What is a volunteer anyway? Is it someone who does something for FREE? Yes, but there’s a little more to it than that. According to Webster's Dictionary, a volunteer is "one who serves or acts of his or her own free will." A volunteer is someone who helps others and makes the world a better place. It is someone who cares and wants to make a difference in the world.

There are tons of different volunteer opportunities. Some volunteers deliver flowers to hospital patients; others help young children learn their ABC's. Volunteers bake cookies, walk dogs, make people laugh, pick up trash, paint houses and answer telephones. The possibilities are endless.

If the possibilities are endless, where do you begin? Start by asking yourself the following questions. Once you’ve got the answers, you’ll be on your way to finding a great volunteer position.

1. What are the needs in your community?

Discovering the needs in your community isn’t difficult. Pick up a newspaper and read the headlines - violence, illiteracy, pollution, poverty, AIDS and child abuse. The problems can seem almost overwhelming, but you can help.

We’ve given you some help by asking nonprofit agencies in North Texas what they need. Our online database and calendar of events is filled with organizations that NEED people like you - people to save the environment, teach children to swim and sort clothes for the homeless. Not only do they need volunteers, they need YOUTH volunteers. They need you!

2. Who or what do you want to help?

Maybe you already have a specific area of interest. Maybe you love talking to your grandmother but can’t stand dogs. If so, you might enjoy volunteering at a nursing home, but you should probably avoid the animal shelters. 

Think about who or what is important to you . . . preschool children, persons affected by HIV/AIDS, homeless families, the environment, abused children or senior citizens. Then make a note of it.

3. What can you do?

We’re not talking specific volunteer jobs yet - we’ll get to that later. First, you need to think about what you can do and what you like to do. No matter your age, you have skills and talents to share with others.

Can you walk on your hands? Are you a good storyteller? Maybe you’re a computer genius or a terrific tour guide. Your services could be in high demand if you love the taste of envelope glue (and enjoy stuffing envelopes, too)!

Make a list of your skills and talents - even if you’re convinced they wouldn’t be helpful in a volunteer setting. Make a long list. You may need to call an agency and tell them what you have to offer.

How are you doing so far? Does your checklist address community needs, your areas of interest, your talents. Are you keeping track of your answers? Good, let’s keep going.

4. Where do you want to volunteer?

Volunteer jobs are located throughout North Texas. If you have a car or access to other transportation (bus and parent drivers), you may be able to volunteer somewhere far from where you live or attend school. If not, you may have to rely on a more old-fashioned mode of transportation -- your feet -- and find something a little closer to home.

Once again, we’ve tried to help you out. You can search our online database for nonprofit agencies sorted by geographic location. Each county is listed so that you can find out what's around you. If you're not sure how far an agency is from your home or school, and you have access to the Internet, try going to www.MapQuest.com. 

If you can’t find one down the street, consider calling your neighborhood library or recreation center. They may not be listed in our online database, but they may need a volunteer like you.

5. When do you want to volunteer?

As a volunteer, you can give as much or as little time as you have available. If you’re ready for a "serious commitment" you may want to consider a once a week volunteer commitment such as tutoring a younger student, serving food or entering computer data. Volunteers who work at least once a week for an extended period of time often develop special relationships with the people they are helping.

If you’re short on time or not sure if you even want to be a volunteer, you do have other options. Special events are a great way to "try out" volunteering. Many nonprofit agencies host special events to raise money and they need hundreds of volunteers to help. Spend four hours on a Saturday giving water to 5K runners, cheer for bowl-a-thon contestants or blow up balloons for kids. Be careful though, you might get hooked on this volunteer thing!

For more information, visit calendar of events for monthly special events.