This is National Volunteer Week, a time to honor those who give the greatest gift of all: their time.
AT&T’s Jason Strong has a list of apps that make volunteering easier.
Be My Eyes: This app connects blind and visually impaired people with a network of more than 300,000 sighted volunteers worldwide who read aloud labels, describe pictures and more. The challenges that the blind person needs help with can be anything from knowing the expiration date on the milk to getting help crossing the street. Here’s how the app works: Blind users request help from a sighted persons, and sighted users are them called for help. As soon as the first sighted user accepts the request for help, a live audio-video connection will be set up between the 2 and the sighted user can tell the blind person what she sees when the blind user points his phone at something using the rear-facing camera.
Give2Charity: With this easy app, you earn points that are exchanged for a donation to 1 of 7 charities, simply by carrying your smartphone! The app enables you to convert your location data throughout the day into a donation to charity. The app runs in the background persistently measuring your location data, which earns you points, and then that location data powers survey questions about the places you visit throughout the day. The app donates $2 for 1,500 earned points; $5 for 3,000 points; and $10 for 5,000 earned points. 100% of the proceeds go to the charity of your choice from this list: Action Against Hunger, American Cancer Society, American Red Cross, ASPCA, Habitat for Humanity, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Sandy Hook Promise, Susan G. Komen, and The Salvation Army. Reward Volunteers: This app helps you find volunteer opportunities in your area, track your volunteer time and earn rewards in cash or prizes for your contributions. The organizations you serve have the opportunity to win rewards as well. Here’s how it works: “Reach points” are rewarded for reaching out to others with messages about your volunteer efforts. When you send emails to friends and family members to share your volunteer activity, you'll receive reach points when your emails are opened. When you share your activity via Facebook, you'll receive reach points for the "likes" and comments your posts receive. So, the more volunteer time you log, and the more "reach points" you earn, the more chances you and your charities will have to win the prizes that are awarded each month.
Donate a Photo: There’s no easier way to give back than with the Donate a Photo app. You simply share a photo in the app, and Johnson & Johnson will donate $1 to the cause of your choice. Then share it on social media to get your friends in on the good! You can donate one photo per day, every day of the year. It’s that easy!
