To meet people in an often relaxed and sociable atmosphere, while feeling warm and fuzzy inside knowing that you’re doing your bit to make the world the better place, why not volunteer?
Animal Groups
There are plenty of passionate animal activists in Abu Dhabi including Sandy Paws, Feline Friends, Animal Action Abu Dhabi and Wags & Purrs. If you feel like you are one of them, or just want to help stray and abandoned animals, get in touch. They are always looking for foster families and people to help at events and in an administrative capacity.
www.felinefriendsuae.com, www.facebook.com/pages/Sandy-Paws, www.facebook.com/AnimalActionAbuDhabi, www.facebook.com/pages/Wags-and-Purrs.
Sheraton flea market
Every year, the Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort hosts flea markets in the ballroom, where Abu Dhabi residents sell items they no longer want. They then donate a percentage of the profits to a specific charity. Other flea markets have contributed to charities around the world, such as building schools in Africa. The event is a great one to get involved in, to both be a part of and to meet new people.
Al Markaziyah (02 677 3333).
Breast Cancer Research Foundation
October is the official breast cancer awareness month and the message is pretty simple: if you’re a woman, according to the BCRF, you’re at risk of breast cancer – and that’s why the work this charity does is so important. The foundation works tirelessly in an effort to achieve the prevention and cure of breast cancer by providing critical funding into innovative research across the world and by raising public awareness about the disease.
www.bcrfcure.org.
EWS-WWF
From eco-schools to earth hour and marine turtle conservation, these guys are all about helping the world become a better place. More than that the group has a UAE office and is always on the lookout for volunteers both on an individual and organisational level.
www.uae.panda.org.
Operation Smile
Operation Smile works to help children with facial deformities all over the world, and is always looking for helping hands, particularly at fundraising events. It’s worthwhile approaching the organisation to see what you can do to help and you just might meet some fun and outgoing people while you’re at it. The charity is always looking for more donations and volunteers.
www.operationsmileuae.com.
Red Crescent Authority
The Red Crescent Authority’s main role is that of charitable and humanitarian work for the weak and afflicted. It’s desire to build a safe and healthy society (globally as well as locally) knows no boundaries and the humanitarian work it does is quite remarkable. And it’s all done with the help of some brave, dedicated and committed volunteers. Red Crescent Society counters are located within mosques, shopping malls, hospitals and other public places.
www.rcuae.ae (02 641 9000).
Volunteer in UAE
Initially the brainchild of UK native Lola Lopez, Volunteer in UAE has gone from strength to strength in recent times (it currently has somewhere in the region of 23,000 volunteers who have logged well over 230,000 hours supporting various charitable causes) but the organisation is always on the lookout for more helpers. Volunteer in UAE connects people and charities but has also started branching out into advocating cases for individuals in immigration or medical difficulties.
www.volunteerinuae.com.
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