February 2026

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Volunteering and community service don’t end with the holiday season—giving back is a year-round commitment, and it’s especially vital during the cold winter months. Whether you’re participating in food or toy drives, volunteering at a day shelter, or supporting a local STEM event, every effort makes a meaningful difference.

Community service offers a wide range of personal and professional benefits. It helps you connect with those around you and play an active role in shaping a more supportive, welcoming community. Research also shows that volunteering can enhance happiness and life satisfaction, giving individuals a sense of pride, purpose, and accomplishment. In addition, it’s an opportunity to build new skills—both practical and interpersonal—or to apply your existing talents in ways that directly benefit others [1]. It is important to highlight that volunteering is inherently accessible and inclusive in nature. There are opportunities for those with limited mobility, such as logistics support remotely, limited time, such as weekend shifts and one-off events, and family-friendly opportunities

As Boston enters some of the coldest months of the year, it is especially important to emphasize the value of community service and the power of showing up for our neighbors during challenging times. Volunteering at organizations that provide services to individuals experiencing homelessness or food insecurity is crucial to the well-being of our community. The City of Boston offers an extensive list of emergency shelters and resources designed to support residents in need by providing essential services and necessities, including [2]:

1. New England Center and Home for Veterans (Overnight)
2. Bridge Over Troubled Waters (Overnight, ages 14-24)
3. St. Francis House (Day shelter)
4. Women’s Lunch Place (Day Shelter)
5. Healthcare for the Homeless (Medical Support)

Service centers are consistently seeking volunteers to assist with day-to-day operations, including meal preparation, organizing and coordinating drives, and making deliveries. Regular volunteers are particularly valuable, as they reduce the need for ongoing training and help maintain continuity in services. As Selma Mandzo-Preldzic (WTS-Boston Vice President; VHB Boston TPO Director) noted after helping prepare meals at Women’s Lunch Place on one of the coldest days of the year, ‘You realize quickly that volunteers aren’t just preparing and serving food—they’re helping people make it through another day.’

Many service centers also offer corporate engagement opportunities, allowing companies to explore different ways to support their work – through ongoing volunteer efforts, financial contributions, corporate matching programs, and other collaborative initiatives. Corporate volunteering benefits both employers and employees by boosting engagement and morale, strengthening team dynamics, and enhancing the organization’s reputation and brand [3]. It is important for companies to provide various incentives for employees to volunteer, such as coordinating volunteer days, providing flexible work schedules for employees to volunteer, and setting up donation/drive events. 

[1] https://www.wcsu.edu/community-engagement/benefits-of-volunteering/
[2] https://www.boston.gov/departments/housing/services-those-experiencing-…
[3] https://www.submittable.com/blog/corporate-volunteerism/
 

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