What could I do?

Photo of volunteer Guess what? There are tons of opportunities to volunteer for stuff you probably already do just for fun. Find the right place to donate your time and you might even forget you’re “volunteering”! Tell us what sort of things you’re into and we’ll give you some ideas you might not have thought about.

Animals
Art
Computers
Environment
Fashion

Food
Gardening
Global change
Helping people feel better
Helping people learn

Helping people who need help
Kids
Music
Shopping
Sports

Animals

Photo of a dog Animals can’t always help themselves – they need your help!

Check out volunteer opportunities at your local humane society. Click here for a list and find the one closest to you.
If you live in Toronto (and aren’t scared of really big animals), you can volunteer at the Toronto Zoo
Your local vet’s office might appreciate some help.
Help out a neighbour. Some people don’t ask for help so why don’t you offer to walk the dog or feed the cat of an elderly, sick or just really-busy neighbour.

Art

Photo of a volunteer Breaking into a career in art can be hard so why not get your foot in the door by volunteering.

Besides the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto and the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa, there are tons of smaller art galleries in Ontario that might be able to use your help as a volunteer. Find one close to you here.
The Toronto Film Festival is the biggie, but most cities in Ontario now have their own film festivals that depend on volunteers. There are festivals as diverse as Ottawa’s animation festival, Cinefest Sudbury and the Niagara Indie Film Fest .
If you’re an aspiring Picasso, why not volunteer to teach some of your skills at your local community centre or after-school program for younger kids.
Organize an art show at your high school. Charge an entrance fee and donate the money to your favourite cause.

Computers

Photo of a student using a computer Love to surf the web? If you’re into spending time on the computer, here are a few ways you can volunteer:

Help senior citizens use the computer. Call up your local senior’s home or centre and ask if they need help.
Help new immigrants learn how to use the computer and find information online. Find a local centre for newcomers to Canada and ask if they have a computer lab. Click here for a list of centres.
Check if your local library or community centre has a computer lab. Ask them if they need somebody to help people use the computers.

The Environment

Photo of a recycling bin Ontario’s abundance of great outdoors makes it an easy place to find volunteer opportunities to keep it beautiful.

Help plant trees for the Ministry of Natural Resources’ volunteer program.
Volunteer to help monitor the quality of your local lake for the Ministry of Environment.
Check out Green Ontario’s website for a really long list of environmental groups – most of them would love your help.
Ontario’s provincial parks need volunteers to keep their trails, canoe routes and campsites beautiful. Click here to find the park closest to you.
Ontario has over 250 conservation areas - find your local area here and offer to volunteer.
When the snow melts there’s a lot of trash left on the side of the road! Get a group together and bag it up.
Start a recycling or composting club at your school.

Fashion

Photo of dresses Try on one of these volunteer ideas:

Organize a fashion show at your school to raise money for a charity.
If you’re at least 18 years old, you can volunteer for Toronto’s Fashion Week.
Small fashion designers sometimes take volunteers – especially if you’re motivated and want a career in fashion. Click here for a listing of designers in Toronto you might want to contact.
Design a t-shirt or tote bag for your favourite cause or charity.
Organize a used clothing drive at your school and donate them to Goodwill, Salvation Army or another charity.

Food

Photo of produce For some people, filling the hunger gap is as easy as opening the fridge. But not everyone is as fortunate.

Volunteer for your local elementary school’s student nutrition program. Some schools in Ontario serve breakfast for kids before class starts and are always looking for extra help. Call the school or pop into the office and ask for details.
Help out your neighbours. Some people don’t ask for help so why don’t you offer to cook dinner for an elderly, sick or just really-busy neighbour.
Organize a food drive at your school for the local food bank. Or, volunteer at the food bank yourself. Find one closest to you here.
Volunteer your time and talent serving and preparing food at a shelter, crisis centre, seniors or community centre. These places especially need help around the holidays.
Got a killer brownie recipe? Why not bake a batch and sell them at school for charity or just give them away to somebody you think needs a little chocolate in their day.

Gardening

Photo of flowers Got a green thumb? Put it to good use by volunteering.

There’s a horticultural society in most towns in Ontario. Besides acting as clubs for gardeners, these groups also help plant and take care of community gardens. Find your local society here and offer to help out.
Does your local museum, library, community centre, senior’s centre or park have a garden? Chances are these gardens are maintained by volunteers. Ask about how you can help out.
Help out your neighbours. Some people don’t ask for help so why don’t you offer to rake the leaves, pick the weeds or cut the grass of an elderly, disabled or just really-busy neighbour.

Global Change

Photo of hands holding a globe You don’t have to wait until you’re an adult to make a difference in the world.

Not sure what big issues need your help? Click here for some info.
Become an activist. Read Free the Children's tips on starting your own group. And here’s a list of things you can do.
Here’s a list of organizations that are changing the world – because of volunteers like you.

Helping People Feel Better

Child reading with a senior Not everyone has the support of family or friends when they’re sick or hurt. Try making somebody else’s day better and you’ll probably end up making your own a little better too.

Help make somebody’s day in the hospital seem a little brighter by volunteering. Look for your local hospital’s website here
Volunteer at your local seniors centre or nursing home. You can help them by going for a walk, playing cards or just talking.
The United Way funds a lot of organizations that depend on volunteers. Click here to find your local United Way’s website where you’ll find tons of volunteer opportunities.

Helping People Learn

Photo of youth A great mind is a terrible thing to waste – why not share your smarts to help people learn a little easier.

If you’re a whiz at science or math, volunteer to tutor younger kids at your local library or a homework club at the community centre.
Join the school council or sit on a committee to make your school better.
Help with literacy programs – libraries, day care centres, community centres and centres for newcomers to Canada often offer these programs. Click here for a list of centres that help newcomers.

Helping People Who Need Help

Photo of doctor checking blood pressure Here are a few volunteer ideas for you to help people in poverty:

Find a homeless shelter in your city and offer to volunteer.
The United Way funds a lot of organizations that depend on volunteers. Click here to find your local United Way’s website where you’ll find tons of volunteer opportunities.
If you’re part of a religious community, offer to volunteer for one of their programs that help needy people in the community. For example, some churches and synagogues may provide a meal or overnight program to people in need.

Kids

Child reading It might seem like ages ago, but not too long ago you were just a kid. Why not volunteer your time helping kids today so they can grow up to be as cool as you’ve become.

Volunteer for your local elementary school’s student nutrition program. Some schools in Ontario serve breakfast for kids before class starts and are always looking for extra help. Call the school or pop into the office and ask for details.
Help out your neighbours. Some people don’t ask for help so why don’t you offer to baby-sit for a neighbour while they cook dinner or offer to take the kids to the park.
If you can bend it like Beckham on the soccer field why not offer to teach neighbour kids some of your moves. Or, if you can score like Sidney Crosby, volunteer to help coach the local kids hockey team.
If you’re a whiz at science or math, volunteer to tutor younger kids at your local library or homework club at the community centre.

Music

Youths playing music Love to play or listen to music? Here are some volunteer ideas for both:

If you can play an instrument, volunteer to play at your local community centre or senior centre.
Most towns and cities in Ontario have music festivals in the summer – everything from North by Northeast in Toronto to the Festival of the Sound in Parry Sound – and most of them need volunteers. Click here for some ideas.
If you’re in a band why not organize a concert at your high school or in the community and donate your proceeds to charity.

Shopping

Woman posing infront of coat rack Love to shop? Here are some ways you hang out at the mall and help people at the same time.

Help out your neighbours. Some people don’t ask for help so why don’t you offer to go to the grocery store or pharmacy for an elderly, sick or really-busy neighbour.
Some senior’s homes and community health centres need volunteers to do shopping for their clients and residents. Find a local centre and ask if they need help.
Organize a garage sale at your school or in the neighbourhood to raise money for a charity.
Volunteer your time working in your local hospital’s gift shop. Look for your hospital’s website here

Sports

Youth running on track There’s no “i” in “team”, but there’s definitely a “u” in “volunteer”.

If you can bend it like Beckham on the soccer field why not offer to teach neighbour kids some of your moves. Or, if you can score like Sidney Crosby, volunteer to help coach the local kids hockey team.
Ontario has a ton of road races! If you’d rather help run the event than actually run in the event, most need the help of volunteers. Here’s a list of road races.
Organize your own sports team or league. You’re into lacrosse but there’s no team at your school? Start your own! Organize a tournament.
Sports teams in smaller towns usually have fundraisers so why not volunteer to help your local peewee hockey team raise money to buy ice time.