There are countless reasons to participate in community service projects including the joy of helping others. With the deadline to turn in service hours quickly approaching, here are some ideas to get those final hours.
Princess Project: Every year, the Princess Project collects new and used dresses as well as accessories of all colors and sizes. The dresses are distributed to girls who otherwise would not be able to afford one in time for prom season. Volunteers get the opportunity to sort dresses and organize accessories to give them out. For more information visit http://princessproject.org.
Second Harvest Food Bank: Hunger is a year round problem, not just during the holiday seasons. According to its website, 10% of the Silicon Valley Population cannot afford food, and Second Harvest Food Bank does as much as it can to help many hungry people. Volunteers will sort the food that the organization has collected from donations. For more information visit http://www.shfb.org.
Operation Care and Comfort: On average, 600,000 pounds of supplies are shipped out to American Troops on foreign soil every hour thanks to efforts by Operation Care and Comfort. The organization package and ship basic supplies such as toothbrushes, combs, and razors. Volunteers participate in an assembly line packing boxes as well as writing optional thank you notes to the men and women who serve our country. For more information see http://www.occ-usa.org.
Acterra: The goal of this organization is to work towards a healthier planet through numerous programs including creek habitat restoration, invasive species control, and cultivation of native species. With frequent events, it is easy to perform service hours even with a busy schedule. This is the perfect event for students who enjoy spending time outdoors. For more information see http://www.acterra.org.
RAFT: Due to the poor economy, public schools are experiencing budget cuts. Resource Area for Teaching boxes supplies for teachers and schools in the area with help from student volunteers. Additionally, it provides other services including after school programs for kids. For more information see http://www.raft.net.
For more ideas, there is a Community Service Board that features upcoming events, located on the right in the entrance to Manzanita.