Places to Volunteer as a Family

Volunteering as a family is a great way to give back to the community and make a difference in the world. It can help bring your family closer together, start important discussions with your kids about how each of us can make an impact, and teach us valuable life lessons.

All volunteer opportunities have a minimum age requirement and some require a set commitment period. Please call or check their website for more information before submitting an application.

Do you know any other places that offer opportunities to volunteer as a family? Leave a comment below and we will add it to the list. Thanks!

Due to the pandemic, some of the volunteer opportunities many be temporarily different. If you can't volunteer now, you can talk with your kids about the options and select a place to contact to learn more. Then, you are ready to step into action when the time comes.

Volunteer at the American Red Cross

Volunteer Opportunities: Help provide disaster relief, health services, and other great resources to those in need.

Age Requirements: Most positions require you to be 18 or older but children can register to start a Red Cross Club in their school. Check the website or call the locations below for more information.

American Red Cross Local Northern Ohio Locations – Website

Northeast Ohio Chapter – (216) 431-3010
Heartland, Stark and Muskingum Lakes – (330) 453-0146
Greater Akron and the Mahoning Valley – (330) 535-6131

Volunteer at a Food Bank

Volunteer Opportunities: Help provide hunger-relief to your neighbors by helping with warehouse/office duties, preparing and serving meals, or helping during special events.

Age Requirements: Most of the locations below have volunteer opportunities for younger children (10+). Do note that an adult must accompany the child. Check the website or call the locations below for more information.

Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank
350 Opportunity Pkwy, Akron, OH 44307-2234
(330) 535-6900
Website

Cleveland Food Bank
1550 S. Waterloo Rd, Cleveland, OH 44110
(216) 738-2265
Website

Our Community Hunger Center
9733 Ravenna Rd. Suite G, Twinsburg, OH 44087
(330) 963-3663
Website

Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley
2805 Salt Springs Rd, Youngstown, OH 44509
(330) 792-5522
Website

Volunteer at Habitat for Humanity

Volunteer Opportunities: Help build and improve homes for families in need in your community. If construction isn’t your thing, you can also volunteer at their ReStore locations.

Age Requirements: Construction volunteers must be at least 16 years old, ReStore volunteers must be at least 14 years old and dock volunteers must be 16. Note: Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Check the Habitat for Humanity Website to find a location near you

Volunteer at Local Hospitals

Volunteer Opportunities: Volunteering opportunities in hospitals can involve anything from visiting with patients, participating in recreational activities with children, and clerical work. Each hospital has different assignments available.

Age Requirements: The age requirements vary by hospital and type of volunteer responsibilities. Check the website or call the locations below for more information.

Akron Children's Hospital
One Perkins Square, Akron, OH 44308
(330) 543-1000
Website

Ashtabula County Medical Center
2420 Lake Ave, Ashtabula, OH 44004
(440) 997-2262
Website

Cleveland Clinic
2049 East 100th St, Cleveland, OH 44195
(216) 445-6986
Website

Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center
10701 East Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44106
(216) 791-3800 ext. 5081
Website

Mercy Medical Center
1320 Mercy Drive NW, Canton, OH 44708
(330) 489-1106
Website

MetroHealth System
2500 MetroHealth Dr, Cleveland, OH 44109
(216) 778-7800
Website

University Hospitals
11100 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44106
(216) 844-8447
Website

Volunteer at Meals on Wheels

Volunteer Opportunities: Help deliver food to homebound people in your area by driving meals to them once or twice weekly.

Age Requirements: Check the website or call the locations below for more information.

Meals on Wheels of Northeast Ohio
(330) 515-5605
Website

Volunteer to Serve Food or Provide Various Community Services

Volunteer Opportunities: Help the less fortunate by cooking and serving meals, provide community service, or pray with community members. Ask your own place of worship as well as this list to see what opportunities might be available.

Age Requirements: The age requirements vary by the location and the type of volunteer activity. Check the website or call the locations below for more information.

Haven of Rest Ministries
175 East Market Street Akron, OH 44308
(330) 535 1563
Website

Refuge of Hope Ministries
715 Second Street NE Canton, Ohio 44704
(330) 453-1785
Website

Volunteer at Ronald McDonald House

Volunteer Opportunities: Clean, organize, and cook in a house that provides families in need a supportive place to live.

Age Requirements: The age requirements vary by the location and the type of volunteer activity. Check the website or call the locations below for more information.

Check the Ronald McDonald House Website to find a location near you

Volunteer to Help people Affected by Cancer

Volunteer Opportunities: Provides people affected by cancer support and encouragement through free programs and services. Volunteers can greet visitors, provide clerical assistance, and help with special events.

Age Requirements: Volunteer opportunities for teenagers (13-18) and adults.

Check The Gathering Place Website to find a location near you

Volunteer to Help Animals

Volunteer Opportunities: Help animals in need by cleaning cages, walking dogs, and spending time with them. Some organizations offer unique volunteering experiences like reading to the animals.

Age Requirements: Most of the locations below have volunteer opportunities for young children. Do note that an adult must accompany the child. Check the website or call the locations below for more information.

Angels for Animals
4750 West South Range Rd, Canfield, OH 44406
(330) 549-1111 x316
Website

Animal Charity Humane Society
4140 Market St, Youngstown, OH 44512
(330) 788-1064
Website

Animal Welfare League
812 Youngstown-Kingsville RD SE, Vienna, OH 44473
(330) 539-5300
Website

Ashtabula County APL
5970 Green Rd, Ashtabula, OH 44004
(440) 224-1222
Website

Citizens Committee for the Lakewood Animal Shelter
14400 Detroit Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107
(216) 529-5020
Website

Cleveland APL
1729 Willey Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113
(216) 771-4616
Website

Cuyahoga County Animal Shelter
9500 Sweet Valley Dr, Valley View, OH 44125
(216) 525-7877
Website

Euclid Pet Pals
25100 Lakeland Blvd, Euclid, OH 44132
(216) 289-2057
Website

Friends of the Cleveland Kennel
2690 West 7th St, Cleveland, OH 44113
(216) 274-9480
Website

Friendship Animal Protective League
8303 Murray Ridge Rd, Elyria, OH 44035
(440) 322-4321
Website

Geauga Humane Society's Rescue Village
15463 Chillicothe Rd, Russell Twp., OH 44072
(440) 338-4819
Website

Humane Society of Columbiana County
1825 S. Lincoln Ave, Salem, OH 44460
(330) 332-2600
Website

Humane Society of Summit County
7996 Darrow Rd, Suite 30, Twinsburg, OH 44087
(330) 487-0333
Website

Lake Humane Society
7564 Tyler Boulevard, Bldg. E, Mentor, OH 44060
(440) 951-6122
Website

Medina County SPCA
8790 Guilford Rd, Seville, OH 44273
(330) 723-7722
Website

Parma Animal Shelter
6260 State Rd, Parma, OH 44134
(440) 885-8014
Website

Portage APL
8122 Infirmary Rd, Ravenna, OH 44266
(330) 296-4022
Website

Stark County Humane Society
5100 Peach St, Louisville, OH 44641
(330) 453-5529
Website

Wayne County Humane Society
1161 Mechanicsburg Rd, Wooster, OH 44691
(330) 262-0152
Website

Search for Volunteer Opportunities

Do you have a free weekend and would like to help out the community? These sites allow you to search for volunteer opportunities in your area ad hoc. Just fill out an application and attend an orientation to get started.

Greater Cleveland Volunteers
4415 Euclid Ave, Suite #200, Cleveland, OH 44103
(216) 391-9500
Website

HandsOn Northeast Ohio
3615 Superior Ave. UNIT 3102A, Cleveland, OH 44114
(216) 432-9390
Website

Caring Cubs
An organization that hosts monthly service projects for young children ages 2 and up, designed to teach various lessons of social responsibility.
Website