Volunteer Together

Are you looking for opportunities to teach your children how to give back to the community? Consider volunteering together as a family.

Volunteering benefits the community and the individual in a variety of ways. Families can learn new skills together, discover their hidden talents, strengthen the bond between neighbors and make new social connections. Volunteering provides a sense of purpose, and it can improve your physical and mental well-being.

You can volunteer for a non-profit organization or for someone in need right in your own neighborhood. It's a great way to teach kids about empathy and compassion for those facing tough challenges. Giving your time to help others just feels good. It might help bring your family closer together, too.

Here are some ways to volunteer together with your family in our local area.

Check out VolunteerMatch.

Explore the VolunteerMatch website to get started if you are unsure which organization is right for your situation. It connects you and your interests with organizations in need of volunteers.

Be sure to check with the organization’s website, or contact directly, if volunteers must meet a minimum age requirement, need background checks, a valid driver’s license or an insured vehicle.

Begin at your place of worship.

Churches, temples and mosques are great resources to connect you and your family with charitable organizations in the community. They may already have established partnerships with non-profits such as Forgotten Harvest, Gleaners, Open Door Food Ministries or Help's on the Way, a local clothing and food bank.

Places of worship can provide a way for you to volunteer to help homebound seniors receive meal delivery or through a local senior center offering free lunch. You can also contact Wayne County Senior Services directly if you are interested in helping with meal delivery or at a nutrition site near you.

Be sure to contact the organizations listed above in advance to learn all the requirements before selecting a volunteering opportunity. These organizations hold events such as food drives that might be a better fit for your busy schedule, or if you have young children.

Contact Canton Leisure Services.

Canton Leisure Services offers volunteer opportunities for both adults and youth at events such as River Day, Park and Trail Clean Up Day and other special occasions. There’s an application form for adults and youth on their website. You can also contact the volunteer coordinator directly at 734-394-5191 or by email.

The website offers a list of local, ongoing volunteer opportunities in Canton for every season of the year, depending on your interests.

Seek opportunities through your employer. 

Ask your employer if your company participates in group volunteering. Some companies partner with local human services organizations such as the Salvation Army, United Way and Starfish Family Services to provide employees with an engaging experience in working together to build a better community.

Volunteering with your company could lead to other opportunities where your family can be included, too.

Love nature? Help restore the Rouge River. 

Help the environment and preserve the watershed for future generations by volunteering with Friends of the Rouge. This non-profit group began in 1986 to raise awareness of our ecosystem and help restore the Rouge River.

There are many events in the area throughout the year that need volunteers. You can contact the Friends directly at 734-927-4900 or by email.

Consider volunteering for the Miracle League of Plymouth.

The Miracle League serves individuals with disabilities and their families by providing adaptive social-recreation programs in Southeast Michigan. Volunteers must be 10 years or older. Opportunities include serving as a buddy at Miracle League baseball games in Plymouth, being a game announcer, working at the concession stand, and more.

Visit their website to sign up to volunteer, or if your group wishes to participate.

Care for local animals at a humane society. 

Do you have a love for animals? The Michigan Humane Society might be the place to channel your passion and make a difference in an animal’s life. Volunteers must be 18 years of age, have reliable transportation, weekly availability and be willing to make a four-month commitment.

There are many volunteer positions available depending on your level of interest. If you have kids 14 years or younger, there are other ways to help, such as organizing a school walk-a-thon, a food drive or hosting a fundraising event to benefit Michigan Humane.

Applications are available on the Michigan Humane website.

Help protect pollinator ecosystems. 

Looking to help with the conservation of pollinator habitats? Bees in the D has volunteering opportunities for both adults and kids.

Local teacher and beekeeper, Brian Peterson-Roest, founded Bees in the D to raise awareness of the dwindling bee populations in metro Detroit. His organization has built hundreds of hives in urban areas such as repurposed urban lots and rooftops. Bees in the D need volunteers to help with honey harvesting and to man tables at local festivals.

Get involved with Special Olympics. 

Do you enjoy playing sports or have experience coaching? Special Olympics Michigan (SOMI) needs volunteers to coach, referee, chaperone and help with logistics at state and local level events. This organization provides inclusive training and athletic competitions for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

Utilize your DIY talents. 

Are you handy around the house, or do your skills include home renovation? Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley needs volunteers to renovate empty houses and turn them into homes for low-income families. Help strengthen community bonds through affordable home ownership.