Everyone is ready for Spring Break as the tides of the Earth prepare to break their long rest from barren to beautiful. Children are itching to splash in puddles and slide down hills of mud. It is almost time for those messy spring days, but in this month, we are asked to do our most patient waiting as March taunts us with its final dreary display. With all this excitement seeping into our souls, now is the time to plant some of that energy back into our community with a little volunteering.
READ: Five Spring Cleaning Tips… With Kids!
Wildwood Park is has Volunteer Clean Up Days every 2nd Saturday of the month from March through November. Wildwood is an integral part of our ecosystem here in Harrisburg, and is home to a multitude of creatures big and small, aquatic and terrestrial, animal and plant (and fungus!). They also have an incredible free hands-on learning center for kiddos, and host a monthly Kids Discover series, where a Wildlife Educator teaches kids about the natural world. Introduce your family to the value of volunteering by helping this wonderful park stay clean.
If you and your family are animal lovers, check out the Capital Area Therapeutic Riding Association (CATRA). Located in Grantville, they offer an atmosphere of support, respect, and health for those who can benefit from time spent with animals. They need volunteers to help care for horses, goats, dogs, cats, rabbits, chickens, and alpacas, as well as garden care. Volunteers aged 13+ are welcome, though children under 13 can volunteer with a guardian.
The Bethesda Mission is always searching for volunteers as well. In addition to handing out meals, they also need help with youth mentoring services, building maintenance and cleaning, the Mobile Mission, and more. It is amazing what a difference just a few hours of your time can mean to an organization and the people who depend on it. Aiding our neighbors in need is an excellent way to put your energy back into our community and make an impact on both your family and those around you.
In a city like Harrisburg that is bustling with folks who truly care about our community, who come from all walks of life and have interests ranging from activism to animals and all things inbetween, there is no shortage of ways to get involved. March can be a month of restlessness and change, so let us each do our part to help make that change for the better.
