One thing we have all learned this year is the capacity for humans to help each other in the face of adversity. Between the North Bay fires, national and international hurricanes, earthquakes, and even the human chain formed by beachgoers in Florida to save a drowning family, people showed up for each other this year.

Many times these disasters were far away and perhaps you and your family were able to help with financial donations. What Berkeley Hills Realty agents and staff have experienced is the joy you get in actually coming face to face with the people (and animals!) you help. Lending a hand, your time, and energy is oftentimes just as valuable or more so, than making a monetary donation and it raises your spirits, too! So, do you want to know how to REALLY get into the holiday spirit this year? Volunteer!

We have compiled ten volunteer opportunities in the East Bay to lend your holiday spirit to. You just may create new friendships, change your perspective, learn a new skill, or teach your children the value of volunteering and you will definitely be sharing the joy and spirit of the holidays.

 

1. Serve alongside 13,000 volunteers at the Alameda County Food Bank

7900 Edgewater Drive, Oakland, CA

1 in 5 Alameda County residents utilize the food bank. With 13,000 volunteers and 2 million pounds of food distributed to Alameda county residents per month, there is high demand for both food support and volunteers. Positions include: weekday food sorting, weekend food sorting and organizing a food drive (virtually or in-person). If you decide to organize a virtual food drive, the Alameda County Food Bank will turn every $1 raised into $6 of food for the community!

2. Volunteer your talents at the Berkeley Food and Housing Project

2362 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, CA

The Berkeley Food and Housing Project, or BFHP, strives to “ease and end the crisis of homelessness in our community” by providing transitional and permanent housing services. Many of the clients suffer from multiple disabilities, including psychiatric illness, physical and developmental disabilities and substance abuse. The BFHP currently offers enrichment classes such as yoga, resume reviews and job coaching and offers after-school tutoring.

3. Make the Shoreline A Safe and Clean Environment at Shorebird Park Nature Center

160 University Avenue, Berkeley

Come out to volunteer on the third Saturday of each month and meet at the Shorebird Park Nature center where you will learn more about the impact of trash – specifically plastics, on the marine environment and help clean up the shoreline. If interested, please call ( 510) 981-6720 or email them at naturecenter@cityofberkeley.info.   The Nature Center also needs volunteers for their Bay Interpretive training program to help with our education programs during the school year.

4. Provide Smiles, Serve Lunch Or Teach Local Seniors

North Berkeley Senior Center

(510) 981-5190

South Berkeley Senior Center

(510) 981-5170

The Berkeley senior centers need help to do the following tasks:

  • Serve lunch between 11:30 am and 12:30 pm, Monday – Friday
  • Volunteer at special events
  • Staff the reception desk on weekdays
  • Assist with office and administrative tasks
  • Teach a class
5. Help Children And Their Families Staying At the Children’s Hospital Oakland

747 52nd Street, Oakland

Volunteers at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland support  patients, families and staff in so many ways.  Volunteers can provide comfort, support and assistance in more than 100 assignments in more than 70 different areas.

Art While You Wait

  • Create coloring/arts & crafts activities for patients and siblings in Emergency, Urgent Care, Diagnostic Imaging and Orthopedics waiting areas.
  • This is a service area with a truly flexible schedule, including weekends and evenings

Book Cart

  • Deliver books to outpatients and families
  • Clean and stock book carts and return them to various waiting areas and parent lounges throughout the hospital
  • This is a service area with a truly flexible schedule, including weekends and evenings

Gift Shop

  • Assist manager with sales, helping families and staff select gifts, delivering gifts and balloons to patients, and sorting and displaying merchandise
  • Shifts are available Monday – Friday between 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

More opportunities available on the website.

6. Help Girls Be Leaders And Literate with Girls Inc. of Alameda County

510 16th Street, Oakland

Girls Inc. of Alameda County provides programs and services that inspire all girls to be strong, smart and bold. Services take place via school partners and at our headquarters in Downtown Oakland, the Simpson Center for Girls.

Tutoring & Homework Help

Homework helpers and one-on-one tutors are needed to provide girls with academic assistance throughout the school year. Volunteers working with kindergarten through fifth grade students focus mostly on literacy and helping girls achieve grade-level reading.

Health & Fitness Program Assistance

Volunteers are needed to help girls learn fundamentals of sports, new fitness skills, and a love of being active. Volunteers may assist program staff with small group sports activities, as well as nutrition and cooking lessons.

7. Care for Animals Waiting For Adoption at the East Bay SPCA

8323 Baldwin Street, Oakland

The greatest need the SPCA has is the need  for Animal Care Volunteers. These volunteers provide essential care to the animals to keep them happy and healthy. Tasks include feeding dogs and cats, sanitizing kennels and doing dishes and laundry. These shifts are scheduled every day of the week from 8-10 am and 3-5 pm.

Foster volunteers provide temporary care for puppies, dogs, kittens, and cats who need extra love, attention, training, or time.

You can also make a great impact participating in volunteer opportunities such as:

Marketing & Development

Photographer/Videographer

Event Coordination

Youth Programs

Offsite Events

For  more information about requirements and volunteer opportunities

8. Build a Home or Design and Stock A Store With Habitat for Humanity East Bay

9235 San Leandro St., Oakland

The ReStore is a store that accepts donations of new and gently used items from individuals and businesses in the community, and sells those items to the public at a reduced cost, usually 50-70 percent of the original retail value. All proceeds go toward building Habitat homes in the Bay Area. They are looking for people who can help with counter sales and restocking.

Do you like organization and efficiency? Have a knack for interior design? Try out being a Merchandising Volunteer and help keep the store stocked, looking good, and accessible for shoppers!

Habitat for Humanity is always looking for build volunteers and they are looking to help people rebuild their homes in the North Bay, as well. Learn more at http://www.habitatebsv.org. You can also see where help is needed on a daily basis at https://eastbay.volunteerhub.com/events/index

9. Keep Our Parks Clean, Safe, and Fun with the East Bay Regional Park District

Thanks to hundreds of dedicated volunteers and docents, the East Bay Regional Park District offers the public a great variety of high-quality services and programs. Whether you are looking for a one-time special event or a year-round volunteer program, you, your family and friends, or your school or civic group can volunteer here — in the Regional Parks. For information, email Volunteers@EBParks.org.

Volunteer Programs

10. Sponsor a Family for the Holidays with Family Support Services

401 Grand Avenue, Suites 200, Oakland

The goal of Family Support Services is to support parents and caregivers in creating a positive holiday experience and a nurturing environment for children and youth. This project brings joy to both families and donors during the holiday season and enhances the services that they provide year-round.

Family Services will provide you a wish list completed by a family in need, which will include each family member’s first name, age, gender identity, clothing size, shoe size, and wish list items. The last name given will be fictitious in order to protect the family’s identity. This is an anonymous giving program, so we will never give your contact information to the family, and we retain their identifying information as well. If you would like to sponsor a family in the East Bay, please contact: Haley Hester at (510) 834-2443 ext. 3002.

On behalf of Berkeley Hills agents and staff we hope you enjoy the advent of the holiday season and find joy in the gift of giving your time to the community! #REKindness