10 Great Places to Volunteer in and Around Westwood!

The school year is about to start back up, and even for those of us who are not parents or students, it often brings with it a sense of wanting to start something new. Or maybe you’re new to Westwood and looking find similar work to your previous experience. If you want to volunteer locally, here are ten different options for you:

• Both branches of the Westwood Public Library “[benefit] from volunteers in several departments, including Circulation, Technical Services, the Children’s Department, and the Islington Branch.” Fill out a form if you are interested here.

• The Westwood Food Pantry (which, as disclosed in my article, members of my household have volunteered here for over two decades) also needs volunteers. Please email them at Westwoodfoodpantry@gmail.com.

• The Town of Westwood has multiple committees seeking volunteers, including the Commission on Disability, the Communication and Technology Advisory Board, the Dedham Westwood Water Commission, the Historical Commission, and the Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Committee. All of the boards listed below answer to the Board of Selectmen, who may be reached at selectmen@townhall.westwood.ma.us.

• Westwood’s own teen mental health foundation IAM Strong Foundation is seeking volunteers, email their volunteer coordinator at volunteer@iamstrongfoundation.org.

• If you are looking to volunteer with the developmentally disabled and autistic people, The Arc of South Norfolk has several opportunities. Please contact Susan Kagan at SKagan@arcsouthnorfolk.org if interested.

• Looking to help the great outdoors, either by being inside or outside yourself? Get in touch with Hale Reservation in Westwood/Dover/Sherborn, or sign up for their September Service Days!

• Volunteering with the performing arts more what you want to do? Email Rony at the Norwood Theatre at info@norwoodstage.com.

• Fighting AIDS while sorting clothes sound ideal? Apply at Boomerangs in Dedham, MA.

• Looking to help the LGBTQ community? OUT MetroWest is “always in need of supportive adults in the community to assist with our ongoing programs. Opportunities include volunteering in our office, supplying grocery gift cards for our meetings, and providing donations that help fund speakers and materials for our weekly programs. Please contact us if you’re interested.”

• If something low-commitment is more your speed, check out Boston’s Chapter of Have a Hart Day. We volunteer (usually at the Greater Boston Food Bank) once a month. We have dates on September 22 and October upcoming, or email HAHDBoston@gmail.com to get on our email list (As disclosed in my Patch Profile, I’m the HAHDBoston Captain).

Where do you like to volunteer that I left off this list? Email me!