If you are like the majority of college students, then when you have some free time, you probably feel bored. With the responsibilities of marriage, children and a career far off in the future, you might be wondering what I can do to pass this free time which will benefit me in the future. Well it’s called volunteerism. It helps you make a difference in your community and your own life. Want to get started? Read on to find out more.
Before we talk about the wide range of different volunteer opportunities in Gainesville, let’s take a brief look at the reasons why people volunteer. The most common reason is to give back to your community. Other reasons include developing new skills, obtain career experience, building self esteem or just expanding your horizons. Volunteering puts you in contact with lots of different people from all walks of life which can help you to develop a new set of friends.
Now let’s look at some local opportunities where you can get involved today.
1. Shands at UF- Are you interested in a career in medicine or would you just like to spend some time helping sick children or adults? Then volunteering at Shands might be the perfect opportunity for you. Shands has a wide range of volunteer opportunities available depending on your area of interest. Some of the current opportunities include being a cuddler in the NICU, assisting with childbirth classes and working with cancer patients.
2. Alachua County Public Schools- If education is your thing, then you might want to volunteer at an Alachua county public school. There are opportunities for classroom assistants, tutors and preschool readers.
3. Alachua County Library- Calling all bookworms out there! If you love reading, then volunteering at the library might be a good idea for you. There are opportunities to help reshelf books, be a homework helper and assist with special event planning/services.
4. Gainesville Pet Rescue- Animal lovers might enjoy working with this organization. Opportunities include cat cuddling, dog walking and adoption counseling.
5. Harn Museum of Art- If you have an appreciation for art or just like hanging out at a museum, check out these opportunities. Volunteers are needed to be docents or tour guides, translators, customer service, event hosting, family services and much more.
Well we have only scratched the surface when it comes to volunteer opportunities in Gainesville. Be sure to visit http://gainesvillevolunteer.com for a more comprehensive list. Stay tuned because next time we will take a more in depth look at the volunteer application process and specific opportunities that are available. Our volunteer journey will continue at Shands. Until next time, get out and make a difference in your community, volunteer today!
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