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It is easy to get caught up in being On the Go in MCO, but taking a step back as a family and giving back to our community is a fantastic way to spend time together.
While there are many ways that families can come together to make our City MORE Beautiful, I wanted to share three ways that my family has chosen to be involved in our community!
On the Go in MCO: Family Volunteer Opportunities
Share-a-Meal at the Ronald McDonald House
We never want to think about anything happening to our children, but the three Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida homes in our area are always at the ready to provide a home away from home for families with children receiving treatment at hospitals and medical facilities in Orlando.
One easy and impactful way to help these families is to participate in the Share-a-Meal volunteer opportunity!
Here are the current guidelines for our Share-A-Meal Program:
- Each meal provider must purchase and provide all necessary food ingredients and disposable to-go containers or heavy-duty paper plates.
- The current meal count is 25 to 30 individuals.
- All groups are required to be five individuals or fewer.
- The shift time for the program is from 4 pm-6 pm.
- All volunteers are required to wear a mask while inside the house at all times and gloves during meal preparation.
- After the meal is prepared, meal provider groups are asked to assist the house staff by plating or boxing the meals for our families. Due to House guidelines, buffet/family-style meals cannot be offered.
I once hosted a Share-a-Meal “Taco Tuesday,” and it was awesome! I was able to work with staff members to include fun touches and decorations for the pick-up area.
What may seem like “just a simple meal” can make all the difference in the world for families with seriously ill children.
In 2021, Second Harvest Food Bank relied on more than 39,000 volunteers whose hours totaled 111,420 through a variety of volunteer opportunities to help our neighbors in need.
There are a variety of ways that families can help beyond the typical donations, which are always appreciated!
Second Harvest Food Bank has three facilities that are always in need of volunteers to help with picking, daily food sorting, assisting feeding partners with the loading of food, and light warehouse tasks (sweeping, organizing, order pulling, and file sorting).
Volunteers have to be at least ten years old with a chaperone who is 18 years or older in order to help out in the facility, 16 years old without a chaperone, but they do also host a “Family Night” or a “Family Day” for families with children ages 5-9 years old.
Become a Virtual Volunteer
Fight hunger without even changing out of your pajamas! Start a Virtual Food Drive and help provide meals to your neighbors in need.
Second Harvest Food Bank’s Ambassador Program aims to engage energetic and committed community volunteers in the mission and work of the Food Bank by serving as Hunger Champions in our community.
Are you interested in learning more about Second Harvest Food Bank volunteer opportunities? Sign up here to receive their Volunteer Voice in your inbox each month.
Rated Four Stars by Charity Navigator, Give Kids The World Village is an 89-acre, whimsical nonprofit resort in Kissimmee, Florida, that provides week-long, cost-free wish vacations to critically ill children and their families from around the world who want to visit Central Florida.
A stay at the Village is much more than a vacation. During one transformative week, wish families to laugh, play, and create priceless memories together away from hospital visits and medical procedures. It’s a magical week of “YES” where wish kids can experience the simple joys of childhood and where families can recapture some of the precious moments that may have been missed due to illness.
Since 1986, Give Kids The World Village has welcomed more than 177,000 families from all 50 states and 76 countries.
The Village is made possible by the support of generous donors and community partners and thousands of passionate volunteers – who donate their time and talent to making wishes come true.
Volunteering On-Site
Families with children over the age of 10 can apply to complete volunteer shifts at the Give Kids the World Village campus.
During these shifts, families will help with a variety of tasks throughout the Village.
Did you know that you can shop for products you love and support Give Kids The World? Could there be an easier way to help support Give Kids the World Village? Nope.
DIS Con 2022 is a one-of-a-kind expo celebrating all facets of the wonderful world of Disney – from Disney, Marvel, and Pixar animation to film, television, theme parks, music, and memorabilia benefitting Give Kids the World Village.
The event will take place on Friday, September 30, and Saturday, October 1, at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort (1000 W. Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830)
While you may be concerned that volunteering at Give Kids the World Village could be difficult, I can PROMISE that you will remain inspired and devoted to helping this wonderful organization.
Don’t forget you can keep up with us as we are On the Go in MCO and beyond by following @onthegoinmco on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube!
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