Volunteer Opportunities Of The Week: Summer Send-Off

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 michael.woyton@patch.com.

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

New Rochelle Summer Send-Off
Volunteers are needed to help with the New Rochelle Summer Send Off, featuring food, music, activities for the family, and the distribution of bookbags and school supplies to New Rochelle students. Volunteers can fill bookbags with donated school supplies or assist with event setup and registration.
Date: Aug. 22-Aug. 24 & Aug. 26; multiple opportunities
Organization: City of New Rochelle
Location: New Rochelle

Community Read-Aloud for Kids
Volunteer Readers are needed to read age-appropriate books to small groups of children aged 4-11. After the reading, the volunteers will facilitate a Q&A and assist with a book raffle and backpack giveaway. Volunteer Readers should be compassionate, articulate, energetic, animated, and able to project their voices well. Lunch will be provided and bilingual (Spanish/English) readers are especially needed! This project is perfect for volunteers aged 16+.
Date: Aug. 26 from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Organization: Christian Center for Child and Family Wellness
Location: Yonkers

Back-to-School Backpack Drive
Help give children with behavioral health issues an extra boost and set them up for success for the new school year! Volunteers are needed to donate age-appropriate backpacks and school-essentials, such as pencils, crayons, binders and calculators. These items will then be assembled and distributed to local grade-school students.
Date: Drop-off by Sept. 8
Organization: Family Services of Westchester
Location: White Plains

Water Quality Stewards
Got an interest in the environment? Volunteers are needed to help the Westchester Parks Foundation collect data on the water quality of the Bronx River by taking samples and delivering them to a nearby lab. No prior experience is necessary, and all training and sampling materials will be provided. This is the perfect opportunity for budding and professional environmentalists.
Date: Thursday mornings through October
Organization: Westchester Parks Foundation
Location: Tuckahoe

Help New Rochelle Residents Apply for Affordable Housing
Volunteers are needed to help New Rochelle residents complete their local affordable housing applications. Volunteers will answer questions and assist in completing applications. Volunteers do not need to be housing experts; each volunteer will be provided training beforehand. Must be 18+.
Date: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 3-6 p.m.
Organization: City of New Rochelle
Location: New Rochelle

See more opportunities at Volunteer New York!