At Seattle’s Child, we believe in community and in the importance of all of us working together to improves the lives of the kids and families in our neighborhoods and cities. That’s why we’ve partnered with national nonprofit Doing Good Together, an organization committed to making volunteering and service, along with daily kindness, easy and accessible for every family. Check out the volunteer opportunities compiled by the organization below and make “giving back” a natural part of life’s early lessons.
Giving Garden Volunteers Solid Ground
Date/Time: Wednesdays and Fridays 9 a.m.–2 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Location: Marra Farm Giving Garden (South Park): 9026 4th Ave S, Seattle.
Ages: Families with children of all ages are welcome! An adult must accompany volunteers younger than 14 years old.
Time Commitment: Up to four or five hours, depending on the day.
Work at our Giving Garden at Marra Farm by building soil, preparing vegetable beds, planting vegetable starts and seeds, weeding by hand, composting, watering, harvesting, washing produce, and distributing produce to the community food bank and other locations. Many of our volunteers start with limited or no gardening knowledge and learn as they go, so we welcome you with whatever level of gardening skills and knowledge you bring. Families are welcome! Please bring a water bottle, lunch/snacks, and clothes and shoes for working outside in all weather (a raincoat, warm socks, sturdy shoes, a hat, etc.).
Contact: [email protected] or 206.694.6828. Registration is available on our online volunteer calendar. Select the date(s) you would like to volunteer, and click through to complete your registration. All farm volunteers need to fill out an Adult Volunteer Waiver and Youth Volunteer Waiver if bringing family members under 18 years old. Please note that Farm waivers only need to be filled out once per year.
Spring Restoration Day / Volunteer Park Trust
Date/Time: Saturday, April 11, 10 a.m.– 2 p.m.
Location: Volunteer Park, 1247 15th Avenue East, Seattle. Meet us at the Black Sun Sculpture across from Seattle Asian Art Museum at 10 a.m. If you arrive late, look for our green signboard which will tell you where in the park we are working.
Ages: This is a great activity for families and kids.
Time Commitment: Up to four hours. Stay for the whole event or as long as you want.
Spring Restoration Day is back! Join your friends and neighbors for this extended version of our 2nd Saturday work party! We’ll be mulching, weeding, and maybe even planting a larger area within the park for this event to beautify Volunteer Park for everyone to enjoy. No gardening experience necessary. Gloves and tools will be provided. You will be helping restoration efforts in Volunteer Park.
Contact: [email protected]. Registration is available online. Please note that no RSVP is necessary, but it is helpful to have a headcount of volunteers to prepare for. Anyone is welcome to stop by and help.
Volunteer Work Parties Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association (DNDA)
Date/Time: Check the volunteer page for upcoming event dates and times.
Location: Varies depending on dates.
Ages: Families with children five years old and older are welcome to volunteer. The youth waiver form must be signed by a parent/guardian for volunteers younger than 18 years old.
Time Commitment: Three hours.
Volunteering with DNDA’s Nature Programs can be a fun, rewarding experience allowing you to get outside, improve the health of a local natural area, and give back to your community. Volunteers will participate in fun, hands-on conservation work led by staff from DNDA’s Nature Team. Restoration work includes removing invasive plants, planting native species, and mulching new plantings, depending on the restoration progress at each site. Working out in the elements requires the right apparel. Long pants and closed-toe shoes are required.
Bring any water or snacks you might want during the volunteer event. For safety reasons, we will not be able to provide any refreshments.
- If you have your own pair of work gloves, you are encouraged to bring them. If you don’t, that’s okay; we will have some for you.
- All volunteers under 18 years old participating without a parent are required to bring a completed Youth Waiver Form.
- Please note that most sites do not have a bathroom present.
Contact: Caroline Borsenik, DNDA’s Environmental Programs Director, [email protected]. Registration is available online. After you submit a volunteer inquiry, our staff will contact you directly to confirm your spot.
Help Restock our Pantry / Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Western Washington & Alaska
Date/Time: Drop off donations any day of the week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Call or email us ahead of time with your delivery date so we can be ready for you.
Location: 5130 40th Avenue NE, Seattle.
Ages: Everyone can help.
Time Commitment: Varies.
The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Western Washington & Alaska offers the comforts of home and support services to families of seriously ill children near the medical care they need. Keeping our House Pantry full of quick meals and nutritious snacks helps parents and caregivers every day. Day or night, they can get what they need to care for their patient and their whole family.
Food Drive Requirements:
- Small cans and packages only (16 oz or less).
- Individual servings when possible.
- Direct from a store–not your cupboard.
- Commercially produced–not home-canned.
- Fresh—not close to the expiration date.
Here’s our current Food Drive shopping list:
- Pasta and pasta sauce.
- Canned ravioli and Spaghettios.
- Ready-to-eat soup such as Progresso.
- Cup Noodles and Top Ramen.
- Mac and Cheese cups.
- Spam, tuna, and canned chicken.
- Jello cups and pudding cups.
- Baby formula.
- Microwave popcorn.
- Canned fruit and applesauce squeeze packs.
Learn more here. Prefer to shop online? Visit our Amazon Food Drive Wish List for easy delivery of your donations.
Contact: Marla, Meal Program & Activities Manager, [email protected], 206.838.0621. Call or email us ahead of time with your delivery date so we can be ready for you.
Purplestride Puget Sound 2026 / PurpleStride PanCAN
Date/Time: Saturday, April 25:
- Event Village opens at 8 a.m.
- The Opening Ceremony starts at 9 a.m.
- The walk begins at 10 a.m.
- The event concludes at noon.
Location: Magnuson Park Swimming Beach, 6505 NE 65th St, Seattle.
Ages: Everyone can participate.
Time Commitment: Varies.
Join us for PanCAN PurpleStride 2026, happening Saturday, April 25, 2026, at events all across the country! PurpleStride is the ultimate walk to end pancreatic cancer. It’s a family-friendly day filled with fun, hope, and the power of community. PurpleStride is an amazing day where survivors, families, caregivers, friends, physicians, and researchers celebrate people currently affected, honor those we’ve lost, and take steps to end pancreatic cancer.
Click here to learn more about the walk.
Contact: Kim McMullen, [email protected]
Walk MS: Seattle 2026 / Walk MS
Date/Time: Sunday, April 26:
- The site opens at 8:30 a.m.
- The ceremony starts at 9:45 a.m.
- The walk kickoff is at 10 a.m.
Location: Gas Works Park, 2101 N Northlake Way, Seattle.
Ages: Families are welcome to participate in the walk.
Time Commitment: Varies.
Walk MS brings together passionate people from communities across the country to rally for a world free of MS. Walk MS celebrates the resiliency of the nearly 1 million people living with MS in the United States. Each step you take will sync with the steps of thousands of others to make a difference like never before. Learn more about the walk here.
Contact: Registration is available online.
Miles for Smiles Activity Challenge 2026 / Birthday Dreams
Date/Time: The Miles for Smiles Activity Challenge will run from May 15 to 29.
Location: Your own location.
Ages: Everyone is welcome to participate!
Join us for the Miles for Smiles Activity Challenge! Your family can run, walk, ride, hike, swim, or roll at your own pace and in your own way to benefit Birthday Dreams. You have two weeks to complete your activity, aiming for at least 3 miles. All fitness counts: biking, hiking, swimming, walking, running. So gather your friends, form a team, set a goal, and start getting donations! With your help, we can raise funds to make sure homeless children throughout the Puget Sound are celebrated on their birthdays! Learn more here.
Contact: [email protected], 425.524.4705. Registration is available online.
Make a Lasagna for a Neighbor in Need / Lasagna Love
Date/Time: Ongoing opportunity.
Location: Varies.
Ages: Families with children of all ages are encouraged to participate.
Time Commitment: Varies.
Lasagna Love is a global grassroots movement powered by thousands of volunteers cooking and delivering lasagna to neighbors in need. Our purpose is simple yet profound: feed families, spread kindness, and strengthen communities. We are united by our commitment to confront the rising tide of food insecurity and to offer a tangible act of love, compassion, and hope in a world often marked by uncertainty and stress. Together, we are proving that kindness has the power to nourish not only bodies, but also hearts and communities everywhere.
How does the process work? After answering a few simple questions on the portal (including how far you are able to drive), you are ready to be matched with a family in need. Once matched, volunteers communicate directly with their matched family to set up a drop-off date/time. When these details are set, volunteers purchase ingredients and make the meal. When the time comes for delivery, meals are dropped off on the porch/doorstep to ensure a safe and contactless delivery. If you prefer not to cook, you may also donate lasagna ingredients to local Lasagna Love volunteers. You can also help Lasagna Love spread the love by nominating a friend or family who may need a home-cooked meal.
Contact: [email protected]
Senior Citizens Card Writing Volunteers / Senior Care First Foundation (SCF)
Date/Time: This is an ongoing project.
Location: Once you fill out the volunteer form we will send you instructions for the card sizes we accept as well as how to deliver them to seniors. A confirmation email will be sent within 4-5 business days.
Ages: Everyone can help.
Time Commitment: Varies.
Senior Care First strives to obliterate senior citizen loneliness in senior homes and memory care clinics. It is integral that seniors are actively engaging with the community. One of the ways volunteers can help facilitate this interaction with seniors is by writing cards or making crafts for them. Senior Care First writes handmade cards/crafts and delivers them directly to senior citizens throughout the United States. Writing cards for seniors is not only to lighten up the days of seniors but also to let them know there is a support system outside of their homes filled with loving young members of their community. There is no specific way to make the cards since you, the volunteer, have creative liberty. However, we encourage volunteers to use bright colors and inspiring messages to share love for the seniors. We have heard several positive messages from senior homes after receiving cards from SCF. From writing general motivational and inspiring cards to holiday related cards, we give them all. Click here for card-making guidelines and to learn more.
Contact: seniorcarefirstfoundation@
Write Letters to Support Our Troops / A Million Thanks ®
Date/Time: Ongoing, at your convenience.
Location: Anywhere – letters are mailed to our national headquarters. You will receive the mailing address after you have registered.
Ages: All ages are welcome.
Time Commitment: Flexible – write one letter or host a letter-writing event.
A Million Thanks is a nonprofit dedicated to ensuring every active-duty service member and veteran feels appreciated through handwritten letters of support and gratitude. Volunteers can write letters individually, as families, or in groups, then mail them with $1 per letter to our headquarters where they are screened, sorted, and shipped directly to troops and veterans across the globe.
Contact: Visit www.AMillionThanks.org/send for full guidelines and to register to receive our mailing address.
Make a Jared Box / Jared Box
Date/Time: Ongoing project.
Location: Deliver your boxes to your local hospital. Use the Jared Box Hospital Directory to locate a hospital or deliver the boxes to your local hospital. If you would like to deliver your boxes to a new hospital not on the list, contact that hospital directly. The Child Life or Volunteer Services Departments usually handle donations.
Ages: Everyone is welcome to participate.
Time Commitment: Varies.
The mission of The Jared Box Project is to put smiles on the faces of children in the hospital. A Jared Box is a plastic shoebox filled with small gifts, toys, cards, and games. Jared Boxes are inexpensive and easy to make; a great service project idea for all ages! The boxes provide a fun, special distraction for young patients. The boxes symbolize the importance of play and are filled with well wishes, hope, and love. Over one million Jared Boxes have been delivered across the United States. A Jared Box is a plastic storage box filled with small gifts, toys, games, and fun activities. Each box contains items selected for a specific age and gender. The boxes are delivered to hospitals. Jared Boxes provide a special diversion for young patients in emergency rooms, patient rooms, surgical centers, and clinics as they receive chemotherapy and other medical treatments. Jared Boxes bring smiles and laughter and lift the spirits of children in the hospital. Click here for step-by-step instructions on how to make a Jared Box.
Contact: [email protected], 814.883.8615. thejaredbox.org
Help Local Children; Pack, Organize, Distribute Donations / WestSide Baby
Date/Time(s):
- Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 9 a.m.–noon.
- Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1:30–3:30 p.m.
- Teen hours: Wednesdays from 3–5 p.m. Teen volunteer hours are reserved for teens 13–18 years old only.
- Evening shifts on the 2nd Tuesday and the 4th Thursday of the month from 5–7 p.m.
Check the website for details.
- Location: White Center, 10002 14th Ave SW.
- Ages: Families with children 8 years old and older are welcome to participate. Volunteers 8–12 years old need an adult who will work with them for the entire shift. All minors must have a signed consent form.
- Time Commitment: Shifts are two to three hours.
WestSide Baby provides essentials to local children in need by collecting and distributing diapers, clothing, and equipment. Volunteers are an integral part of the organization and tasks can include sorting incoming donations of clothing and other items, packaging diapers, packaging toys, filling orders for children, and other projects as needed. We work every day with the hope that all babies and young children in our community have their physical basic supply needs met by providing diapers, clothing, toys, books, and safety equipment for their care.
Contact: [email protected] or call 206.686.5156. Registration is available online.
Check Out Our Featured Project Of The Month!
Clean Up Your Neighborhood
EXPLORE our growing list of at-home projects you can do whenever you’re ready. Each project includes conversation starters, book ideas, and more! Follow along on social media as other families tackle this month’s project and share their stories! Simply join our Facebook group or find us on Instagram (@doinggoodtogether and #sharekindness).
Bid, Win, Grow Big Hearts!
Our Spring Auction starts this month! Find experience gifts, gift cards, and more! Your winning bids support DGT’s mission to empower families to raise kind and caring kids! Visit our auction website between April 26–May 2 to check out the options and make your bids. It’s a win-win-win for everyone involved: auction donors and sponsors, auction winners, and of course, Doing Good Together!
Read about this issue: See our list of 24 picture books about poverty and hunger in America.
This list was compiled by Doing Good Together™ and reposted with permission. When calling or emailing to volunteer for any of the opportunities listed above, please let the coordinator know you found it through this listing. You are encouraged to ask any questions you may have of the sponsoring organization before committing to a project.
Disclaimer: This list is provided as a service to families. Inclusion of organizations in this listing does not imply affiliation, endorsement, or quality assurance on the part of Doing Good Together™. Doing Good Together™ bears no responsibility whatsoever for the activities and actions of the listed organizations. © 2025 Doing Good Together™
