SOMA Kindness: A new event is coming to town and we need your help! Later this month we’ll begin collecting cosmetics, accessories, and other small gifts to be staged in a pop-up shop where local kids can browse for free Mother’s Day gifts. Volunteers needed to provide, pick up, and sort donations, as well as staging and staffing the ‘store.’ Learn more, sign up for updates, and give us some feedback! https://www.somakindness.com/finders-keepers/
Family Friendly
SOMA Kindness: Creature Comfort Pet Therapy can help your pet become certified to visit places like SOMA libraries, and are also in search of volunteers to evaluate animals in training. They welcome adults as well as children who can sit quietly when needed: https://ccpettherapy.org/volunteer-to-help-with-testing/
SOMA Kindness: Family friendly opportunity alert! Buddy Ball is an inclusive program at South Mountain YMCA that teaches basketball to neurodivergent children of all abilities. They’re seeking SOMA kids age 13+ to be paired as a buddy to guide, teach and partner with participants. Volunteers must be patient, kind, have basic basketball knowledge/skill, and genuinely care about helping others. The spring session begins next week, for more info on volunteering (or participating!) email Nicole njosey@metroymcas.org
SOMA Kindness: Family friendly opportunity alert tomorrow (Tuesday 12/23)! As in past years, guests will be admitted to Turtle Back Zoo’s holiday lights by donation of food, toys, and coats. Volunteers will assist in the Donation Tent by greeting guests, collecting and sorting donations, and creating a festive environment. Kids with adults welcome, and we’ve heard there’s hot chocolate too! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0F4FAAAE2BA57-60655925-turtle#/
SOMA Kindness: Family friendly opportunity with Moms Helping Moms! Volunteers age 14 and older are welcome to visit their warehouse in Warren to help sort and repackage baby clothes and diapers. For more info and offsite volunteer opportunities for younger children, visit: momshelpingmoms.org/volunteer/
SOMA Kindness: Family friendly opportunity alert!! Turtle Back Zoo’s Holiday Lights Spectacular accepts donation of non-perishable food items, new unwrapped toys, or gently used coats as admission to the zoo. Create a team of 6-8 volunteers to crew the Donation Tent: greet guests, collect and sort donations, and create a welcoming, joyful atmosphere! https://calendly.com/kdurr-parks/holiday-lights-2025
SOMA Kindness: The Food Pantry at Oheb Shalom (170 Scotland road) had some last minute cancellations and is now short on volunteers tonight. Shift timeslots are 5-6:30pm or 6:15-7:45pm, packing, organizing and distributing food, and this is a family friendly opportunity!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080A4FACAC22A13-51251161-bobrow#/
SOMA Kindness: Family friendly opportunity alert! The Warehouse NJ helps individuals and families who have experienced homelessness successfully transition into new apartments with donated furniture, household items and other essential needs. Help is needed collecting and moving furniture, moving clients in, and organizing collected items. Children age 12 and over are welcome with their family, all volunteers must be able to climb stairs. Learn more: https://www.thewarehousenj.org/volunteer
SOMA Kindness: Lend a hand at the Third Annual Star Spangled South Orange celebration on Flood’s Hill on Saturday June 28th! Seeking our finest and bravest to help with set up and break down of the festivities, and to assist with activities in between. Do you have what it takes to spend some quality time with your community while getting to know your neighbors, all on South Orange’s best 45 acres? Great opportunity for teens and high schoolers seeking volunteer hours as well! Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0D45A4AA2CA1F85-57311644-2025#/