Virtual volunteer opportunities available during MLK Community Weekend

BOSTON — Chrystal Porter and her children are showing their appreciation by volunteering to write thank-you cards to essential workers.

“It’s extremely important for my family to always be involved in service outside of the pandemic and inside the pandemic because that’s how we’re going to make things better,” she said.

Porter and her family are part of the volunteer project with Boston Cares. The agency partners with about 150 non-profits and schools every year by placing volunteers to fill more than 60 thousand volunteer spots annually. On MLK Community Weekend, Boston Cares is offering 4-days of volunteer opportunities.

“There are so many ways that people can get involved, whether it is a song, something at home that is sent out to an agency, learning about ways so they can improve their community. We have a lot of virtual opportunities going on here right now,” said Sara Hamilton, executive director of Boston Cares.

One of those virtual volunteering opportunities is recording oneself reading a children’s book for Heading Home. The non-profit offers support to those experiencing homelessness.

“Those audio tapes will be sent to us, and we will share those with our clients. It’s so wonderful to the moms to have the support and also for them to know there is some random caring person out there who took time to record their favorite children’s books. It also helps, of course, with learning loss,” said Suzanne Picher, chief development officer of Heading Home.

In addition to volunteer opportunities, there are Zoom sessions sharing important conversations on what’s happening in our community, including food insecurity, homelessness and race and equity.

If you would like to volunteer this weekend, follow this link.

Cox Media Group