Here are a variety of ideas for B'Mitzvotav projects, organized
by category. If there is a charity or cause that you think ought to
be added to this list, please contact .
Help Animals in Need
Baypath Animal Shelter
5 Rafferty Road, Hopkinton, MA
http://www.baypathhumane.org
Phone: 508-435-6938
Mon-Fri: 12-4 pm, Saturday + Sunday 11-5 pm
This shelter always needs help cleaning: cat cages, dog kennels,
laundry, dishes, and general cleaning of the shelter. Cleaning chores
are done each morning and throughout the day as needed. Volunteers
are also needed to walk the dogs. Preferred hours for dog walking
are mornings between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m., and afternoons between
3 p.m. and 5 p.m. The Shelter also needs help socializing the
animals (spending time with them, grooming them, playing with them,
showing them genuine kindness and understanding) Please
note: Volunteers under the age of 17 must be accompanied
by a parent or guardian (who is at least 17) while at the shelter.
Milford Humane Society
289 West Street, Milford, Ma
http://www.milfordhumane.org
Phone: 508-473-7008
Mon. & Thurs 7-9 PM, Sunday 1-4 PM
Volunteers are always needed in all aspects of shelter operations
to handle the daily cleaning and feeding and spend some time socializing
the cats. Two shifts daily are necessary to keep the animals properly
maintained. Milford Humane also has a need for additional foster homes
to house pre-admission cats, pregnant cats, kittens and cats with
special needs that cannot be met in a shelter environment. Most foster
situations are a short-term commitment, except in the case of pregnant
cats. During this time the animals are vetted, given shots, are spayed
or neutered and given that extra little bit of TLC that is so important
to stray, surrendered, and abandoned cats. To offer foster care in
your home, a separate room needs to be devoted to this endeavor.
Worcester Animal Rescue League
139 Holden Street, Worcester, MA 01606
http://www.worcester-arl.org
Phone: 508 853-0030
Volunteers can help in a variety of ways such as walking/playing with
animals, fostering animals, helping with pet adoption fairs, or cleaning
cages and kennels. Extra help is always welcome. No specific time
commitment is asked, just a desire to help animals.You must be accompanied
by a parent in order to volunteer.
Help Fight Hunger
Brigham Farm/Community Harvest Project
37 Wheeler Road, North Grafton, MA
http://www.community-harvest.org
Phone: 508-839-7402
All the vegetables grown are donated to a hunger relief. This would
be a great opportunity for families or a group of students to volunteer
their time. No previous experience necessary. There are quite a number
of tasks involved in growing vegetables, including planting and transplanting
in the greenhouse (mostly early in the season), transplanting into
the fields (through the middle of summer), weeding by hand or with
hoes, and harvesting (from early July through to the first frost,
and sometimes beyond).
Carty Cupboard Food Assistance Program
Epworth United Methodist Church
64 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609
http://www.epworthworcester.org/missions_carty.html
Phone: 508.752.2376
The Carty Cupboard welcomes volunteers who are able to offer help
with the many different tasks associated with the weekly operation
of this program. The Cupboard is open for food distribution at the
following times: Monday: 6:00- 7:00 PM, Wednesday: 1:00- 3:00 PM,
Friday: 10:00- 12:00
Crop Walk
http://www.cropwalk.org
Phone: 888-297-2767
Located in- Concord, Holden, Newton, and Rutland
Participate with your family or civic group and raise money to change
the world in real and measurable ways -- digging wells that will bring
clean water to villages; providing seeds and tools so that people
can grow their own food; helping communities and families rebuild
after disaster.
Lucy and Joe's Food Pantry
475 Franklin Street, Framingham, MA
http://www.jfsmw.org/communal_services/food_pantry.html
Phone: 508-875-3100
This Pantry is a part of Jewish Family Service of Metro West. Volunteers
are needed to help sort and deliver food.
Northborough Community Meals Program
244 West Main Street, Northborough, MA
http://www.saintroseoflima.com/ministries.htm
Phone: 508-393-2413
This is a Community Meal Program of Northborough. This program began
in January 1996 and provides a meal each Wednesday evening at Trinity
Church. Volunteers help prepare the meal, set up and clean up.
Northborough Food Pantry
Town Hall, 63 Main Street, Northborough, MA
http://www.town.northborough.ma.us/town%20departments/nfys/foodpantry.htm
Phone: 508-393-6897
Northborough Food Pantry is to be a source for supplemental food
those who are on a limited income or with an acute need. The Northborough
Food Pantry (NFP) serves residents of Northborough or those persons
affiliated with one of the Churches located in Northborough. The NFP
is organized and staffed solely by volunteers.
Project Bread/ Walk for Hunger
145 Border Street, East Boston, MA
http://www.projectbread.org
Phone: 617-723-5000
Project Bread funds 400 food pantries, soup kitchens, and food banks
all over Massachusetts. Project Bread uses the money raised through
The Walk for Hunger to fund over 400 soup kitchens, food pantries,
food banks, and salvage programs in 126 communities across Massachusetts.
Many of these programs rely on Volunteers year-round to help with
tasks such as sorting donated goods, distributing bags of groceries,
and serving hot meals.
Rachel's Table
633 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA
http://www.rachelstable.org
Phone: 508 -799-7699
Rachel's Table distributes donated and specially purchased foods,
without charge, to agencies feeding hungry families and individuals
in greater Worcester, Massachusetts and works to reduce the waste
of nourishing food. The Children's Milk Fund purchases milk for needy
children. Please contact
if you have time to volunteer. Volunteers are needed to distribute
food and answer the food donation hotline.
Westborough Food Pantry
9 East Main Street, Westborough, MA 01581
http://www.westboroughfoodpantry.org
Phone: 508-366-3007
You can provide the pantry with food, and other items to donate to
the homeless families and people. The Food Pantry is open for business
on Thursdays from 9:30 -11:30 AM and from 7:00 - 8:00 PM
Help Fight Diseases
American Cancer Society/ Relay for Life
9 Riverside Road, Weston, MA
http://www.cancer.org
Phone: 800-ACS- 2345
Relay For Life is a community-based event designed to celebrate survivorship
and raise money for the American Cancer Society. On the day of the
event, teams of people gather at school or community football fields,
fairgrounds or parks and take turns walking, jogging or running laps.
Raise money for research, education, and services for patience and
their caregivers.
Avon Walk
http://www.avonwalk.org
For 2 days and 39 miles, you have the opportunity to dramatically
impact the lives of millions affected by breast cancer worldwide.
By participating in the Avon Walk, you'll allow medically under-insured
women and men to receive the screening, support, and treatment they
require. And leading-edge research teams will be powered by the cure
all because of you. Boston – May 16-17, 2009.
Komen Walk
http://www.komenmass.org
Email:
Phone: 617-737-5121 OR 800-439-2370
Communities walk to raise funds for breast cancer research. Volunteer
at the race at water stations or pre race, stuffing of packets, and
more!
Help People in Need
Abby's House
52 High Street, Worcester, MA, 01609
http://www.abbyshouse.org
Phone: 508-756-5486
Homeless shelter for women and children. Organize donations and fundraise
on behalf of the shelter.
Big Brother, Big Sister Foundation
http://www.bbbsfoundation.org
(774) 776-7200
Your donations help to support more than 5,000 children in the Greater
Boston area by providing them with one-to-one friendships with adult
mentors. Donate clothing, shoes, bedding, house wares, small toys,
tools, etc.
Birthday Wishes
P.O. Box 590645, Newton Centre, MA 02459
http://www.birthdaywishes.org
866-388-WISH (9474)
This organization needs need volunteers for all aspects of running
birthday parties. You can volunteer to help out on the day of the
party, or you can volunteer behind-the-scenes, helping us prepare
for parties. Also, families can volunteer together. Monthly parties
require anywhere from 2-6 volunteers to help set up, engage the kids
with crafts & games, serve cake and ensure a great time for everyone.
Party volunteers range in age from elementary school kids to seniors.
Email:
Boston Cares
190 High Street, Boston, MA 02110
http://www.bostoncares.org
617-422-0910
Boston Cares is the largest organization in New England dedicated
to team oriented volunteering on a flexible basis. Boston Cares organizes
and leads more than 150 projects every month. We replace the traditional
means of volunteering – an ongoing commitment – with a richly diverse
and wholly flexible volunteer program that allows people to volunteer
when they can and for what they care about. Boston Cares empowers
people to make volunteering a regular part of their lives. We welcome
volunteers of all ages, including children.
Cradles to Crayons
82 Myrtle Street, Quincy, MA
http://www.cradlestocrayons.org
Phone: 617-471-8417
In the Giving Factory, Cradles is looking for volunteers of all ages
to work a shift inspecting books, matching outfits, sorting and testing
toys, stuffing backpacks, or shopping to fill orders for local boys
and girls. Volunteer with your family, classroom, or organize donations.
Donations Clearinghouse
7-11 Bellevue St, Worcester, MA 01609
http://www.cmhaonline.org
Phone: 508-791-7265
DCH is a simple and unique furniture program that provides donated
items of furniture and household goods to families and individuals
moving out of shelter to permanent housing, victims of fire, or those
fleeing domestic violence, DSS reunificationand elders at risk. Household
items are distributed to them free of charge. Throughout the year,
DCH works with congregations, community groups and businesses in holding
local household goods and furniture drives. DCH is happy to bring
a truck out to our community for a local drive. To organize a drive,
contact them at (508) 791-7265, ext. 22.
Project Just Because
45 G South Street, Hopkinton, MA 01748
http://www.projectjustbecause.org
Email:
Phone: 508-435-6511
Project Just Because, Inc. supplies adults and children in need with
clothing, toiletries, gift baskets, career items, school supplies,
blankets, toys, furniture, baby items and house wares.
Rosie's Place
889 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA
http://www.rosiesplace.org
Phone: 617-442-9322
Rosie's place is a sanctuary for homeless women and children. They
are always in need of children's toys, nonperishable food, toiletries,
toothbrushes and toothpaste, hats, scarves, mittens, socks. Volunteers
also needed to help sort and distribute items to clients.
Special Olympics
http://www.specialolympics.org/Special+Olympics+Public+Website/default.htm
As a Special Olympics volunteer you will take pride in knowing that
you are an important part of a global movement that provides athletes
with intellectual disabilities an opportunity to experience the excitement,
joy and personal fulfillment associated with sport training and competition.
Toys for Tots
http://www.toysfortots.org
The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program
is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December
each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children
in the community in which the campaign is conducted.
You, Inc.
http://www.youinc.org/Index1.htm
(508) 849-5600
Y.O.U., Inc. provides a wide range of social, psychological, educational,
vocational, and other preventive and rehabilitative programs for troubled
and at-risk children, adolescents, and families. Lead a book drive
to collect children's books, etc.
Senior Centers
Shrewsbury Nursing and Rehab Center
http://www.southgateatshrewsbury.com/healthcare/nursing.htm
Phone: 508-842-8331
Do Arts and Crafts Projects with the Seniors, etc.
Upton Senior Center
1 Centennial Ct., Upton, MA 01568
Phone: 508-529-9094
Help out at their Monthly Meals program.
The Willows
1 Lyman St, Westborough, MA 01581-1437
Phone: 508- 836-4354
Libraries
Grafton Public Library
35 Grafton Common, Grafton, MA
http://www.graftonlibrary.org/grafton
Phone: 508-839-4649
Northborough Free Library
34 Main Street, Northborough, MA
http://www.town.northborough.ma.us/library/library.htm
Phone: 508-393-5025
Shrewsbury Library
609 Main Street, Shrewsbury, MA
http://www.shrewsbury-ma.gov/library/index.asp
Southborough Public Library
25 Main Street, Southborough, MA
http://www.southboroughtown.com/library.htm
Phone: 508-485-5031
Westborough Public Library
55 West Main Street, Westborough, MA 01581
http://www.westboroughlib.org
Phone: 508-366-3050 (Children's room: 508-366-3053)
Jewish Organizations
Congregation B'nai Shalom
http://www.cbnaishalom.org
Phone: 508-366-7191
Numerous volunteer opportunities including: helping with Family Ed
Activities, Food Drives, Project Classroom, helping the teachers,
helping at fundraisers, selling Scrip, etc.
Scrip Sales – Every Sunday of Religious School the scrip
table will be set up in the lobby. You can help selling these scrip
cards that are used for purchases at various local stores. The
‘scrip guy' aka Art Sherman will teach you how to do it. This mitzvah
requires a commitment of at least two Sundays for 2 ½ hours
(during the session when you are not in Religious School) and
you must be accompanied by a parent.
Contact:
Tot Shabbat –This is another opportunity to work with young
children. There is a craft project after the service and some organized
games. You need to be there from approximately 10-11:30. You can
do this alone or with a friend.
Contact: