'Do good' this holiday season

(FOX Providence) - Whether the holidays make you realize how many people in Rhode Island are in need, or if you're making it one of your new year's resolutions to make a difference in your community, this month's issue of Rhode Island Monthly has great ways to get you started.

Associate Editor Nicole Maranhas joined The Rhode Show with some ideas.

Volunteer ideas featured on The Rhode Show:

• There’s a Reading For Fun program at the Potter League , where you bring your dog to a reading session with a child, so the kiddo can read a book to the dog. It helps curb their anxiety about reading and gives them positive associations about books.
• For families, there is a citizen scientist program at the zoo, where you learn how to monitor frog calls and keep track of frogs in your neighborhood.
• Another interesting one is at the Providence Children’s Museum , where you and your kids can be a “play models” to demonstrate how to play/interact with the exhibits to visitors.
• If you’re creative, assisted living centers love to have people come in and perform for their residents. Nursing homes and assisted living centers actually had a ton of fun volunteer options, such as teaching a class or giving free manicures to the residents.
• Two of the biggest areas of need were for office help (mailing, website help, planning special events) and for male volunteers! The Big Brothers Program has a waiting list of 300 Little Brothers in need of male mentors.

Online:

www.rimonthly.com/