Volunteers of America Teams Up with Major League Baseball Players Trust to Promote Youth Volunteering

Volunteers of America and the Major League Baseball Players Trust teamed up in 2002 to encourage high school students to get involved in their communities and help those in need. Action Teams, composed of Major League baseball players and area high school students who are selected to be Team Captains, work together to deliver an important message to students — volunteering is cool, fun and personally rewarding!  To date 19,000 high school volunteers have helped more than 90,000 people in their communities.

Teens work through their local school districts to recruit other teens to volunteer in projects developed by Volunteers of America’s local offices. Action Team members help others — whether it’s out in the community or inside the classroom. 

Community projects vary in each location but may include:

• Sorting and distributing new books to low-income children
• Reading to children and assisting teachers in day care and Head Start programs
• Serving meals at homeless shelters and senior centers
• Working at activities and events in Volunteers of America’s affordable housing facilities
• Collecting food, clothing, gifts and other needed items
• Hosting holiday activities
• Participating in other appropriate projects — either single events or ongoing opportunities