Help Yourself While Helping Others: Where to Volunteer Near Scarsdale

The generosity and motivation of Scarsdale residents to help and give back to the larger community is something that should be applauded. From individual passion projects to group endeavors organized by schools, businesses and places of worship, our community really lives up to the Scarsdale School District’s motto of Non Sibi “not for oneself alone.” While most of us readily share our time just to try to make a difference, it turns out that when we volunteer we aren’t just helping others, we are also helping ourselves! According to the Mayo Clinic, volunteering can improve your physical and mental health, provide a sense of purpose, and can nurture relationships. So if you are ready to help yourself while helping others, we’ve compiled a list of volunteer opportunities to get you started.

Lifting Up Westchester

Lifting Up Westchester is a non-profit organization that, “supports our neighbors in crisis by restoring the foundation necessary for them to rebuild their lives.”

Lifting Up Westchester has a variety of year-round volunteer experiences for people of all ages. Opportunities include but are not limited to event volunteers, volunteer drivers, volunteers needed to make DIY projects such as creating “move-in boxes” for people transitioning from a shelter to an apartment.

United For The Troops

“UnitedForTheTroops.org was created by friends & family of our troops serving the U.S. overseas. Our sole purpose is to make life while deployed a little better for our brave men & women serving in the US military by collecting food, toiletries and goods that the military does not provide them…”

Year round, United For The Troop collects all sorts of snacks, toiletries, and other goods to send to our troops overseas. Consider hosting a drive or collecting needed items with friends. For a list of acceptable items and drop-off locations, click here.

Hope Community Services

“Hope is a community service organization in New Rochelle, New York, providing emergency food services, housing, children’s supportive programming and a full array of social services to all in our community who may need it, with dignity and respect.”

Hope needs volunteers to help serve food in their soup kitchen, pack grocery bags, deliver and hand out perishable foods. Volunteers must be at least 12 years of age. For more information and to sign up click here.

Mott Haven Fridge

Mott Haven Fridge and Grassroots Groceries helps to, “bring fresh produce into the heart of underserved communities.”

Every Saturday morning, Mott Haven Fridge counts on numerous volunteers to help sort and box fresh fruit and vegetables as well as drive the produce to the local, underserved neighborhoods.” Children (with an adult) are encouraged to participate.

The Sharing Shelf

“The Sharing Shelf was founded to address clothing insecurity and meet the basic material needs of low-income children and teens in Westchester County.”

The Sharing Shelf relies on the generosity of the community to donate clothing, volunteers sort and pack clothing in their warehouse, organize collection drives in the community, support backpack packing, and run Teen Boutique, For more information click here.

Feeding Westchester

“Through the passionate support of volunteers we provide food for our neighbors.”

Volunteers are needed to pack food, raise funds, and help from home. For more information or to sign up for shift click here:

Hearts and Homes For Refugees

“Hearts & Homes for Refugees is a volunteer-driven nonprofit organization that works with the U.S. Department of State-designated agencies to welcome refugees. We inspire, educate and equip others to resettle, assist and advocate for refugees.”

Hearts and Homes counts on volunteers in a variety of ways. For more information click here.

SPCA Westchester

“We are indebted to the hundreds of individuals and family members who volunteer at our Rescue Center and Veterinary Clinic. Whether you are interested in dog walking and enrichment, cat care, grooming, greeting visitors, center beautification, administrative work or opening your home to a foster animal, we can always use your help! If you have a special talent we can work together to find creative ways to use your skills.”

The SPCA’s Rising Volunteer program has volunteer opportunities for those ages 10 to 17. For more information or to see the volunteer orientation schedule please click here.

There are so many other wonderful ways Scarsdalians can get involved, starting our local PTAs and village services. But for even more volunteer opportunities or to find the perfect position to match your time and skills https://www.volunteernewyork.org/ is a valuable resource.

Wendy MacMillan is a former teacher and now a proud mom of two, school aged children. With a background in psychology, education, and mindfulness, Wendy has long been passionate about wellness and helping others.