For the love of volunteering - A GIFT BOTH GIVEN AND RECEIVED

11/24/2023 09:43AM ● By BrewView

It’s always said that it’s better to give than to receive, and what better gift during the holiday season than your time? Many organizations are in need of volunteers this time of year to create a bit of holiday magic, whether that be offering a meal to a family in need or providing your community with a resource they can use all year long.

Volunteering your time in Chittenden County, Vermont, this winter is a rewarding way to give back to your community. Here are five organizations looking for generous people like you:

The Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf is the county’s largest hot meals program, serving hot meals every day. They provide local families and individuals a week’s worth of groceries and meals— helping more than 12,000 people every year. The need for food assistance has grown exponentially in recent years, and the need for volunteers is great. Visit www.feedingchittenden.org to learn more about their volunteering opportunities.

Committee on Temporary Shelter (COTS) is the largest provider of housing and homelessness prevention services in Vermont. Last year they helped 1,366 people, including 317 children. COTS
is often looking for volunteers to help with tasks like serving meals, staffing emergency shelters, and providing support to individuals experiencing homelessness during the cold winter months. The COTS Phonathon is their biggest fundraising event of the year, and they are looking for 200 volunteers to answer phones, November 27–30. Visit www.cotsonline.org/volunteer for more information.

The Salvation Army has been a mainstay in volunteer and charity work in Vermont for decades. They provide assistance to individuals and families in need through winter coat drives and by providing daily meals, disaster assistance, a walk-in food pantry four days a week, and emergency assistance to those in need. Year in and year out, they are a pivotal part of our communities and are always looking for volunteers and donations. Visit http://www.easternusa.salvationarmy.org/northern-new-england/greater-burlington for more information.

Do you love skiing? Then you should join the more than 400 volunteer instructors each year at Vermont Adaptive. Here, you can help individuals with disabilities achieve their dreams through sport. Vermont Adaptive is looking for energetic, dedicated individuals who have a passion for sports and want to share that passion with others. Volunteers are from all walks of life but have one mission in mind to help those with disabilities enjoy sports and recreation on a daily basis. Visit www.vermontadaptive.org/get-involved to learn more!

If you enjoy nature and walking the local trails throughout Burlington, then you should become a Burlington Wildways Trail Steward. By volunteering to be a trail steward, you can assist in helping to keep trails clean and in good shape. You also can assist in invasive species removal and restoration plantings. Sign up for the Burlington Wildways Trail Steward at www.burlingtonwildways.org/user/register.

Your gift of time this holiday season will help these organizations spread cheer the whole year through. Volunteering for your community is a gift that keeps on giving!

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