Volunteer sites

Many areas in Ohio are in need of help and volunteers are ready and willing to be of service. A problem arises when there is an information gap between the two groups. To help solve this problem, different sites and blogs have come to life with lists of contacts and opportunities.

One such blog is done through Ohio.com when you visit the "Volunteer Opportunities" page. On any given day there is a list of the different organizations that need extra assistance and do not have the money to pay staff members. This site is very detailed, giving the hours of help needed, the contact information and details about the volunteer opportunity. People have the ability to post comments about the different projects or give advice to future volunteers. This is a definite perk about this blog because people who are on the edge can get more information outside of the organization they wish to volunteer for.

Organizations that need help can contact Ohio.com to get their information posted and let people know about their needs.
Servenet.org is another blog that connects interested volunteers with opportunities in different areas. This site allows you to search any zip code with projects posted. This is a very useful site if you move to a new area and want to find a community of like-minded, service-oriented individuals to spend your time with.

Not only does it include local service projects, but also connects you to long term volunteer programs. There is information about Americorp and other volunteer organizations and programs that can require a 10 month to 2 year dedication to service. This is also a good way to find opportunities for after graduation if you're not interested in entering the "real world" right away.