The Charity Guide website offers a wealth of information and ideas for families looking for ways to serve and volunteer. Visitors can pick up suggestions on how to make the most of small gestures (how to make a difference in 15 minutes, an hour, or on vacation), and how to leverage a birthday party to remind kids (and adults) that giving really is better than receiving.

Cheerful Givers provides birthday gift bags for kids ages three to 12, distributing them at shelters and food pantries. Families can hold a Birthday Bag Blitz to put together gift bags, based on recommendations provided on the website.

Color a Smile's mission is a simple one - generate cheer by gathering children's drawings to distribute at nursing homes, attach to Meals on Wheels deliveries, and more. The result? A perfect opportunity for kids to generate good cheer by doing what they do best - putting crayon to paper and creating. Children can send in their own original drawings, or color in one of the printable pages available on the website.

Drawings (and donations, if you're so inclined) can be sent via mail to:

Color a Smile

P O BOX 1516

Morristown NJ 07962-1516

Community Food Share, working through more than 63 individual agencies, delivers more than four million nutritionally balanced meals each year, and serves as a safety net for those who are hungry in Boulder and Broomfield Counties. Also, as part of the America's Second Harvest network, Community Food Share can provide four meals for each dollar contributed.

Community Food Share, working through more than 63 individual agencies, delivers more than four million nutritionally balanced meals each year, and serves as a safety net for those who are hungry in Boulder and Broomfield Counties. Also, as part of the America's Second Harvest network, Community Food Share can provide four meals for each dollar contributed.

The winner of our 2008 Parents' Picks quest to find the best place for family community service in Denver, the Denver Dumb Friends League, is a national leader in providing humane care to lost and abandoned animals, rescuing sick, injured and abused animals, adopting pets to new homes, helping pets stay in homes, and educating pet owners and the public about the needs of companion animals.

The Dumb Friends League is the largest animal welfare organization in the Rocky Mountain region, welcoming tens of thousands animals to two shelters. DDFL turns no animals away.

Lots of volunteer opportunities are available for older kids and adults. Training, orientation, and a commitment of hours per month are required.

Week-long summer camp programs are offered for kids entering third, fourth, and fifth grades. Participants can visit the shelter to explore the amazing world of animals. Advance registration for camps is required. The program is wildly popular and fills quickly, so keep your eye on the calendar if you are interested in participating.

Global Citizens Network sends short-term teams of volunteers to communities in other cultures. Participants immerse themselves in the culture and daily life of the community and partners with a local grassroots group to meet local needs.

Trips last one, two, or three weeks, depending on the site, and each team is led by a trained GCN team leader. Volunteers can be ages eight and up; a parent or guardian must accompany kids under the age of 18.

Habitat for Humanity is a charitable nonprofit organization dedicated to building simple, low-cost homes by forming partnerships with low-income families in need of decent and affordable housing. The organization believes homeownership is a vital step to help families break the cycle of poverty and contributes to pride in families and communities.

You don't need to be an expert in construction or a committee subject area to help out. There are many tasks that require only a willingness to learn and work with others. However, kids must be 16 years or older to help on the construction sites, and there must be one adult at a work site for every two kids. Due to the wonderful popularity of Habitat for Humanity, there is generally a two- to three-month wait to volunteer on a construction site.

The not-for-profit Humane Society of Boulder Valley offers pet adoption and boarding, dog training classes, pet loss support groups, and help in locating lost animals. An on-site store sells pet supplies and knick-knacks, and raises much-needed funding.

Each year, the HSBV helps tens of thousands of animals find homes, so it's definitely the place to go if you're looking to add an animal to the family. Adoption fees vary, and go toward supporting the organization's good works.

Even if you're "just looking," the facility is a wonderful place to visit. The cats, dogs, rabbits, birds, and rodents housed here appreciate the attention, and children - who must remain under adult supervision at all times - can show them some love.

HSBV welcomes volunteers over the age of 14 (those under 16 must be accompanied by a parent), and provides training. Families can also serve as foster parents, welcoming dogs and cats into their homes for brief periods.

Summer camp programs are also offered and tremendously popular. If you are interested, keep an eye on the website for schedule announcements.

The not-for-profit Humane Society offers information about pet adoption and boarding, dog training classes, pet loss support groups, and help in locating lost animals.

Local branches of the Society are often educational places to visit. The cats, dogs, rabbits, birds, and rodents appreciate the attention, and children - who must remain under adult supervision at all times - can show them some love. Adults can usually remove the animals from cages or pens for one-on-one interaction in visiting rooms.

Volunteer opportunities: can be found on the website, or visit or call your local chapter for information.

The not-for-profit Humane Society offers information about pet adoption and boarding, dog training classes, pet loss support groups, and help in locating lost animals.

Local branches of the Society are often educational places to visit. The cats, dogs, rabbits, birds, and rodents appreciate the attention, and children - who must remain under adult supervision at all times - can show them some love. Adults can usually remove the animals from cages or pens for one-on-one interaction in visiting rooms.

Volunteer opportunities: can be found on the website, or visit or call your local chapter for information.

Idealist is an interactive website where families can locate local volunteer opportunities. You can even sign up to receive daily alerts about new opportunities matching your interests.

Make a Child Smile, also known as MACS, provides support to children with chronic or life-threatening illnesses and their families. Families looking for an opportunity to volunteer can visit the MACS website and learn about featured children and their illnesses, then send cards, letters, and small gifts to the featured children and their siblings through postal mail.

Each child's mailing address can be found on their story page, right next to their picture.

March of Dimes is dedicated to improving the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality.

Volunteering opportunities and ideas are described on the website, from organizing fund-raising walks to letter campaigns. The website also provides link to local chapters.

Activities for youth volunteers to learn, serve, and lead are available through the Team Youth program.

Meals on Wheels provides meal services for senior citizens in need, and offers great opportunities for older children and families to explore community service and volunteering.

Visit the website to find opportunities near you.

Operation Goody Bag is designed to express appreciation for the sacrifices made by America's first responders, and to develop in students an awareness of the value of service.

The program ships brown lunch bags, hand colored with patriotic themes and filled with candy, gum, a personal letter, original poetry, and puzzles to US military personnel as well as local Fire, Rescue, Ambulance, and K9 organizations, Veterans' Homes, VFW Posts, military hospitals, and US military academies.

Information about how to help, including donating, creating brown bag art, and writing letters to be included in the bags, can be found on the website.

The goal of the Parenting Place is to relieve isolation, reduce the stress of parenting by providing outreach and a place where families can receive support, education, and develop a sense of community.

Parenting Place is a private, non-profit organization that provides many services, including age-based support and play groups, language-based groups, single moms support group, referrals to other parent resources, home visits for new parents, and child development information.

Services are provided throughout Boulder County.

One child's great idea - "What if every child gave up one birthday, just one, by giving instead of receiving? How many sick children could we help?" - has grown into a non-profit dream.

Children register with the Fund, select a hospital where children are treated that will benefit, ask friends to bring a check for the hospital to the birthday party, then make a date with the hospital to present the donation.

The Fund sends participants an official Peter Pan Birthday Club Certificate and Order of Pan crest pin. Children and teens who participate are also eligible for consideration for induction into The Second Star to the Right Hall of Fame.

The Points of Light Foundation and the Hands On Network connect individuals to local volunteer opportunities that match their interests and skills.

The Kids Care Clubs initiative gives young people a jump start on becoming active in their communities, providing children in elementary and middle school with ideas and a framework for organizing volunteer programs. Each month, the website posts different service projects, which include step-by-step instructions, compassion and issues education, meeting activities, additional resources, and information on possible service partners.

The Points of Light Foundation and the Hands On Network connect individuals to local volunteer opportunities that match their interests and skills.

The Kids Care Clubs initiative gives young people a jump start on becoming active in their communities, providing children in elementary and middle school with ideas and a framework for organizing volunteer programs. Each month, the website posts different service projects, which include step-by-step instructions, compassion and issues education, meeting activities, additional resources, and information on possible service partners.

Need to raise money for your school? Tired of bake sales? PTO Ideas is dedicated to helping weary Parent-Teacher organizations revitalize the fund-raising process.

Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) is the oldest and largest children's and family nonprofit literacy organization in the United States. Through community volunteers in every state and US territory, RIF provides 4.5 million children with 16 million new, free books and literacy resources each year.

Volunteering opportunities abound, particularly for high school and college students who can donate time to read to and teach young children. Check the website for local programs.

Rebuilding Together's mission is to preserve affordable housing by bringing volunteers and communities together to rehabilitate the homes of low-income homeowners.

The organization's signature event, Rebuilding Day, takes place each year in April, but affiliates work year round in many parts of the country, delivering emergency services, home modifications, and green building to conserve energy and consumption.

The Central Denver office of the Red Cross Mile High Chapter offers classes, demonstrations, and services to the Rocky Mountain region.

The North Area Service Center office of the Red Cross Mile High Chapter offers classes, demonstrations, and services to the Rocky Mountain region.

The Southeast Service Center office of the Red Cross Mile High Chapter offers classes, demonstrations, and services to the Rocky Mountain region.

The West Area Service Center office of the Red Cross Mile High Chapter offers classes, demonstrations, and services to the Rocky Mountain region.

There are more than 245 Ronald McDonald Houses in 26 countries, offering support and practical assistance to families with very sick children. It's a safe bet that your local chapter can always use volunteers.

Share Our Strength (SOS) is a national nonprofit that organizes individuals and businesses to share their strengths to help end hunger. Using innovative approaches - from holding volunteer-led special events across the country to developing cause-related marketing ventures and corporate partnerships - SOS goal is to end childhood hunger in America.

In addition to donating money, parents can participate in a number of SOS' programs, including The Great American Bake Sale, Taste of the Nation, Operation Frontline, and A Tasteful Pursuit.

Share Our Strength (SOS) is a national nonprofit that organizes individuals and businesses to share their strengths to help end hunger. Using innovative approaches - from holding volunteer-led special events across the country to developing cause-related marketing ventures and corporate partnerships - SOS goal is to end childhood hunger in America.

In addition to donating money, parents can participate in a number of SOS' programs, including The Great American Bake Sale, Taste of the Nation, Operation Frontline, and A Tasteful Pursuit.

Sister Carmen Community Center offers an emergency food bank and community support services such as rental assistance, school supplies for children in need, and referrals to other agencies for other types of assistance. The thrift store is a source of household necessities, clothing, furniture, and other items at modest prices. Gently used and new donations are always welcome. Visit the website for items of particular need at the moment and donation hours.

Sister Carmen Community Center offers an emergency food bank and community support services such as rental assistance, school supplies for children in need, and referrals to other agencies for other types of assistance. The thrift store is a source of household necessities, clothing, furniture, and other items at modest prices. Gently used and new donations are always welcome. Visit the website for items of particular need at the moment and donation hours.

Special Olympics is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with intellectual disabilities to become physically fit, productive, and respected members of society through sports training and competition. Children and adults with intellectual disabilities can participate in year-round training, and compete in 30 Olympic-type summer and winter sports.

Local volunteering opportunities can be found on the website.

Boxproject.com links families in need with families willing to give. Visit the website for various lists of needs that can be packaged up and sent to participating centers.

Boxproject.com links families in need with families willing to give. Visit the website for various lists of needs that can be packaged up and sent to participating centers.

The Wilderness Project, headquartered in Albuquerque, NM, coordinates volunteer events to provide long-term environmental benefits for natural areas.

The Apprentice Ecologist Initiative provides guidance for kids and families interested in spearheading environmental cleanup and conservation projects on a local level.

UNICEF is a worldwide organization dedicated to bettering the lives of children everywhere.

The website encourages young people (and adults) to get involved with UNICEF's myriad initiatives, from raising money for schools in Africa to campaigning for ecological programs.