday Project organizes volunteers around the National Capital Area during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons. We visit the residents of nursing homes, homeless shelters and hospitals to spread the cheer of the holidays. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, more than 50 percent of nursing home residents have no close relatives. We bring the joy of the season to those who would not otherwise have a reason to celebrate. This experience is not only rewarding for the residents but for the volunteers as we all remember the true reason for the holidays. For a listing of sites and dates for visits, please go to www.holidayproject.org and click on "Visit List". If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at holidayprojectdc@hotmail.com .

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Wrap and Deliver Gifts for Children with Incarcerated Parents, December 18th

Help Offender Aid and Restoration (OAR) provide gifts for children of incarcerated parents from 6:30pm to 8:00pm. Volunteers will meet at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 4000 Lorcom Lane , Arlington , VA 22201 for our Holiday Wrapping Party. Volunteers are needed to wrap and deliver gifts so the children of incarcerated parents will feel remembered this holiday season. The Gift Deliverers must have a car and a valid driver's license and the delivery must be made between December 19 and December 22. They will contact the family to finalize delivery time and date. Please bring friends and if possible a gift for a teenagers (gift cards are the perfect gifts)! Volunteers under 16 must be supervised by an adult. For more information about this opportunity, contact Elizabeth Jones Valderrama at 703-228-7030 or by email at ProjectXmasAngel@oaronline.org .

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Spend Some Time at a Toy Drive , December 8th through December 19th

Northern Virginia Family Service is looking for volunteers for this year's TOY DRIVE . This drive brings the magic of holiday gift giving into the homes of needy children and their families. Without this program most of these children may receive no toys at all. Volunteers will sort out toys according to age/gender groups, stuff the toy closet, and assist case managers pick up toys for their clients. They can volunteer one time, a couple days, or during the entire drive between 12/8 and 12/19 (on weekdays, between 10am and 2pm.) Please register at 703-219-2193 or volunteer@nvfs.org .

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Wrap Gifts with Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic of Metropolitan Washington (RFB&D), November 28th through December 24th

Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic of Metropolitan Washington (RFB&D) needs help staffing the gift-wrapping table at Borders bookstore in Friendship Heights  everyday from Friday, November 28 through Christmas Eve, December 24. Please help RFB&D with this awareness-raising, fundraiser and volunteer for a two-hour shift during store hours (with priority on filling shifts in the evening and on weekends when the store is the busiest).  It's fun especially if you come with a friend, and it will get you in the store to buy your own holiday gift books and gifts! For more information, please contact RFB&D development director Mary Reyner at 202-244-8990 or mreyner@rfbd.org .

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Be Santa for the Holidays, November 28th through December 24th

Deaf Reach is a non-profit organization located in NE, Washington DC that serves deaf and hard of hearing adults needing mental health services.  Additionally, they provide community support, housing and educational programs. During November 28 th to December 24 th Deaf Reach will be hosting Signing Santa at Mazza Gallery to help raise funds for our program.  They are currently looking for a Santa (deaf/ or hearing men who can sign).  They are also looking for volunteers to become elves (signers/non-signers) to take and develop photos. Additionally, the volunteers will be escorting the children to Santa. For more information, please contact Michelle Lewis at terps@deaf-reach.org or 202-832-6681.

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