Giving Back: Where Pleasant Hill Families can volunteer

Hi neighbor!

I've always loved volunteering my time. Most of mine goes toward my kids' school these days, whether that's teaching an art lesson or pitching in with fundraising events.

My husband also likes to give back to our community by coaching youth sports and cooking meals at programs like Loaves & Fishes and Winter Nights.

But I never really thought about getting my boys involved until I saw a recent Facebook group post full of community service activities for kids. I had no idea there were so many incredible opportunities for families in our area!

Here's what I found.

This year's Bike Family Fest has a new, bigger home at DVC, and they need extra hands to make the day special for local families. Volunteers get free lunch and a BFF t-shirt.

The event runs from 10am–2pm and there are volunteer opportunities between 8am–3pm.

The city's annual day of service includes creek cleanups, library organizing, school projects, senior yard work, and more. There are projects for volunteers of all ages, and you get a free pancake breakfast and t-shirt for helping out.

Breakfast is from 7:30–8:45am and volunteer shifts run from 9am–12pm.

Families with children between 5–10 years old can help bag fresh produce in the Concord or Fairfield warehouse. Volunteer opportunities are Tuesday evenings (6–8pm) and Saturday mornings and afternoons (8:30–10:30am and 11am–1pm).

Other food bank programs, such as the senior food distribution, are available to volunteers aged 11+ with an adult and 16+ without an adult.

Volunteer opportunities include animal care, farm maintenance, event support, and administrative assistance. Students under 14 years old can volunteer on specific days with their parents, and anyone 14+ can volunteer independently. Located in Clayton.

Foster an animal, bag and transport pet food and supplies, socialize and care for cats, or walk and socialize dogs. On-site volunteers under 18 need a parent or guardian present. Located in Pleasant Hill.

Hands-on habitat restoration workdays on the mountain, including watering, weeding, planting, trail delineation, mulching, tree tubing, or creek clean up. Youth volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Individual and family service opportunities include invasive plant removal, shoreline cleanup, and park maintenance. Age requirements vary by project.

Doc Quack’s Wildlife Volunteers work to improve the quality of life for birds and wildlife in the EBRPD. Parent participation is required.

Trail maintenance volunteers keep the parks in good shape for visitors. Children 10+ must be accompanied by an adult.

Children aged 12+ can volunteer with a parent or guardian, or adults can go on their own. Kitchen group volunteers help with food preparation and dining room volunteers assist with serving meals.

Locations include Martinez (shifts are available every day of the week from 9:30am–1pm) and Walnut Creek (shifts are available Monday through Friday from 11am–1:30pm).

Currently seeking board members to become an active advocate of our community’s beloved library.

The Senior Van Program needs a volunteer dispatcher for Wednesday mornings (9–11am) and a driver Monday afternoons (1–4pm).

Deliver meals, visit or call a senior, assist with errands, support local lunch sites, lead exercise courses, or help with administrative tasks. Drivers must be 21+ and all other volunteers must be 18+.

Care for the animals or educate visitors. Volunteers must be 18+ and commit to a regular shifts.

Classroom help, fundraisers, and coaching a youth sports team are always in demand. Reach out to your child’s teacher, a PTA board member, or league organizer to get started.

And reach out to Pleasant Hill parent Abigail Lundin to get your fingerprinting done at cost ($37 for MDUSD volunteers). She’s a local mom who wants to promote volunteerism in our community (and she’s a good friend to anyone who’s lucky enough to know her).

Volunteer schedules and minimum ages can shift, and many opportunities require an application, so it's worth double-checking with each organization directly before you show up.

Have a volunteer opportunity I should add to this list? Reply and let me know!

See you around town,

Jen