You've seen people in need on the news after a Hurricane, earthquake, or other disaster. Perhaps you've walked past homeless people who are living on the streets. Or maybe you've been to an animal shelter and wished you could give every pet a home.

So what can you do to help people (or animals) who need it? The answer is — volunteer!

Volunteering means spending some of your free time helping others. You may volunteer to help other people, such as the families who lost their homes after a disaster. But you can also volunteer to protect animals, the environment, or any other cause that you care about.

Help Yourself by Helping Others

Volunteering helps others, but it can also help you, too. If you're upset about something that's happened — like a hurricane or other disaster — doing something about it can be a great way to cope with your feelings.

Volunteering also lets you see your own life in new ways. Sometimes it's easy to worry about stuff like grades or get annoyed because you don't have the most expensive sneakers or the newest computer game. Volunteering lets you spend some time focusing on others for a while.

Lots of people — and kids — find that they really enjoy volunteering. Volunteer experiences often put you in a different environment and expose you to people and situations that you wouldn't have come across in your regular life. For instance, you might learn that just on the edge of your town are some kids who really need winter clothes.

It feels good to be able to meet a need like that. You'll know that, thanks to you, some kids have warm coats, hats, mittens, and boots. So whether it's winter clothes, food for the hungry, or homes for unwanted pets, doing volunteer work means one very important thing: You make a difference in the world. Want to know how to get started? Visit http://www.kidscare.org/GetToKnowKCC/LearnAboutVolunteering to learn more!