Since March of 2020, our lives have changed drastically. Due to the dangers of COVID-19, people all over the world have started to take different measures in order to ensure their safety and the health of their community. These precautions, although necessary, have really taken a toll on our daily life.
As a result of the pandemic, visiting family members, hanging out with friends, or even going on a supermarket run has become limited and, in most cases, a big no-no. For people that enjoy participating in volunteer work—work that usually involves physical contact with other people—it has been extremely hard to do so, considering the current health crisis. After browsing the web, and gathering some of my experiences as a member of several community and service-oriented organizations, I have compiled a few ideas on how volunteer work can still be done, regardless of COVID-19.
- In-person volunteer opportunities
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Currently, the American Red Cross, as well as other blood donation centers, are looking for fully-recovered COVID-19 patients that are willing to donate their blood for research purposes, including scientists’ interest in gathering Coronavirus antibodies. With these blood donations, they hope to step closer to understanding how the virus works and come up with more ideas for possible cures. If you or anyone you know has recently recovered from the virus, I highly suggest you consider this option.
Another way to help out is by calling up a local homeless shelter or a nearby hospital and checking if they need any supplies. If they do, then you could gather a group of people you know that would be willing to help out. Then, you and your volunteer squad can proceed to gather enough items—such as masks, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant wipes—to donate.
- Remote volunteer opportunities
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For those of you who would prefer to do some volunteer work from the comfort of your home, there are a lot of amazing websites and programs online where you could help out. Programs like The United Nations Volunteers Programme are looking for people to complete tasks like editing, designing, or writing through their website.
What if none of these other options ring a bell for you, but you’re really good at a particular subject? A lot of kids are having trouble with completing their schoolwork due to them not being able to concentrate in their homes. You could help them out by becoming a tutor! Some helpful websites to apply to are Tutor and Chegg, if this option is up your alley.
Last but not least, while we’re still on the topic of helping others, remember to take care of the people closest to you. Check up on your neighbors, even with just a simple text, or call your family and friends. Make sure everyone has everything they need and are in good health. Stay safe, everyone!