New Year's Resolutions

Idealist.org is a well-known and respected nonprofit and volunteer resource site. Listing almost 60,000 nonprofit organizations, the site offers volunteer opportunities, paid jobs at nonprofit companies, and community events and actions worldwide. Idealist's credibility and comprehensiveness are of particular note.

VolunteerMatch matches up volunteers and organizations according to their preferences, almost like a dating service. With good but simple search criteria and separate sections for volunteers, nonprofit organizations, and corporations, it offers an efficient and powerful way to start giving quickly.

The USA Freedom Corps is the White House office in charge of coordinating and promoting volunteerism among Americans. Among its associated programs are the well-known Peace Corps and AmeriCorps programs. A USAFC kids’ Web site has its home here as well.

AmeriCorps is akin to a domestic version of the Peace Corps. If you want a rigorous, community-based volunteer experience but want to stay in the United States, this program might interest you. Because coordination is easier without international issues, AmeriCorps offers a greater variety of service options.

Operation Homefront was founded by military family members specifically to address the shortfall in assistance provided to families of deployed service members. It aids families through 34 chapters across the nation and addresses a wide spectrum of needs. Operation Homefront has a prestigious advisory board and recently was awarded the highest possible rating by Charity Navigator, a nonprofit evaluator.

Wounded Warrior Project offers a number of innovative programs to help reintegrate severely wounded soldiers returning to civilian life. Among many other services, the organization seeks to raise public awareness of the heroism and needs of wounded troops by providing a series of initiatives in which military families and service members can participate. One example is “Soldier Ride”, a bicycling program in which severely disabled soldiers cycle with their families for fun and healing outside the hospital environment. The site also helps wounded soldiers reach out to others coming home, thereby creating a network of support.

USO (United Service Organizations) offers a wealth of volunteering opportunities, one of which is sending a package to the troops. If you want to send a care package or learn about donation programs, visit the “Make a Donation” section for information on the different opportunities that exist. If you’d like to volunteer visit the “Find Your Local USO” link.

Soldiers’ Angels helps you “adopt” a soldier. In order to participate in this program, you must commit to sending a card or letter at least once a week and a care package at least once a month. If you don’t feel comfortable with that time requirement, you can join Soldiers’ Angels to volunteer with the group, or give a donation. Visitors to the site can also submit deployed soldiers to be included in the program.