Ways to Volunteer Help in the Warm Weather

The weather finally warming up, and the oncoming Memorial Day holiday, signal the beginning of summer and vacation season. It means the start of beach days and weekend camping trips, cruises and summer staycations. But it also signals a time when blood and platelet donations decline, homeless and animal shelters fill to overflowing, and fewer people donate supplies than ever.

When the weather is cold, it is easy to step outside and think “I’m so glad I have a way to keep warm and full, I should help those that can’t.” The holidays put people into a giving mood, and get them thinking about contributing more. And that’s great, but often the heat can be just as deadly as the cold, and many shelters become overrun.

As as you start enjoying your summer, here are some ways to make someone else’s life a little bit better as well:

A steady stream of blood and platelet donations is key to maintain enough supplies, and the supply dips dangerously low in summer. Donations can be made before, after, or even during your summer vacation, simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visitredcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to see where you can give blood near you, even while out of town. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients.

For the same vacation reasons, shelter volunteering numbers dip much lower because of vacation needs as well as families that need to be taken care of with school out of session. But this is also the time when most shelters fill to capacity. Also donations of food and other items are much more scarce in the summer months than they are around the holidays.

You can check homelessshelterdirectory.org andhttp://www.shelterlistings.org/ to help find Homeless Shelters, Supportive Housing, Housing for Low Income, Halfway Housing, Transitional Housing, Day Shelters, Low Cost Housing near you. For Food Banks, Food Pantries, and Soup Kitchens near you, check out foodpantries.org orfeedingamerica.org

I always recommend calling the shelters or food banks to find their specific needs, but here are some needs shelters always have in the summer:

Feminine hygiene products, sunscreen, bottled water, shampoo/conditioner, Nix lice treatment, toilet paper, bug repellant, hair brushes, razors, shaving cream, lotion, hand soap and body wash, socks of all sizes, underwear (brand new, usually need larger sizes), rain ponchos, blankets and sheets (full and twin sized), towels, women’s bras, maternity clothing, padlocks with keys, reusable water/coffee cups, reading glasses, diapers and pullups for babies and toddlers, baby wipes, bottles and sippy cups, swimsuits, baby formula, books and games, highchairs, outlet covers and baby gates, and brand new car seats, strollers, and pack and play cribs.

For animal shelters, some common needs are:

Kongs, Greenie’s Pill Pockets, canned tuna in water, newspapers, cleaning supplies like bleach, dish soap, sponges, paper towels and facial tissues. Most have food and toy regulations, so make sure that you call before donating those.