Vying to Volunteer: Finding the Right Cause in the City

Dear Zipcar,

I want to give back, but with so many causes and organizations in the city, it’s hard to choose. Plus, I work full-time and I’m not sure how to fit charity work into my schedule. How can I contribute in an impactful but doable way?

Sincerely,
Vying to Volunteer

Dear Vying to Volunteer,

It’s true, it can be challenging to pick a cause and find time to do something meaningful. We put this question out to Zipsters across the country and gathered insight about all kinds of charities and events. They’ll help walk you through the process. Tell us how it goes!

Sincerely,
The Ziptopia Team

Providence Market Manger Christopher Moulding holds an annual 5K race benefiting Homes for our Troops. Photos courtesy of Christopher Moulding

MEET THE ZIPSTERS

“I organize and direct a local 5K road race that supports Homes For Our Troops (HFOT), a local charity that builds specially adapted, mortgage-free homes to severely injured veterans all over the country. Since our first race we’ve raised somewhere around $30,000!” – Christopher Moulding, Market Manager, Providence

“I am an Ambassador to Representative Stephen Lynch for the Alzheimer’s Association and I chair the young professionals group. [We passed a bill in] December that included $400 million for Alzheimer’s research.” – Carrie Allen, Senior Member Marketing Manager, Home Office

“I am a member of the Tri-Community Greenway Committee for the town of Stoneham, MA. We are responsible for helping the town work towards the construction and completion of a multi-use 6.5 mile path along disused rail lines.” – Julie Shulman, Lead Art Director, Home Office

“I volunteer at the Wednesday Night Supper Club at the Paulist Center Catholic Church in Boston. I cook, serve, and help with the community dinner.” – Mac Golokuma, HelpDesk Associate, Home Office

“I volunteer for the Department of Homeless Services and FoodFight NYC, plus I volunteer babysit for two mothers.” – Apryl Daraja, Locations Coordinator, New York

New York Locations Coordinator Apryl Daraja donates her time to babysit for single mothers. Photo courtesy of Apryl Daraja

1. CHOOSE YOUR CAUSE

“I lived in South America for some time, where I had my first volunteering opportunity working with the community teaching English…I worked with kids who didn’t have the opportunities that the children in the U.S. have. This influenced me to want to work with the youth here in the U.S.” – Apryl

“I am committed to working towards a future where individuals and families have more freedom in their mobility options. Providing safe and alternate routes for walking or bicycling is a great way to encourage healthier lifestyle habits, get people outside, reduce traffic, and encourage people to think beyond car ownership.” – Julie

“As the war continued to drag on for years, many of the stories about injured veterans needing help were not in the spotlight anymore, despite the tremendous need still out there. Creating the race was my way of saying, ‘Hey, remember those that have given so much for us…Don’t forget about them. Let’s continue to support these heroes.’” – Chris

“When I moved here [from Togo] in 2011, it was the first time I saw someone that was homeless.” – Mac

“Alzheimer’s disease runs in my family and my grandmother just recently passed due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease in December. Not only do I want to end this disease for those that suffer from Alzheimer’s, but for the family and caregivers who also sacrifice so much to take care of their loved ones.” – Carrie

Zipcar Lead Art Director Julie Shulman brings her kids to help convert an old railway into a bike path. Photos courtesy of Julie Shulman

2. FIND THE RIGHT ORGANIZATION

“In 2003 during my deployment overseas, a buddy that was part of our unit lost both of his arms. Homes For Our Troops built a home in Middleboro, MA, for him and his family. Since I had such a personal connection with HOFT, there was really no other organization I considered to support with the race.” – Christopher

“I wanted to find a Catholic church when I moved here. This one was close to Suffolk campus, where I was a student.” – Mac

3. WORK SOLO OR BRING A GROUP

“I decided to create the race on my own, but enlisted the help of friends, family, and co-workers to help with race day activities. We normally get about 100-200 runners each year.” – Chris

“I volunteer with my 7-year-old son, and I started volunteering with my mom when I was his age. I bring my son so that he understands that we are all people and we should want to help others.” – Apryl

“I volunteer on my own, but have brought my family to various town meetings at times to support the project.” – Julie

Zipcar Senior Member Marketing Manager Carrie Allen advocates on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Association. Photos courtesy of Carrie Allen

4. GET MOTIVATED

“My final push was this Christmas. My son got such a huge variety of gifts and he made a very ungrateful remark to me. That was my push to get involved again. As parents, we want our children to be and do better than us. In my opinion, the only way they will be better is if we give them the tools to do so.” – Apryl

“The reason I finally pulled the trigger and reached out to see how I could get involved was when my grandmother was living with my parents and it finally got to a point that the stress on my mom was so bad that she was legitimately staying up all night to watch over my grandmother…That made me want to get involved and put an end to this disease.” – Carrie

“We moved 9 miles north of Boston when we had our first child, but we still are very much connected to the city. I wanted to make sure my kids feel that way too, and part of that is making it possible for them to get around our town, and in and out of the city, without having to resort to using a car.” – Julie

“I first got involved in 2005 by running the NY City Marathon to raise money for Homes For Our Troops. Besides my friend losing his arms in Iraq, what finally pushed me to get more involved in organizing a race was that there were still so many fellow veterans coming home injured.” – Chris

Zipcar HelpDesk Associate Mak Golokuma serves weekly dinners for the hungry at Boston’s Paulist Center Catholic Church. Photo courtesy of Mac Golokuma

5. SCHEDULE THE TIME

“I work with the MA/NH chapter. It is in the suburbs, which makes it difficult to get there sometimes. I have used Zipcar many times to get to meetings or events that are at the chapter office.” – Carrie

“Wednesday nights were easiest to work into a full-time student schedule.” – Mac

“It took me a while to realize that if you want great things to happen in your community, it takes more than just being hopeful and wishing for it to become a reality.” – Julie

6. REAP THE BENEFITS

“I feel like I have an outlet and a group that understands what I am going through. They are understanding, compassionate, and most importantly, non-judgmental. I have created so many great friendships out of this that are so much deeper because we have that common link.” – Carrie

“For me, seeing a community rally around an idea and work to improve their town (rather than just moving somewhere else) has been incredibly meaningful. I hope it is an attitude my children will pick up and adopt as they grow up.” – Julie

“I met a lot of friends along the way, shed tears with a couple of different moms. It is so fulfilling to know you are making a difference in someone’s life.” – Apryl

“What makes me keep going is the fact when I go there, I see people who really need food, and that’s the only way they can get on that day. You see some people come there, needing food, and there’s no one who can provide. That’s a way to help others." – Mac

Hopefully the inspiring stories of these Zipsters will help you along your journey to giving back. Let us know which causes you contribute to—and resources you recommend—in the comments below.