25 Days Of Volunteering — Day 25: Helping The Community

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — The season for giving is truly all-year-round, and there are needs in our communities that need to be addressed.

Hunger, homelessness, domestic violence, food insecurity, senior issues, at-risk youth, drug addiction — the list goes on and on.

Volunteer New York! serves as a way to connect people who want to help by giving them myriad ways to help.

Every day since Dec. 1, in this series, Patch has shown ways that anyone — of any age and ability — can help their community.

All you have to do is decide what you want to do. And, as we have shown, many volunteer opportunities don't even require you to leave your home in order to do good in the community.

On the last day of 25 Days of Holiday Volunteering, as we always do, we give Volunteer New York! the final word.

This year's statement comes from Katie Pfeifer, Volunteer New York! Senior Director of Programs:

"At Volunteer New York!, we mobilize the community to address its greatest challenges. Our community is full of individuals who give their time and talents and nonprofits that fulfill critical needs during the holidays and daily. By bringing them together through volunteerism and civic engagement, we can create a community that is vibrant, resilient, and equitable.

For almost 75 years, Volunteer New York! has been creating the pathways that turn our communities' good intentions into action. Volunteer New York! is where our community connects. In 2024, Volunteer New York! mobilized a record number of 35,000 volunteers throughout Westchester, Putnam, and Rockland counties. Together, they contributed more than 457,000 hours, providing a value of $16.9 million back into the community. None of it would be possible without community members like you, who like us, believe in local volunteerism.

Volunteer New York! will pause to celebrate volunteerism and people power at the 45th Annual Volunteer Spirit Awards on Friday morning, April 11th, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., at the Westchester Marriott in Tarrytown. Hundreds of attendees will stop and celebrate the power of local volunteerism.

Volunteer New York! makes it easy for you to find your way to create a vibrant, resilient, and equitable community. Here are a few ways you can get started in 2025:

• Visit our website.
• Make an appointment to meet with a placement specialist.
• Check out the opportunity calendar of volunteer needs.

Have we helped you with your volunteer or nonprofit needs? Show us some love by leaving us a positive review and adding us to your "favorites" list at GreatNonprofits.org!"

@volunteerNYnow.