Volunteering is a great way to meet new friends, and Halloween offers some unique opportunities that aren't available in other months. Many schools, churches, and community centers have Halloween-related activities that require plenty of volunteers to keep them going. Be sure to contact event organizers early enough (usually a few weeks in advance) so they can use your help, and go into it with the attitude that you're there to get out of your comfort zone and just have fun. This approach will help you meet people more naturally. Here are some volunteer ideas that could be happening right now in your neighborhood.
Haunted House
Haunted houses often need people to do construction, set decoration, work the event, dress up in costume, and even do some marketing. No matter what your level of creativity is, there is probably something you can do to make sure your local haunted house goes off without a hitch. Find the haunted houses in your area through the Chamber of Commerce, library, church, or school. Your local paper (or their website) may also offer some contact information.Corn Maze
Many rural areas hold haunted or "regular" corn maze events, which could range from rides to walkthroughs. Volunteers are often required for organizing the event, working with the farm or land owner, serving food and drink, and more. Corn mazes draw a wide variety of people, from families to couples, so you're sure to meet several folks who could wind up as potential friends.Family Fun Night
Family nights can occur at churches, schools, community centers, or anywhere large groups of people frequent. Activities at these types of events often include food, games, and some sort of entertainment. There are a wide range of volunteer opportunities, many of them involving organization and setup. If you're looking to meet other friends with kids, this might be a good way to accomplish that.Scavenger Hunt
Scavenger hunts are often organized by a variety of clubs and organizations, and range from spooky to silly to creative. Volunteers are usually needed to find prizes, brainstorm on clues, figure out logistics, and more. These types of events can draw singles, couples, and families, depending on the event and what types of items are on the search list. Plus, scavenger hunts are always so much fun, so in addition to volunteering you should see if you can participate as well.Visiting Shelters and Hospitals
Kids who live in shelters or those sick in the hospital can't participate in trick or treating, so why not take the fun to them? Gathering treat bags, toys, and candy to hand out is a good way to brighten their day. Will you meet a friend this way? You might, but even if you don't, you'll feel good that you were able to bring happiness to someone who really needed a boost. That in and of itself can often set you on a path to improve your life, including the addition of great friends.
Where do you usually volunteer? Tell us.
