This is a great organization to get involved with that is focused on helping the youth of…read moreMassachusetts. Their goal is to get more kids participating in sports by making equipment and apparel, the largest barriers to involvement, available to communities and programs.

From the owner: Good Sports gives all kids the lifelong benefits of sport and physical activity by providing new…read moreequipment, apparel and footwear to those most in need.

There are just so many good things to say about this place that I'm not sure where to start…read more First, it is not a "shelter" in the typical sense of the word, and the staff and guests do not refer to it as a "shelter". They consider themselves a "community", and act as such. There are NO lines for anything at the WLP. The women are served their meals at their tables by volunteers, and their materials are bussed for them once they are done, unless they choose to self-bus. The food. Oh heavens! WLP prides itself on serving nourishing, FRESH food. Each meal will have all nutritional requirements met, and there is always a veggie option. We're not talking canned goods or sandwiches here, folks. No, this is chopped and diced fresh veggies, prime cut meats, the finest ingredients. If you're a good cook and after you've volunteered a few times, they are happy to let you get in the kitchen and help whip up stuff. The resident chef there, Gina, is wonderfully creative in the kitchen (and very nice), and from time to time, other professional chefs from local restaurants come in to put together a meal. The WLP isn't jsut a food place, although that's the highlight of the day. It also provides the women with full time advocacy support to help with finding housing, food, or other services. There is a computer room/resource room that the ladies may use. There is also a nap room where women can go to get sometimes some much needed rest, and also a quiet room for just some peace, solitude, and maybe reading or reflecting. Women are also able to get various toiletries and clothing that they may need. They may do their laundry and take showers. The Program Manager, Heather (also very, very nice and competent) has done a great job of making sure that there are interesting activities for guests if they choose to participate: yoga, painting, field trips, knitting, etc. Since the WLP is run as a "community", the staff are INCREDIBLY patient with the women, and if a guest is being disorderly or breaking a rule, she is not immediately tossed out, but is counseled and given more than one opportunity to redeem herself by correcting her behavior. Throwing someone out is a last option at the WLP. WLP treats its volunteers as the valuable commodity we are. We are appreciated, thanked, and made to feel a part of the "team". Added Perk: They also have really incredible volunteer thank you events! I enjoy volunteering here. I learn something new and meet new people each time I go. I don't have a lot of spare time to volunteer, but when I do, the WLP gets me all the time, every time. It's important to know that this place could not be so great without us- the community at large supporting it through donations, volunteering, contributions, etc. The staff, Regina, Linda, Joanna, Lauren, Linnie, and Cheryl are terrific- go meet them! This is just a wonderful, wonderful place. You will not leave here without your heart being touched in some way.

Just to add to the great review by Adrienne -- The Women's…read moreLunch Place is an amazing community run by dedicated and caring people. I've volunteered there many times, and the experience was wonderful. The staff is as open, kind and welcoming to volunteers as they are to their ladies. The ladies? Wow. Having the opportunity to really get to know some of the women in this community is a real blessing. The WLP is one of my favorite volunteer opportunities. Try it out!

One of the most enjoyable volunteering experiences I have ever had. Split into teams of picking the…read morebooks, verifying choices, sorting through donated books, packaging for mail, etc, you work independently to respond to an inmates letter with the books they request (genre, topic, author, etc!). Picking was my job today which was so fun the 4 hrs they were open didn't feel like anything. I blinked and it was done. It was fun, interactive, stimulating g, and rewarding. Seeing people's personalities sign through their letters and being on a personal shopper mission to get what they want and need was fantastic. There is also the Adams' tombs that they can bring you to see which tickled the historic bug in my brain! This group does such important and beloved work, can't wait to be back!

Want to feel like you have a pen pal in Prison, but don't want the commitment of actually writing…read moreback to them and the a potential ex-con coming to meet you in person once they get released? Go volunteer at The Prison Book Program. The Prison Book Program started in the back of a bookstore in Cambridge, MA when the owners saw a need not being met. Prisoners from all over the country write to The Prison Book Program and request reading materials that The Prison Book Program packs up and mails to them at their jail. The Prison Book Program is completely run by volunteers and all books and supplies are donated, as well as the space that the work is done in (thanks First Parish). It is impressive to see the vast hodpodge of books that the Program has to give out and it is surprising that the most frequently requested book is The Dictionary. Volunteering is really fun. You pick a letter from a prisoner asking for books, you fill their book order (hmmm....he is asking for something to do with hunting, the outdoors, manly men, or film; let me give him this book on the Oscars, it's the closest thing here) package up the books, address them, and imagine the smile that comes over the prisoner's face (once they have stopped trying to make the tape and envelope into a shank) when they read the book. It is humbling to read some of the letters from the prisoners. You can tell that some are extremely grateful, while others are annoyed that they did not get the specific book that they asked for the first time around (in a place that runs on donations, you can only imagine how hard it is to fill even the simplest request). Some letters are extremely eloquent, and others are hard to decipher. Either way, you do some work, read some titles of books you had forgotten you read (hey there, Their Eyes Were Watching God), meet some new people, and feel good when you leave. Drop in to help out on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30pm until 9pm and once a month on Saturday (email to confirm the actual Saturday date).

I have been doing some pro bono consulting work with this group and I am wholly impressed by them…read more Their programs take a holistic approach to helping kids and young adults achieve their potential through one on one support. The wide range of services provide much needed assistance for many different situations, acting as a true community resource for under-served communities.

Fairy Dog Parents helped me with my dog khloe who was an American Bull dog , and now khloe went on…read moreto rainbow ridge

This is a really wonderful organization stemming from a brilliant idea…read more Fairy Dog Parents is a nonprofit organization that aims to prevent dogs from being surrendered by their otherwise loving families who are experiencing personal and/or financial hardship rendering it difficult to maintain the animal's care. The organization's mission is to help dogs get the food and medical care they need and to keep them at home with the families that love them and whom they love in return. Plain and simple they don't want these dogs to end up in shelters. Through Fairy Dog Parents, a dog owner who is struggling with hardship can apply via the website for assistance. If they meet the criteria and they live in Massachusetts, assistance then comes from people who go on the website themselves and make a donation. On the website you will find compelling stories of dogs who need assistance. You can choose any dog you would like or make a general donation. You can also donate needed items and a list of these things is found on the website. Each year the number of dogs helped has grown as more and more people hear about the wonderful work this organization has set out to do. FDP is hoping to expand its reach outside of Massachusetts in 2014. This is an organization every state could use. As we head into the holiday season when many more people think about making donations, Fairy Dog Parents should be on the list. Another great idea is to tell your loved ones to make a donation in your name as your holiday gift. It feels much better than just getting more stuff. It's hard to go to the website and not want to donate.

The Friendly Food Pantry of Randolph is a great place to volunteer. It is located at the Devine…read moreSchool in Randolph. The people their are the reason why it is known as the "Friendly Food Pantry". If you are a family in need/or a student in need please come by and they will assess your need for emergency food. They accept food donations so if you are looking for a place to volunteer or donate foods give them a call! They are open on Mondays (with the exception of Federal Holidays) from 12:30pm to 2:30pm and from 6:00pm to 7:30pm.

We feed anyone who is hungry and we have a resource center upstairs to help with EBT Section 8 and…read moresometimes we have free phones for people on certain government programs.

They are very nice people there, volunteers have helped all kinds of people in need.read more

From the owner: Interfaith Social Services is dedicated to improving life for South Shore families and individuals…read morein need. Our unique approach relies on a team of volunteers, donors and community partners to deliver compassionate, client-centered programs focused on hunger, mental health and emergency assistance. Our offices, Food Pantry and Thrift Shop are located in Quincy, Massachusetts. Volunteers are the heart and soul of Interfaith Social Services. Last year volunteers contributed more than 20,000 hours of time serving within Interfaith’s various programs. Our volunteers commit to a 3-hour weekly shift in a variety of different roles.