Virtual Volunteer Activities Through Facebook
We're excited to share information about our new virtual volunteer programming that we have scheduled through Facebook!
Each week we will offer a new theme so your family can help a different community need and nonprofit partner. We'll track your kids' volunteer hours in our Generation SERVE system if you email us their names, the time spent serving, and a photo to [email protected].
Each week we will offer a new theme so your family can help a different community need and nonprofit partner. We'll track your kids' volunteer hours in our Generation SERVE system if you email us their names, the time spent serving, and a photo to [email protected].
Thanks to the generosity of our donors & Family Sponsors we are able make programming like this possible. Become a supporter today!
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Register your family to join our list to be notified about our Family Volunteering activities and programs.
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Mental Health - June 5-7
The Christi Center’s mission is to offer hope after the death of a loved one by providing support networks, community education, and therapeutic activities that are free, peer-based, and ongoing. The Christi Center has helped anyone in Austin with grief support for 30 years. Usually, Generation SERVE families provide a homemade meal once a month for their Kids Who Care grief support group, but since we can’t do that right now we will support them in other ways!
Help kids supported by The Christi Center by making cloth face masks that they will use in care kits for when their kids come back for in-person services.
You will need:
It depends! Here are some mask making tutorials
No sew: you will need cloth, scissors, paperclips, fabric glue, elastic, and measuring tape. Here's a video!
Sewn mask (use instructions for ages 4-12, The Christi Center only serves children 5 and up): you will need fabric, elastic, measuring tape, and a sewing machine or needle and thread. Here's instructions!
Or, use whatever mask making tutorial you’d like!
You can drop finished masks off at Generation SERVE’s office on Tuesday, June 9th between 10-12 pm, or Friday, June 12 from 12-2 pm. Our office is located at 8711 Burnet Rd., Suite B-33, Austin, TX 78757.
Help kids supported by The Christi Center by making cloth face masks that they will use in care kits for when their kids come back for in-person services.
You will need:
It depends! Here are some mask making tutorials
No sew: you will need cloth, scissors, paperclips, fabric glue, elastic, and measuring tape. Here's a video!
Sewn mask (use instructions for ages 4-12, The Christi Center only serves children 5 and up): you will need fabric, elastic, measuring tape, and a sewing machine or needle and thread. Here's instructions!
Or, use whatever mask making tutorial you’d like!
You can drop finished masks off at Generation SERVE’s office on Tuesday, June 9th between 10-12 pm, or Friday, June 12 from 12-2 pm. Our office is located at 8711 Burnet Rd., Suite B-33, Austin, TX 78757.
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Our Virtual Volunteer Activity this week will focus on Supporting Mental Health!
Here's Krupali, Teen Activity Lead, explaining this week's theme, why it's important to get involved, and more! |
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Here's this week's partner interview with Activity Lead and Teen Advisor Board member Lira Ramirez and The Christi Center!
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Since our Virtual Volunteer Activity this week focuses on Supporting Mental Health, our Little Helpers Story is "In My Heart: A Book of Feelings".
Can you remember a time when you've been happy, or sad, or even scared? Everyone has those feelings every once in a while. Let's read this story to learn about all different types of feelings. |
Supporting Kids - May 29-31
Rainbow Room is a program of Partnerships for Children, which supports Child Protective Service workers in Central Texas. Rainbow Room provides supplies for caseworkers and the children/families they are working with. Generation SERVE usually supports Rainbow Room with a monthly service date where we unbox formula and bundle diapers.
We are helping Rainbow Room by bundling and donating diapers!
You will need:
Diapers or Pull Ups (can be a new box or an already opened box)
Rubber Bands
Gloves
What you will do:
You will count out 6 diapers/pull ups (all the same size) and put a rubber band around them. If you have an extra diaper or two, you can add them to a bundle. It's okay if some bundles have an extra diaper.
You can drop off your completed diaper bundles at the Generation SERVE office on Tuesday, June 2 between 10-12 pm.
We are helping Rainbow Room by bundling and donating diapers!
You will need:
Diapers or Pull Ups (can be a new box or an already opened box)
Rubber Bands
Gloves
What you will do:
You will count out 6 diapers/pull ups (all the same size) and put a rubber band around them. If you have an extra diaper or two, you can add them to a bundle. It's okay if some bundles have an extra diaper.
You can drop off your completed diaper bundles at the Generation SERVE office on Tuesday, June 2 between 10-12 pm.
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Our Virtual Volunteer Activity this week will focus on Kids Helping Kids!
Here's Generation SERVE's Houston Site Director Caren Sweetland and Volunteer Alex explaining this week's theme, why it's important to get involved, and more! |
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Here's this week's partner interview with Sahana Sudarsan, Activity Lead and member on the Teen Advisory Board, and Partnerships for Children
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Since our Virtual Volunteer Activity this week focuses on Kids Helping Kids, our Little Helpers Story is "Be Kind".
In this story, Tanisha spills her juice and is really upset. Tanisha's friend tries to figure out the best way to help her. The friend's mother always tells her just be kind, but what does it mean to be kind? Let's read the story and find out. |
Environment - May 22-24
Generation SERVE has partnered with Pease Park Conservancy in the past to do projects like seed ball making, litter removal, and invasive species removal. Pease Park Conservancy celebrates the diverse ecology and history that make Austin’s first public park valuable and unique. The Conservancy works to restore, enhance, and maintain this 84-acre public green space for the sustainable use and enjoyment of all.
We are helping Pease Park Conservancy with social distancing litter removal and ragweed removal!
You will need:
Closed-toe shoes
Gloves (disposable for litter pick up, gardening gloves for ragweed removal)
Trash bag (for litter pick up)
Water
Sunscreen/bugspray/hat/whatever makes you feel comfortable in the outdoors
What you will do:
Check out the Pease Park website for information about locations and what ragweed looks like and tips for removal.
Register as a volunteer so Pease Park can keep track of volunteer hours!
Leave the ragweed where you pulled it! Don’t make a pile.
Make sure any litter you pick up gets left in a park trash can.
Use hand sanitizer and wash your hands when you get home!
See the website for other tips!
If the park is crowded or busy, please try to find another spot for litter pick up or ragweed removal or come back at another time. Alternatively, pick up litter in your own neighborhood or nearby park!
We are helping Pease Park Conservancy with social distancing litter removal and ragweed removal!
You will need:
Closed-toe shoes
Gloves (disposable for litter pick up, gardening gloves for ragweed removal)
Trash bag (for litter pick up)
Water
Sunscreen/bugspray/hat/whatever makes you feel comfortable in the outdoors
What you will do:
Check out the Pease Park website for information about locations and what ragweed looks like and tips for removal.
Register as a volunteer so Pease Park can keep track of volunteer hours!
Leave the ragweed where you pulled it! Don’t make a pile.
Make sure any litter you pick up gets left in a park trash can.
Use hand sanitizer and wash your hands when you get home!
See the website for other tips!
If the park is crowded or busy, please try to find another spot for litter pick up or ragweed removal or come back at another time. Alternatively, pick up litter in your own neighborhood or nearby park!
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Our Virtual Volunteer Activity this week will focus on Helping the Environment!
Here's Activity Lead Vinayak Joglekar and Co-Lead Tulsi Joglekar explaining this week's theme, why it's important to get involved, and more! |
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Here's this week's partner interview with Activity Lead and Teen Advisor Board member Lira Ramirez and Pease Park Conservancy
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Since our Virtual Volunteer Activity this week focuses on Helping Our Environment, our Little Helpers Story is "Not for me, please! I choose to act green".
In this story, a boy named Luke tells us all about our Earth and about some things we can do to take care of it. |
Helping Animals - May 15-17
Generation SERVE has partnered with Austin Humane Society in lots of ways! Usually we help with making toys, rice socks, and blankets for the pets. Our Generation SERVE teens have also helped with cleaning and with special programs for younger kids! We love getting to go visit the animals and the staff at the shelter, but since we can’t do that right now we will instead make toys for the animals!
Here are instructions for making a dog toy:
-Find an old t-shirt or fabric that you are ok turning into a dog toy.
-Cut the material into three equal length 2" wide strips of fabric. They can be as long as you want to make them.
-Tie a knot at one end of the three strips of fabric (leaving a little material at the end).
-Braid the three strips of fabric until you almost reach the end.
-Tie one more knot at the other end and you have a pull toy!
Here are instructions for making a cat toy:
-You will need yarn and scissors.
Watch this video!
You can either mail the toys or drop them off in the donation bin at the Austin Humane Society in the front of the shelter at:
Austin Humane Society
124 W. Anderson Lane
Austin, Texas 78752
Here are instructions for making a dog toy:
-Find an old t-shirt or fabric that you are ok turning into a dog toy.
-Cut the material into three equal length 2" wide strips of fabric. They can be as long as you want to make them.
-Tie a knot at one end of the three strips of fabric (leaving a little material at the end).
-Braid the three strips of fabric until you almost reach the end.
-Tie one more knot at the other end and you have a pull toy!
Here are instructions for making a cat toy:
-You will need yarn and scissors.
Watch this video!
You can either mail the toys or drop them off in the donation bin at the Austin Humane Society in the front of the shelter at:
Austin Humane Society
124 W. Anderson Lane
Austin, Texas 78752
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Our Virtual Volunteer Activity this week will focus on Helping Animals!
Here's Activity Lead Erin Stage and her family explaining this week's theme, why it's important to get involved, and more! They even demonstrate how to make animal toys! |
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Here's this week's partner interview with Activity Lead and Teen Advisor Board member Lira Ramirez and Austin Humane Society!
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Since our Virtual Volunteer Activity this week focuses on Helping Animals, our Little Helpers Story is "'Let's Get a Pup!' Said Kate".
This is the story of Kate and her parents, who head to the local animal shelter where there are lots of dogs waiting for new homes. Let's see who they meet! |
Supporting Seniors - May 8-10
Generation SERVE has partnered with Meals on Wheels Central Texas for many years! Usually we deliver meals, decorate bags for the PALS program, and visit the guests at Mike’s Place, but since we are not able to do that right now we will spread cheer and make connections by making cards and video messages for Meals on Wheels Clients.
It’s important to show you care about people in your community, and people that Meals on Wheels serve might be experiencing more loneliness due to the shelter-in-place orders. Their regular delivery drivers aren’t visiting as much, and the guests at Mike’s Place aren’t able to be together right now. We hope we get to visit again soon!
You can do one or both of these projects this weekend.
To make cards:
You will need paper and art supplies. Get as crafty as you want!
Draw anything you’d like on the front and inside of the card. Make sure you leave some room to write a message. Think about what you might want to hear if you were feeling lonely or down. Think about something that makes you laugh or smile! Think about what you might tell a friend. When you’ve written your message, sign it with your first name and your age!
You can write lots of different things, but please do not include any religious messages on these cards.
When finished with the cards, you can deliver them to Generation SERVE's office on Tuesday, May 12 between 10-12 pm, or you can mail directly to Meals on Wheels at 3227 E 5th St, Austin, TX 78702.
To make video messages:
Use your phone, iPad, or any other recording device to record a fun message for Mike’s Place guests! You can tell jokes, share a short story, sing a song, play a game, read a poem, show off your favorite stuffed animal or toy, or just talk about what you’re doing today! Anything goes! Say hello and introduce yourself at the beginning of the video.
Videos should be shorter than 3 minutes. You can email videos to [email protected] and we will get them to Mike’s Place!
It’s important to show you care about people in your community, and people that Meals on Wheels serve might be experiencing more loneliness due to the shelter-in-place orders. Their regular delivery drivers aren’t visiting as much, and the guests at Mike’s Place aren’t able to be together right now. We hope we get to visit again soon!
You can do one or both of these projects this weekend.
To make cards:
You will need paper and art supplies. Get as crafty as you want!
Draw anything you’d like on the front and inside of the card. Make sure you leave some room to write a message. Think about what you might want to hear if you were feeling lonely or down. Think about something that makes you laugh or smile! Think about what you might tell a friend. When you’ve written your message, sign it with your first name and your age!
You can write lots of different things, but please do not include any religious messages on these cards.
When finished with the cards, you can deliver them to Generation SERVE's office on Tuesday, May 12 between 10-12 pm, or you can mail directly to Meals on Wheels at 3227 E 5th St, Austin, TX 78702.
To make video messages:
Use your phone, iPad, or any other recording device to record a fun message for Mike’s Place guests! You can tell jokes, share a short story, sing a song, play a game, read a poem, show off your favorite stuffed animal or toy, or just talk about what you’re doing today! Anything goes! Say hello and introduce yourself at the beginning of the video.
Videos should be shorter than 3 minutes. You can email videos to [email protected] and we will get them to Mike’s Place!
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Our Virtual Volunteer Activity this week will focus on Supporting Seniors!
Here's Activity Lead Gracie Vogel explaining this week's theme, why it's important to get involved, and more! |
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Here's this week's partner interview with Sahana Sudarsan, Activity Lead and member on the Teen Advisory Board, Meals on Wheels and Mike's Place!
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Since our Virtual Volunteer Activity this week focuses on Supporting Seniors, our Little Helpers Story is "Mr. George Baker".
This is the story of two friends, George and Harry. Now, George and Harry have some things about them that are the same, and some things that are different. Let's find out what makes their friendship so special |
People Experiencing Homelessness - May 1-3
Let's make Covid-19 hygiene kits or snack bags for clients of Caritas of Austin! Generation SERVE has partnered with Caritas of Austin for 11 years! Usually we make a hot meal for their community kitchen every week. Since we can’t do that right now, we’re finding another way to support Caritas and their clients by making Covid-19 care kits or snack bags.
To make the Covid-19 care kits you will need:
Plastic bags (like ziplock bags)
A cloth mask or bandana
A water bottle
Disposable gloves
Bar of soap
Vitamin C packets (like Emergen-C)
(If you don’t have all of these items, that’s okay! Put in as many as you have)
Make a cheerful card to include in each bag!
To make the snack kits you will need:
Plastic bags (like ziplock bags)A variety of easy to carry snacks such as: boxes of raisins, granola bars, nuts, slim jims, crackers, pretzels, water bottles, and vitamin c packets (like Emergen-C).
These should all be pre-packaged snacks. Just 3-4 items is fine!
Make a cheerful card to include in each bag!
When you are finished with your kits you can drop off at:
Caritas of Austin
611 Neches St.
Austin, TX 78701
Drop-Off Instructions: Please call 512-479-4610 the day you plan to drop off so our staff is ready to collect your donation. For our staff’s safety, as well as yours, we are asking that all donations be dropped off at our loading dock on the side of the building – directly across the street from the ARCH on 7th, there is a brown garage door. Ring the doorbell and our Pantry Aide will collect the donations.
To make the Covid-19 care kits you will need:
Plastic bags (like ziplock bags)
A cloth mask or bandana
A water bottle
Disposable gloves
Bar of soap
Vitamin C packets (like Emergen-C)
(If you don’t have all of these items, that’s okay! Put in as many as you have)
Make a cheerful card to include in each bag!
To make the snack kits you will need:
Plastic bags (like ziplock bags)A variety of easy to carry snacks such as: boxes of raisins, granola bars, nuts, slim jims, crackers, pretzels, water bottles, and vitamin c packets (like Emergen-C).
These should all be pre-packaged snacks. Just 3-4 items is fine!
Make a cheerful card to include in each bag!
When you are finished with your kits you can drop off at:
Caritas of Austin
611 Neches St.
Austin, TX 78701
Drop-Off Instructions: Please call 512-479-4610 the day you plan to drop off so our staff is ready to collect your donation. For our staff’s safety, as well as yours, we are asking that all donations be dropped off at our loading dock on the side of the building – directly across the street from the ARCH on 7th, there is a brown garage door. Ring the doorbell and our Pantry Aide will collect the donations.
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Our Virtual Volunteer Activity this week will focus on People Experiencing Homelessness.
Here's Activity Lead Heather Kinvig and her daughters Avery and Jewel explaining this week's theme, why it's important to get involved, and more! |
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Since our Virtual Volunteer Activity this week focuses on People Experiencing Homelessness, our Little Helpers Story is "A Place to Stay; A Shelter Story". In this story, a little girl and her mother don't have a place to live, so they are headed to a shelter. A shelter is a safe place for people to stay when they don't have a home of their own. The little girl feels pretty nervous about being in a new place. Let's learn about what shelters do to help people who don't have a home of their own.
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Learning and Literacy - April 24-26
We will help BookSpring promote reading and literacy by recording book reviews and read-alouds! There are three ways to participate!
1. You can recommend a fabulous book you've recently read. We'd like to focus on books appropriate for children 12 and under. Young Adult fiction would also be good! This can be done as a family, or children can record themselves reviewing a book!
2. You can also create 'how to videos' for using online reading resources like these featured on website. Read about them and try them out using this link. This is a better opportunity for teens!
3. You can read a book or a part of a book aloud. Some publishers are allowing limited video readings of books for educational purposes through June 30, 2020. Scholastic, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books, and Candlewick Press have extended permissions for digital use. Please be sure to include "with permission from PUBLISHER NAME" in your opening remarks. This is a great opportunity for families with kids of all ages! Check your bookshelf to see if you have any books by these publishers! Record a video of your family reading together to share!
For all of the details on how to do these projects, visit this link.
Generation SERVE has partnered with BookSpring for many years to help sort books, make bookmarks, and host events at affordable housing communities in Austin. Right now, Generation SERVE families can help promote BookSpring's mission virtually!
1. You can recommend a fabulous book you've recently read. We'd like to focus on books appropriate for children 12 and under. Young Adult fiction would also be good! This can be done as a family, or children can record themselves reviewing a book!
2. You can also create 'how to videos' for using online reading resources like these featured on website. Read about them and try them out using this link. This is a better opportunity for teens!
3. You can read a book or a part of a book aloud. Some publishers are allowing limited video readings of books for educational purposes through June 30, 2020. Scholastic, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books, and Candlewick Press have extended permissions for digital use. Please be sure to include "with permission from PUBLISHER NAME" in your opening remarks. This is a great opportunity for families with kids of all ages! Check your bookshelf to see if you have any books by these publishers! Record a video of your family reading together to share!
For all of the details on how to do these projects, visit this link.
Generation SERVE has partnered with BookSpring for many years to help sort books, make bookmarks, and host events at affordable housing communities in Austin. Right now, Generation SERVE families can help promote BookSpring's mission virtually!
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Here's Activity Leads Isbella and Letty explaining this week's theme, why it's important to get involved, and more.
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Since our Virtual Volunteer Activity this week focuses on Learning and Literacy, our Little Helpers Story is "Waiting for the Biblioburro". It's a story about a little girl who lives in Columbia and loves reading and telling stories. One day a special visitor comes to her village. Let's find out who it is!
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Food Insecurity - April 17-19
We will help food pantries around Travis County reduce their waste by making t-shirt bags that will be filled with groceries for food pantry clients.
Generation SERVE has partnered with Travis County Health and Human Services for over two years to make t-shirt bags!
You will need scissors and old (clean!) t-shirts for this project. Work with your parents to find a few shirts that you or your family members don’t want to wear anymore. Adult size shirts work best for this project!
We recommend this online tutorial: Make a bag from an old t-shirt.
Pro-tip: If you shirt has a fun design on the outside, you can make sure that design is on the front of the finished bag by starting with your shirt inside out!
Find more information about Travis County’s program here.
When you are finished with your bags, you have two options for delivery:
Drop them off in the donation box outside of the Generation SERVE office every Friday between 12-2 pm.
Wait until your next Generation SERVE in-person activity and deliver them then!
Generation SERVE has partnered with Travis County Health and Human Services for over two years to make t-shirt bags!
You will need scissors and old (clean!) t-shirts for this project. Work with your parents to find a few shirts that you or your family members don’t want to wear anymore. Adult size shirts work best for this project!
We recommend this online tutorial: Make a bag from an old t-shirt.
Pro-tip: If you shirt has a fun design on the outside, you can make sure that design is on the front of the finished bag by starting with your shirt inside out!
Find more information about Travis County’s program here.
When you are finished with your bags, you have two options for delivery:
Drop them off in the donation box outside of the Generation SERVE office every Friday between 12-2 pm.
Wait until your next Generation SERVE in-person activity and deliver them then!
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Our Virtual Volunteer Activity this week revolves around food insecurity. Here's Lira Ramirez, an Activity lead, introducing the topic and why it's important to participate in the activity!
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Here's this week's partner interview with Sahana Sudarsan, Activity Lead and member on the Teen Advisory Board, and Travis County Health and Human Services!
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Since our Virtual Volunteer Activity this week is Food Insecurity, our Little Helpers Story is "One Potato Two Potato". It's a story about two people who have a problem - they don't have enough to eat. Find out what happens and what we can do to help. Enjoy!
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Helping Healthcare - April 10-12
Let's make some cards for Cards for Hospitalized Kids, an internationally recognized charitable organization that strengthens the spirits of hospitalized kids through uplifting, handmade cards.
When finished, you can mail the cards to:
Cards for Hospitalized Kids
7290 W. Devon Ave.
Chicago, IL 60631
When finished, you can mail the cards to:
Cards for Hospitalized Kids
7290 W. Devon Ave.
Chicago, IL 60631
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Here's Laurel, an Activity Lead, and her son Gabriel, a Generation SERVE Volunteer, introducing the topic and why it's important to participate in the activity!
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Enjoy our interview with our partner, the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas, discussing what they do in the community, how families can continue to support them, and more.
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Since our Virtual Volunteer Activity this week is Helping Healthcare, our Little Helpers Story is "Bear Feels Sick". It's a story about a bear who doesn't feel so well and how his friends come to help!
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