Virtual Volunteering — How to Volunteer During a Pandemic
The Duluth Community Garden Program’s mission is “to cultivate healthy neighborhoods by providing access to land, resources and community.” Photo by Rebekah King
University Minnesota Duluth students have creatively imagined a new way of volunteering during the COVID-19 pandemic by developing a virtual way to connect with members of the Duluth community.
One way these UMD students have come together to support the Duluth community is through CHUM (Churches United in Ministry).
CHUM operates Duluth’s largest food shelf, an emergency shelter program and supportive services for the homeless community in Duluth.
Students banded together, virtually, to build relationships with residents of the CHUM-owned Steve O’Neil Apartments in Duluth’s Central Hillside. The apartments were finished in 2014 in order to attack the cycle of homelessness by supporting families in Duluth.
The Steve O’Neil Apartments, located in Central Hillside, after completion in 2014. Photo courtesy of Paul Lundgren for Perfect Duluth Day.
A UMD student group, led by student organizer Elizabeth Breitbachat, created a website to interact with children living at Steve O’Neil and have been making activity videos to give the children fun things to do outside of online school.
There are 65 children that these UMD students are interacting with virtually.
“I would not be where I am today without the role models I had in my earlier life,” UMD sophomore and social work major Rachal Cross said. “The least I can do is pay it forward by bringing some positivity to people living in the apartments, and just because I cannot be with them physically right now, does not mean I will stop being there for them in whatever way I can be.”
Cross is one of 12 UMD students who are volunteering virtually this semester at Steve O’Neil and one of over 3 million college-aged students that have chosen to volunteer during their college years, according to the Corporation for National and Community Service.
Rachal Cross’ instructional video for a Halloween craft the children at Steve O’ Neil can do while socially distancing. Rachal has been a volunteer at Steve O’Neil for two years, but is eager to be connecting virtually this semester.
The homeless population of Duluth has risen by 18% since 2019, so CHUM is seeking more volunteers at each of their locations, according to Lee Stuart, President of CHUM.
Along with this, CHUM is hosting a virtual fundraiser and silent auction this October, in lieu of their annual fundraising dinner, in order to help continue to fight homelessness in Duluth.
Outside of virtual volunteering, there are still in-person volunteer opportunities taking place across Duluth this fall.
“Getting out into the community to volunteer, arguably, is more important now than ever,” is the message that Megan Wylder, President of the Duluth Community Garden Program, had Tuesday, Oct. 6.
A COVID-19 guidelines sign is posted outside of the Emerald Duluth Community Garden space. These signs are posted at the gates of every garden space as a reminder for volunteers and gardeners. Photo by Rebekah King.
The Duluth Community Garden Program is hosting a U-Pick Pumpkin Patch Oct. 11–12 in collaboration with UMD Land Lab’s hoop house.
Other small events will be posted to the Duluth Community Garden Facebook page throughout the end of the year and more volunteer opportunities and events are scheduled to emerge after the New Year.
Volunteering or attending a volunteer-run event during the COVID-19 pandemic can create anxiety, but, with virtual and socially distanced options to choose from, there is something for everyone.
Harvard University’s School of Public Health says that the stress of volunteering during a pandemic is real, and because of this, it is important to set boundaries and know your own comfort zone before deciding where to volunteer.
How to Further Get Involved in the Duluth Community:
The Duluth News Tribune has been compiling a list of volunteer organizations and their needs during the COVID-19 crisis. Below are links and information for opportunities to get involved in this fall:
The Duluth Community Garden is hosting multiple events this fall to support their organization. Check out their website, this link and their Facebook page to learn more.
CHUM Duluth has multiple fundraisers and volunteer opportunities to be a part of before the close of 2020. Visit their Facebook page and volunteer page to learn more.