Community Corner
Volunteer Opportunities for MLK Day and Beyond
If you are looking for a place in the area to donate your time and energy, take a look at some of the available opportunities.
On Monday, the country will celebrate the life of a civil rights pioneer on Martin Luther King Day. Since the day was first established in 1983, it has evolved into a day of service, when people and communities donate their time and energy toward a good cause.
Plenty of opportunities abound around Doylestown for anyone interested in volunteering either on Monday or any other time throughout the year. For a lot of these organizations and non-profits, a few extra helping hands can be just as valuable as cash donations.
Here is a roundup of available service projects, many of which have been coordinated through CB Cares' annual organization effort.
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Central Bucks YMCA
Where: 2500 Lower State Rd., Doylestown
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What: Teens and tweens in 4th to 12th grades are invited to dance with purpose. Dance to raise funds in support of the Y's MLK Day of Service project to benefit the Bucks County Housing Group. Activities include dance contests, games, free style dance off, line dancing and prizes. Get sponsors to raise your $15 participation fee. Parents invited by not required to stay.
When: Sunday, Jan. 20 from 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Second Baptist Church of Doylestown
Where: 6055 Swamp Rd., Fountainvillle
What: CB Cares will kick off a day full of service projects with this Martin Luther King Day of Service Opening Ceremony, featuring inspiring messages and songs.
When: 9 a.m.
Temple Judea of Bucks County
Where: York and Rogers Road, Doylestown
What: Assemble dinners for the needy. Participants will be asked to bring a cooked item to the event. This activity is suitable for families with older children (7 & up).
Make “Breakfast Bags” and cards for the hungry. This activity is suitable for families, particularly those with very young children.
Contacts: Janene Raisman (215) 674-0685 and Shari Wohl (215) 918-2744.
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
Where: 301 N. Main St., Doylestown
What: Help assemble Breakfast Bags and create inspiring greeting cards for elderly and frail neighbors. Each person/group participating in the project is asked to bring one (or more) food items with them.
Items needed:
Instant oatmeal or cream of wheat (boxes of single-serving packets)
Granola bars
Juice boxes
Single-serving cereal boxes
Single-serving coffee packs
Package of single serving fruit cups
Gallon Ziploc bags
Contact: Mike Haggerty at stpaulsmlkday@gmail.com
Where: 1660 Easton Rd., Warrington
What: Young board game enthusiasts are needed to play their favorite game board with the residents of Neshaminy Manor. Two sessions being offered 10-11:30 am or 2-3:30 pm.
Contact: Laura Tomlinson (215) 345-3205 or lltomlinson@co.bucks.pa.us
Central Bucks Christian Fellowship
Where: 5908 Groveland Rd., Plumsteadville
What: Participants will come together to create Giving Bags for the children of Staten Island affected by Hurricane Sandy.
Contact: CBCFMLKDAY@aol.com or call (215) 766-9432. You will receive a call back to confirm the number of guests and items to bring for the event.
Doylestown Presbyterian Church
Where: 127 E. Court St., Doylestown
What: Donate items and help assemble meals for our elderly and frail neighbors. Please bring casserole and bag of frozen vegetables as donation. Participants should be at least 10 years old with adult supervision or above 15.
Contact: Deb at drkmetzo@gmail.com.
Where: 925 Canal St., Bristol
What: The DRN staff and volunteers work to maintain the environmental health of the Delaware River watershed. Volunteers are needed to assist with clean up projects, water testing, fundraising events and educational outreach opportunities.
Contact: (215) 369-1188 or drn@delawareriverkeeper.org.
Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Bucks County
Where: 2875 York Rd., Jamison
What: Take the opportunity to shape a child’s future by empowering them to achieve. Play sports together, go on a hike, enjoy a meal and provide a role model for kids that need inspiration.
Contact: (215) 343-8260 or bigbros@bbbsbc.org
Where: 2324 Second Street Pike, Wrightstown
What: Organize food drives or help drive clients to appointments. The Family Resource Center in Bensalem is in need of donations and volunteer support.
Contact: (215) 598-3566 or Melissa Mantz at mmantz@bchg.org
NOVA (Network of Victim Assistance)
Where: Jamison
What: NOVA supports, counsels and empowers victims of sexual assault and other serious crimes and works to eliminate violence in Bucks County through advocacy, community education and prevention programs. NOVA seeks volunteers for a crisis hotline to provide support to victims of crime and their families. Volunteers are also trained to provide accompaniment to victims during emergency room visits and police interviews. Hotline volunteers must complete a 45 hour training.
Contact: (215) 343-6543 or julied@novabucks.org.
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