Volunteer Opportunities
In general, we have very limited amounts of volunteer work available at Memorial Hall Library. We are very lucky to be supported by the Town of Andover with a large staff. Therefore a lot of the tasks that volunteers do at other libraries are done by staff members, including our teen pages, as part of their jobs. Many of these jobs, like reading to children, require special training that our librarians have worked very hard to learn and practice! MHL cannot support individuals who need to log a lot of volunteer hours over a short amount of time.
If you love the library and want to be involved here at MHL, check out these opportunities:
Friends of Memorial Hall Library is a community-based membership organization dedicated to supporting and promoting Memorial Hall Library through programs, advocacy, and financial support. Joining or donating to the Friends is an excellent way to support the Library. If you would like to be added to the list of book sale volunteers, send an email to friends@mhl.org.
We have prepared this packet of activities that teen volunteers can work on at home. Teens can use the first page of that packet to track their time spent volunteering and can bring it in to be signed by library staff if needed.
If you would like to volunteer for more hours than what MHL needs or want a variety of volunteer experiences, here are some other great organizations in and around Andover that could use your time!
The Andona Society
Age restrictions: adults only except for students in grades 6 and up who volunteer at Clown Town
Andona is a registered nonprofit founded in 1952 by a group of women who wanted to give back to the greater Andover community. Today, the primary objective of this charitable organization is to aid the youth and schools of Andover by raising funds through various functions, activities, and grants. Better known by some as the women who run Clown Town each May. Andona members have been running this old-fashioned carnival fundraiser the third weekend in May since 1956! Andona also plans its annual Shine the Light on Andover luminary kit fundraiser each Winter Solstice.
Andona is about women working together towards a common goal, all while forming long-lasting friendships along the way. Andona seeks adult volunteers to provide support with fundraising activities, planning membership socials, website design, handling finances, coordinating publicity, and joining committees responsible for its scholarship selection process and all aspects of its annual fundraisers. Members may also work directly with Andover Public School adjustment counselors to coordinate Andona's summer campership program for children of families in need. Students in grades 6 and up may also volunteer to work at Clown Town by emailing andona.student.volunteers@gmail.com. Opportunities include field set up and working at Andona's face painting, sand art, kiddie games, and food booths.
During its school year fiscal cycle, Andona typically raises approximately $50,000. These funds are then given directly to Andover Public Schools, youth organizations, and individuals through the fund request and scholarship process, as well as via Andona's summer campership program for children of families in need.
Andona provides significant & much-needed funds in support of Andover Public Schools and youth programs. Those interested in joining can learn more by visiting www.Andona.org.
Andover Recreation
Age restrictions: 15+
Cleaning Pomps Pond and Rec. Park: If you like to be outdoors in the early morning, if you’re focused and you like to make a positive environmental impact, then you might want to consider cleaning up Pomps Pond and the Rec Park before the kiddos show up for camp.
Preschool Park Events (the park off of Bartlett St.). You know the events: Luau Day, Teddy Bear Picnic, Fire Truck Day, etc. Be on hand to help out in the kid’s booths (fun stuff like face painting).
Andover Senior Center
Age restrictions: teens in grades 8 - 12
Help out at a variety of fun events at the senior center, all summer long!
Contact: Jane Burns, 978-623-8320 / jane.burns@andoverma.us
The Andover SCRPT (Senior Citizen Residential Property Tax Work-Off) Program
Age restrictions: homeowners aged 60+
The Andover SCRPT Program allows homeowners aged 60+ to earn a $675 tax abatement after completing 93 volunteer hours. Through the SCRPT Program, volunteers assist in the Senior Center, most town departments and in all of the schools. This program runs from July to June each year. Applications are available during the month on June only.
Contact: Andrea Zaimes, 978-623-8320
AVIS (The Andover Village Improvement Society)
Age restrictions: none
Pick up trash with friends! Make your own schedule! Just show up at any of the AVIS reservations (check out the website below) with your own trash bag and rubber gloves and do your part to keep our lovely green spaces clean! Since this is very independent, be sure to snap a few pics as proof of your hard work! AVIS is also seeking skilled volunteers to lead nature hikes, help with the AVIS table at various community events, provide pictures or articles for the AVIS newsletter, and help with regular mailings.
More information here.
Contact: online volunteer signup form.
Merrimack Valley YMCA
Age restrictions: teens 16 + (teens 14-15 please contact the Y directly)
Volunteer at various YMCA programs in Andover and Lawrence, helping with classes and the food pantry.
Contact: Tatianna Reyes, treyes@mvymca.org / online volunteer registration form
Youth Assist Youth (YAY) Foundation
Age restrictions: limited to students at Andover School.
Join the Youth Assist Youth (YAY) Foundation’s after school tutoring program! We provide free homework help to middle school students. We meet at West Middle School on Mondays and Wednesday afternoons. If you know a student at West Middle School, encourage them to come to our program!
Contact: youthassistyouthfoundation@gmail.com
Volunteer Opportunities Outside of Andover
Boston Area Gleaners
Age restrictions: 13+
Gleaning is the act of harvesting the leftover crops from farms, and then distributing the surplus to food pantries, meal programs and low-income markets. Volunteers under 18 must register as individual gleaners, and need to arrange their own transportation (and it's recommended they are accompanied by an adult).
Contact: online volunteer signup form.
Bread and Roses Lawrence
Age restrictions: 14+, minors must be accompanied by an adult
Bread and Roses is a soup kitchen that provides a free evening meal to those in need. Volunteers are needed to help with meal prep and to help serve the evening meal.
More information here.
Contact: Lauren, 978- 681-8768 / breadandroses2@gmail.com / online volunteer signup form.
Community Giving Tree, Boxford
Age restrictions: 11+, but youth under 14 must be accompanied by an adult
Volunteers can give back to their community by helping local children in need at both our Boxford and Lawrence facilities. Volunteers sort and package clothing donations, help with building maintenance and assist social service representatives.
Contact: Boxford: 978-769-5056 / Lawrence: 978-208-1089 info@communitygivingtree.org / online volunteer signup form.
The Giving Garden at Rolling Ridge
Age restrictions: none
The Giving Garden in North Andover was started by South Church in 2015 as an interfaith project to raise fresh produce for local food pantries and hunger relief programs. In 2018 we harvested over 6,500 lbs of fresh vegetables. The garden practices sustainable and organic gardening practices. Volunteers of all ages are welcome to help out at our two-hour evening and day time gardening sessions held three times per week from April through October. We are happy to help plan a Garden Day for your school, community group or corporate team who want to work, learn and serve together.
Contact: GivingGardenGrows@gmail.com / Facebook
Merrimack Valley Habitat for Humanity
Age restrictions: 16+ for ReStore & construction build site (accompanied by adult)
Volunteer at ReStore - ReStore is their retail home improvement store located on Andover Street in Lawrence.
Individual or Group Volunteer at a Build Site – if you are 16 years or older and accompanied by an adult over the age of 21, join Habitat on a build site and learn new skills!
Contact: Jennifer Hilton, 978-681-8858 / volunteer@merrimackvalleyhabitat.org / online volunteer signup form.
MSCPA at Nevins Farm, Methuen
Age restrictions: 16+ for most volunteer tasks, 11-15 for special Junior Volunteer opportunities
The MSPCA relies on a large group of active, committed volunteers who help in the adoption center, in our equine and farm center and out in the community. This dedicated group of men and women help care for the animals, assist with special events, and work with local businesses and corporations – they are there wherever extra help is needed.
Contact: nevinsvolunteer@mspca.org / online volunteer application.
General Massachusetts Volunteering Resources
- Commonwealth Corps – A statewide initiative designed to engage Massachusetts residents of all ages and backgrounds in service to their community. Corps members serve up to twelve months in full-time, part-time or flex-time capacities and receive a stipend.
- Connect and Serve - A statewide web portal that connects residents with local volunteer opportunities. Search for volunteer opportunities by area or interest.
- Massachusetts Service Alliance – A private non-profit organization that serves as the state commission on community service through the following volunteer projects.
- United Way – A volunteer matching service provided by the United Way.
- VolunteerMatch - Contains volunteer opportunities by cause or volunteer age in the local area. Use the advanced search option to limit the results to within so many miles of Andover.
Last updated 1/3/23, please submit any corrections or added opportunities to ya@mhl.org.
