Courtesy of Women’s Health

Most Americans have less money to spread around these days, and as a result, charitable giving is at a 50-year low. But volunteering is still going strong—one in four Americans gave their time at least once last year. And chipping in doesn’t just make a difference in someone else’s life; research shows volunteers live longer, have lower rates of depression, and are mentally sharper than their peers. Ready to jump in? Here’s how to find the gig that best fits your personality and skills.

If You’re Good With Kids And….You’re a Fitness Buff

Sign up to be a coach with Girls on the Run, where you’ll help tweens develop self-esteem and learn healthy habits while prepping them for a 5-K. More info: girlsontherun.org

You’re The Sensitive Type

Become a “baby cuddler” for infants who are orphaned or experiencing health problems. More info: Find a local medical center at ahd.com/freesearch.php3.

You’re A Born Leader

Help a kid who’s aging out of fostesr care by signing up with the Orphan Foundation of America’s virtual mentor program. More info: orphan.org or vmentor.com

If You’re An Outdoorsy Type And..….You’re Good With Your Hands

Sign up for a stint with Habitat for Humanity. You can help build new houses for families in need either close to your home, across the U.S., or abroad. More info: habitat.org

You’re A Foodie

Cultivate your green thumb at your local community garden, then deliver the bounty to nearby soup kitchens or meal programs. More info: Find a garden at acga.localharvest.org.

You’re Not Afraid To Break A Sweat

Maintain a national park trail. Volunteers clear and repair paths in stunning American landmarks. More info: nps.gov/archive/peri/vol_today.htm or serve.gov

You’re A Bookworm

Lend your voice to Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic. This national organization produces audiobooks for people with disabilities that make reading a challenge. More info: rfbd.org

You’re An Adrenaline Junkie

Sign up with the American Red Cross and help provide aid at any of the 67,000 disasters that the organization responds to every year. More info: redcross.org

You’re A Fashionista

Serve as a “personal shopper” for Dress for Success, which provides disadvantaged women with professional duds. More info: dressforsuccess.org

You’re An Animal Lover….And You Don’t Mind Getting Your Hands Dirty

Volunteer at an animal sanctuary. You’ll help care for neglected, abused, or displaced pets, farm animals, or exotic critters. More info: sanctuaries.org

You’re Thinking About Getting A Pet

Foster abandoned cats or dogs. If you fall in love, you could have first dibs on adopting Fido or Fifi. More info: Contact your local Humane Society through hsus.org.

You Live To Travel

Try a volunteer vacation. You can see the world while saving sea turtle habitats. More info: charityguide.org/volunteer/animal-protection.htm

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This entry was posted on Friday, March 19th, 2010 at 2:26 pm and is filed under well-meaning. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.