If you can't volunteer on a regular basis, there are many annual events you can volunteer at or participate in throughout the year. Like all kinds of volunteering, helping out at an annual event isn't just fun, it's also a great way to gain new skills and experiences and meet all kinds of people. Here's a list of some of the main annual events where you can volunteer:
February
Sunnies for Sight
This event is held on the last Friday of February each year. In 2008, it will be Friday 29 February. Schools, clubs and workplaces across Australia are invited to participate by wearing sunnies for a day and buying merchandise to help raise money for blindness prevention projects in developing countries.
March
Clean Up Australia Day
The next Clean Up Australia Day will be held on Sunday March 3 2008. Join in and help clean up your local environment.
The World’s Greatest Shave
Help raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation. Organise your own 'World's Greatest Shave Day' or participate in their annual event during 13 - 15 March 2008.
Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal
Held every Easter, you can get involved by collecting donations, holding an event to raise money or helping out in the phone rooms during the Appeal.
Harmony Day
National Harmony Day is held on March 21st each year. It's a chance to celebrate our diverse country. You can organise your own event, participate in Harmony Day events or even just wear orange for the day.
Red Cross Calling Appeal
The annual Red Cross Calling Appeal is held in March each year. Become a volunteer and participate in the door knock collection to raise money to help people affected by emergencies.
April
Make a Wish Day
Help the Make a Wish Foundation raise money in April during their Make a Wish Day. You can volunteer to sell merchandise. The foundation brings magic and joy to children and young people with a life-threatening illness, by granting their most cherished wishes.
Walk Against Want
This annual event, usually held in late April of each year, helps raise money for Oxfam. You can take part in an organised event, organise your own or volunteer to help out on the day.
May
Loud Shirt Day
Wear a loud shirt on the 16th of May 2008 and help give deaf children a voice. Organised by The Shepherd Centre, funds raised will help children who are deaf and hearing-impaired to develop spoken language skills.
Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea
Run by The Cancer Council, this fun event helps raise funds for cancer research. Organise a morning tea event at your school or workplace on May 24 2008.
65 Roses Day
Celebrated on 23 May 2008, 65 Roses Day is a major fundraising event for Cystic Fibrosis in Australia (CF). The day is based on the story of a little boy who could not pronounce his sisters condition, cystic fibrosis and instead called it 65 roses as an easier alternative. Buy or sell 65 Roses wristbands, ribbons, pens or pins to help raise funds for CF.
Starlight Day
Held annually in May, Starlight Day is organised by the Starlight Foundation to raise funds for children and families who live with serious illness and hospitalisation. Help out by selling merchandise or hold your own fundraising Star Party.
June
Red Nose Day
Red Nose Day is held the last Friday in June each year with the aim of raising money to support SIDS and Kids. Get involved by volunteering to sell raffle tickets or red nose, or by buying and wearing a red nose.
July
Top Dog Day
This annual celebration will help raise money to support blind and vision impaired Victorians. Volunteer to sell merchandise or organise your own event to raise funds.
National Tree Day
National Tree Day is run by Planet Ark and held on the last Sunday of July. You can help out by planting native trees and shrubs at a Tree Day site in your local area. The planting of these local native trees helps to provide food and shelter for Australia's wildlife, increasing native biodiversity and combating the habitat loss that threatens much of our wildlife. Schools Tree Day is held on the last Friday of July.
August
Jeans 4 Genes
Jeans for Genes Day is held on the first Friday of August each year. This annual event is a major fundraiser for the Children's Medical Research Institute. You can help out on Jeans for Genes Day in your workplace or school or by helping to collect donations or selling Jeans for Genes Day products. The next Jeans 4 Genes Day will be Friday 1 August 2008.
Winter Sleepout
Organise your own Winter Sleepout with friends, family and colleagues and raise money to support Melbourne Citymission. Winter Sleepout raises much needed money to support Melbourne Citymission services with homeless youth and families.
40 Hour Famine
This annual event will be held by World Vision in August 2008 and helps raise money for poor families. Go without food, technology, furniture or something else that really matters to you... it’s your choice.
Daffodil Day
Volunteer to sell merchandise on Daffodil Day, Friday 22 August 2008. This is another event run by The Cancer Council to raise money for cancer reserach.
November
Movember
Guys - grow your mo' and raise cash from your mates for doing so! Supports the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and BeyondBlue.
