20 Volunteer Date Ideas to Give Back to Those Around You

By Lisette Mejia

Updated on 1/27/2018 at 7:35 AM

POPSUGAR Photography | Sheila Gim
POPSUGAR Photography | Sheila Gim

What better way to spend time with the person you love (or are getting to know) than with some do-good and feel-good activities? Even if you can't get to volunteering today, consider adding these ideas to your 2018 bucket list. As cheesy as it sounds, any time is as good as any to make the world a better place.

  1. Plant trees on a sidewalk or at a park.
  2. Take turns cuddling a baby in need — it's a real thing.
  3. Collect food for a food bank.
  4. Build a home with Habitat For Humanity in your city.
  5. Host a game night for teens in a foster-care group.
  6. Serve a meal at a homeless shelter.
  7. Clean up a beach — and then spend time at the pier!
  8. Read stories to the elderly at the hospital.
  9. Put together a care package for a soldier overseas.
  10. Help paint a school.
  11. Volunteer to teach a class using your speciality (writing, coding, etc.).
  12. Hold a clothing drive for a local shelter.
  13. Drive veterans to their medical appointments.
  14. Donate blood (and hold hands, of course).
  15. Clean up an elderly neighbor's yard.
  16. Collect toys for kids in need.
  17. Knit blankets for domestic-violence victims.
  18. Raise money for a specific cause — like building a well in Africa.
  19. Help out with phoning and filing at an animal shelter.
  20. Tutor students after school.
POPSUGAR Photography | Sheila Gim