You’re on the plane with your backpack full of eco-travel swag, ready to meet and mingle with other globally minded nomads. A great way to jump in the mix is to volunteer! Here are five places to give back on the go while growing your own voyage from the seeds of your fellow wanderers experiences.

Headed down under for some antipodean antics? Spice it up at Lentil As Anything in Melbourne, Australia, a donation based restaurant. It’s the perfect watering hole to meet other budget travelers and locals who come for the delicious vegetarian nibbles, friendly community atmosphere, and rockin’ tunes on the weekends!

Go native with some friendly Asian pachyderms, and their riders, the Mahouts. You’ll get to listen to the soothing purr of an elephant, and save a little on travel costs.

WWOOFing (Volunteer work on organic farms) is a global way to glow! Especially in New Zealand, which can get a bit pricey for those of us Vantastic vacationers.  If all you have is gas money, then stop by an organic farm for a few weeks to soak in the lord of the rings scenery, drink straight out of mountain springs, and grow organic relationships with other campers.

The best teachers are students. Teach English in a new country, and you never know what hidden mysteries you’ll discover.

If you’re a summer chaser headed to a land of surfing Santa’s and other topsy-turvy seasonal escapades in South America. Kick -start your travel karma with these free to super cheap volunteer opportunities.

Written by Perri Kraus

Image via Flickr

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In these tough economic times you may have trained yourself to go a mile a minute. Efficiency has become your middle name.  To stay ahead of the holiday season, you’ve planned out your Black Friday checklist, one store sale (or Foursquare promo) at a time.  But wait.  There’s something going on this Thursday, right?  Shoot!  You forgot to pencil in Thanksgiving.

Sounds like you need to pause, reflect and give back.  Whether football, turkey or parades are your thing, take some time out of your Thanksgiving holiday to express gratitude and lend a helping hand.  And while you too are still feeling the effects of the down economy, there are people right in your community who are worse off.

YDT-approved picks for volunteering in person or online this Thanksgiving week and beyond:

• Gobble Gobble Give: In its twelfth year, this organization brings people together to feed, clothe and spread joy to L.A.’s homeless on Thanksgiving Day.  There’s an opportunity for everyone to get involved from preparing food the night before to packaging and delivering or simply donating goods or money to the effort.  Join over 700 volunteers at The Echo at 10 a.m. on Thursday to lend a helping hand.  You’re done by 1 p.m. –  just in time to enjoy family dinner.  For more information visit www.gobblegobblegive.org.

• Food on Foot: This Hollywood-based non-profit still has some needs for volunteers for its Thanksgiving Day event.  From 2 -5 p.m., distribute meals, warm sleeping bags and bus tokens to Hollywood’s homeless. Sign up quickly as spaces are running out!  Visit www.foodonfoot.org.

• Operation Gratitude: No one deserves our gratitude more than our troops this holiday season.  Donate materials and money or volunteer your time to prep care packages full of food, toiletries, books, movies, clothing and personal letters for our nation’s finest.  To inquire,visit www.opgratitude.com.

• can do.: CB2’s food drive puts food in the bank and money in your pocket.  Through Wednesday the 24th, bring in seven perishable food items to CB2’s Santa Monica or West Hollywood stores and save 15% on your in-store purchase.  Thanksgiving tabletop décor anyone?  Find more information at www.cb2.com.

• Begslist: Be an online Good Samaritan via Begslist, where you can donate money, goods and services directly to a “beg” posted by someone in need.  As a donor, you’re able to scroll through posts until you find one that inspires you to give.

You have a lot going on.  But remember to pencil in giving on your Thanksgiving checklist –The results will be gratifying.

From all of us at YDT, we thank you for being part of our community and wish you a warm, plentiful holiday filled with family and friends!

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Los Angeles Volunteer Centers:

L.A. Works:

“L.A. Works is a nonprofit, volunteer action center”

323.224.6510
www.laworks.com

HIV/AIDS

Being Alive: People with HIV/AIDS Action Coalition

(323) 874-4322

http://www.beingalivela.org/

The Life Group:

“The Life Group LA is a coalition of people dedicated to the education, empowerment and emotional support of persons both infected and affected by HIV/AIDS so that they may make informed choices and decisions regarding their healthcare and personal well being.”

888-208-8081

http://thelifegroupla.org/volunteer.html

Union Rescue Mission: Homeless Shelter and Soup Kitchen

(213) 673-4814

http://www.urm.org/site/c.hdJFKNNoFiG/b.4465499/k.9BB3/Volunteer_Center.htm

Hospitality Kitchen aka Hippie Kitchen

(323) 267-8789

http://lacatholicworker.org/visiting-and-volunteering

Los Angeles Public Library: Adult Literacy Program

Central Library Info: 213-228-7272

http://www.lapl.org/literacy/volunteer.html

Volunteer Center of Los Angeles

818-908-5066

http://www.vcla.net/

Reading to Kids: Monthly reading clubs

310-479-7455

www.readingtokids.org

Literacy Network of Greater Los Angeles

213-237-6643

http://literacynetwork.org/literacynetwork_la/

Our House:

Non-profit bereavement center

310-475-0299

818-222-3344

http://ourhouse-grief.org/

I Have a Dream Foundation

213.572.0175

http://www.ihadla.org/getinvolved.aspx

The Painted Turtle:

The Painted Turtle is the sixth addition to Paul Newman’s family of Hole in the Wall Camps for seriously ill children.

310.451.1353

http://www.thepaintedturtle.org/turtle/

Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens

323-644-4703

http://www.lsazoo.org/volunteer/

SPCALA: Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

(323) 730-5300 x255

http://spcala.com/volunteers/voluninf.shtml

Heal the Bay:

“Heal the Bay is a nonprofit environmental organization dedicated to making Southern California costal waters and watersheds, including Santa Monica Bay, safe, healthy and clean.”

800-HEAL BAY x145

http://www.healthebay.org/volunteer/default.asp

826 LA

“826LA is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting students ages 6 to 18 with their creative and expository writing skills, and to helping teachers inspire their students to write.

Our services are structured around our belief that great leaps in learning can happen with one-on-one attention, and that strong writing skills are fundamental to future success.”

826LA West (310) 305-8418

826LA East (213) 413-3388

http://www.826la.org

Tree People

“TreePeople is a nonprofit organization that has been serving the Los Angeles area for over three decades. Simply put, our work is about helping nature heal our cities.”

(818) 753-4600

http://www.treepeople.org

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Founded by the people at the Franklin Ave Blog, the 3rd Great Los Angeles walk is taking place this Saturday.  Join up to 100 Angelenos for this urban expedition at Union Station in downtown at 8 a.m.  The hike takes off at 9 a.m. sharp (don’t be late).  You’ll be hiking all the way to Santa Monica and should get there by 5 or 6 p.m.  Want to join in but can’t make it at 8 a.m.?  They’ll be taking Santa Monica Blvd. most of the way, so join in when you can.  Why are they doing this?  Just to express their love for the great city of Los Angeles.  For more info, check out our listing at the ydt events calendar here. Don’t forget to celebrate with the group and sooth your feet afterwards with a good pint at the after party at Britannia Pub. .

Location: Union Station, 800 N Alameda St, Downtown L.A. Date/Time: 11/22 8 a.m.-6p.m. Web: http://www.greatlawalk.blogspot.com/

Location:  Avita Co-op, 8213 W. 3rd St. Los Angeles CA, Date/Time:  11/22 6 to 9p.m. Web: www.unscrewamerica.org & www.avitastyle.com

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This festival infuses Media Arts and Hollywood Boulevard, both as a symbol of the film industry and a Los Angeles neighborhood that is ever changing.   Most events are free and are happening day and night from October 9^th through the 13^th.  Start it off on Thursday at the Roosevelt poolside bar with drinks and appetizers– free for LACMA, MOCA & LACE members.  On Saturday they will have Eco Activities including solar powered DJs The Sycons and Mark Farina, man-made parks from Park(ing) Day L.A. from last month and more.   Check out their full schedule here. Location:  Hollywood Blvd. between Wilcox Ave & Orange Dr.,  Hollywood CA   Dates: Oct 9-13^th.  Web:  http://www.freewaves.org.  To RSVP for Roosevelt & Detours, cllick here.

THINK GREEN, BUY GREEN:  50% off at Fred Segal Boutiques

This famous L.A. boutique is having a rare 50% off sale at both locations in their 25 boutiques including Fred Segal Green (their eco-friendly home boutique).  Take advantage of this sale and check out some of the small label designs that normally are out of (at least my) budget. Location:  500 Broadway Santa Monica, CA 90401 & 8100 Melrose Ave.  West Hollywood, CA 90046.  Tel:  (SM) 310-393-4477 & (WH) 323-651-4129    Web: www.fredsegal.com.

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SUNDAY: Funday Football

Football season is here and if you’re tired of watching the game at home, get off your couch and head over to Ye Rustic Inn in Los Feliz.  This no frills, down to earth tavern shows all of your favorite games and serves up some mean Bloody Marys and Hot wings (and beer too).  Come on, what is football with out wings? Location:  1831 Hillhurst Ave.  Los Feliz, CA 90027.   Date/Time: Weekends/All Day.  Tel:  323-662-5757..

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VINO MIO:  Wine Tasting at Silverlake Wine

If football isn’t your thing, take a sophisticated approach to Sunday and attend a wine tasting event at Silverlake Wine.  Enjoy their four featured wines and an aperitif paired with specially prepared hors d’oeuvres.  This Sunday’s theme?  We’re waiting to hear back from them.  Call ahead for reservations as space does fill up quickly. Location:  Silverlake Wine, 2395 Glendale Blvd. LA, CA 90039   Date/Time:  Oct 12, 3 p.m.  Web:  http://www.silverlakewine.com Tel:  323-662-9024..

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BE THE CHANGE:  Clean Up The Wetlands and Take out the Trash

Ballona Wetlands Trust needs volunteers to help remove trash and non-native plants from one of the last remaining wetlands system in Southern California.  After the clean up, check out the eco-tours lead by local ecologists and biologists.  Bring work gloves if you have them.  Kids and adults are welcomed.  Only 14 spaces remain, so email Bryan Kadotani to RSVP & get complete directions here.  Location:  Playa Del Rey, West LA), CA 90296.   Date/Time: Oct 11, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Web: Click here.

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