Fun and Easy DIY Volunteer Ideas

Can’t make it out to Hands On Atlanta Day, but still want to do something good? Don’t worry, you know we’ve got your back with some projects you can do without us!

Yes, Hands On Atlanta Day is the city’s biggest day of service, but it’s not the only one! We have volunteer opportunities posted on our site every day of the week. While we try to make sure there’s something for everyone, sometimes schedules (and the stars) just don’t align.

If you’d like to make a difference in your community on your time, check out one of these fun and easy to do DIY volunteer projects to do for Hands On Atlanta Day (then document and share it with us):  

Help an elderly or disabled neighbor with yard work or minor home repairs

Do you have a fresh, healthy back you can donate? With the change of the season, you can rake a neighbor’s leaves as they start to fall. Help prep any plants or flowers for the colder weather, trim branches, and overgrown plants. Grab a ladder and help clean out the gutters, then clean any garden tools, getting them ready for storage.

Are you a handy(wo)man? Can you change an air filter? Replace light bulbs, touch up paint on the outside of the house, check/replace batteries in carbon monoxide and smoke alarms, check windows and moldings for any gaps and fill with caulk or weather stripping, replace screens with storm windows.

Try walking around your neighborhood and identify some of these areas where you can help. One minor thing usually snowballs into making a huge impact for a homeowner.  

Make homeless care packages

Schedule a game night or dinner party with your friends or family. Add a service project to the mix by making homeless care packages. Make it a “pot luck” and ask guests to bring a dish to pass AND 10 specific items to fill a package with. For example, Johnny can bring 10 pairs of socks, Sally can bring 10 granola bars, etc… 

Lay out all the items in sorted groups on a large table or the ground, making an assembly line like station. Take a plastic or recyclable bag and start filling with things like wet wipes and personal sanitary items, quick bites of nutritious food, $2, bottled water, and other essentials. Hop on Google and find out what is needed most for those experiencing homelessness in your community.

Keep the bags in your car and the next time you see someone who could use a little help, give them one of the packages. This is a fun, cheap, social, easy thing you can do. 

Pick up your neighborhood

Grab a garbage bag, a pair of gloves, some friends, get started! Head to the nearest park and pick up litter and trash, remove any obvious debris, and help keep it clean. You never know, someone could see you and get inspired to do the same!

No park? No problem. You can do the same thing, simply walking down the street. Get some exercise and clean your block. If you’re flying solo, crank up the jams on your phone, and make it a party!  

It’s almost too easy to pick up your neighborhood, we sometimes forget how simple it is to get involved.

Here are a few more fun and easy things you can do to help your community:

• Take the neighbor’s dog for a walk
• Babysit for a friend or family member (just because)
• Donate food, toys, clothes, & books
• Write hand written letters thanking teachers, police officers, firemen and women, veterans and those serving in the military.

Share your project with us!

Share your own Hands On Atlanta Day project with us on social media and we'll count it towards our Hands On Atlanta Day total impact. Here's what you'll do:

• Select your volunteer project (can be anything, not just what we've listed above).
• During your project take a picture of you or your group in action, include where you are (neighborhood) and what you're doing.
• Post it to Instagram and tag us (@handsonatl) and use #handsonatl in the post.
• Some posts will get re-shared by us, but all will count towards our one day goal!

Celebrate Atlanta Changemakers and Support Hurricane Relief

How do you celebrate Atlanta's biggest day of service? With a big ol' party, that's how!

To kick-off Hands On Atlanta Day, we're throwing a bash on Wednesday, October 4 from 6:30pm - 9:00pm at the all-new Monday Night Brewing Garage (West End). We'll highlight the impactful work of ATL lovin' changemakers and honor the commitment to service from long time Hands On Atlanta supporters, Mayor Kasim Reed and Atlanta's First Lady, Sarah-Elizabeth Reed.

You'll connect with fellow volunteers, and rub elbows with Hands On Atlanta Day partners and sponsors over all the hoppy goodness Monday Night Brewery has to offer (first 2 are on us)! There will be service Jenga, live music from Crooked Wits, some tasty High Road Ice Cream, a fun service project from Stars of Hope, BBQ from 4Rivers, and plenty of volunteer vibes!

Not enough to get you moving on a Wednesday night? Cool, because there's more! Over the last couple weeks we've received a ton of requests asking how you can get involved and help those impacted by the recent barrage of hurricanes. So, we've partnered up with our sister Hands On Network affiliates in the most devastated areas and we'll be donating ALL PROCEEDS of this event to them - to help mobilize volunteers to continue (or in some neighborhoods start) the recovery process. While we don't have an affiliate in Puerto Rico, you can donate directly at United for Puerto Rico, or this GoFundMe page, or this Generosity page. 

To recap, for $20 you'll be donating directly to disaster relief efforts in Houston and Broward County (Ft. Lauderdale and Miami), you'll be a part of history as we celebrate the outstanding commitment to service from the Mayor and First Lady, get 2 micro brews, smash some delicious BBQ, dance and sing to your favorite tunes, explore mini acts of service, AND get exclusive access to one of the first events at The Garage. 

We double dog dare you to find a better way to spend a Wednesday evening. 

Can't make it and still want to help? You can donate here.

Not registered to volunteer on Hands On Atlanta Day? Fix that here.

5 Ways To Help With Hurricane Relief

When disasters like Hurricanes Harvey and Irma reign, your natural instincts kick in and you want to rush to help those impacted by the devastation. You come to the aid of those in need, you host fundraisers, you rally your friends around the dinner table and talk about how you can solve problems. You’re a volunteer.

Unfortunately, volunteers often run in blind, not really knowing what the community needs most. Hint: making a donation to a nonprofit on the front lines is the most helpful thing you can do. It takes time for the pros involved to assess the situation and flush out details for a recovery plan. It’s then when volunteers are needed most. When they can be managed and put to work on the most urgent matters.

Our friends at VolunteerHouston have done this and are now ready to help recovery for Harvey, but please, be patient with Irma. DO NOT self-deploy. Please, don't blindly run into the chaos. Yes, sign up, stay involved, stay alert, but the damage is still very much in the assessment process. While you wait, get trained on becoming a disaster volunteer with the Red Cross or through the Georgia Center for Nonprofits and Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD).

We know you want to help and you’re chomping at the bit to get moving. So, here are 5 things you can do to help with relief efforts from right here in Atlanta:

1. Volunteer with Feeding Children Everywhere

All weekend long, the Georgia World Congress Center will be rockin’ as volunteers help package 1.2 million meal kits for hurricane relief. There will be great music, good fun, and an awesome volunteer experience. Ages 6 and up welcome, and there’s virtually no limit to the amount of volunteers they can take.

Sign up!

2. Volunteer with Open Hand

Volunteers are needed to help pack emergency boxes into bags for stocking food.  

Sign up!

3. Attend Atlanta Humane Society’s Bark ‘n Brew

This is a fundraiser (and good time) at SweetWater Brewery on Saturday, from 7:00 p.m. -10:00 p.m. to help save those furry family members who’ve been left behind, relocated, or just need help.  

Get your tickets

4. Run for Relief with Atlanta Track Club

The Atlanta Track Club will donate $1 for every mile a participant registers to run or walk in three of the Club’s premier events: the Publix Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon, Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon & 5K, and PNC Atlanta 10 Miler & 5K. So if you run 26.2 miles (marathon), $26.20 will be donated to the American Red Cross.

Learn more

5. Sign up to Volunteer with Hands On Atlanta

Nonprofits and schools are called upon to help most when putting the pieces of a disaster back together. Volunteering with Hands On Atlanta puts you in front of our partner network to help them fulfill their missions 365 days a year. 

Getting started is easy

For more ways to help and for the latest news on relief efforts, check out what Points of Light and their team is doing to help.

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What are some other ways that ATLiens are lending a hand to hurricane victims?

Let us know on Twitter or Facebook.

The complete guide to Hands On Atlanta Day 2017!

On Saturday, October 7, 2017, Hands On Atlanta will mobilize thousands of volunteers to serve metro Atlanta communities, schools, and nonprofits for the 27th Annual Hands On Atlanta Day. 

If you've been looking for an excuse to do something good for your community, this is your chance! Volunteers will help out with projects throughout metro Atlanta focused on primary community needs including: education and youth development, literacy, child hunger, and parental engagement. 

We have over 50 organizations and schools participating this year. That means a ton of fresh paint, new landscaping and gardens, essential hygiene kits, safe playgrounds, and more! 

What are you waiting for? Stop reading this...

Hop over to our Hands On Atlanta Day page to view a map of projects, access tools and resources to share, and more!

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Innovation, inspiration, and social justice all packed into an eventful first week of October.

As Atlanta's hub for all things volunteering and service, we've partnered up with some of the coolest events to hit "The city too busy to hate" for a weekend of good. Learn how (or join) skills based volunteers will transform the future of 48 nonprofits in just 48 hours, take a deep dive into innovation and inspiration with stories from some of Georgia's top changemakers, and uncover how hip culture is influencing social change.  Meet our partners: 

From Oct. 6th - 8th, 48in48 will deliver over $1,200,000 of value to 48 nonprofits in the form of 48 websites, a few logos, and other marketing collateral to help nonprofits grow.

LEARN MORE OR GET INVOLVED

The ninth annual TEDxPeachtree is Oct. 6 and will feature some of Georgia's most innovative thinkers and doers who will each go beyond the headlines to share ideas that drive the future, help spark change and that celebrate human ingenuity!

GET YOUR TICKETS

The A3C Action Summit invites activists, academics and artists to discuss and address social justice challenges. The 2-day summit (Oct. 5th - 6th) will host a series of panels, workshops, the 3rd annual A3C Action Pitch Competition. 

RSVP NOW

Do you love Atlanta? Do like rubbing elbows with fellow changemakers? 

If you're nodding yes, then don't miss our Hands On Atlanta Day Kick-Off Party!

Join us, Wednesday, October 4 from 6:30pm -9:00pm, in The Garage at all-new Monday Night Brewery West End location! Tickets are $20 in advance, but Hands On Atlanta Day volunteers get in FREE! Simply sign up for a project to get your discount code! 

We know what you're thinking, how can we possibly pull all of this off? 

It's possible because of our awesome sponsors. These companies not only financially support Hands On Atlanta Day, but engage their employees to participate on the day of service as well. A tip of the cap to those who make it happen:   

Still want more?

Hop over to our Hands On Atlanta Day page to view a map of our projects, quickly sign up to volunteer, and to access tools and resources to help share the service.

The Citizen Community of W-Underdogs

Some things are harder to learn than others. I literally had to get hit by a car and
subsequently lose my dog for a few days (spoiler: he came back!) to learn what it
means to be a citizen. It was a very valuable lesson paid for handsomely in actual
blood, sweat and lots and lots of tears.

We all know what that's like, right? That hopeless sinking feeling where you just know
things are not going to be ok. That's how I felt when my dog was missing. We were
underdogs and needed rescuing. Luckily, several of my neighbors banded together in the blazing summer heat to help me find my best friend, taught me that a citizen looks out for the underdogs.

Enter Grace Hamlin, resident underdog rescuer.

Hamlin, 42, grew up in an orphanage in Costa Rica and has been a friend to both
child and animal for as long as she can remember. Her and her merry band of "W-
Underdogs" led what felt like the most monumental search effort in the history of
southeast Atlanta. It was overwhelmingly awesome.

“We fight for a humane Atlanta and for safer communities for all...”

-Grace Hamlin, W-Underdogs

For those 'wondering', W-Underdogs is an innovative grassroots nonprofit that pairs
underserved and at-risk youth in the Peoplestown and South Atlanta neighborhoods with animals in need. The program empowers these children to gain leadership, life skills, responsibility and compassion as they use teamwork to learn how to train and care for animals. Through advocacy efforts and direct action, they are empowered to make positive changes at school, home, and in their communities.

Hamlin teaches kids all the necessary skills for caring for animals while also teaching the kids to how to care for and respect each other. The W-underdogs care for stray dogs and cats that have been surrendered to her or found on the streets; “they help save each other.”

The youngest and newest kids do chores like cleaning up after the dogs and walking them. As their skills improve, so do their chores. The kids are able to take their newfound skills ‘on the road’ and, under Hamlin’s supervision, secure odd jobs in the neighborhood. “No job is too big or small,” says Hamlin.

The money they earn as a W-underdog goes into a fund to help pay for animal care and supplies. The older kids are able to put their money towards an account set up by w-underdogs for their college education.

And how does one become a W-underdog? They have to want it. “These kids have to earn the privilege of joining the program,” she says. Each child must write an essay on what it means to be a ‘w-underdog.’

A group of W-Underdogs at a recent trip to the georgia aquarium

But it’s not all work and no play, at the end of the day, they’re still kids. Hamlin rewards their hard work with educational and fun field trips, last month they took a trip to the Georgia Aquarium.

Hamlin hopes that this program encourages these kids to look beyond their circumstances and explore their own interests so that they go on to college. “These kids are underdogs and they work hard to turn themselves into ‘w-underdogs,’” she says.

“We fight for a humane Atlanta and for safer communities for all,” says Hamlin.
That's Hamlin's definition of 'citizen' -- someone who works to deal a better hand to those that need it. But not all citizens have to be founders of nonprofits. Or out in the streets where everyone can see them. A lot of my neighbors became social media sleuths.

Posting and cross posting about missing dogs, making sure no lead went cold.
Whatever it means to you, be a citizen. Act. Don't hold back because one day you might
be the the underdog in need of help.

Me and my best friend, Reggie.

A High Five from Whole Foods

Whole Foods is celebrating their grand opening of their newest location (Chamblee-Brookhaven) with a Block Party in front of the store on Saturday, August 12, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The celebration will feature live music, activities for kids, and more than 20 different artisan and food vendors such as Revelator Coffee, NuGo, Doux South and Wellshire Farms. 

“We’re excited to join Chamblee-Brookhaven’s growing community with the opening of our new Whole Foods Market,” said Scott Sherman, the store’s team leader. “The new store will feature many locally sourced and seasonal products that meet our high quality standards. Whether you come for Revelator Coffee, locally grown produce or Nashville hot chicken, the store will be a new gathering place for the community.”

Tickets are $10 per person and all proceeds will be donated to Hands on Atlanta! RSVP to our Block Party and check-in on the day of the event and you will automatically be entered to win an awesome gift basket valued at $75 from the Chamblee-Brookhaven store! Official rules HERE!

For more information about the new store, check out their Instagram page @WholefoodsATL. We can't wait to see you on August 12th!

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Mark your calendars, Whole Foods Market will open its ninth Atlanta-area store in Chamblee on Friday, August 18, at 5001 Peachtree Boulevard. Opening day shoppers will be greeted with an array of product demonstrations and samples, and the first 500 customers will receive free gifts cards ranging in amounts from $5 to $50 with one $500 card.

Kaboom! Play Everywhere Challenge Comes to ATL

A couple weeks ago Kaboom! announced their Southeast Play Everywhere Challenge with a kick-off event, right here in Atlanta. They provided general info and best practices for a successful application (their giving away $720,000 in grants to nonprofits in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, and Miami) and our team was there to learn everything so you'll have a great shot at a successful application. Hopefully this is helpful and encourages you to apply. Good luck!

HOW IT WORKS

Kaboom! is now accepting applications for grants that integrate “play” into everyday life and unexpected PLAYces - sidewalks, vacant lots, bus stops, open streets and beyond - encouraging more families to get active and play together.

Grants will be distributed for projects ranging from $2,ooo - $30,000 - noting that the smaller grants (less than $10,000) will have a much higher chance of being accepted.

SUBMITTING A GREAT APPLICATION

You’ll want to include the following details in your application:

• Who your project will serve
• Specifics around how kids and families could play more
• Where the project would take place
• Get granular here. Not just the city/neighborhood, but the exact location and elements around the location. Nearby hubs, bus/train stops, community places, etc...
• The changes you plan to make with the project
• There needs to be a physical “thing” built or created. Programs or events will NOT be accepted.
• Pop-up play areas, painting landscapes, etc...
• Community partnerships - THIS IS IMPORTANT
• Name drop! List your notable board members, corporate partners, network of nonprofits or individual donors (and why they’re a great partner), and partners you have that can help make your project possible
• Showcase how you plan to incorporate education elements through play

The Playbook

Click here to view/download the playbook that highlight and detail the following elements that should all be included in your project. Make it:

1. Inviting
2. Wonderous
3. Challenging
4. Shared
5. Unifying
6. Convenient

Learn more at https://kaboom.org/challenge

INTRODUCING THE ALL-NEW HANDS ON ATLANTA

Every year thousands of creative, vibrant, and energetic volunteers give back to Atlanta through our volunteer platform. We've refreshed our brand and updated our website to better reflect the passion and needs of the local heroes who serve our city. 

In addition to our volunteers, community changing companies rally their employees to directly impact the work of over 200 local nonprofits and schools. Being a part of our movement means being a part of the 20,000+ ATLiens who serve to better our city every year. We hope you enjoy our fresh look and together, let's Do Something Good.

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THE BRAND REFRESH

So, what's new? For starters, a lot. You'll notice a new logo and our colors have changed a bit, with more energy and "pop" off the screen. We're toning down the nonprofit, insider lingo, and bringing a human voice to our messaging (because we're real people, doing real work). You'll also see photos and videos of actual volunteers doing work with nonprofits, right here in the ATL. Lastly, we're going to tell more inspiring stories and share the extraordinary work so many folks do everyday.  

High fives to our friends at BBDO for all their help with our brand refresh!

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THE NEW SITE AND PORTAL

FOR VOLUNTEERS

Explore our updated volunteer portal. It has a clean look and feel, but a familiarity that will have you volunteering in no time! In addition, you can easily sign up for opportunities based on your availability, the things you care about, or your favorite nonprofit. Managing your account is just a few clicks away. Check out this step-by-step video on how to get started.  

FOR NONPROFITS

Posting your projects and managing your volunteers has never been easier! We've streamlined our nonprofit portal so you can quickly access the tools, reports, and resources you need to get back to what really matters: your impact. Watch this tour of our nonprofit portal to get started.

FOR COMPANIES

We've made engaging your employees, serving your community, and sponsoring events easy and fun! You'll never question how you to get your company involved in volunteering and service again. Learn why other companies love working with us and discover all the possibilities.

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OUR BLOG THE CITIZEN

Did you know, we used to publish a printed magazine called The Citizen? We would feature all of the month's volunteer opportunities, highlight changemakers, the amazing work of our nonprofit partners, and recognize socially responsible companies in Atlanta.

We're resurfacing The Citizen in an all-new digital platform (hint: you're reading it now). In the coming months, you'll find think pieces, news and updates from our team, inspirational stories, and more.

Would you like to contribute a story? Shoot us an email.

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We've been leading volunteer efforts as an Atlanta institution for over 28 years, but we're just getting started. We hope you enjoy our new look and we'd love your feedback. Let us know what you think or check out our FAQs page (yup, we've got one of those now too) if you have questions.

UPCOMING EVENTS