We are living through unprecedented times. When studying times of crisis, historians, archives, and museums depend not only on the actions of national and international leaders, but on records of daily life. The Framingham History Center is making an effort to collect a digital archive of community members’ experiences of the COVID-19 Pandemic in real time. There are multiple ways you can participate and submit your experiences to this digital archive.

Record a Digital Daily Journal

We have created a Google Sheets template for anyone who wants to record a line-a-day journal during the duration of the pandemic (and beyond). Although you are not obligated to submit your journal to the FHC’s COVID-19 Digital Archive, if you live or work in Framingham, we would greatly appreciate if you considered doing so. Please Note: If you do not have a Google account, you can still save the template as an Excel spreadsheet via the link.

Submit Your Photos

Take photos of your daily experiences during the COVID-19 Pandemic and submit them to our digital archive using the form below. A staff member will review all submissions and will follow up with you when they are able.

What about Traditional Collection Donations?

The FHC is not currently accepting donations of physical objects. We currently anticipate returning to our regular collecting practices in September 2020. In the meantime, here are some examples of items relating to the COVID-19 Pandemic the FHC would be interested in when we resume collecting objects:

  • Projects completed by you or members of your family (crafts, writing, hobbies, etc.)
  • Masks or other PPE made by you for your family (when use has concluded)
  • Curriculum packets created by Framing teachers for school closings
  • Work schedules, family schedules, or any other organizational document you used to organize your daily life
  • Non-digital, handwritten journals or journal entries
  • Other physical mementos of your or your family’s personal experiences in quarantine

Please consider holding on to some of these items to submit to the FHC’s Collections in the future. Please clean or sterilize potential donations as appropriate and place them, with clean hands, in a plastic ziploc gallon bag somewhere safe where it will not be frequently handled.

 
  • Ongoing
  • Teens , 55+ , Adults
  • Individuals , Families
  • Virtual
  • Anytime

Donate items for

Project Just Because
109 South St, Hopkinton, MA 01748

See list of needed items or donate through Amazon wishlists on our website, projectjustbecause.org.
  • One-time
  • Children , Teens , 55+ , Adults
  • Individuals , Groups (2-10) , Groups (10+) , Corporate Teams , Families
  • Virtual , Indoor
  • Anytime

Would you please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to support the arts in our community? The first 9 online donations of $50 or more, will receive the book “Marianne Fisker Pierce – Prints & Collages”.

Suggested individual donations are from $25 to $250, or more. Please contact us if you would like to be a corporate sponsor. Donors will be acknowledged on the Arts Wayland website.

Donate by check to: Arts Wayland Foundation, PO Box 272, Wayland, MA 01778 or on our website www.artswayland.com

 
  • Ongoing
  • 55+ , Adults
  • Virtual
  • Anytime
Fresh Start has re-vamped their programs to lower the number of people that are simultaneously needed and to do our best to provide social distancing. However, due to our need to accept donations of furniture and home-goods from the public, and distribute them to people in need, we need volunteers.Our primary need right now is for guys to act as furniture movers. This entails offloading donor vehicles and moving the items inside to be processed, and moving items from our facility into client vehicles. You need to be able to lift 50 lbs.We also have a lot of other jobs which need to be done, which includes sorting and cleaning incoming donations, working with clients and donors, a virtual call center, etc. Please see the associated link.
  • Ongoing , Recurring
  • Teens , Adults
  • Individuals
  • In Person , Indoor
  • Weekdays , Weekends

Member Benefits

  • Option to have Artist’s name, embedded link and thumbnail image on Members web page on the Arts Wayland website

  • Notification by email about member activities

  • Invitation to vote at Annual Meeting

  • Special participation in @theW gallery Member Salon exhibits. Currently virtual.

Join or Renew Online or By Check

To join or renew by check - send your check with the appropriate membership level fee, payable to Arts Wayland Foundation to: P.O. Box 272, Wayland, MA 01778. Include your Name and Address. We also require you to provide your phone and an email address so we may contact you.

  • Ongoing
  • Teens , 55+ , Adults
  • Virtual
  • Anytime

Put Together a Launch Box for

Rise Above Foundation
P.O. Box 174, Northbridge, MA 01534-0174

Each year, hundreds of Massachusetts youth age out of the foster care system. Launch Boxes provide a few basic necessities as these young adults transition out on their own for the first time. A Launch Box is a plastic bin filled with basic supplies—such as towels, toiletries, and utensils—that will help young adults transition out of foster care to independent living. Specifically designed for young adults (18 to 23 years old) without a traditional safety net, Launch Boxes are given to the young adult by their social worker as a tangible and practical gift from the community.Launch Boxes are a great way for community groups to donate in a tangible, meaningful way and help a local young adult transition out of foster care. Items can be found at dollar stores and other discount retailers. Small groups can divide up the list and individuals can shop separately to contribute to one Launch Box.
  • One-time
  • Children , Teens , 55+ , Adults
  • Individuals , Groups (2-10) , Groups (10+) , Corporate Teams , Families
  • Virtual , Indoor
  • Anytime
Our volunteers help older adults get the medical care they need and bring companionship to lonely, isolated elders. They serve as mentors to third and fourth-grade students. They improve families’ access to healthy food and new clothing. They reduce the barriers to success faced by first-generation college students. They assist immigrants on their path to citizenship. Our volunteers support our fundraising efforts, stock our food pantry, and share their unique talents with JFS.And during these unprecedented times, our volunteers are delivering food to members of our community who are in need and remotely mentoring MassBay Community College students.
  • Ongoing
  • Teens , Adults
  • Individuals
  • Virtual , Tutoring
  • Weekdays , Evenings , Weekends

On site volunteer activities are currently on hold until we can re-open. Some of the activities that volunteers can do during our lock down are below.

Event Planning - Be part of the team planning music events, book clubs, poetry readings, art talks, demos, and more.

Online Exhibitions - Learn how to select art and plan an online exhibit.

Fundraising - Help with designing a campaign or applying for grants.

Membership - Members join annually, around the beginning and end of the year. Help keep our list up to date and growing!

Programs- Help plan online workshop and classes.

Publicity - Help our Program Manager distribute flyers for events and exhibits.

Social media -Help us spread the word on social media. We have Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts. @artswayland.com

Our goal is to have fun, make connections, and help build community. Email [email protected] to learn more.

    , Project-based
  • Ongoing
  • 55+ , Adults
  • Virtual
  • Anytime

Ways to Help from Home for

Hope & Comfort
659 Highland Ave, Needham Heights, MA 02494

Volunteer from Home

Our warehouse is currently closed to volunteers, however there are many ways to help from the safety of your home! Click the links below to explore how volunteers of all ages can end hygiene insecurity – right from your living room.
Please reach out to Abby MacDonald at [email protected] with any questions. Thanks for your participation!

Follow and Amplify on Social Media

One of the best ways to raise awareness about hygiene insecurity is to spread the word! Please ‘like’ Hope & Comfort on social media and share our posts with your networks and community.

Reach Out

Have a creative idea about how to advance our work during this time of great need? Contact us anytime. We can’t wait to hear from you!
  • One-time , Ongoing
  • 12-15 , 55+ , Adults
  • Individuals , Groups (2-10) , Groups (10+) , Families
  • Virtual , Writing , Indoor
  • Anytime

for

Bethany Health Care Center, Inc.
97 Bethany Rd, Framingham, MA 01702

  • Teens
  • Individuals , Groups (2-10)
  • Physical
The Framingham History Center (FHC) Third Grade Program began in 1975 as a free field trip for all Framingham Public School third graders. Today this program supports 800 students and has grown into an interactive curriculum-based experience.
  • Occasional
  • Adults
  • Individuals
  • Indoor
  • Formal
  • Weekdays
  • One-time , Occasional , Weekly , Monthly
  • Teens , 21+ , 55+ , Adults
  • Individuals
  • Physical , Indoor
  • On-site
  • Weekdays
Active volunteers participate more frequently on organizational tasks and duties as a member of a Committee or Board.
  • One-time , Occasional , Weekly , Monthly
  • Teens , 21+
  • Individuals
  • Event support
  • None
  • Weekdays , Evenings , Weekends
Remote volunteers who can help with preparing articles for newsletters and our website and supporting fundraising through tasks such as arranging events and thanking donors.
  • Weekly , Monthly
  • 55+ , Adults
  • Individuals
  • Virtual , Indoor
  • On-site , Skilled
  • Weekdays , Evenings , Weekends
Help children build self-esteem, develop appropriate social behaviors and learn academic skills. Also, plan creative activities, play and work on arts and crafts projects.
  • Occasional , Weekly
  • Teens
  • Individuals
  • Indoor
  • On-site
  • Weekdays , Evenings

Animal Care for

Mass Audubon
208 S Great Rd, Lincoln, MA 01773

We are looking for dedicated volunteers to help us in the daily routine of cleaning, maintaining enclosures, and feeding several species of turtle, tadpoles, frogs, insects, a mouse, a gecko, and a pond life tank. You will learn what it takes to clean a tank, change filters, and some basic info about each animal. Our animals also need enrichment on a regular basis which includes animal interaction, such as basking time for the turtles or an outdoor walk, or creating enrichment animal specific “treats”. Individuals must be age 18 years or older. Time Commitment/Schedule: A minimum of one 3 hour session (Monday-Friday) a week (year-round); minimum of 6 months commitment required.
  • Weekly , Monthly
  • 21+ , 55+ , Adults
  • Individuals
  • Indoor
  • On-site
  • Weekdays
The Nature Connection is currently seeking new animals to “volunteer” with us at our therapeutic nature programs. If you live in Concord, MA or the surrounding towns (anywhere in Middlesex County would be considered) and have a small pet with therapeutic/educational potential, we would love to hear from you. Learn more at https://www.nature-connection.org/volunteering-your-animal/
  • Monthly
  • 21+ , 55+ , Adults
  • Individuals
  • Indoor
  • None
  • Weekdays
Assist with Earth Day, Solstice, public art installation, and other Arts & Environment programming.
  • Occasional , Monthly
  • Teens , Adults
  • Individuals
  • Event support , Indoor
  • Formal
  • Weekdays , Evenings , Weekends
  • One-time , Occasional , Weekly , Monthly
  • Adults
  • Individuals
  • Physical , Indoor
  • On-site
  • Weekdays , Evenings , Weekends

Babysit for

Sitters for Scholars
202 Washington St #340, Brookline, MA 02445

Babysit with SFS. By spending a few hours a week playing with a mother's child you will allow the mother to become economically independent and break out of the poverty cycle. Background checks and training are required.
  • Weekly
  • 55+ , Adults
  • Individuals
  • Indoor
  • Formal
  • Weekdays , Evenings

Bag Volunteer for

Project Just Because
109 South St, Hopkinton, MA 01748

Make themed bags for birthdays and toiletries. Here is a list of items for the Birthday Bags: Plates, Napkins, Cake Mix, Frosting, Candles, Party Hats, Streamers, Balloons. Toiletry bags include deodorant, toothpaste, soap, etc.
  • Occasional
  • Children , Teens , 55+ , Adults , Child with Adult
  • Groups (2-10) , Families
  • Indoor
  • None
  • Weekdays , Evenings , Weekends
A committee of volunteers who love to bake and would like to lend their services for the Center’s monthly programs and events, which normally fall on Sunday afternoons.
  • One-time , Occasional
  • Teens , Adults
  • Individuals , Groups (2-10)
  • Indoor
  • None
  • Weekends

Barn/Farm Helpers for

Horse SenseAbility
16 Nason Hill Ln, Sherborn, MA 01770

Work directly with staff to care for the horses and keep their environment safe and clean. All volunteers must be at least 14 years old.
  • Occasional
  • Teens
  • Individuals
  • Physical , Outdoor
  • On-site
  • Weekdays