Volunteer Opportunities Of The Week: Spooktacular Oktoberfest

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Each week, Patch will be highlighting volunteer opportunities in the Hudson Valley. This will be a chance to help your community and be an opportunity to give back — perhaps in a way you didn't consider before.

And if you are in an organization that has some need for volunteers, be sure to let us know by emailing jeff.edwards@patch.com.

This week, we are putting the spotlight on some opportunities in the Hudson Valley.

Inclusive Sports Program

Able Athletics offers a dynamic, inclusive sports program to welcome athletes of all abilities. The program typically runs every Sunday and will rotate through exciting sports such as flag football, volleyball, basketball, lacrosse, wheelchair lacrosse, field hockey, and more. Volunteers will be scheduled for 1.5 hours in the mornings and commit to 3-week cohorts (volunteers may sign up for multiple cohorts). Volunteers must attend all sessions in their cohort to build strong connections with athletes, volunteers, and therapists, as well as to support skill development.

This project is meant for volunteers ages 14-20.

Date: Sunday mornings

Organization: Able Athletics
Location: Bedford

Habitat Restoration with the Conservation Dogs

Volunteers are needed to join the Trail Conference Conservation Dogs Program for a day dedicated to restoring a meadow habitat in Harriman State Park. The program kicks off with a demonstration from the Conservation Dogs to give volunteers a close-up look at how they use their specialized noses to sniff out invasive species in the region. Afterwards, volunteers will learn how to identify and remove an emerging invasive species, Scotch broom, from a meadow habitat. This will help make space for native species to return to this unique ecosystem.

Volunteers must be 18+.

Date: 10/19, 11/2, and 11/9 from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Organization: New York-New Jersey Trail Conference
Location: Bear Mountain

Spooktacular Oktoberfest

Just in time for fall, Trailside Nature Museum at the beautiful Ward Pound Ridge Reservation will be hosting a Spooktacular Oktoberfest for the community. Volunteers are needed to help orient visitors as well as assist at various stations, including crafting, hayrides, and handing out candy.

Volunteers must be 16+.

Date: 10/26 from 12:30-5:30 p.m.

Organization: Westchester Parks Foundation
Location: Cross River

Tree Planting at Hunter Brook Preserve

Volunteers will join Preserve Manager Ben Kleist to plant and protect native trees throughout Hunter Brook Preserve in order to replace trees lost to storms, pests, disease, and deer damage. This event is rain or shine.

Date: 10/26 from 1-3 p.m.

Organization: Westchester Land Trust
Location: Yorktown Heights

Find a full list of opportunities at https://www.volunteernewyork.org.