If you love visiting the zoo and seeing all of the amazing animals, why not volunteer? The San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research needs people 18 and older to be service assistant volunteers. Research assistant volunteer positions are also available, but require a science-related degree. Another great opportunity: have your school, Girl Scout troop or family collect as many recyclable cans as possible from now until Earth Day, April 21, 2011. Then, recycle the cans and donate the proceeds to Cans for Critters. You’ll also have an opportunity to win prizes! For more information, email cansforcritters@sandiegozoo.org or visit http://www.sandiegozoo.org/donate/
The San Diego Sports Medicine Foundation was founded in 2002, in order to help children with sports-related injuries bounce back, despite medical insurance barriers or lack of insurance. They host free injury clinics on Saturday mornings and help children and teenagers in need of MRIs, surgeries and treatments after surgery. To see the stories of children who’ve been successfully treated by the San Diego Sports Medicine Foundation or to make a donation online, visit http://sdsmf.com/ .
HEART of Chula Vista stands for Help and Education for Animal Responsibility Team. This non-profit organization helps encourage responsible pet ownership throughout San Diego, especially in Chula Vista, National City, Lemon Grove and Imperial Beach. HEART of Chula Vista helps nurture over 9,000 abandoned animals each year, as they enter the Chula Vista Animal Care Facility. They provide the animals with medications, vaccinations and also pay for animals to be spayed and neutered in order to reduce the number of homeless pets. Monetary donations can be made online at http://www.heart-of-cvacf.org/contribute.html. Another way to help: adopt a homeless pet rather than buying one from a pet store or breeding.
Do you have clothes cluttering up your closet that you haven’t worn in over a year? It’s time to donate them for a good cause. Goodwill Industries of San Diego helps disabled people and others with barriers to employment gain valuable work experience that they can use in the real world. When you donate your unwanted clothes and accessories to Goodwill of San Diego, they sell them and use the earned money to provide job training and employment to Americans in need. To find your closest donation center where you can drop off goods, visit http://www.sdgoodwill.org/donationcenters.shtml
Kactis 4 Kancer is a non-profit organization which sells cacti and other drought-tolerant succulent plants, with the proceeds going towards cancer research. Today, November 13, 2010 from 9am to 3pm, Kactis 4 Kancer is having their big open house sale at 4216 Cielo Ave. in Oceanside. The sale will feature not only cacti and succulents but also holiday-themed gifts and T-shirts with their special logo. They will be providing free hot dogs from 11am to 1pm as well. In addition to purchasing plants, you can also donate reusable pots, garden supplies or soil to Kactis 4 Kancer. Call (760) 845-8055 or visit http://www.kactis4kancer.org/ for more information.
Rebuilding Together San Diego seeks to improve the various communities within San Diego County by helping out homeowners in need of improvements. Their programs target low-income elderly and disabled homeowners with free services such as adding in security lighting, grab bars and raised toilets as well as making repairs on minor electrical and plumbing problems. These programs not only help to keep people safer but also boost morale within the communities. Rebuilding Together San Diego is looking for volunteers, especially those with skilled trade experience such as landscapers, electricians, plumbers and carpenters. They also accept monetary donations of money, building materials or tools. For more information, visit http://www.rebuildingtogethersd.org/ .
The San Diego Armed Services YMCA provides free services to military personnel and their family throughout San Diego, such as counseling, after-school programs, moms and tots groups, cooking classes and emergency food assistance. They are looking for volunteers in good health to help run programs, assisting military families. Volunteers must be willing to be fingerprinted prior to serving. You can also donate online at http://militaryymca.com/.
