Volunteer

Perhaps you are the type who feels fortunate for what you have and think it's important to help others. Or maybe your motives for doing a volunteer date are strictly dishonorable. Ultimately, it doesn't matter what your intentions are. If the only reason you are volunteering is to impress your date—we hope your plan works. Perhaps it will inspire you to volunteer again. And again.

People often benefit in incalculable ways when they extend themselves to others. That can be the beauty of this kind of date.

COST

This date won't cost you a thing, except for the time and effort you put into it.

WHERE CAN YOU VOLUNTEER?

Some of the organizations that can use your help are schools, libraries, nursing homes, the humane society, food banks, soup kitchens, libraries and recreation centers. If you are in college, you might find there is a special department that helps place student volunteers throughout your community. This department will help match any special skills you might offer with an organization that needs them. Here are a few websites and phone numbers to help you get started. As we become aware of more volunteer programs, we will be listing them on our website at www.goofyfootpress.com.

Boys and Girls Club—Help children become competent, caring and productive adults; from teaching dance or soccer to helping tutor in reading and math, try www.bgca.org or phone (800)854-CLUB for a Boys and Girls Club in your area.

CASA—Court Appointed Special Advocates are appointed by judges to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children. You'll stay assigned to a child until he or she is placed into a safe, permanent and nurturing home. Telephone (800)628-3233 www.nationalcasa.org/.

Rolling Readers—Help disadvantaged children learn to read and gain a lifelong interest in books. Go to www.rollingreaders.org. Literacy Volunteers of America—Help fellow adults learn to read and write. Try www.literacyvolunteers.org or call (315)445-8000.

Goodwill Industries—Through volunteering at Goodwill, you can help provide people with the tools they need to succeed in being able to work and get jobs. Try www.goodwill.org and click on "volunteer" at the bottom of the site menu, or call (240)333-5200. Hostelling International—Help young people from all over the world to understand more about our culture. Phone (202)783-6161 or go to www.iyhf.org/.

4-H—This excellent and highly effective program brings together the cooperative efforts of young people, volunteer leaders, state landgrant universities, state and local governments, and the US Department of Agriculture. It help our youth to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes that will enable them to become more productive members of society. www.fourhcouncil.edu/ or phone (301)961-2800.

Second Harvest—This is the nation's largest domestic hunger relief organization. Through a network of over 200 food banks and food-rescue programs, they distribute food to 26 million hungry Americans each year, eight million of whom are children. Go to www.secondharvest.org or phone (800)771-2303.

YMCA—As a YMCA volunteer, you can lead an exercise class, read to a preschool class, coach a basketball team, cook for a bake sale, design a program brochure, serve as a role model for young people, help out in the office or at a special event, or be part of a group or committee working on a neighborhood problem. www.ymca.net or phone (888)333-YMCA to find the nearest Y by zip code.

For websites with listings of organizations that need volunteers, try: