HandsOn Tampa Bay encourages families to volunteer together.  When your family works together to serve others, even fromyour kitchen table, you are instilling the important value of volunteerism in your children. 

 For tips and strategies on how to communicate volunteering and community service with children, click here. 

◊ National Family Volunteer Day -- happens the Saturday before Thanksgiving (November 20, 2010), and was created to inspire families with children young and old to give back, in any way they choose - i.e. volunteering with a local nonprofit, helping neighbors in need, or picking up litter at the local playground. The growing movement makes it easy to nurture a tradition of family service and shows children that they can make a difference!

◊ Family Volunteering All Year Round
Below, we have included some ideas on things you and your family can do.  They are easy and can be done in your own home or neighborhood. Visiting an agency is sometimes overwhelming for young children, so we created this list to make it possible for family members of all ages to make a difference in Tampa Bay!

   » Hold a Cause Party! For ages 13-99. Supplies needed are invitations and refreshments. Time needed is 2 hours to plan plus party time. Invite friends and family to a Cause Party at your home to hear a speaker from an organization whose mission interests you. Contact any of the agencies listed on our website.

   » Donate Clothes for School Age Children For ages 6-99. Supplies needed are boxes to hold the clothes. Time needed is 10 hours to plan, promote, accept and deliver donations. Contact friends and family about your project and set a date and time to collect clean, wearable clothing for children and teenagers of all sizes. Deliver to Clothes To Kids.

   » Knit Hats for the Homeless For ages 8-99. Supplies needed are: yarn. Time needed is up to you. Knit hats for people living in shelters or on the street. Deliver to Pinellas Hope, Metropolitan Ministries, Salvation Army.

   » Create Snack Packs for Ronald McDonald House Residents For ages 6-99. Supplies needed are 1-gallon food storage bags, snack items like fruit cups, granola bars, trail mix, chewing gum. Maybe add a puzzle book and a pen. Time needed is shopping time and 2 hours to assemble and deliver. Parents of children in the hospital spend their days at the hospital. Having a snack pack with them saves them a trip to the vending machine or cafeteria. Deliver to Ronald McDonald House in Tampa or St Petersburg.

   » Toiletries for the Homeless For ages 6-99. Supplies needed are 1or 2-gallon size food storage bags, soap, washcloth, toothpaste, toothbrush, comb, emery board, safety pins, shampoo, lotion, sewing kit, razor, etc. Set up an assembly line to fill the bags and have each child place each item in the bags. Time needed is shopping time and 2 hours to assemble and deliver. Deliver to Pinellas Hope, Metropolitan Ministries, Salvation Army.

   » Conduct a School Supply Drive For ages 5-99. Supplies needed are backpacks, notebooks, pencils, folders, crayons, etc. Time needed is shopping, collecting, delivery time, (approximately 10 hours). Contact friends and family about your project and set a date and time to collect supplies. Deliver to Teaching Tools for Hillsborough Schools, Boys and Girls Clubs, your neighborhood school. 

   » Host a Pet Food/Pet Toy Drive For ages 5-99. Set up a collection point, promote with family and friends. Time needed is 10 hours. Deliver to Pet Pal Rescue, Humane Society, SPCA.

    » Create Greeting Cards For ages 5-99. Supplies needed are paper, markers, stickers, envelopes. Time needed is 2-3 hours. Make cards Deliver to nursing homes, VA hospitals, Shriners.

    » Color/Create Placemats for Food Trays For ages 5-99 Supplies needed are placemats, crayons, markers, stickers Time needed is 2 hours Make placemats Deliver to nursing homes, VA hospitals, Shriners, Metropolitan Ministries.

    » Hand Gathering Crops Left after Harvesting  Produce is given to local food banks, pantries, soup kitchens & shelters to feed the hungry. For ages 10-99. Time needed is 3-4 hours. Contact Society of St. Andrew/Gleaners, Gene Shewfelt, 813-689-8621.

    » Pick Up Litter at Your Neighborhood Park For ages 8-99 Supplies needed are trash bags, gloves, rakes. Time needed is 2 hours. Leave your tied, filled bags near trash receptacle at park.

    » "Adopt" a Neighborhood Senior or Disabled Person Help them with yard work, errands meals For ages 10-99 Supplies needed are yard tools. Time needed is 1-3 hours.

    » Book Drive Gather new or gently used books for children staying in shelters For ages 5-99. Time needed is 10 hours. Deliver to The Spring, RCS, Metropolitan Ministries, Salvation Army, CASA, etc..

    » Welcome to the Neighborhood When a new family moves into the neighborhood make a welcome card, list of fun places locally, school calendar, and library information. For ages 5-99. Supplies needed are construction paper, markers. Time needed is 3 hours. Deliver to your new neighbor.

 Have fun! Volunteer with your family today, Tampa Bay!