Open Opportunities
Between text alerts, these community partners are almost always glad for a hand. They’re great ways to get involved on your own schedule — reach out anytime.
Loose EndsFinish knitting, crochet, and other textile projects from home for people affected by death or disability — work at your own pace.
Citizen ArchivistA fully virtual opportunity: transcribe and tag historical records for the U.S. National Archives whenever you have time.
Moms Helping MomsOngoing help sorting donated baby clothes, diapers, and gear for local families in need.
Local animal sheltersMontclair Township, Newark (AHS), and East Orange shelters regularly need dog walkers, front-desk help, and more.
Laptop UpcycleAdult volunteers help wipe donated laptops so local students can have a computer of their own.
Past Broadcasts
A look back at the volunteer opportunities we’ve texted out — so you can see the kinds of requests you’ll hear about when you join the list.
Sep 30, 2026Lightning Brook Cleanup Day
Sep 29, 2026Backpack Pals
Sep 25, 2026SOMA Community Cares
Sep 23, 2026Rocket Improv
Sep 22, 2026Maplewood Library Teen Ambassadors
Sep 21, 2026Beyond the Bell
Sep 11, 2026Green Team
Sep 10, 2026Girls on the Run
Sep 8, 2026Rotary and Pedals for Progress
Jul 6, 2026Maplewoodstock Sensory
Jun 24, 2026Moms Helping Moms
Jun 2, 2026SOPL Volunteens
May 28, 2026Newark STEM
May 26, 2026Reed Foundation for Autism
May 19, 2026Turning Point Community Services — porch pickup and donation drive for clothing and shoes
May 14, 2026Duck Race volunteers needed May 25 — sell tickets, wrangle ducks
Apr 21, 2026Mother’s Day pop-up gift shop for kids — volunteers needed to collect, sort, and staff
Mar 25, 2026Virtual opportunity: become a Citizen Archivist for the National Archives
Mar 22, 2026Creature Comfort Pet Therapy seeks volunteers to evaluate animals in training
Mar 20, 2026Rahway River Watershed needs volunteers to prep native plant garden for 35th anniversary
Mar 20, 2026MEND has new opportunities supporting fresh food access across Newark, Orange, and Maplewood
Mar 18, 2026Laptop Upcycle needs adult volunteers to wipe donated laptops for local students
Mar 16, 2026Fairy Trail Festival needs creative builders to make new fairy houses
Mar 15, 2026The Raptor Trust needs spring volunteers — care for birds, work in the gift shop, do laundry
Feb 26, 2026Buddy Ball at South Mountain YMCA seeks teen buddies for neurodivergent youth basketball
Jan 28, 2026Newark AHS shelter needs snow-removal volunteers to help walk dogs
Jan 3, 2026Moms Helping Moms needs help sorting donations at the Wayne warehouse
Dec 22, 2025Turtle Back Zoo holiday lights — volunteer at the Donation Tent, Dec 23
Dec 5, 2025Moms Helping Moms — sort baby clothes and diapers in Warren
Dec 4, 2025South Orange Walk Bike Ride advisory committee seeking new volunteers
Dec 3, 2025Loose Ends: finish textile projects from home for people affected by death or disability
Dec 1, 2025Montclair Township Animal Shelter seeking volunteer front-desk help
Nov 21, 2025Cougar Cares weekly dinner deliveries
Nov 19, 2025Elks Lodge annual Thanksgiving dinner for local seniors — drop off or deliver food
Nov 12, 2025Turtle Back Zoo Holiday Lights — volunteer at the Donation Tent
Nov 7, 2025New food-insecurity pilot program with South Mountain YMCA — multiple ways to help
Oct 27, 2025Strollers Community Theater needs volunteers to paint sets and alter costumes
Sep 10, 2025The Food Pantry at Oheb Shalom needs volunteers
Sep 4, 2025Family-friendly opportunity: The Warehouse NJ helps families transition into new apartments
Aug 1, 2025Wise Animal Rescue seeks volunteers of all kinds — admin, social media, transport, and events
Jul 29, 2025Maplewood Porchfest volunteers — the work starts well before the event
Jul 24, 2025Introducing the new AHS Adventure Tails Program
Jun 30, 2025Girls on the Run seeks volunteer coaches for the fall season
Jun 26, 2025Lend a hand at the Third Annual Star-Spangled South Orange celebration
Jun 26, 2025The East Orange Animal Shelter is looking for volunteer dog walkers
Jun 17, 2025Maplewoodstock is volunteer-powered — help needed well before the event
Jun 11, 2025The Boston-to-NYC AIDS Ride is seeking volunteers
Jun 2, 2025Volunteers needed for the Neuroqueer Pride Celebration at the North Jersey Pride Festival
Text-Em-All keeps only a limited history, so this archive starts in fall 2025.