by Tyra LaRocca

Created on: June 22, 2009   Last Updated: August 13, 2009

Austin. A beautiful hill country city with so much to offer its residents and visitors. So much in fact, that it may inspire you to want to repay some of the benefits and richness you have enjoyed over the years.

According to data gathered by the U.S. Census Bureau, Austin has an average annual volunteer rate of 35.3%, making it number five out of the top fifty largest American cities in volunteerism. Austinites are out helping in their community approximately 41.9 hours per year.

So where are all these hours being logged? More than 75% of the hours worked are in the areas of religious, educational and social service organizations. You may already be giving time or resources to religious or educational organizations in which you are involved. Those are great places to get your feet wet, so to speak. If you aren't, simple ways to get involved might be baking cookies for teachers at your local school, or teaching Sunday School, or working at the local food pantry or thrift shop, or reading to elderly residents at a nursing home. Rest assured that whatever your interest or cause, there are myriad ways to volunteer your time, money and resources in Austin.

There are several local websites devoted to volunteer opportunities in these areas, and in some cases matching volunteers to jobs and tracking your hours worked. When searching for opportunities, you may think about whether you would like to make a regular commitment of your time or resources, or lend a one-time hand for a special event or fund-raiser. Austin is a town that loves to help those in need- whether it be giving needy kids a new bike for Christmas, or raising money to fight cancer or planting trees in a neighborhood park, your help will be appreciated.

Austin is an active city, and each month sponsors one or more 5+K run for organizations like the Livestrong Organization, the Susan G. Komen Foundation, or the Special Olympics to name a few. If you are a runner, just entering the race is helping out the organization, as well as providing great exercise and feelings of accomplishment and service for you. These organizations are always looking for volunteers to raise money or to work on event day.

Popular local programs which always welcome help are Any Baby Can, Austin Children's Shelter, CASA, Keep Austin Beautiful and Capitol Area Food Bank. You can help plant trees in a local park, help build low-cost housing, knit blankets for preemies, read to kids in the hospital or in

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