Volunteer Opportunities for MLK Day of Service

Do something good for someone else and be part of a national movement. 

As the organizers of the MLK Day of Service point out, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is: 'What are you doing for others?'" Each year, Americans across the country answer that question by coming together on the King Holiday to serve their neighbors and communities.

In our region, the Volunteer Center of United Way has a list of opportunities to do just that.

All the opportunities below are on Jan. 18 unless otherwise noted. Act fast, they're filling up!

Mount Kisco

Canned Soup Drive with Mount Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry
Start: 3:30 pm End: 5 pm
Description: Donate canned goods at the food pantry.  Here is a poster you can use to ask for donations at your office, school, etc.
Family-friendly for volunteers of all ages
Click here for more information and to register

Visit with Seniors! for My Second Home with FSW
Start: 10:30 am End: Noon
Description: Bingo, arts and crafts, singing and other activities with seniors.
Family-Friendly Project for volunteers 12+
Click here for more information and to register

Newburgh

Volunteer for Habitat Newburgh 
Monday 1/20 Start: 8 am End: 12:45 pm
Description: Help out at one of several sites in Orange County.
Click here for more information and to register

Port Chester

Package Clothes for Kids with The Sharing Shelf of FSW
Start: 10 am End: 1 pm
Description: To serve the needs of area children, this organization distributes new and gently used clothing.  
Family-Friendly for Volunteers 12+
Click here for more information and to register

Rye

Post-Sandy Clean Up with Rye Nature Center
Start: 10 am End: 1 pm
Description: The effects of Sandy are still being felt.  Help get rid of excess debris as well as free areas of invasive vines.
Click here for more information and to register

Somers

Visiting with Seniors at Somers Manor
Start: 2 pm End: 4 pm
Description: All ages welcome to play games and get to know the senior residents of this nursing home.
Family-Friendly for Volunteers of All Ages
Click here for more information and to register

Spring Valley

Packaging Care Kits with Rockland Interfaith Breakfast Program
Start: 10:30 am End: Noon
Description: Help put together lunches for those served by this program and take a tour of the facility.
Family-Friendly for Volunteers 5+
Click here for more information and to register

Help Assess Our Community’s Health with Worldwide Community First Responders, Inc.
Start: 1 pm End: 4 pm
Description: This local organization plans an annual health fair and needs local input on how to best meet the needs of the people it serves.  
Family-Friendly Project for volunteers 10+
Click here for more information and to register

Tarrytown

Create “I Have A Dream” Mobiles with The Institutes of Applied Human Dynamics (IAHD)
Start: 10 am End: 12:30 pm
Description: Help disabled individuals create mobiles inspired by the life of Martin Luther King Jr.
Family-Friendly for Volunteers 14+
Click here for more information and to register

White Plains

2-1-1 Disaster Volunteer Training with United Way of Westchester and Putnam
Monday 1/20 Start: 9:30 am End: 11:30 am
Description: Be ready to volunteer in case of emergency with this training.
Click here for more information and to register

MLK Workshop with the Saturday Academy of White Plains Youth Bureau
Start: 10 am End: Noon
Description: Share the meaning of MLK with these young people who take part in a Saturday educational enrichment program.
Family-Friendly for Volunteers 15+
Click here for more information and to register

Put your heart into Valentine’s Day Cards with the YMCA in White Plains
Start: 10 am End: Noon
Description: To be delivered to a local children’s hospital or senior center, warm your heart (and theirs!) with Valentine’s Day Cards.
Family-Friendly for Volunteers
Click here for more information and to register

Yonkers

Get the Science Barge Ready for Winter with Groundwork Hudson Valley
Start: Noon End: 4 pm
Description: Ready the Science Barge for winter with a good cleaning.
Click here for more information and to register

Health & Fitness Fun Day Volunteer with YWCA Yonkers
Start: 8:30 am End 12:30 pm
Description: Improve the quality of life of children by volunteering at this fair where kids will learn about healthy eating, benefits of physical activity and physical fitness.
Family-Friendly for volunteers 16+ 
Click here for more information and to register