By Patricia Lee, Founder, Destinites Facebook Group
I recently shared the following post in our local community Facebook group (Facebook.com/groups/Destinites), and the responses offered a variety of great volunteer opportunities for teens. I hope these ideas inspire you and your family to get involved.
Post:
Please share organizations or places where teens can volunteer—whether ongoing or just for the summer. While many teens are focused on finding jobs, it’s just as important to learn the value of giving back. When they start young, they’re more likely to continue volunteering as adults. Consider encouraging your teen to serve, even if it’s just once a month. Thank you for your input.
Responses:
- Ocean Hour Okaloosa offers one-hour beach cleanups on Saturday mornings. Students can earn volunteer hours.
- American Legion Post 296 seeks help for Sunday morning breakfasts, including servers, dishwashers and bussers.
- Destin Garden Club maintains the gardens at the Destin Library. Volunteers can learn about garden design, annuals vs. perennials, camellias, roses, native and pollinator plants and irrigation, in partnership with the City of Destin.
- Eden Gardens State Park welcomes volunteers.
- Goodwill Industries in Destin is looking for volunteers.
- Destin Community Center offers specialty summer camps that may need volunteer help, typically in 1–3 hour shifts.
- Florida Trail Association (Choctawhatchee Chapter) seeks volunteers to help maintain local trails, with opportunities listed on Meetup.
- Destin History & Fishing Museum offers volunteer opportunities.
- PAWS in Fort Walton Beach welcomes volunteers.
- Local florists may also offer hands-on volunteer opportunities for teens interested in creative work.
For those in Destin and surrounding areas, consider joining our private group for locals and property owners at Facebook.com/groups/Destinites. With more than 12,600 members (established October 2018), it’s a great place to connect. You can also explore our Local Business Directory at Destinites.com, featuring more than 500 local businesses, and learn more about advertising opportunities within our community group.
Ask Destinites: Encourage Your Teen To Volunteer
By Patricia Lee, Founder, Destinites Facebook Group
I recently placed the following post in our targeted local community Facebook group (www.Facebook.com/groups/Destinites) and below, are some of the responses it received. I hope these volunteering suggestions will motivate you to get involved, as well.
POST:
Please list in the thread below, some places or organizations that would be good for teens to do some volunteer work either permanently or temporarily for the summer. I realize most are looking for actual jobs but it’s also good for them to learn early about “giving” back. If they learn early the importance of volunteering, they will be more likely to do so as adults. Please talk to your teen about volunteer work, even if it’s only once a month. Thank you for your input.
Responses:
- Ocean Hour Okaloosa offers one-hour clean ups on Saturday mornings. Students can collect volunteer hours.
- The American Legion Destin Post 296. We need help for Sunday morning breakfast! Servers, dishwashers, bussers!
- Destin Garden Club maintenance of grounds at the Destin Library
We have 21 themed gardens from Butterfly to Japanese
We can teach design elements
Annuals vs perennials
Camellias
Roses
Native
Pollinator
Irrigation
In conjunction with City of Destin staff.
- Eden Gardens.
- The Good Will in Destin is looking for volunteers.
- Destin community center specialty summer camps. (Normally 1-3 hours).
- The Florida Trail Association is always looking for volunteers to maintain the trail for those looking to spend time outdoors. The local chapter lists volunteer opportunities on Meetup. Search: Florida Trail – Choctawhatchee chapter.
8. Destin History and Fishing Museum.
9. Paws in Fort Walton. - Maybe try a florist company.For Destin and the close surrounding area, I invite you to join our private, targeted group for locals and property owners at Facebook.com/groups/Destinites. We now have 12,600+ members
(est. October 2018). Check out our Local Business Directory at Destinites.comwhere more than 500 local businesses are listed and enjoy advertising in our community group.
