MDS Cares Community Service Program

Broadmoor Sanctuary—April 5, 2025, Saturday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Location: 280 Eliot Street, Natick, MA
Volunteer Count: 10
MDS Contact: Lori Marcoulier

MDS member volunteers will perform trail maintenance or habitat restoration at the Sanctuary. Volunteers should plan on dressing for the weather, wear sturdy shoe gear, and bring a water bottle and work gloves. The Sanctuary will supply any necessary tools.

Broadmoor is a beautiful sanctuary with over 600 acres bordering the Charles River. Volunteers are welcome to use the picnic area & walk the trails after the session.

Women's Lunch Place—March 15, 2025, Saturday, 11:00 am - 2:30 pm  

Location: 67 Newbury Street, Boston, MA, Basement of the Church of the Covenant at the corner or Newbury and Berkeley Streets.
Volunteer Count: 5
MDS Contact: Lori Marcoulier

MDS Cares volunteers will assist kitchen staff with food preparation, serving meals, and clean-up for the Women's Lunch Place lunch program. Volunteers are required to sign this waiver prior to their visit. Watch the quick Volunteer Training Video to learn more about what to expect. Please note that as a group volunteer, you do not need to sign up on the iPad upon arrival. 

Kitchen dress code: The kitchen tends to be warmer, but all volunteers must wear closed-toed shoes, long pants, and a shirt with sleeves (short sleeves are fine). Volunteers must also have their hair pulled back and wear a hat or hairnet.

Parking/MBTA: WLP does not have designated parking for volunteers so the options are street parking or nearby garages. They are very close to the Arlington stop on the MBTA green line and also the Back Back stop on the orange line.

HOPE Framingham Food Pantry—February 22, 2025, Saturday, 8:00 am-12:30 pm

Location: 214 Concord Street, Framingham, MA
Volunteer Count: 10
Parking: Small parking lot attached to the side of the building.
Volunteer Age: Must be 18 years old to volunteer.
MDS Contact: Lori Marcoulier

MDS Cares volunteers will help setup and clean up, restock tables as food is taken, escort families through the line, bag groceries, and bring groceries to cars when needed. Volunteers are required to sign a waiver upon arrival and are kindly asked to bring a food donation of cooking oil (24 or 48 oz.) or sugar (2 lb. bags) on the day of volunteering. When you arrive look for Pantry sign on sidewalk by the ramp. Enter through the door at the top of ramp. The deadline to register is February 14, 2025.

Jake's Toy Mania—December 21, 2024, Saturday, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Location: 34 Bromfield Street, Downtown Crossing
Volunteer Count: 15
MDS Contact: Lori Marcoulier

We're looking for volunteers to stock shelves, replenish shopping tables, and help families shop for holiday gifts at Jake’s Toy Mania. This event offers families who have demonstrated a need time to shop for free in the holiday pop-up store filled with donations from generous supporters. Help make someone's holiday magical by volunteering. Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled work time and wear comfortable, festive clothes.

Cradles to Crayons—November 9, 2024, Saturday, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

281 Newtonville Avenue, Newton, MA 02460
Volunteer Count: 10 volunteers
MDS Contact: Lori Marcoulier

MDS members volunteering at The Giving Factory warehouse will provide hands-on processing of the donated goods that flow in on a regular basis. Each station in the warehouse includes inspecting, sorting, and packaging donations to ultimately be distributed to the children they serve. To help support the Cradles to Crayons mission, MDS volunteers are asked to bring a donation or purchase something from their Amazon Wish List.

Volunteers must wear closed toe shoes, dress for a warehouse environment, and it is suggested you bring your own reusable water bottle. Check out these frequently asked questions about volunteering. 

TeamSmile—November 29, 2024, 8:00 am - 3:00 pm

Gillette Stadium, 1 Patriot Place, Foxborough, MA 02035
Volunteer Count: 22 dentists, 20 hygienists, 20 dental assistants
MDS Contact: Lori Marcoulier

TeamSmile and the New England Patriots are partnering with the Massachusetts Dental Society and other organizations to bring a TeamSmile dental event to Massachusetts. TeamSmile is the nation's premier advocacy group that connects oral health professionals with professional and collegiate athletic organizations to provide life-changing dental care to underserved children in local communities. This full-day oral health event at Gillette Stadium will provide children with dental exams, X-rays, hygiene, fillings, and extractions. There will also be representatives from the NE Patriots, music, face painting, Pat Patriot (team mascot), and other fun activities. 

All volunteers will receive a volunteer t-shirt and dentists will be provided scrubs. Light food will be available in the morning and lunch in the afternoon. Volunteers will earn 4 CE credits for their services. 

If you have questions about volunteering or know of a Title 1 school in the area who may be interested in attending, contact TeamSmile Senior Program Manager Bobby Casey.