Community Kids Network
Volunteer Opportunities for Parents & Children
Listed alphabetically by city
Opportunities in Various DFW Locations:
- Best Buddies matches people with intellectual disabilities in one-to-one friendships. Their pen-pal program matches kids similar in age (youth 10 and older) and establishes a safe email friendship. Simply visit www.ebuddies.org to read more and to complete the online application.
- Hold a donation drive in your community, school, or church for Captain Hope's Kids, an organization that meets the needs of homeless children in the Dallas area. Call 866-887-1724 for information on how to get started.
- Spend time with your children (as young as two!) delivering food to homebound senior citizens. The Visiting Nurse Association of Texas has opportunities for parent/child teams on weekday mornings. Call 214-689-2210 or email coxbe@vnatexas.org for more information.
- Special Olympics of North Texas has volunteer opportunities for children of all ages for events scheduled throughout the year. Help athletes register for events, be part of the "cheer team," and more! In the Dallas area, call 214-943-9981 and in the Fort Worth area, call 817-332-3433.
- Youth United is a Habitat for Humanity program run by kids and for kids ages 5 to 25. Youth United brings young people together to help raise money and build Habitat houses in their neighborhoods. Call 1-800-HABITAT (422-4828), Ext. 7551 or email htrudell@habitat.org for more information.
Allen:
- Help animals find homes by volunteering for Adopt-a-Pets in the Allen PETsMART organized by Texas CARES Cat Adoption & Rescue. For more information call 972-633-CATS.
Arlington:
- The River Legacy Foundation has several activities needing volunteers throughout the year, including After Dark in the Park and the Science Center. Call the Volunteer Coordinator at 817-860-6752, ext. 101, or e-mail volunteer@riverlegacy.org.
Carrollton:
- Volunteer at Operation Kindness, the largest, no-kill animal shelter in North Texas. Parents and their children ages 6 and up can spend time caring for animals awaiting adoption. For volunteer information call 972-418-PAWS (7297) ext. 248.
Dallas:
- Juliette Fowler Homes Inc. needs volunteers in their senior and assisted living facilities. Kids and parents can be Bingo callers every Saturday from 1:45-3:15pm. There are also opportunities to bake and deliver cakes to celebrate senior birthdays each month. Call 214-515-1344 for more information.
- The Stewpot is looking for servers at its Second Chance Cafe, which offers meal services at The Bridge Homeless Assistance Center. Volunteers ages 12 and up are welcome with a parent. Visit them online to sign up for a time or contact Amanda Bailey at 214-746-2785 ext. 322 for more information.
- Families are welcome to volunteer together at Family Gateway, an organization which provides transitional housing and a comprehensive continuum of services to families with children experiencing homelessness. Bring your enthusiasm and they will find a place for you to volunteer! Call Shama Shams, Community Relations Manager, at 214-823-4500 ext. 106 for more information.
- Volunteers are needed to stock the pantry, make food bags, and sort, hang, and distribute clothing at Methodism's Breadbasket. Call 214-887-3926 for more information.
- The Pride in Your Neighborhood Home Improvement Incentive Program focuses on minor, exterior home repairs. Parents and children can participate in this and other Keep Dallas Beautiful projects throughout the year. Call 214-442-1632 for more information.
- Volunteers can help recover the beauty and biodiversity of the Trinity River Audubon Center by assisting in a variety of seed harvesting and landscaping projects. Call 214-309-5850 for more information.
- DFW Golden Retriever Rescue is in need of volunteers to bathe, groom, and walk the Goldens. Call 972-608-4488 for more information.
Denton:
- Become a friend of the City of Denton Animal Shelter. Hold a neighborhood Pet Food Drive to collect food, treats, and toys for the cats and dogs. Call 940-349-7594 for information.
- The City of Denton Library has parent/teen volunteer opportunities. To volunteer at the Emily Fowler Central Library call 940-349-8749. To volunteer at the North Branch Library call 940-349-8741.
Flower Mound:
- The Humane Society of Flower Mound is seeking volunteers for animal care and to help with planned events. Call 972-691-7387 or email help@fmhs.org for more information.
Frisco:
- The Frisco Public Library has a teen volunteer program for parents and their children aged 14 - 18. Email cwayland@friscotexas.gov for more information.
Garland:
- Keep Garland Beautiful has several volunteer events throughout the year, including the Don't Mess With Texas Trash Off and the fall Trash Bash. Call 972-205-3419 for more information.
McKinney:
- Help animals find homes by volunteering for Adopt-a-Pets in the McKinney PETsMART organized by Texas CARES Cat Adoption & Rescue. For more information call 972-633-CATS.
- Give back to the environment at the Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary. Kids ages 10 and over can volunteer with an adult leading nature activities, assisting in the garden, working with the center's bird banding team, and more. Contact Beverly Halperin, volunteer coordinator, at 972-562-5566 or bhalperin@heardmuseum.org.
Mesquite:
- Join Keep Mesquite Beautiful and volunteer to help with recycling and clean-up programs. Call 972-329-8331 for more information.
North Richland Hills:
- Hold a food or toy drive for the Community Enrichment Center. Toy drives are especially needed in the fall months to prepare for Christmas delivery. Call Cindy White, Resource Director, at 817-281-1164 x22 with questions about volunteer opportunities.
Plano:
- Spend time with the female residents of DaySpring Assisted Living while filing and painting their nails. If children are too young to paint nails, they can still make a difference by participating in the conversation with the residents - they love the company! Call 972-769-1109 for more information.
- Scoop and serve ice cream while visiting with residents of DaySpring Assisted Living. Call 972-769-1109 for more information.
Richardson:
- The North Texas Rabbit Santuary is in need of care for bunnies that are typically purchased as gifts for children, then abandoned at shelters. Send an email to the Volunteer Coordinator at ntrs_tx@yahoo.com for more information.
- The Methodist Richardson Medical Center has a Junior Volunteer program for youth ages 14 and older. Junior Volunteer applications are available on January 1 each year, and are accepted through March 31 for the summer program. Call 972-498-4788 for more information.
Sachse:
- The Sachse Animal Shelter offers opportunities for parents and children to walk and feed animals. There are also opportunities to participate in off-site adoptions. Call Sachse Animal Control at 972-495-1212.
Wylie:
- At the Wylie Animal Shelter, parents can bond with children while walking dogs and playing with cats. Children as young as six can volunteer, however, if the child is under 15, only one child per parent may volunteer at a time. Call 972-442-5268 for more information.
- Clean the stalls of the therapy horses at Equest Therapeutic Horsemanship. Volunteers work anytime between 7am-4pm. Youth ages 12 and 13 are welcome to attend with an adult. Call 972-412-1099 for more information.
- In-Sync Exotics Wildlife Rescue and Educational Center is dedicated to rescuing exotic felines. Youth ages 13-15 may volunteer with an adult. Send an email to creaney@insyncexotics.com for more information.
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