My New Red ShoesTop of Page

My New Red Shoes works with collaborative partners, including school districts, family homeless shelters and other community-based organizations, to reach homeless and low-income children.

Volunteers help with various hands-on tasks such as sorting shoes, decorating cards, sewing gift bags, or other tasks that help serve thousands of homeless and very low-income children in the Bay Area.

Both Middle School students and their parents are welcome to volunteer at My New Red Shoes. My New Red Shoes is located at 330 Twin Dolphin Drive, Suite 135 in Redwood Shores.   Woodside School organizes at least one outing to My New Red Shoes each year, but you are strongly encouraged to contact them to check on their volunteer opportunities throughout the year.  For more information about volunteer opportunities, please visit their website at http://mynewredshoes.org/get-involved.html.

Palm VillasTop of Page

Palm Villas is a resident facility where people with dementia/Alzheimer’s live.  The activity director would like students to visit the residents each week. Opportunities vary, but they are looking for kids to participate in the outdoor activities (a schedule is set each week), watch a football game, play cards, etc.  In addition, they would like students to come and play music for the patients.  This is a great opportunity for students to go in weekly or monthly for an hour. There are several Woodside Middle School students who volunteer at this facility. 

If you are interested, please contact Mr. Lou Rodriguez, the activity director, at 650-369-3197.  Palm Villas is located at 1931 Woodside Rd. in Redwood City.

Riley’s PlaceTop of Page

Riley’s Place has a mission to serve children with chronic or life-threatening illness, children who are homeless, who have special needs, or who need opportunities to experience and appreciate the healthful benefits of interacting with animals and nature.

Riley’s Place believes that by teaching children how to care for animals, to respect them, to treat them with kindness and patience, they also learn to treat people the same way.  The Youth Volunteer program offers students meaningful opportunities to volunteer and to gain hands-on experience and learn how to feed, exercise, groom, pet, socialize and care for all of the animals, most of which were rescued.

If you are interested in volunteering, please call 650-703-5199 for more information.  Riley’s Place is located at 880 Runnymede Rd. in Woodside. 

The Palo Alto Children’s TheatreTop of Page

The Palo Alto Children’s Theatre welcomes student volunteers throughout the year.  Participants ages eight through High School may participate backstage on the running crew for productions, and they do not need to audition.  Interested students must fill out a crew card at the Children’s Theatre to be eligible to be on the crew.

Crew positions may include the following:  Stage Manager, Assistant Stage Manager, Light Board Operator, Sound Board Operator, Follow Spot Operator, Props Master, Props Assistant, Key Grip, and Grip.  For more information, please call the Palo Alto Children’s Theatre at 650-463-4930. They are located at 1305 Middlefield Rd. in Palo Alto.  

There With CareTop of Page

There With Care is a non-profit based in Menlo Park that supports families of critically-ill children. Their goal is to serve families referred through Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford.  There are many opportunities to volunteer directly with families to deliver meals and groceries or provide childcare for patients or siblings.  They also need help in the office and support with special events.  Kids of all ages can volunteer!  To view upcoming volunteer training session dates and to sign up for a one-time 90-minute session, please visit their website at www.bayarea.therewithcare.org.

InnVision Shelter NetworkTop of Page

There are many ways to volunteer to help this organization end homelessness on the Peninsula.  To learn how you and your family can help make and distribute meals, collect needed donations, improve facilities, etc., please view the InnVision website at www.innvision.org.

Save The BayTop of Page

You can have fun outdoors, learn about the Bay, and help protect it by joining one of the on-the-Bay programs.  Please visit http://www.savesfbay.org/act-now for more information on volunteer opportunities at several sites around San Francisco Bay.

Bake a Dessert for Kids at Ronald McDonald HouseTop of Page

Help to create a home-away-from-home for families of children with life-threatening illnesses.  Please visit http://www.ronaldhouse.net/howyoucanhelp.php for more information regarding opportunities to support the Ronald McDonald House at Stanford.

Lytton GardensTop of Page

Whether you want to volunteer on your own or with a group, your time and talent will enrich the lives of seniors.  Volunteers bring friendship, intellectual stimulation, and entertainment to the residents of Lytton Gardens.  For more information, please contact contactvolunteer@lyttongardens.org.

Ecumenical Hunger ProgramTop of Page

This 35-year-old, private, non-profit, community-based organization located in East Palo Alto provides emergency food, clothing, case management, and household essentials to families in need in East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and Palo Alto.  There are a wide range of jobs, including packing food boxes and sorting food and clothing.