Have you found yourself with a little spare time? Do your days seem long and boring with nothing to do? If the answer is yes to either of these questions, then I have one suggestion for you. Get out and volunteer! Volunteering will take up your spare time, plus you’ll be helping the needy in your community. Read this article to find out what volunteer opportunities lay in your community.
Where to Volunteer in Washington, DC #1: Georgetown University Hospital
If you have a strong interest in the medical field, then you may want to consider volunteering at Georgetown University Hospital. Volunteers will need to make a time commit of 4 hours a week for six months. Some of the areas you can work in are: Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, Same Day Surgery Waiting Room, Lombardi Cancer Center, General Surgery Unit, Administration Office, Child life and more. Before volunteering, the hospital asks that you go to an information session so you can better determine if volunteering with Georgetown University Hospital is what you really want to do. You will need to bring a completed application to the information session and a recommendation. You then have to be interviewed, pass a background check, health check and a drug screen and attend an orientation. To find out more, call (202) 444-5545. Georgetown University Hospital is located at 3800 Reservoir Rd, NW Washington, DC 20007.
Where to Volunteer in Washington, DC #2: National Aquarium
The National Aquarium is located at Commerce Building, Room B-077 14th & Constitution Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20230. There are two volunteer opportunities available the National Aquarium. They are: Aquarist Aides and Education Docents. Aquarist Aides help staff with cleaning the exhibits, feeding animals and changing water in tanks. Education Docents are trained with knowledge and help with tours and other presentations. To find out more, call (202) 482-0852.
Where to Volunteer in Washington, DC #3: Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington
The Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington needs volunteers who will help with mailings, programs, clerical work, membership, publications, special events and more. Before volunteering, you will need to be interviewed. To start the volunteering process, call (202) 789-0900. They are located at 701 Fourth Street, NW Suite 200 Washington, D.C. 20001.
Where to Volunteer in Washington, DC #4: Hillwood Estate Museum and Gardens
Hillwood Estate Museum and Gardens is located at 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW Washington, DC, 20008. They are looking for volunteers in three areas: Visitor Services Volunteer (Hold orientations in the Visitor Center and help guests at the Mansion), Membership Services Volunteer (help Hillwood members and try to get visitors to become members) and Garden Volunteers (help staff in the gardens on the property). Volunteers receive discounts in the Museum Store and at special events. You do have to agree to volunteer a certain amount of time. For more information, call (202) 243-3938.
Where to Volunteer in Washington, DC #5: Central Union Mission
Central Union Mission helps the homeless population in Washington DC. They need volunteers to help with the missions daily activities. They accept volunteers in groups or individual people. The Mission requests that you register two weeks before volunteering. Volunteers are needed for: Food Depot (Sorting Food, Checking in clients, handing out food), Administrative Offices (Data Entry and other office duties), Serving Meals (serving meals to clients who come in), Building Cleanup (mopping, sweeping, etc), Building Maintenance (minor repairs) and more. Central Union Mission is located at 1350 R Street NW Washington, DC 20009 and their phone number is (202) 745-7118.
Where to Volunteer in Washington, DC #6: Capital Area Food Bank
The Capital Area Food Bank works to provide food to needy people and families. Volunteers are need to sort food, pack food, hand out food, help out at special events, do data entry, put together mailings, etc. They set up volunteering by appointment only so if you’d like to volunteer you have to arrange it beforehand. Capital Area Food Bank is located at 645 Taylor Street, NE Washington, DC 20017. Call (202) 526-5344 to start volunteering.
Where to Volunteer in Washington, DC #7: Washington Hospital Center
Washington Hospital Center is located at 110 Irving Street, NW Washington, DC 20010. If the medical field interests you, you may want to volunteer here. Before volunteering, you will have to fill out an application, have a professional recommendation, write a one page summary telling the hospital all about yourself and why you want to volunteer with them and be interviewed. Some of the areas of the hospital you can volunteer is: the ER, Nursing Units, Radiology, Human Resources, Pastoral Care and more. Volunteers get free parking and meals. Applications have to be submitted online. You can go here: http://www.whcenter.org/body.cfm?id=557156 to fill it out. Call (202) 877-9999 if you have any problems or questions.
Where to Volunteer in Washington, DC #8: The Textile Museum
The Textile Museum helps the public learn more about textile arts. They need people to volunteer to be Docents (must commit to two years, lead tours, attend informal trainings, etc), Program Volunteers (help with weekend programs, etc), Administrative Volunteers (office work, etc), Library Volunteer (work in a research library doing various tasks), etc. The Textile Museum is located at 2320 S Street, NW, Washington, DC 20008 and their phone number is (202) 667-0441.
Where to Volunteer in Washington, DC #9: Miriam’s Kitchen
Miriam’s Kitchen is located at 2401 Virginia Avenue NW Washington, DC 20037. Volunteers for Miriam’s Kitchen help feed the homeless, sort food at the local food bank as well as help out at special events that are held during the year. If you’d like to volunteer, call (202) 452-8926.
Where to Volunteer in Washington, DC #10: The HSC Pediatric Center
If you enjoy being around children, perhaps you should consider filling out a volunteer application with the HSC Pediatric Center. The HSC is especially for kids with special needs. Before volunteering, you have to fill out an application, be in good health, be at least 16 years old, undergo a health screening and attend training. You can work directly with children or behind the scenes in the Administration office. They are located at 1731 Bunker Hill Road, NE Washington, D.C. 20017 and their phone number is (202) 832-4400.
