NEW YORK—Volunteering during the holiday season is a good way to spread the holiday cheer and to help people in need. In New York City, some volunteering opportunities are booked months in advance, while others recruit as many people as possible up to the very last minute.
At the Food Bank, a network of over 1,000 soup kitchens and pantries across the five boroughs, inquiries about volunteering during the holidays started to pour in before Thanksgiving.
“There are a lot more inquiries [about volunteering] during the holidays,” said Bethany Ides, volunteer service coordinator of Food Bank for New York, adding that people tend to think about contributing to the community and doing good deeds during this time of year.
“We are lucky in New York to have so many people who want to give back,” Ides noted.
Even with the surge of giving, however, the Food Bank is still short of volunteers for January, February, and March. The organization does not coordinate helpers of the affiliated soup kitchen, which has a separate volunteer base.
New York Cares, one of the leading volunteer organizations in the city, offers support to nonprofits, schools, and other entities throughout New York City. The group is hosting its annual coat and gift drives this month and has been recruiting volunteers to help with sorting and packing.
While many of the New York Cares volunteer shifts have been filled at this time, other places are still in need of assistance.
“There is never enough [help],” said Linda Takourian, director of volunteering at the Metropolitan Hospital in Manhattan, adding that specific needs vary by department.
According to Takourian, there is a constant need for entertainment volunteers, such as clowns and magicians, to elevate patients’ spirits. Singing Christmas carols is another welcome opportunity this time of year. In addition, Spanish-speaking volunteers are needed to connect with Latino patients.
Volunteers Erik Forman and Gabriel Rayos came to the Metropolitan Hospital on Thursday night to sing Christmas carols and give Christmas cards to patients.
The two are part of the Dominant Underground Brand, a group of young entrepreneurs, artists, freelancers, and business owners who collaborate on business opportunities but also coordinate volunteer efforts. The group has about 20 members, all of whom are under the age of 25. They see themselves as leaders in giving back, setting an example for others.
“It is a humbling experience,” said Rayos in reference to volunteering, adding that he feels he makes a difference in the lives of those he helps, be it a child he reads a book to or a geriatric patient he plays checkers with.
“It [volunteering] does not happen as often as it should. You don’t have to wait until you’re a millionaire to give back. You can give back with nothing,” Forman said.
Year-round Volunteering
New York City administration is trying to make volunteering as easy as possible, not only during the holiday season but also throughout the year.
The NYC Service office, established in 2009, aims to make New York “the easiest place in the world to volunteer.” The agency also works to address the city’s needs and to promote service as a value to New Yorkers.
City residents can search and contact volunteer opportunities based on their interests and availability on the NYC Service website. While some volunteer options are suitable for individuals, others are designed for groups, including teams of coworkers or groups of friends.
