826 Michigan is a non-profit tutoring and writing center that hosts free writing workshops on everything from writing college entrance essays to poetry and developing fictional characters. The organization also provides drop-in tutoring, after-school workshops, in-school tutoring, and help for those learning English.

The Abayomi Community Development Corporation is a faith-based, nonprofit organization that provides recreational and educational services, housing and economic development assistance, and health and safety programs for Detroit families.

At Abayomi, meaning "a pleasant meeting place," you'll find afterschool tutoring, computer training, book clubs, mentoring programs for teens, and job training.

The group also runs a youth basketball program, summer camps, and an annual youth retreat.

In 2000, a four-year-old cancer patient named Alexandra "Alex" Scott announced a seemingly simple idea - she was holding a lemonade stand to raise money to help "her doctors" find a cure for kids with cancer. Her idea grew from a local stand to a national movement embraced by children, schools, businesses, and organizations.

All proceeds benefit Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for childhood cancer, which has raised more than $6 million for childhood cancer research.

Getting involved with Alex's Lemonade Stand is easy and fun. Kids and families can host a stand or other event with friends, coworkers, clubs, and schools. The website provides a step-by-step guide to hosting a stand and includes print materials, sample press releases and letters, and other items to help promote the event.

Families can also visit the website to find Lemonade Stand events in their area.

Arts & Scraps is a nonprofit organization that recycles industrial scraps to provide children with affordable and creative arts and crafts learning experiences. In addition to public shopping times, the organization also provides programs for scouts and does birthday parties.

The ScrapMobile, a 26-foot bus loaded with recycled materials and activities, comes to your location. Call or check the website for details.

Arts & Scraps is always looking for volunteers. Children as young as age six can come in with a parent and help pack kits and prepare materials or families can check the website for other volunteer opportunities throughout the metro area.

A youth development organization with 14 locations in southeastern Michigan. Check online for the location nearest you.

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

The Detroit Parent Network works to improve parent involvement in education by offering workshops, practical tools, written materials, and leadership development to parents and primary caregivers of school-age children (ages four to 17) who live in Detroit, Hamtramck, or Highland Park.

Parents interested in joining the organization should fill out a membership form, found on the website, and submit it with a minimum $5 contribution. It is expected that members give at least five hours of volunteer time per year.

The FamilyCares program, an initiative of the Points of Light Foundation, helps to promote compassion through hands-on family projects that help others in need.

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.

Habitat for Humanity Detroit is a Christian-based nonprofit organization dedicated to building decent, affordable homes in partnership with very low-income families.

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 needs to be one adult for every two kids.

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.

Kids Helping Kids, a program of Gleaners Food Bank, allows school-age children to learn about hunger issues and directly participate in the fight against it through community service.

The group runs an annual canned food drive, special fundraising projects, and Hunger Awareness Workshops that give students the history of the food bank and a tour of the warehouse, followed by hands-on experience packing KidSnack Packs and participating in two hunger awareness exercises. The trip to Gleaners concludes with the presentation of a certificate of achievement.

Every Saturday, by appointment, Gleaners hosts "Kids Bowls for the Hungry," a program in which participants can make one bowl out of clay for themselves and one for the Gleaners Empty Bowls benefit held at Pewabic Pottery each year. There is a minimum of eight participants ages eight to 18. Cost is $5 per person.

Founded by three Detroit area Lions Clubs members in 1939, Leader Dogs for the Blind provides dog guides to people who are blind and visually impaired to enhance their mobility, independence, and quality of life. The non-profit group offers a 90-minute tour of the kennel, veterinarian clinic, and residence center one Sunday each month. Call to reserve a spot.

The group's Kids N' Coins outreach program teaches students and groups disability awareness and emphasizes volunteerism. See the website for information.

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.

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.

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.

Second Hand Rose is a resale shop that supports the Mission of Turning Point, an organization providing assistance to victims of domestic violence.

The store sells and accepts donations of clothing, furniture, housewares, toys, shoes, and even automobiles. Donation drop-offs can be made Mon, Wed, and Fri from 10am-5pm and Sat from 10am-3pm.

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.

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 Greening of Detroit is a non-profit group that helps neighborhoods, churches, and schools improve the eco-landscape of Detroit. The organization hosts tree-planting events every weekend during the spring and fall, plus there's special projects throughout the year needing volunteers.

The Greening of Detroit is a non-profit group that helps neighborhoods, churches, and schoo