Community Service & Service Learning

Santa Claus is coming to town – send a custom letter from Santa himself!

Spread some holiday cheer while helping in the Fight against cancer! Nothing lights up the Christmas spirit for a child, like hearing from Santa himself! You have the wonderful opportunity to put a smile on the face of a youngster when they receive a letter from Santa Claus!

Make a donation of   any amount   and your child will receive a personalized letter from Santa   within one week  of receipt of the order. Order forms are located on the front page of our event website:    http://bit.ly/SantaLetters_ACS .

There are 10 different letter from Santa templates so each child will receive a unique letter to enjoy! Sample letter is attached below. Hurry!! Letters are only available to purchase through   December 18 .  

Questions? Contact Brittany at   Brittany.Lawton@cancer.org  or   631-300-3459.

Project T.O.Y. (Treasure Our Youth)

Help brighten the holidays of the families that work with Long Island Head Start!

To Adopt-A-Family contact Carol Burnett at CBurnett@liheadstart.org, and let her know you are a member of the SBU Community!

During the holiday season, Options matches families and individuals in their programs with generous volunteers from the community. Our program participants have very low incomes and do not have the means to celebrate the holiday season. We try to fulfil the wishes of as many families as possible, and last year we were able to help more than 30 families!  

In 2016, Options proudly assisted more than 1,600 needy Long Islanders, adults and children, through our housing and case management programs. We remain grateful for your generosity and kindness, and I look forward to working with you this holiday season. Options hopes the SBU Community can help once again to brighten their holiday season.

To Adopt-A-Family contact Jessica Schwab at JSchwab@optionscl.org, and let her know you are a member of the SBU Community!

Besides financial struggles, many families are going through personal struggles such as addiction, incarceration, homelessness, mental illness and other challenges that are making this time a year tough.  Sunshine Prevention Center only help families who are involved in Sunshine’s programs so they personally know each family they are helping.

There are a variety of ways that you can help which are described below.

Please copy the form below and email it to Carol at shine1@optonline.net or call 631-476-3099 to let them know how you would like to help and that you are a member of the SBU Community!

Check where you would like your donation` applied:

_________  Become a Sunshine Angel – (Monthly / Regular Financial Support in any amount can be applied towards General Operating and/or Direct Program Expenses) 

_________  I would like to donate holiday food, toys, clothes or gifts – (You may purchase specific items and drop them off at Sunshine wrapped or unwrapped)

_________  I am interested in Adopting-a-Family for the holidays – (Please fill out the bottom and we will contact you directly to pair you with a Sunshine family)

_________  I would like to organize a Food, Clothes or Toy Drive – (We will contact you directly to go over a family’s specific needs)

_________  CAD scholarship Fund – (This fund provides sponsorships for our evening programs for children and families in need)

_________  Gift Cards / Certificates of any kind or amount – (Gift Cards / Certificates are used for incentives and meal coupons for participants in our various programs)

Thanks for helping Sunshine “brighten the holiday for families in need”.  Together we CAN make a Difference!

Holiday Gift Distribution at Madonna Heights - The month of December Monday-Friday 9AM-4PM

Volunteers will assist in packing holiday gifts for clients served. Volunteers will also sort and organize incoming donations. 

Contact Laura Lopilato at 631-231-0155 or   llopilato@sco.org for more information or to sign up.

On Saturday, May 5, 2018 and Sunday, May 6, 2018, walk or run in support of  families with critically ill children. Join the Friends of Karen team and cross the finish line knowing you are making a difference in the lives of many precious children and their families.   Find out more and sign up here! 

Persons with disabilities and their families or care givers face daily challenges and the mission of the Brookhaven Special Needs Task Force is to provide the Town Board with information and recommendations that will help the Town in its efforts to develop programs and improve facilities in order to accommodate and offer equal opportunities for residents with special needs and allow them to be active members of our community.

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Mission Statement:  The mission of the Brookhaven Disability Task Force is to provide the Town Board with information and recommendations. This will help the Town in its continuous efforts to develop programs and improve facilities in order to accommodate and offer equal opportunities for residents with disabilities to be active members of our community.

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About Us:  The Task Force is comprised of volunteers who reside within Brookhaven Township. We are advocates, service providers, non-profits, parents of children in special education, caretakers and concerned citizens. We strive to provide awareness, improve, strengthen and expand programs and services for people with disabilities throughout Brookhaven Town.

Interested in volunteering? Please contact Clifford Hymowitz, Liaison Brookhaven Town Housing & Human Services at 631-451-6284 or chymowitz@brookhavenny.gov

Each month the Riverhead Foundation hosts beach cleanups, they also have additional volunteer opportunities available! Volunteer as an individual or as part of a student group!  Find out more and sign up here!

 

The Book Fairies is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that collects reading materials for people in need throughout metropolitan New York. The reading materials foster literacy and academic success, provide a respite from personal struggles, and nurture a love of reading across age groups.

Book Sorter:  Help sort books for children and adults in need across Long Island and metropolitan New York. We check the condition of every book and sort the books into the following categories: baby/preschool, K-2 nd grade, 3 rd-5 th grade, middle school, high school, and adult. We provide a training session when you first come to the warehouse. Drop in hours: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays from 10am-3pm.  Saturday morning sorting every 4-6 weeks.

Book Donation Volunteer : The Book Donation Volunteer will assist in setting up book drives in schools and corporations across Long Island. The volunteer will inform the schools and organizations about our charity and encourage them to run a one week used book drive. Once the drive is set up, the volunteer will reach out to confirm the start and end of drive and send a thank you letter at the conclusion of the drive. Average hours per week: 2 hours

Grant Writer Volunteer : The Grant Writer will write grants to help fund The Book Fairy program. The preliminary research has been completed as well as an outline and draft for the grant. We would love a volunteer who has experience in writing grants to use our text and modify it for each grant application. Write one grant or help with many. We are flexible! This opportunity can be handled from home.

Community Outreach Volunteer : The Community Outreach Volunteer will help reach out to programs across Long Island and metropolitan New York who could benefit from The Book Fairies. This involves calling organizations and establishing a relationship with both schools and community programs who need books. This can be done from home. Average hours per week: 2 hours

Warehouse Supervisor : The Warehouse Supervisor will be responsible for training volunteers, handling incoming and outgoing books, and he general structure and organization of the warehouse. The volunteer can work 1-3 days a week from 10am-3pm. Full training will be provided. It’s a fun environment with amazing volunteers, great music and a relaxed atmosphere. Bonus: take home any book you want! Must be available 1-3 set days a week from 10am-3pm.

Social Media Volunteer : The Social Media Volunteer will help update Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc. in order to build and sustain online support. We currently have a social media intern. If you are well versed in social media, this position can set up weekly activities for the intern to complete. Average hours per week: 1-3 hours.

Public Relations Volunteer : The Public Relations Coordinator will help increase exposure of The Book Fairies through press releases of our various activities, media campaigns, establish a core messaging that is consistent in all aspects of communications. Handle inquiries about our charity. This opportunity can be handled from home. Average hours per week: 2-5 hours.

Graphic Designer Volunteer : The Graphic Designer will handle any design projects for The Book Fairies. This includes designing our t-shirt, stickers, brochure, business card, media ads, flyers, and any promotional materials for events. This opportunity can be handled from home. Average hours per week: 1-5 hours.

Special Events Coordinator : The Special Events Coordinator will help create and plan special events and fundraising opportunities for The Book Fairies. We will supply the volunteers to run the scheduled events. This opportunity can be handled from home. Average hours per week: 2-5 hours depending on the event.

Interested? Sign up to volunteer here!

The  English Pal's Program  pairs international students with a native English speaker to help them practice English in a casual setting. Pairs meet for 30 minutes a week throughout the semester; applications accepted each semester.

Girls Inc. of Long Island is seeking both short term and long term volunteers. Short term volunteers can volunteer as part of a special event. Long term volunteers work with students during after school hours. For more information visit  Girls Inc. !

Enjoy working or playing with young children? Join the team at  Stony Brook Child Care Services !

PAR FORE  is an intergenerational community-based team mentor program. The mentorship consists of gang-affiliated young adolescents, a Stony Brook University student, and a member of the community. PAR FORE incorporates therapeutic principles inherent in the sport of golf to foster positive personal, social, and physical growth and development for Suffolk County adolescents who are affiliated with gang activity. Adolescents have the opportunity to engage in a productive activity that fosters positive social interaction. The golf play and instruction is free to mentor participants. No prior skills or experience with golf is necessary! Mentors must have a car in order to participate in the program. To learn more about becoming a PAR FORE mentor,  click here »

Youth Enrichment Services (YES) enriches the lives of the youth and their families residing in the Bay Shore, Brentwood, Central Islip, and West Islip communities. YES will provide services and programs aimed at youth development, empowerment and delinquency prevention with a special emphasis on at-risk and hard-to-reach youth and families. All services will be provided free of charge and inclusive of all children. YES programs include: tutoring, after-school programs, and more! Mentors must have a car in order to participate in this program. For information,  Contact Us.

Ongoing, Nassau and Suffolk Counties
The VITA Program offers free tax help to low to moderate income persons. Volunteers help prepare basic tax returns in communities across the country. Vita sites throughout Long Island are located at community centers, libraries, schools and other convenient locations. For information on how to get trained as a VITA volunteer,  Contact

 

Island Harvest Food Bank is a leading hunger-relief organization that provides food and other resources to people in need.

Island Harvest has a variety of positions available,  click here for more information and to apply!

Hurricane Sandy damaged homes are still being rebuilt! Volunteer as an individual or as part of a student group with Friends of Rockaway!  Find out more and sign up here!

The  Campus Community Emergency Response Team (C-CERT)  is an off-shoot of  FEMA’s Citizen Corps’ CERT program , designed to mold CERT’s basic principles to an academic institution setting. CERTs are formed by members of a community who want to be better prepared for the hazards that threaten their area. Initially, CERT programs were developed to assist communities in taking care of themselves in the aftermath of a major disaster when first responders are overwhelmed or unable to respond because of communication or transportation difficulties. Students, faculty, and staff can participate!

Ongoing 
When blood is donated at Stony Brook University Hospital Blood Bank, it is given directly to a patient in need in the hospital. To give blood, donors must be between 17 and 75, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in general good health. Even people on blood pressure and cholesterol medications with conditions under control and insulin-taking diabetics can give blood. 

Blood Bank - Stony Brook Medicine

Ongoing and one-time opportunities available!

Student groups and individuals welcome! No car required!

Help the Therapeutic Recreation Department to implement the philosophy of “Food and Fun!” They believe that enjoying life and being engaged are very important and that you are never too old to learn new things. You can assist by helping residents stay active in the community, and engaged in life. There are a wide variety of recreation programs offered, you can help by encouraging and motivating residents to attend and participate. You may also provide residents with assistance to and from programs. Opportunities range from games, crafts, exercising, walking, entertainment, community day trips, and more. Projects can include one on one projects or group projects. One example of a one on one project is creating small wood projects which may include assisting with assembling, sanding, and or painting. Fine motor skills and good vision is a must for a project like this.

There are many different ways to volunteer at the LI State Veteran’s Home! To view more information or to submit an application visit  LISVH Volunteer Services. If you are volunteering as a student group contact  Megan.Smedley@stonybrook.edu to find out how to get started!

 

SBU Hospital is always seeking volunteers to assist with various tasks in different departments! No matter what your major or future career goals are volunteers can volunteer in the SBU hospital! Volunteer positions can vary from administrative type work to interacting with patients.

Volunteers who can commit to a minimum of three hours a week for at least eight months or a total of 100 hours are encouraged to apply!

No car required! SBU Hospital is within walking distance! Interested? Visit  Stony Brook University Hospital Volunteers  for more information!

Find out more information at on the  SBVAC  page!

Sunrise on Wheels is a truly heartwarming and exciting year-round project to have come out of our Sunrise Day Camp summer program, bringing the day camp experience right into the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology departments of many of our affiliated hospitals.                                      

Throughout the year, so many of our Sunrise campers spend countless hours sitting in the waiting rooms of their outpatient clinics, or even longer days and weeks as an inpatient, anticipating lab work, checkups, chemotherapy and medical treatment. This experience can be long, monotonous, and even frightening; a powerful counterpoint to the laughter and joy of a Sunrise program.                                                      

In February 2009, the Friedberg JCC piloted this innovative program at Cohen Children’s Medical Center. We now have expanded to twelve hospital outreach programs, servicing hundreds upon hundreds of children each week.

Sunrise on Wheels’ trained volunteers and staff are now rolling our signature rainbow camp trunk filled with toys, puzzles, games, arts and crafts, and special surprises into inpatient and outpatient units. We bring to these children classic games such as Uno, Spot It and Let's Go Fishing. As the children dig deeper into the magical trunk, they find board games such as Candy Land, Chutes and Ladders, Head Banz, Othello, Connect 4 and Trouble. Reach into the trunk even further, and arts and crafts supplies like coloring books, stickers, Rainbow Loom, duct tape, markers, and paints will burst through to the surface. There are quiet games for individual children and daily group activities so everyone can play together.  Sunrise on Wheels also offers an extra special themed art project each week for the children, coinciding with holidays and special events. Our magical trunk is constantly changing, and our children and families continue to be surprised at every new Sunrise on Wheels session.

Sunrise on Wheels has been tremendously received by hospital staff, families and children. We hope to expand the program to many more of our affiliated hospitals, taking the anticipation and anxiousness of a long clinic day and magically changing it into a day of games, fun and smiles for as many children as possible.  

If you would like to learn more about Sunrise on Wheels, please contact:

Bonnie Flatow, Senior Vice President for Hospital and Community Services, Sunrise Association                                      

516-634-4158 or  bonnie.flatow@sunriseassociation.org      

Sunrise on Wheels hospital outreach programs are currently being offered at the following affiliated hospitals:  

*****Stony Brook University Hospital*****

Cohen Children’s Medical Center           

Hackensack University Medical Center

Kravis Children’s Hospital at Mount Sinai Medical Center

Maimonides Medical Center

Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital at Westchester Medical Center Health Network

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital

NYU/Langone Medical Center

Rambam Medical Center-Israel

Soroka Medical Center-Israel

Stephen D. Hassenfeld Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at NYU Langone

 

Open Door Exchange is an outreach program of the Setauket Presbyterian Church that seeks to redistribute good quality furniture to those in need.  They accept donations of essential household furnishings and offer them free of charge to individuals who need assistance turning their living space into a comfortable home.  We partner with other Long Island nonprofits, who refer recipients to us.  Rather than being unnecessarily discarded, good furniture is given new life, benefiting both our neighbors and our environment.  Their warehouse is located in Port Jefferson Station.  Individuals and families referred to Open Door Exchange  can make an appointment to come to the warehouse and choose the furniture that they need.  We offer the dignity of selecting one’s own furnishings.

Ways that you can volunteer include:

•  Go on a pick-up run.  At least twice a month, we send a group of volunteers out into the community to pick-up donated furniture from homes.  We handle all the scheduling and will provide you with a volunteer coordinator for the day. You provide a group of energetic volunteers! It's a great time, great exercise, and a great team-building opportunity!

•  Work in the warehouse.   Furniture moves in and out of our warehouse very quickly. We need lots of help receiving donations, cleaning furniture, deciding how to organize it, and greeting clients.  Our warehouse offers hands-on service experience with or without heavy lifting! 

•  Administrative assistance.  Can you type information into a simple database?  Do you enjoy writing thank you letters, designing promotional materials, or making phone calls?  We’d love your help!

•  Grant writing.   We do not charge for any of our services, so we rely entirely on grants and contributions to support our work.  If you have strong writing skills or experience in grant writing, you can help us keep our doors open! 

Find out more information here!

Ongoing
Donate one hour of your time to serve food at a local soup kitchen near your home or near Stony Brook University. Volunteer with family members, significant others, friends or colleagues. This is your chance to directly impact a population greatly in need. Volunteering at a local soup kitchen is easy, convenient, and rewarding. If you are interested in volunteering,  Contact Us . Please be sure to include your full name, phone number, and email address in your inquiry. We have soup kitchens available on Long Island and in New York City.

Social Media-- Work with Development Director on social media strategies and implementation. Help maintain FSL’s presence on social media networking sites. Research current & trending topics.  Create & design compelling social media posts. Five to 8 hours per week in Huntington.  Courses in Marketing/Social Media preferred.  Send resume to  mwinterle@fsl-li.org.  

Film Student to produce videos of our programs for use on FSL’s website and at FSL events.

Travel to our various offices to see programs in action. Set up conversations with clients and their case managers. Be creative. Flexible.

Operation Success – Assist in FSL’s Homework Help and Tutoring after-school program at our Family Centers in Huntington Station, Bay Shore, and Riverhead, September through May.

ESL Tutoring Program- – Help teach English to adult immigrants at our Bay Shore Family Center. Tutors range from 20 year old college students to business professionals to retired teachers. Two-hour classes, mornings or evenings, once a week after completing 4-hour training program.

Recess - This is a recreational program for children from ages 7 to 13 who are coping with mental illness. Sessions are scheduled for Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. in

Bay Shore, Bellport, Blue Point, and Riverhead.  Volunteers assist with activities such as arts and crafts, games, and outings.

Computer Literacy - Do you have great computer skills? Why not help others learn or upgrade their PC skills by assisting our instructors in coaching adult students using web-based teaching programs? Classes are held weekdays in Bay Shore (using Microsoft Office 2010) and in Huntington (using Microsoft Office 2003). Bilingual English/Spanish is highly desirable in Huntington.   Programs are ongoing and volunteer schedules are flexible.

Preschool Aides – Do you love interacting with preschool children? Volunteer to assist teachers who are helping to mold young minds through our Universal Pre-K programs in Bay Shore, Bellport, Huntington, Laurel, and Mineola. Morning and afternoon programs begin the first week of September and continue throughout the school year. Scheduling is flexible.

Lead- Assist in promoting skill-building and group interaction with teens 14 to 18 with mental and behavioral health issues.  The objective is to develop their leadership and mentoring skills to help younger children with mental health diagnosis.

Translators – Do you speak Spanish, European Portuguese, Croatian, Haitian Creole or Afghanistan Pashto? Volunteer to help interpret the needs of families that speak other languages but little English. Days and times are flexible at our Family Centers in Bay Shore and Huntington.

Kidnastics—Help youngsters 6—13 who are on the autism spectrum engage in a wide array of physical activities including trampoline and balance beam  and make friends  through games and crafts.  Center Moriches

Ombudservice (Services and Advocacy for Seniors) - Make a difference in the lives of your neighbors who live in Suffolk County’s long-term care homes. Volunteers are trained as advocates for residents living in nursing homes, adult care homes, and family-type homes. Volunteer ombudspersons visit an assigned home once a week to help residents and their families understand and exercise their rights to quality care and quality of life. Watch for upcoming training dates. Call 631-470-6755 for more information about becoming an ombudsperson volunteer.

Thrift Shop – Help price, sort, display, and sell donated clothing and household goods in Huntington.

Family Centers – Volunteers engage and instruct children — in preschools, with homework help programs, and as tutors/mentors.

Children and Parents Together (CAPT) – Volunteers assist with infants and preschool children while parents with mental health issues learn better parenting skills.

Operations—Use your strong analytical and writing skills to help with special projects in our Operations and office management departments.

Special Events – Volunteers work on one or more of FSL’s exciting fundraising event committees.

Clerical – Volunteers with office and computer skills can help out for a few hours a week at one of our 21 offices doing general clerical work.

Project T.O.Y. (Treasure Our Youth) – Join us in bringing holiday happiness to more than 2000 children this December. Beginning in October, help us collect donations of toys and gifts from various businesses, banks and corporations. You also can help by coordinating your own toy collections in your neighborhood or at your business, club or other group. Gift cards and financial donations are needed as well as toys.  In December, lend a hand picking up donated toys and bringing them to our distribution centers. Volunteers also help set up “shopping” areas, assist parents in choosing age-appropriate gifts and wrap gifts before parents take them home.

Contact Mary Winterle, Coordinator of Volunteer Services, at   mwinterle@fsl-li.org. or 631-470-6773

Ongoing, Nassau and Suffolk Counties
The VITA Program offers free tax help to low to moderate income persons. Volunteers help prepare basic tax returns in communities across the country. Vita sites throughout Long Island are located at community centers, libraries, schools and other convenient locations. For information on how to get trained as a VITA volunteer,  Contact

  Find out more information here!  Great opportunity for student groups and individuals!