STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Collette · Chanel

Do you volunteer?

nicoley · Coach

I have volunteered for the Salvation Army, they are a great organization. I mostly helped organize auctions and telethons... I really enjoyed it. I have also volunteered for a local women's and children's shelter. I do alot of charity work through some of the professional associations I belong to, such as cystic fibrosis, MDA, etc.. Mainly what I do for them is help organize events. Its actually really enjoyable because I love decorating and preparing for events.

HTH.. In general, just find something that you would enjoy doing as well that would be helpful for other people.

theotherjess · Chanel

I am in a community service group at school. We are required to do 100 hrs. before graduation but many, including myself, do more to give back to the community. The club I'm in is called Jr. Civitan but there are chapters for adults all over the country. The club does all kinds of volunteering, for example, I have painted homeless shelters, decorated a home where mentally disabled people live for Christmas, helped out with several charity auctions, and thrown a Halloween party for abused children. Check out www.civitan.org if you are interested in working with a variety of projects like that.

Also, I get a lot of my hours helping out at summer day camps. The Presbyterian church usually hosts a lot of little arts and crafts or theater day camps and they are always looking for volunteers to help teach some of the classes like painting, cooking, singing, etiquette, etc.

Seashells · Dooney & Bourke

I am getting ready to start volunteering my skills for the Humane Society. I am hoping to help with Fundraising and websites.

blubirde · Chanel

I just volunteered for an organization called Birthday Wagon. I haven't done my first activity yet because I got sidetracked with a wicked cold last week. But this month I'm going to do them. Basically the organization puts on birthday parties for kids in homeless/women's shelters all over town. I think it's going to be a really rewarding experience. I can't wait to get involved.

I think the best volunteer efforts are for small, local charities and nonprofits. That way you know you're making a big difference. (At least for me.)

honey · Gucci

i volunteer through ny cares, they have a sister organization in chicago http://www.chicagocares.org/ i could go on and on about how great this org. is but the best part is you can set your own schedule. but essentially you just have to go to an hour long orientation, then you volunteer when it's convenient for you. there's a schedule that they send you each month, and most projects don't require that you make a monthly obligation. also the nyc one has tons of animal opps, and i think the chicago one would be the same.

luckylily · Gucci

Up until a few months ago, I volunteered at our local animal shelter. I would go in once or twice a week and hang out with the dogs. I work with them on their social skills and basic tricks. I also did some fundraising events for the shelter. I really liked it a lot, I found it very rewarding to see the dogs having fun and eventually get adopted. I recently stopped volunteering there. I don't really have a solid reason why I decided to stop, I think I am just ready for something new.

I'm going to look into a tutoring program after the new year.

shopgirl82 · Chanel

yes, but not much help...i volunteer at a local health clinic.

Metric · Gucci

I used be a "candy striper" at our local hospital.(We weren't called that but I believe that is the common term for it) I ran errends for nurses, played with sick kids, chatted with elderly people, delivered meals. That kind of thing.

I kind of miss it now, I wish I had the time.

jen · Kate Spade

Here's what I've done:

March of Dimes-money goes to research for premmature babies

Crop Walk-aimed to help poor nations develope farms for food and money

Jump Start-helps kids of low SES excel in school and other activities

Special Olymics-helped the kids play the sports

Nursing Home-I talked with residents, helped with crafts, etc. (note: I quit this because my fave resident died. It's heartbreaking)

Salvation Army-Donating time to wrap presents around Christmas/I also judt served dinner to the homeless for Christmas

Relay for Life-money goes to cancer research

St. Judes-letter writing campaign

I'd say the most rewarding was serving dinner to the homeless. It really made me feel good. I also LOVED working at the Lutheran home but I cried and cried when Rex died. I'm too emotional for that. I find that activities-sports with special children, serving dinner, visiting with elders is far more rewarding than wrapping presents, doing a walk/run or donating money. HTH

relrel · Marc Jacobs

i volunteer at this awesome mothers and babies non profit here in philly, or did before i started school. ive been really rotten and haven't gotten to go since i got really busy. i just did stuff around the office like helping with the christmas family gift drive and organzing benefits and even just photocopying stuff. is there anything that you REALLY care about? animals? homeless? children/babies? the enviroment? sick people? i think its important to volunteer for stuff that you REALLY care about because its sometimes easy to slack off on going if it's not a real job and because you can get burnt out sometimes. do you know have any idea at all what you want to do? where do you live? what state?

ranchera20 · Marc Jacobs

I volunteer at the hospital. I usually go when I have a long vacation from school, like now that I have been off for almost 2 weeks. Its an organization called Bluebird Auxillary. And the people who are college students and older are considered Bluebirds and the ones in high school like me are Blue jays.

I mostly transport patients from ER to their rooms or from their rooms to where they will be picked up if they are going home. Its a fun experience. Often I get a chance to escort a new mommy and her baby out!!

Actually today I went and this one older lady told me how beautiful I was and how sweet. And when she was getting into the car she took out her wallet and gave me $2! I told her I didnt do it for money but she insisted. Not much but it was sweet of her.

Dizzy · Marc Jacobs

I am a joiner, so I'm not going to list everything, but right now I'm in three clubs and two non-profit community clinics. Over the years, I've been secretary or vice president of something like eight groups. The rest I just showed up and passed out food or walked in a marathon or something, and that's like 20 groups. Beware, volunteering can be addictive. Honestly, it's a great way to practice work skills and sort of find yourself and your talents in a consequence-free environment. What are they going to do, fire you for screwing up? It's also a great way to learn how to work with people. And it's fun. Once you're in one group, you'll probably be recruited for a few others. But to find the first one, just think about the things you like, that you can drag yourself out of bed on a Saturday morning for, and ask someone if you can join. (If the group is scattered, you may have to just show up and start doing things, and if they're more structured, there may be some sort of unofficial interview process where you have to figure out who needs to be impressed with you for them to start calling you and putting you on the lists...) From there, the whole thing will probably snowball... Have fun!!