Opportunities From: Volunteer Arlington

A cleaner Pike starts with us. Spend MLK Day giving back at our Pike Park cleanup!

Join us for a community cleanup at Pike Park as we work together to refresh and beautify this important neighborhood space. This is a hands-on effort to help keep the Pike clean, welcoming, and enjoyable for everyone.

Volunteers will help with tasks such as picking up litter, clearing debris, sweeping walkways, and giving the park a general refresh. All supplies will be provided on-site, including trash bags, gloves, grabbers, and basic cleanup tools. CPP staff will be present to coordinate and guide activities.

This is a great opportunity to get outside, make a visible difference in the community, and connect with neighbors. All ages are welcome.

The Animal Welfare League of Arlington (AWLA) serves the Arlington community with animal sheltering and control services to help pet owners keep their animals healthy, happy, and home. AWLA provides ‘go bags’ to foster families and community members to keep their pets happy and healthy.

Join us for a Listen & Learn to hear about AWLA’s lifesaving work and how we use Go Bags to support pet parents and Fosters. Volunteers can help assemble these bags with supplies, treats, and enrichment items or pick up food to be given out to the community as part of our Pet Pantry. Pick your favorite type of Go Bag and head over to local pet stores (or us) to find each item. Once you have all the items drop off your assembled bag or food item in the MLK donation bin at AWLA between Tuesday January 20th and Friday January 23rd during our open hours from 12-7pm! Community Enrichment Go Bags For Dogs (most needed) - Martingale Collar/ Harness and Leash - Untippable Water Bowl - Slow Feeder - Lickimat - Durable Toys (Kong, WubbaNub) - TREATS!! For Cats - Eggsirciser - Wand/ Feather Toy - Cat Nip/ Cat Nip Spray - Cat Dancer Toy - TREATS!! Foster Family Go Bags Dogs - Leashes (We prefer 6 foot with 2 handles if possible. NO retractable) - Medium/Large Martingale Collars - Large Fun Slow Feeder - Treats - Durable Toys - Calming Spray Cats - Small Fun Crinkle Cat Toys - Churro Cat Treats or Tasty Crunchy Treats - Catnip - Feliway Spray - Cat Scratch Board - Slow Feeder Small Companion Animals - Care Fresh - Treats - Chew Toys - Slow Feeder or Fun Wooden Feeder

Pet pantry Cats - Friskies dry food: 3 or 16lb bags - Friskies wet food: pate or shredded - Lightweight cat litter - Dogs - Pedigree dry food: small large breed; 3.5, 14, or 18lb bags - Pedigree wet food: pouches or cans Local Pet Stores: Dogma 2771 S. Arlington Mill Dr, Arlington, VA 22206 Woof Gang 4550 Lee Hwy., Arlington, VA 22207 AWLA 2650 S Arlington Mill Dr, Arlington, VA 22206 (not open on MLK Day) The Dog Store 2301 Mt Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301

Join us for a hands-on celebration of community care and everyday democracy -- create cheerful cards, assemble civic literacy book bags, and explore Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) in a fun, interactive demo. All ages welcome!

This multi-station project invites participants of all ages to contribute to a more connected and caring community. Younger children can create cheerful "Community Caring" and "Local Heroes" cards, offering appreciation to seniors, shelter residents, and frontline service workers. Families and older kids can help assemble Civic Literacy Book Bags with donated books, bookmarks, and simple civics-at-home activities for schools and community programs. Adults and teens are welcome to explore a hands-on demonstration of Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) - an accessible, high-energy way to learn about a growing form of democratic participation.

Each station reflects Dr. King's spirit of service by strengthening community bonds, honoring the people who keep our local world running, and inviting everyone into small acts of civic engagement.

"His Truth is Marching On", the true store of MLK's visit to Arlington: Encore Stage and Studio play, followed by creating a scrapbook of stories, reflections, and art for the Charlie Clark Center for Local History.

Did you know that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke in Arlington before the landmark 1963 March on Washington? In celebration of America's 250th birthday, Encore Stage & Studio proudly presents a new theatrical work, "His Truth is Marching On", that brings this historic visit to life and links our local story to the broader fight for civil rights.

Join us to experience Dr. King's powerful vision for the Beloved Community and explore how the arts can inspire civic engagement today. Following the 30-minute performance, participants will serve the Charlie Clark Center for Local History by putting together a scrapbook which captures memories, stories, and reflections on the significance of the MLK Day of Service in Arlington. This opportunity is suitable for grade school students (accompanied by parents) and up!

Don't miss the opportunity to listen, learn, and reflect - so together, we can build a more just and hopeful future.

Did you know 23% of households in Arlington, VA face food insecurity?

Be a Hunger Hero and join Volunteer Arlington and Replenish Foundation for a Generosity Feeds Meal Creation Event with a goal to package 10,000 meals to fight food insecurity locally. Volunteers will join an assembly-style line up to put together delicious, shelf-stable rice and beans soups. All the meals will be given out to Volunteer Arlington's partners across the community. 

Invite your friends and family to join you and get ready to become the reason someone has a delicious meal!

Great project for families, groups and individuals.
Help keep students energized and ready to learn by creating snack bags filled with healthy, non-perishable items!

Healthy snacks keep students energized while they learn and play. Volunteers provide snacks, decorate bags & fill them.

Volunteers will start the project by learning about AHC's affordable housing properties and its resident services programs. Volunteers unable to attend in person can watch a video at home. The rest of the service project takes place off-site at the volunteer's chosen location.

After the listen & learn, volunteers will go to the grocery store or shop in advance, buying the lunch bags and snack foods. A list of suggested snack foods is on this Sign-up Genius. We ask that each volunteer make 20 snack bags.

Decorating the snack bags with uplifting messages, drawings, stickers or jokes is fun but optional. Volunteers will provide their own decorating supplies. The bags should be filled with 3-4 non-perishable snack items.

Volunteers will deliver the snack bags to AHC's Arlington community centers on Tuesday, January 20. The delivery options are on the Sign-up Genius. We have some flexibility for delivery later in the week but are not open on Monday, January 19.

For questions, please email volunteer@ahcinc.org.

Volunteers should expect to purchase supplies and provide their own transportation.

Sign-up Genius Link - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0844A4A728A6FA7-60433892-mlkday

Great project for families, groups and individuals.
Create a Welcome Bag for a New AHC Family!

Join us in welcoming a new family by creating a Welcome Basket!

When families move into AHC's affordable housing communities, we give them Welcome Baskets filled with household supplies to say, "welcome home."

Volunteers will start the project by learning about AHC's affordable housing properties and its resident services programs. This mini-listen & learn will take place in-person at Washington-Liberty High School. Volunteers unable to attend in person can watch a video at home. The rest of the service project takes place off-site at the volunteer's chosen location.

After the listen & learn, volunteers will purchase items, decorate welcome home cards and assemble the baskets. For purposes of hygiene and dignity, we ask that all items are new, unopened and unused.

Supplies for the baskets and delivery options are on this Sign-up Genius. Please email Millie at millie.landis@ahcinc.org with questions.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0844A4A728A6FA7-welcome#/

Baskets will be delivered to AHC on Tuesday, January 20. We have some flexibility with the delivery but are not open on Monday, January 19.

Learn more about Arlington's housing challenges, what "affordable" housing is, and how to get involved.

In this Listen & Learn, we'll talk about Arlington's housing challenges, what "affordable" housing is, and current housing projects in Arlington. You'll hear from Resident Services staff members from two of Arlington's non-profit affordable housing providers, Affordable Homes & Communities (AHC) and True Group Housing Partners, about how to volunteer. A representative from Northern Virginia Affordable Housing Alliance (NVAHA) will share ways to get involved in its advocacy work.

Great project for families, groups and individuals.
Create a Welcome Bag for a New AHC Family!

Join us in welcoming a new family by creating a Welcome Basket!

When families move into AHC's affordable housing communities, we give them Welcome Baskets filled with household supplies to say, "welcome home."

Volunteers will start the project by learning about AHC's affordable housing properties and its resident services programs. This mini-listen & learn will take place in-person at Washington-Liberty High School. Volunteers unable to attend in person can watch a video at home. The rest of the service project takes place off-site at the volunteer's chosen location.

After the listen & learn, volunteers will purchase items, decorate welcome home cards and assemble the baskets. For purposes of hygiene and dignity, we ask that all items are new, unopened and unused.

Supplies for the baskets and delivery options are on this Sign-up Genius. Please email Millie at millie.landis@ahcinc.org with questions.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0844A4A728A6FA7-welcome#/

Baskets will be delivered to AHC on Tuesday, January 20. We have some flexibility with the delivery but are not open on Monday, January 19.

Great project for families, groups and individuals.
Help keep students energized and ready to learn by creating snack bags filled with healthy, non-perishable items!

Healthy snacks keep students energized while they learn and play. Volunteers provide snacks, decorate bags & fill them.

Volunteers will start the project by learning about AHC's affordable housing properties and its resident services programs. This mini-listen & learn will take place in-person at Washington-Liberty High School. Volunteers unable to attend in person can watch a video at home. The rest of the service project takes place off-site at the volunteer's chosen location.

After the listen & learn, volunteers will go to the grocery store or shop in advance, buying the lunch bags and snack foods. A list of suggested snack foods is on this Sign-up Genius. We ask that each volunteer make 20 snack bags.

Decorating the snack bags with uplifting messages, drawings, stickers or jokes is fun but optional. Volunteers will provide their own decorating supplies. The bags should be filled with 3-4 non-perishable snack items.

Volunteers will deliver the snack bags to AHC's Arlington community centers on Tuesday, January 20. The delivery options are on the Sign-up Genius. We have some flexibility for delivery later in the week but are not open on Monday, January 19.

For questions, please email volunteer@ahcinc.org.

Volunteers should expect to purchase supplies and provide their own transportation.

Sign-up Genius Link - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0844A4A728A6FA7-60433892-mlkday

When all children are supported to reach their potential, communities thrive with innovation, creativity, and shared opportunity.

Celebrate MLK Day of Service with Aspire Afterschool Learning and the Center for Youth and Family Advocacy (CYFA) by learning how afterschool programs unlock the potential of young people and close opportunity gaps. This interactive Listen and Learn session will show how high-quality afterschool programs build on students’ strengths, foster growth, and create opportunities for every child to thrive, reflecting Dr. King’s vision of equitable education. The session will also provide tangible ways that you can support out of school time programs in Arlington and help close the educational opportunity gap.

After the discussion, roll up your sleeves for a hands-on service project preparing materials for CYFA’s afterschool program. These resources support the Darkness to Light series, which introduces youth to diverse cultures and encourages them to celebrate the world around them. All supplies are provided on site, and your contributions will have an immediate, meaningful impact on youth in the community.

Why Attend:
- Learn about the transformative power of afterschool programs
- Honor Dr. King’s vision by supporting educational equity
- Make a direct, tangible difference through a creative service project

Join us to learn, serve, and make an impact.

Family Friendly, ages 6+

Join us at our clinic to learn more about Arlington Free Clinic - who we are, who we serve, what we do, how we do it, and how you can help!

Our Director of Volunteer Resources, Kate Nadeau, will provide a history of the clinic, our role in the community, and explain the critical function of volunteers in our mission. For those interested, she will review current volunteer opportunities, explain the application process, and outline how onboarding works. Clinical and non-clinical opportunities are available! Bilingual (Spanish) volunteers are our highest need.

If you'd like to support the clinic directly on this Day of Service, please feel free to bring grocery store gift cards ($25; Giant, Aldi, Target), or dental supplies (soft bristle toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, travel size mouthwash) to be distributed to patients.
Logistics: Arlington Free Clinic: 2921 11th Street South, Arlington VA 22204. Metered parking is available on 11th Street and in the garage under the building. Free parking is available on surrounding residential streets. Guests are welcome to park in the FREE AFC spots in the garage. The free spots are lettered; the metered spots are numbered.

Tiny tools, big impact - Smile Squad will support AFC's mission to give patients access to high-quality dental care and send them home with tools to maintain their oral health.

The AFC Smile Squad will do most of the project on their own time leading up to the day of service. They are tasked with collecting dental supplies (soft bristle toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, travel size mouthwash) and creating little gift bags to be given out to patients after their dental appointment. The Squad can create as many or as few as they would like. Prepared gift bags will be dropped off at Arlington Free Clinic on the Day of Service. The Smile Squad participants are also welcome to join our Community Tour (listed as a separate event on the Day of Service).

Support Arlington FSS’ mission to bring an end to pedestrian and cyclist fatalities and injuries by hanging posters around the community to collect crowd source data of dangerous locations.

Participants will attend a listen-and-learn session on pedestrian safety at the MLK Day event location. After the presentation, participants will be given posters to hang in designated areas throughout the county. These posters contain a QR code for community members to report near miss pedestrian and cyclist incidents. These crowd sourced reports are used to identify dangerous locations in the county and inform advocacy efforts with state and local leaders.

Spend your morning outdoors cleaning up a portion of the Washington & Old Dominion Trail at Columbia Pike. Come when you can and stay as long as you like. All supplies provided, and all are welcome!

Join BikeArlington and WalkArlington as we clean up litter and debris on the Washington & Old Dominion Trail, a beautiful trail that's enjoyed by cyclists and walkers alike. We'll start on the W&OD Trail where it intersects with Columbia Pike. Look for the orange and blue Bike/WalkArlington tent on the trail near the intersection of Columbia Pike and South Four Mile Run Drive! We'll work our way down the W&OD toward South George Mason Drive. We’ll focus on picking up the litter and trash that gathers in the vegetation near the side of the trail. Refreshments and some fun giveaways will be provided as a thank-you to all who come out for the cleanup. Please register in advance so we can be sure to have enough supplies. The cleanup will be held rain or shine. If there is severe weather, we will cancel this event.

What to Bring:
• Gloves
• Trash Pickers or Grabbers
• Sun protection

Trash bags will be available onsite. A limited supply of gloves, trash pickers, and grabbers will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

What to Wear
Wear comfortable shoes and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. The area has a lot of vegetation, so pants are recommended. You may also want to bring gardening gloves.

The Friends of Mount Vernon Trail will be improving the trail near National Landing. Volunteers may perform some of the following work: 

You must register on EventBrite here to attend.

Learn how small actions can make a big difference for people living with dementia. Join our free educational session and earn your Dementia Friends certificate today!

Become a Dementia Friend!

Are you passionate about making a difference in your community and learning how to better support people living with dementia? Join us for a FREE Dementia Friends Arlington information session — an engaging educational program designed to transform the way you understand, communicate with, and support those affected by dementia.

Through interactive videos, meaningful discussions, and practical examples, you will:
• Increase your awareness and understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia
• Learn helpful ways to support individuals living with dementia, their caregivers, and families
• Connect with people from diverse communities who share your commitment to compassionate care

Participants will receive a certificate of completion recognizing their role as a Dementia Friend.

Together, we can create dementia-friendly communities — one friend at a time.

Want to make an impact on babies and young children in Arlington? Join us as you can find new ways to support our community whether that’s delivering culturally relevant books to families’ homes, participating in virtual READ-alouds, or assisting in our APS READ Book Fairs.

READ will explain our community work and describe all the ways interested volunteers can help. We will cover the specifics of contactless delivery, demonstrate how to make a virtual READ-aloud engaging and fulfilling, and explain what it means to be a Book Fair Volunteer (including set-up, managing the fair, closing, and take-down).

Experience PathForward’s mission in action! Join our community scavenger hunt to collect and assemble “Winter Hygiene Safety Kits” in support of our Arlington neighbors facing homelessness this winter. Fun for all ages and a great way to make a direct impact in our community!

A scavenger hunt with purpose for all ages! Volunteers will briefly learn about PathForward’s mission to support Arlington neighbors experiencing homelessness. Volunteers will then be invited to purchase a few items at local stores that they would like to go into the Winter Hygiene Safety Kits that will be assembled for PathForward's unhoused clients.

Support EcoAction Arlington by writing (and drawing!) thank you notes and postcards for our Donors and Tree Canopy recipients!

After a brief introduction to our organization and the impact we've made together, volunteers will write and design heartfelt thank you notes to tree recipients, supporters, and donors. These notes are more than just words—they're a way to celebrate community, honor generosity, and deepen the roots of connection
Let’s come together to plant seeds of gratitude and grow a stronger, greener community—one note at a time!
This is a family friendly event, kids welcomed & encouraged!

Step up for Survivors! Join Doorways' Listen & Learn + Scavenger Hunt to welcome survivors home.

Join Doorways for a mini Listen & Learn at Washington-Liberty, followed by a Welcome Home Scavenger Hunt to support survivors in the Arlington Community!

Volunteers will get an introduction to Doorways, Arlington's comprehensive community response to domestic and sexual violence. Each year, Doorways serves more and more survivors, and we need your help. Learn more about who we are and how you can contribute to a safer, more empowered community!

Then, we'll send you (or you and your team) off on a Doorways Scavenger Hunt! Volunteers will be given a list of items needed to build a Welcome Home kit for clients who are moving into our shelter or getting a fresh start in independent housing. Choose from donation lists ranging from $45-125. After collecting the items, we'll meet you at Doorways' Administrative Office in the Ballston Quarter to turn in your finished kits.

Open to individuals or groups, all ages welcome!

Help spread love and cheer to individuals in CRi's residential and community-based support services.

The objective of this project is to assemble between 700-750 Valentines that will be distributed to individuals supported in CRi’s 50 group homes and our day support programs in time for Valentine’s Day. Outcomes include helping to spread love and cheer to everyone in our program, helping each individual feel included on this special day, forming a connection between the community and CRi individuals, and creating an educational opportunity for community members to learn more about the disability community and the challenges they face. CRi will supply all materials needed. We will have a brief presentation at the beginning of the event. The activity is to be in-person on MLK Day at the Volunteer Arlington location.
CRi's MLK Day project has a goal to show love to the 350 individuals in CRi group homes and day programs. Volunteers will create Valentines cards complete with a sweet treat.

We will have a brief introduction presentation then get started with the project. Materials will be provided. If reimbursement is possible, that would be greatly appreciated. The activity will be in person and a representative from CRI will be onsite to collect the Valentines.

Join us on a heartwarming adventure to uncover treasures that will bring hope and support to families in need. Every clue you solve brings us one step closer to making a difference!

At Bridges to Independence, we believe that knowledge and action go hand in hand. That's why we're excited to invite you to a unique volunteer opportunity that combines learning, understanding, and a hands-on mission to make a difference.

We'll kick off the day with a "Listen and Learn" session where you'll discover how Bridges to Independence is dedicated to leading children and families out of homelessness and towards stable, independent futures. You'll gain valuable insights into our mission, our programs, and the real impact we're making in the lives of those we serve.

But that's not all! The day is about more than just listening and learning. Following the informative session, we'll transition into a unique and exciting "Donation Scavenger Hunt" at our family emergency shelter, Sullivan House. Each person will get a list to complete their scavenger hunt. This activity is family friendly and can be completed solo, in pairs, or in small groups if you wish. Items will be dropped off at 3103 Ninth Road N, Arlington, VA 22201.

This is your chance to put your newfound knowledge into action. You'll have the opportunity to scavenge for items that are crucial to the families living in our shelter. These items can range from basic necessities to food and more. By participating in this scavenger hunt, you'll directly impact the well-being and future of families and children striving to overcome homelessness and poverty.

Bringing comfort and a smile, one no-sew blanket at a time.

No special skills or materials are needed to make no sew fleece blankets at this in-person activity. Just bring your patience and a desire to have a good time. The Arlington Rotary Club (https://www.arlingtonrotaryclub.org/) will give you the blanket material and instructions on how to assemble them using only scissors (which we'll provide) and your own knot-tying abilities. When the blankets are completed, we'll deliver them for you to AHC (https://www.ahcinc.org/) to be donated to kids in affordable housing in Arlington. A representative of AHC will be with us to tell you about the impact of your efforts.

This is a kid-friendly project, but does involve scissors, so your supervision of any kid participants is necessary. You can work on a blanket in a group or as an individual.

Age range: 13 years old and over
Description: The mantra Rosie Riveters repeats in our programs is "I may not know, but I know I can figure it out.” Rosie Riveters STEM Kits are designed to foster the same “We Can Do It” attitude and provide an accessible introduction to STEM.
Volunteers will work to pack hands-on STEM Kits which are delivered to local schools and community partners in order to provide hands-on STEM learning experiences for hundreds of kids in Arlington, VA. Each kit comes with everything needed to complete it and includes access to exclusive video content to support hands-on learning.
Rosie Riveters' staff will guide volunteers through the kit packing process. All materials will be provided and kits will be completed on site on Monday, January 19th.

Come enjoy the woods in winter to restore a natural habitat!

Volunteers will be introduced to invasive plants in Potomac Overlook Regional Park. They will be then given appropriate tools, such as clippers, and gloves and led in teams of 5 by a Master Naturalist to an area of the park that is overrun by invasives. Water and snacks will be provided. This is family friendly for ages 8+. Volunteers should wear long pants and sturdy shoes. Meet at Potomac Overlook parking lot/Shelter at 2845 Marcy Rd. Arlington. Event is over at noon.