No matter what your financial position or interests are, there are many options available for you to give back to the community over the holidays.
Whether it’s food, clothing or your time, making donations is a great way to get involved in the community while helping those in need at the same time.
Here are some options available for students who wish to help the community:
Egan Warming Center
Volunteers are needed for Egan Warming Center sites around Eugene and Springfield. These centers aim to provide a warm place for homeless people to go to when it’s cold outside.
The centers were created after a homeless veteran, Major Thomas Egan, froze to death in a snow storm.
St. Vincent de Paul’s Special Projects Manager Sophia Bennett said, “The warming centers are staffed almost entirely by volunteers.”
Volunteers roles include “welcoming guests, getting them checked in and handing out blankets to people,” she said.
There are also volunteers staffed in the kitchen and others who mingle with the guests to make them feel welcome.
To become a volunteer, you need to be 18 years and older and complete a short orientation session.
To learn more visit www.eganwarmingcenter.org.
Food for Lane County
Hunger is a year-round problem. While volunteers are needed during every season, the holidays can be a great time to get involved as a volunteer for Food for Lane County.
Food for Lane County’s mission is to alleviate hunger in the community.
Food for Lane County Volunteer Coordinator Sheyla Norte said it is a great place for students to volunteer because the programs are flexible with student schedules. There are volunteer opportunities during the evenings and on Saturdays.
Because the volunteer tasks are mostly hands-on, there is no mandatory training session before volunteers can begin working.
If you don’t have time to volunteer, you can always donate food or money to the organization. Visit www.foodforlanecounty.org to learn more about what foods are accepted.
Greenhill Humane Society
For animal-lovers and those who want to help homeless pets, volunteering at the Greenhill Humane Society is a perfect way to give back over the holidays.
The shelter does more than care for homeless animals and find homes for them; it also provides pet food for people who can’t afford it and pairs with a women’s shelter to take in the pets of people in situations of domestic violence.
Greenhill Humane Society Executive Director Cary Lieberman said the shelter relies on volunteers to do a lot of the work there.
“It’s a great way to socialize with animals if you like cats, dogs or rabbits,” he said.
It can also be a good way to get some exercise because a lot of volunteers are dog walkers who play with the dogs and take them on 30-minute walks, Lieberman said.
Volunteers also have the opportunity to learn more about animal behavior and training techniques.
If you’re interested in volunteering, visit www.green-hill.org to sign up for a volunteer orientation class. It’s necessary to do a little planning because these sessions fill up quickly. The next open class is on Dec. 13.
Giving Tree
The Valley River Center and Eugene Active 20-30 Club are joining forces for this gift drive. Community members have until Dec. 12 to donate unwrapped toys and holiday gifts to children in need.
The tree is located at Valley River Center. It holds thousands of ornaments, each containing a gift wish list from children in need.
Shoppers are encouraged to pick up an ornament and purchase the requested item while doing their holiday shopping at the mall.
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