25 Days Of Holiday Volunteering—Day 25: Helping The Community In 2024

TARRYTOWN, NY — The season for giving provides opportunities all year-round, because 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 to do good in the community.

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

“At Volunteer New York! we envision a vibrant, resilient and equitable community and see volunteerism and civic engagement as important strategies for achieving this vision. Our community is full of individuals who give their time and talents and nonprofits that fulfill critical needs during the holidays and daily. However, bringing them together can be challenging.

“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 2023, Volunteer New York! mobilized a record number of 35,000 volunteers throughout Westchester, Putnam and Rockland counties. Together, they contributed more than 455,000 hours, providing a value of $15.6 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 44th Annual Volunteer Spirit Awards from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Friday, April 12, 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 way you can get started in 2024:

• Visit our website.
• Make an appointment to meet with a placement specialist.”

@volunteerNYnow