During the Thanksgiving season, families all over the country reflect and discuss what they are grateful for but don’t necessarily talk about what others might not have. In order to ensure that everyone has something to be grateful for, consider giving back to the community by volunteering your time. Berkley and surrounding communities have so many places that need volunteers and have beneficial ways to use your time. Volunteering can give you a sense of purpose and community, provide career experience, and even be put on college applications. Here are some of the few amazing local places, filled with diverse types of volunteering, that you could donate your time to:
Yad Ezra
2850 W. 11 Mile Road
Berkley, MI 48072
Phone: (248) 548-3663
https://www.yadezra.org/volunteer/
Yad Ezra was established in 1990 to provide kosher food to vulnerable Jewish families in Southeast Michigan. This organization was created by the founders because they learned that there were several impoverished Jewish families living in the area relying heavily on government assistance. Currently, it provides around 1,500 impoverished families with food, health care items, and household goods every month. They also work to enhance Jewish holidays and lifecycle events for these families.
Yad Ezra is a volunteer-driven organization. They have a small staff of six, so they rely on dedicated volunteers who give their time, energy, talent, and expertise to assist the clients and staff in all areas of the food pantry’s operation. There are multiple volunteer opportunities through Yad Ezra, including working the actual food pantry, completing shopping lists, assisting in the educational garden and greenhouse, or making Sunday deliveries. For Thanksgiving, they are currently taking donations for kosher turkeys, which cost about $50 to help families celebrate the holiday.
Forgotten Harvest
15000 Eight Mile W,
Oak Park, MI 48237
Phone: (248) 967-1500
https://www.forgottenharvest.org/volunteer-3/
Forgotten Harvest, founded in 1990 in the Metro Detroit area, initially focused on collecting surplus food and delivering it to local emergency food providers in the area. Now, in addition to that, they grow their own fresh food at their Forgotten Harvest Farms. All the food they rescue and produce is delivered to families in the metro Detroit area that are food-insecure and struggle to cover basic life necessities. Their mission is that they are “dedicated to relieving hunger and preventing nutritious food waste.”
There are multiple different areas of volunteering that you can do at Forgotten Harvest. Those include working in the warehouse (packing and repacking emergency food boxes or sorting food), working on the farm, distributing the food boxes, and so much more.
Babysitting for Staff
Location varies; always at a Berkley School
Contact information:
Burton: [email protected]
Rogers: [email protected]
Norup: [email protected]
Berkley High School: [email protected]
For BHS students specifically, our beloved teachers need us. On professional development days when students around the district get a day off, teachers have to come into school and continue to work. Teachers, who have kids in the district that get the day off, would have to either take the day off or pay a good amount of money for a babysitter. Instead, staff asks students to come and babysit during these times as well as when there are staff meetings or other things like that!
This is a super easy and fun volunteering opportunity that directly impacts our staff members in a positive way. Multiple staff members have voiced appreciation for the people who have helped out with babysitting and how convenient it is for them. It is also a fun opportunity to go and see your old elementary school or meet some of your teachers’ kids!
Team GUTS – Martial Arts and Dance Fusion Classes
509 Fisher Court,
Clawson, MI, USA
Phone: (248) 701-3067
[email protected]
Team GUTS is a non-profit organization committed to improving the health, fitness, and overall well-being of those in the community with special needs and disabilities. They provide one-on-one training, fitness classes, strength training, and sports camps and also offer scholarships to families in need of financial assistance. It is run by two brothers, Paul and Todd Turner, who grew up playing youth sports and now enjoy helping kids grow in self-confidence and self-esteem. They believe that any kid who wants to be an athlete is one. Todd’s daughter has down-syndrome and autism, which made the brothers realize the lack of fitness and athletic programs for the special needs community. Their goal is to provide a safe and inclusive place where fitness is fun and participants can be themselves.
Volunteers would assist and encourage participants in these martial arts or dance fusion classes. This is an amazing program and a super fun and easy way to volunteer! There are more structured and disciplined martial arts classes and fun and energetic dance classes. The variety in these classes provides an opportunity for everyone to have an enjoyable time!
Whether you are volunteering for NHS required volunteer hours, the college application perk, or most importantly, just to give back to your community, we are surrounded by a ton of local charities and events that need volunteers and would love to have you. Please feel encouraged to give back during the holiday season, feel thankful for what you have, and help those in need!
