Does anyone volunteer (if so where) ?

[taal]

I realized there was a similarly titled thread after creating this but I'm not quite asking the same question.

I'm curious, for anyone that volunteers (I'm sure some here do), where / what do you do ? (this does not have to be related to architecture or this forum at all).

I ask because I'd like to volunteer but I am trying to get ideas as to what people do.
I've looked around and I do see all the typical openings / soup kitchens and the like, which sound great, but I'm curious what else is out there !

Thanks !

 

[Urban Shocker]

I'm on the executive of one of the ROM's committees, and encourage beneficence towards and engagement with the Museum whenever I meet someone who I think may enjoy it.

 

[PinkLucy]

I volunteer for TIFF, not just during the festival but year-round. I do online mentoring for new Canadians. I'm about to start my annual volunteer stint completing income tax forms for seniors, students, and new Canadians. I used to volunteer in community theatre and want to get back into that.

 

[SP!RE]

Running & Readings program at disadvantaged schools (Regent Park, for example)

 

[DSC]

I suggest you take a look at http://www.volunteertoronto.ca/volunteers/ This group tries to match volunteers (like you) with places needing help. Clearly it is best to volunteer to do something you enjoy and this is probably a good place to start.

 

[taal]

Thanks a lot everyone !

Keep the replies coming, it's nice to see different possibilities, some I never knew existed and would likely have never thought of. I will definitely check out that site as well.

Thanks again.

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

Not anymore - but I used to be a volunteer interpreter at Mt. Sinai Hospital; also volunteered at the medical library there.

AoD

 

[dt_toronto_geek]

I volunteer on my building's Tenant Association and as we've affected (and continue to affect) positive change, it's been very rewarding. Next up I am going to get involved with the Church Wellesley Neighbourhood Association (CWNA), I want to work with the heritage group to get a complete inventory of buildings within the CWNA's boundaries and then work to get unprotected buildings listed, and eventually designated.

 

[carpediem]

I volunteer with Yonge Street Mission (http://www.ysm.ca) & the Urban Land Institute (student roles)

 

[yin_yang]

Toronto Cyclists Union!

www.bikeunion.to

 

[Promagstyle]

Volunteer

I volunteer here, but I must warn you... lots of labor related work.

www.TRHA.ca

 

[Southcore]

The hospitals (especially UHN) are always looking for volunteers. Extremely wide range of options available: lots of patient contact, or none at all, administrative work, customer service, etc. something for everybody really.

Only downside is they require a 4-6 month commitment usually, and for either a 3-4 hour shift once a week (say 9-12 or 1-4) for the same day every week, mostly Mon-Fri.

I just finished up several months of volunteering at Princess Maragret and it was a wonderful and worthwhile experience.

Another option for those who want to do more one off kind of volunteering rather than long term commitments, check out:

Second Harvest
Food Bank
CHUM Charity Toy Drive
Heart and Stroke Foundation
Canadian Cancer Society

 

[Grainger]

I volunteer at a Foodbank and an Animal Shelter.

Neither of them are in Toronto I am one of them lowly 905 ers