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4 min read

Magical Moments: The Story of Ridgebury Riders

By Darcy Hughes on December 22, 2023

“Magical moments happen daily at the farm” Haley Levesque, Program Coordinator.

On a repurposed dairy farm in Ridgebury Connecticut, "magical moments" are a regular occurrence. The farm is home to Ridgebury Riders, a nonprofit organization changing the lives of individuals, primarily children, with special needs through hippotherapy, which is occupational, speech, or physical therapy done on horseback.

Topics: inspiration local volunteering Stories from the Field
5 min read

For the Love of Volunteering: A gift both given and received

By Guest Contributer on January 26, 2023

SNAPkids is a non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of children with disabilities by providing community-based swimming and fitness activities. By providing volunteers with a chance to work closely with our special swimmers, we open hearts, change attitudes and create more respectful, inclusive, and just communities. Learn more at: snapkids.org

Topics: inspiration local volunteering Stories from the Field
4 min read

Tutor a child, change a life.

By Guest Contributer on January 17, 2023

School on Wheels is an organization enhancing educational opportunities for children who are experiencing homelessness from kindergarten through twelfth grade.

  • 1/3 of unhoused people are under the age of 18
  • 1:20 children in CA don’t have homes
  • 64% of children experiencing homelessness do not graduate high school
Topics: virtual volunteering inspiration local volunteering Stories from the Field
5 min read

The Process was Magic: How a Creative, Skills-Based Volunteer Opportunity Became a Documentary Short

By Darcy Hughes on November 14, 2022

In 2020, Cedar Schimke, Executive Director of Slow Food Minnesota, posted an opportunity on VolunteerMatch, seeking creative volunteers to tell her organization's story. At the same time, filmmaker Kish Daniels was looking on VolunteerMatch for an engaging, skills-based project. He saw Cedar's posting and clicked the button, "I Want to Help," what came next was a project neither party could have expected.

Topics: inspiration local volunteering
2 min read

Inspire the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs by Volunteering

By Guest Contributer on November 8, 2022

Guest post by Ed Grocholski, Junior Achievement USA

November is National Entrepreneurship Month. It is a celebration of those visionaries who strike out on their own to start and build businesses that meet customer needs while benefiting the community as a whole.

Topics: local volunteering
6 min read

11 Ways to Support More Diverse Communities and Workplaces

By Erin Halley on September 30, 2022

Published 10/6/21 and updated on 9/30/22

Each of us has the power to create more compassionate and inclusive communities in different aspects of our lives whether at home, school, work, or in our neighborhood. October provides a variety of opportunities to celebrate diversity, learn more about each other, and strengthen our communities by giving back. Explore 12 ways you can do just that!

Topics: virtual volunteering inspiration advocacy local volunteering
3 min read

Senior Dogs Snuggle Up For International Dog Day

By Darcy Hughes on August 25, 2022

For this International Dog Day (August 26th) we want to spotlight Lily’s Legacy Senior Dog Sanctuary, a nonprofit dedicated to the mighty task of rescuing, caring for, and rehoming large breed senior dogs. Of the dogs who come to Lily’s, 80% are from shelters and, more often than not, have suffered neglect. The organization does thorough evaluations and treatments to get them adoption ready. 

Topics: inspiration local volunteering Stories from the Field
3 min read

Nonprofit Spotlight: AmeriCorps

By Erica Dolcini on March 16, 2022

Over 10 years after completing my two years of Service with AmeriCorps I find myself in the unique position of again serving with AmeriCorps, just in a different capacity. At VolunteerMatch, we have partnered with California Volunteers and AmeriCorps to leverage the VolunteerMatch network and team to recruit members and spread awareness.

To celebrate AmeriCorps week, I’d love to share how serving as an AmeriCorps member has impacted my life (long story short, it completely changed the trajectory of my career and how I see the world).

Topics: inspiration local volunteering
6 min read

California Volunteers and VolunteerMatch: A Partnership for the Greater Good

By Guest Contributer on February 17, 2022

Guest Contributor: Josh Fryday, California Chief Service Officer within the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom.

The Kindhearted Cities Index recognizes the incredible work of volunteers, nonprofits, service members, and community leaders who have embodied the spirit of kindness to give back to communities across the country. Through the Kindhearted Cities index, we can better understand what it is that drives action, change, and impact—and show others how to make a difference. We are beyond thrilled to see six California cities recognized for their efforts, the most of any state.

Topics: press release government inspiration local volunteering
5 min read

Gift Guide for Good: 10 Easy Ways to Be Kind to Yourself and Others

By Erin Halley on December 15, 2021

Many of us are looking for safer ways to give some kindness to others this holiday season as we see the increasing need to support our communities and the rise of the Omicron variant. Giving to others in any form — from cards to meals to a sympathetic ear — shows people they’re cared for. Here are 10 simple ways to be a force for kindness.

Topics: virtual volunteering inspiration disaster relief advocacy local volunteering

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