Volunteer Opportunities: Reading, Food Pantry, Puppies

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — The day set aside to honor Martin Luther King Jr. is the third Monday of January. It is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service to "encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities," according to the Corporation for National and Community Service website.

Dr. King said that "Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve."

While it may be too late to find a volunteer opportunity for the King holiday, it's not too late to find something for which you can volunteer in the near future that could make a difference.

Perhaps that opportunity could turn into something you will want to continue doing — all to help others.

Here are few prospects for volunteering from Volunteer New York! You can even use the search tool to find other opportunities to volunteer as well.

JCY-Westchester Community Partners is looking for people who can be part of the Reading Buddies After School program. It is designed to "help instill positive homework habits while providing mentors with a wonderful, enriching volunteer experience."

They are seeking both older adults and college-age mentors to go into elementary schools to help with completing homework and work on literacy and basic math skills.

Volunteers are needed through May 31.

For more information or to express interest, go here.

In Haverstraw, Rockland's Campaign to Eliminate Hunger needs volunteers to help with its food pantry. The volunteers may greet clients as they enter the pantry, help pack and carry bags, sort and report donations, restock shelves and more. All volunteers will be trained and expected to maintain and protect client and family confidentiality according to HIPAA mandates.

For more information or to express interest, go here.

BluePath Service Dogs needs volunteers to raise and socialize puppies in their homes for about 12 to 16 months. The puppies will need to be taken out to different places and taught basic commands and manners. The goal is to provide the dogs with experiences that will give them a solid foundation and prepare them for the next phase of their service dog training.

No experience is necessary and training is available.

For more information or to express interest, go here.

More volunteer opportunities can be found on the Volunteer New York! website.