Ever since junior high school, I have known what an amazing experience volunteering can be. You learn so much from everyone around you, and I am continually wowed by the hearts of other people. It is so uplifting to surround yourself with good people who have the goal of serving others and making a difference. If you're looking to volunteer, here are four places you should check out this semester.
1. Austin Animal Center
This is the first place I want to check out this semester. I first heard about it from girls in my spirit group. They came back and raved about how much fun they had! Austin Animal Center is the biggest no-kill animal shelter in the U.S.! It has multiple volunteer job possibilities, from working with families to help them adopt a pet to providing
exercise to
dogs and cats who are waiting to be adopted! This is the perfect volunteer opportunity for animal lovers!
2. The Boys and Girls Club of The Austin Area
The Boys and Girls Club of The Austin Area is a non-profit that I hold close to my
heart. It provides after-school programs for kids, ensuring that they are in a safe, fun and enriching environment. At the Boys and Girls Club of Webb Middle School, I've gotten to help kids with their homework, battle them in intense games of Four Square and duke it out to determine the ultimate Mario Kart Master. It is always a good time with these kiddos, and I encourage you to check out a Boys and Girls chapter at a school near you!
3. Minis and Friends
I fell in love with this non-profit after meeting some of its adorable miniature horses in front of Gregory Gym last semester! While many students came to take pictures and pet these majestic creatures, they might not have known what a great cause they were supporting! Minis and Friends is a non-profit that spreads joy to children with disabilities, elderly adults and at-risk youth through its group of volunteers and miniature horses. This unique volunteer opportunity is sure to bring a smile to your face.
4. Clean Ladybird Lake
Initiated by Keep Austin Beautiful, Clean Ladybird Lake is a huge bi-monthly clean up effort that happens on the second Saturday of every other month. The dates for 2016 are February 13, April 9, June 11, August 13, October 15 and December 10. Grab a kayak and help to keep Ladybird Lake clean so that Austinites everywhere may enjoy it.
