How to volunteer over break

Corryn Brock, News Editor

The season of giving may seem harder during the COVID-19 pandemic with the many changes the holiday season has seen this year.

While some may not be participating in the typical holiday parties and festivities the year brings, there are still many ways for people to give back their time in ways to benefit their communities and the world around them.

 

1. Project Sunshine

Project Sunshine is an organization that describes its mission as “to bring joy, connection, socialization, and memory-making to pediatric patients and their families.” Due to the restrictions in place because of the pandemic Project Sunshine has introduced Teleplay. Teleplay is when groups of patients and meet with trained volunteers over a video chat to play and participate in activities together. Applications to be involved in Teleplay can be found at https://projectsunshine.org/community-volunteer-application/.

 

2. Donate blood and plasma

During the pandemic the American Red Cross has been searching for more donations of blood and plasma. According to their website, the Red Cross “is testing all blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies. As part of that effort, plasma from whole blood donations that test positive for COVID-19 antibodies may now help current coronavirus patients in need of convalescent plasma transfusions.” Donors are now urged to donate as medical procedures begin again and a steady supply of blood products is necessary to ensure the safety of patients undergoing surgery and treatments.

 

3. Donate to food banks and pantries

Those interested in donating food can find local pantries at food.pantries.org. There are over 500 food banks listed in Illinois that will accept donations. Some suggestions for donations from Feeding America include peanut butter, canned soup, canned fruit, canned vegetables, canned stew, canned fish, canned beans, pasta (most prefer whole grain) and rice (most prefer brown rice). It is recommended people do not donate items that need refrigeration, expired items, leftovers, improperly packaged items and bake goods.

 

4. Become a crisis counselor

With 30 hours of training those who are interested in becoming a crisis counselor can learn reflective listening, collaborative problem solving, and crisis management. These skills will help volunteers learn how to work with people in crisis and help them through times of need.

Counselors will commit to 4 hours a week of crisis counseling until they reach 200 hours. Applicants must be 18 years or older, have a U.S. social security number and submit two references. Counselors must have access to reliable Internet access and a personal computer.

 

5. Write letters to those who are experiencing isolation

Reach out to people who are isolated due to the pandemic. You can do so be contacting local hospitals, senior living facilities and other places where people need to isolate.

Other options could be writing to frontline workers and others who have helped work through the pandemic.

Though many aspects of the holiday season will be different this year, finding ways to do normal activities and give back to the community can be as beneficial for those giving their time, talents and financial assistance as it Is for those receiving.

 

Corryn Brock can be reached at 581-2812 or at [email protected].