Volunteering doesn’t have to mean a long trek across town to make a difference. Every neighborhood has hundreds of close-to-home volunteer opportunities – and Lake Highlands (East Dallas/Lakewood) is no exception.
White Rock Lake is always a good place for volunteering – many agencies host races, walk-a-thons and other events at the lake. On Feb. 19, for example, you can volunteer at Babbage’s 5K Run For Kids that benefits the Wednesday’s Child Benefit Corporation. The race starts at Winfrey Point, and more than 100 volunteers are needed from 6 a.m. to noon to register runners, host water stations, set up and break down, monitor the course, cheer for runners and assist with the awards ceremony.
The second Saturday of every month, PATH (an environmental education agency) needs volunteers to help with a cleanup of White Rock Lake. Volunteers bring their own gloves, and the agency provides trash bags and breakfast. Volunteers of all ages are invited to help with the cleanup from 8 to 10:30 a.m.
Or perhaps you’d rather help another neighborhood favorite, the Dallas Arboretum. You can be a part of the southwest’s largest outdoor floral festival when you volunteer for the annual Dallas Blooms. Volunteers are needed weekends, March 11 – April 16 to lead tours of the DeGolyer Home, assist with children’s activities and greet guests.
If you’re looking for an indoor sort of volunteer job, those are available in the area, as well. ACES is an agency that helps parents affected by non-payment of child support obligations learn how to collect child support. The agency holds workshops once a month at Lake Highlands United Methodist Church and needs volunteers to care for children while their parents attend the workshops. Volunteers are needed evenings Feb. 22 and March 28.
These are just a few of the opportunities available right in your own backyard. Schools, nursing homes, recreation centers and libraries are some of the other neighborhood agencies that also need volunteers like you. For more information on these and other volunteer opportunities, call the Volunteer Center at 214-826-6767 or visit the Center’s web site at www.non-profits.org.
