Fall is here and it’s bringing more volunteer opportunities to the community. From pet adoptions to park clean-ups, there is a way for all to get involved. As the pandemic continues on, hurricane season is wrapping up, and children are in school, there are plenty of reasons to lend a helping hand this fall. Read on to find an opportunity for you this season.
September 21st: November 5th | West Orange
Thank a Veteran – Grace Healthcare Services is ready to thank our Veterans this year. Volunteers are needed to make cards to send to our nation’s heroes this Veteran’s Day. Those interested in this opportunity will receive a package with card-making supplies. All cards will be given to Veterans in this hospice facility. If interested, please email [email protected]. Learn more about this volunteer opportunity here.
September 26th: Luck O’ the Pup Pet Adoption and Fundraiser | 648 Prospect Avenue, West Orange
Adopt a Pet – The Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh are set to host the 5th annual multi-rescue pet adoption and fundraiser. Pets looking for a forever home will be available to rescue on that day. For those not interested in a furry friend, opportunities for donation are available. All proceeds from any Tito’s handmade drinks sold during the event will go to the shelter. Food, drink, raffles, and 50/50 are available as well. Learn more about this volunteer opportunity here.
September 26th: Volunteer Day | 29 Ridgeway Avenue, West Orange
Volunteer Your Way – Empty Cloud and Buddhist Insights have a full day of volunteering planned. Come enjoy the entire day or just stay for the part. Opportunities from serving food to park clean-ups are available. This event is open to the public to come and volunteer or enjoy. Learn more about this volunteer opportunity here.
Read More: Donation Locations for Everything in Essex County
September 28th: Montclair Brewery Presents: Fundraiser for the Walnut Street Neighborhood Damaged by Hurricane Ida | 101 Walnut Street, Montclair
Hurricane Ida devastated many areas of the state with Essex County getting most of the damage. Listen to the sounds of Dave Nachmanoff and indulge in the crafts of Montclair Brewery while helping to raise funds for those affected by the storm. Admission to the event is $20. Learn more about this volunteer opportunity here.
Barktoberfest Pet Adoption Event and Marketspace | 560 Northfield Avenue, West Orange
Back again for another year, the Barktobterfest welcomes hundreds in the area to shop the marketspace and meet dogs looking to be adopted. Shop around or take home a new family member. Learn more about this volunteer opportunity here.
October 2nd: Pockets of Light Community Fundraiser | Anderson Park, Montclair
The 3rd Annual Pockets of Light Scavenger Hunt is here. Pockets of Life is an organization for those who have experienced the loss of a pregnancy or infant. This day is filled with family-friendly activities to honor and remember those babies. Guests are invited to make a team for the hunt, give a donation to the organization, or both. Learn more about this volunteer opportunity here.
October 8th: 38th Annual Montclair Run | 25 Park Street, Montclair
Join in on this run for a cause. This year’s event is a festive Costume Caper with prizes awarded at the end of the run for the best costumes. All proceeds from the race will benefit the chronic disease program at the Montclair YMCA. Registration is $30 until Oct 4th and will increase to $40 after Oct 4th. Learn more about this volunteer event here.
October 8th: Newark Emergency Services for Families Inc. 2nd Annual World Homeless Day
Community organizations through the city of Newark are coming together to provide services and resources for those in the area experiencing homelessness. Food, clothing, housing services, employment opportunities, mental health services, substance abuse treatment, legal and medical services are among the resources being provided, all free of charge. COVID-19 testing and vaccinations will also be available. Learn more about this volunteer opportunity here.
October 9th: October Weekend Donation Day | 9 Label Street, Montclair
The Human Needs Food Pantry has set October 9th as its October weekend dropoff. The pantry is accepting Fall/Winter clothing, household items, non-perishable food for both humans and pets, diapers, wipes, toiletries, and cleaning supplies. Please be sure all items are in excellent condition and not expired. Learn more about this volunteer opportunity here.
October 9th: St. Luke’s AME Church Women’s Missionary Society Meals to Go | 146-156 Clinton Avenue, Newark
This event is continuing with the Church’s commitment to distribute meals in the community regularly. From 11AM – 1PM the group will gather in the church parking lot to distribute meals. Feel free to share this opportunity with others. Learn more about this volunteer opportunity here.
October 10th – November 14th: Girls in Gear Assistant Coach | Rand Place, Montclair
The Dream Project is a non-profit funding organization committed to helping young girls through service and cycling. The cycling trips span thousands of miles across the country and help those in need along the way. The group is e looking for an assistant coach to help on Sundays for six weeks. The coach must be at least 16 years of age, have a bike and helmet, be able to commit to six Sundays in a row starting on Oct 10th, and be ready to help empower young girls looking to grow as community leaders. Learn more about this volunteer opportunity here.
Ongoing Opportunities
Animal Fostering at Pound Animal Welfare Society
Fostering a pet could save the animal’s life. PAWS in Montclair is consistently looking for loving foster parents to provide a safe environment for cats until they find a forever home. Fostering allows for a less stressful environment than a shelter and also starts the socialization process with humans earlier. Learn more about this volunteer opportunity here.
Catholic Charities of Newark | 976 Broad Street, Newark
A variety of options are available to support the community. Please contact Sharon Reilly-Tobin via email at [email protected] to learn about the greatest needs. Learn more about this opportunity here.
Communities Promoting Animal Welfare in NJ | 41 Watchung Plaza, Montclair
An opportunity for even the busiest volunteer. With options to help from home, at school, in-person, and virtually, the entire community can help save animals in the area. Volunteers are needed to help educate the community on animal welfare, help organize events, transport animals to and from doctor’s visits, and more. Learn more about this volunteer opportunity here.
Cultural Academic Student Exchange | 211 Bellevue Avenue, Montclair
Become a host family for the Cultural Academic Student Exchange (CASE) and house a student studying abroad. The CASE program is always in need of families of all backgrounds to help immerse international students into the culture of the area and to help navigate everyday life during their stay. Learn more about this volunteer opportunity here.
First Seventh-Day Adventist Church Soup Kitchen | 15 Elmwood Avenue, Montclair
Every Sunday from 12:00PM-2:30PM the soup kitchen at the First Seventh-Day Adventist Church is available to those in need in the community. Join as a volunteer in this ministry that has been in and of service for over a decade. Volunteers are needed to prepare and serve food. Learn more about this volunteer opportunity here.
Human Needs Food Pantry | 9 Label Street, Montclair
Opportunities to give back to the community are always available here. As a necessary component to the operation of the food pantry, volunteers are needed to do tasks from packaging fruits and vegetables to sorting donated clothes. For those who would like to interact with the community, the opportunity to deliver food to homebound clients is available. Learn more about this volunteer opportunity here.
LGBT Rain Foundation Essex County | 168 N Park Street, East Orange
The mission of LGBT Rain Foundation of Essex County has a mission of getting 18-26 persons experiencing homelessness on the path from transitional housing to permanent housing. A variety of tasks are needed to run this foundation. Volunteers are asking to make a six-month commitment at a time to allow for relationship building with the residents. Learn more about this volunteer opportunity here.
Montclair Community Farms | 108 Orange Road, Montclair
The Montclair Community Farms mission is to educate and engage the community through farms, food, and health. The community has come to love the volunteer opportunities to learn more about urban farming and help make healthy food accessible to those in the area. Opportunities to volunteer have been scarce in the past year, but ongoing opportunities are beginning again soon. Email head farmer Lana at [email protected] to learn about current opportunities. Learn more about this volunteer opportunity here.
See More: Kids in Cleats: a Montclair Nonprofit Helping Kids Succeed Through Soccer
Support S.O.F.I.A. | Flexible Around Essex County
SOFIA has ongoing volunteer opportunities to support women and children experiencing domestic abuse. This non-profit organization supports women by providing resources and referrals to temporary housing. Tasks for volunteers include promoting upcoming events and helping to fundraise. Learn more about this volunteer opportunity here.
Teen Volunteer Opportunities at the Montclair Public Library | 50 South Fullerton Avenue, Montclair
During the pandemic, volunteer opportunities have been difficult to come by, especially for teens in search of projects to fulfill school requirements or to simply have something to do after school hours. The Montclair Public Library saw this concern and created new opportunities. For those looking for virtual volunteer opportunities, sign up to be a Reading Buddy from now until May. For those comfortable with in-person volunteering, opportunities to be involved with the Summer Reading Program are now available. Learn more about this volunteer opportunity here.
Toni’s Kitchen | 73 South Fullerton Street, Montclair
Serving food to the community is a daily effort. Toni’s Kitchen in Montclair is available for this support. However, the organization can stay in operation with the support of volunteers. Those high school age and up are eligible to help with serving food to guests. Opportunities are available for individuals and groups daily. Learn more about this volunteer opportunity here.