USVI-On-Line

After twelve years of visiting St. John and now in retirement, we are looking to visit for longer periods and for volunteer opportunities to give something back. We know a bit about VIERS, the animal shelter, national park trail work and the work of the Friends of the VINP. Anyone have comments about these and others? We are retired teachers and would be interested in school opportunities as well as others.

Someone on the forum was accepted into the Maho program.

I met a young man that was a Maho volunteer and he seemed very happy with the experience.

I just read an article in the St. John Tradewinds about a group of part time St. John residents who founded a group entitled Kids First. They might be able to help you with some volunteer opportunities benefitting kids on island.

I don't have the link since I am responding via my phone, but the Tradewinds newspaper is easy to find online.

I highly recommend volunteering with the ACC (animal care center). They are wonderful and do such amazing things for those animals. Opportunities to help them are varied- from walking the dogs, to socializing with them, to helping care for the kitties, to Sunday hikes. Depending on when you are there, you could also volunteer at one of their fundraisers they have throughout the year. Really as little or as much time as you want. A fantastic small group of really sweet caring locals, and they rely heavily on volunteers and donations. If you are on Facebook, they have a very active page that is updated almost daily, or you can go to their website for information and call them anytime. Volunteering is an awesome way to spend some time on island!

SOonthebeach - Thank you for the info on the ACC. I just went to the site and read their newsletter. I will pack some of the needed items that I saw on their list when I visit in May.

Thanks Juli! They will really appreciate it! If you get a chance, visit and maybe take the dogs for a walk- so fun!

Just to echo what SOonthebeach and Juli B said, the ACC is great... my pal Rob (who owns St. Johnimals, the pet store in Wharfside Village) has been volunteering there for a while and can't say enough nice things.

There was also an article about the ACC just a few days ago: http://www.examiner.com/international-p ... in-islands

best
Eric

[quote="pnoeric"]Just to echo what SOonthebeach and Juli B said, the ACC is great... my pal Rob (who owns St. Johnimals, the pet store in Wharfside Village) has been volunteering there for a while and can't say enough nice things.

There was also an article about the ACC just a few days ago: http://www.examiner.com/international-p ... in-islands

best
Eric[/quote

Rob is awesome! He does so much for the ACC! I bought a new collar and leash for my little ACC rescue at St. Johnanimals last month. Such an awesome group of workers and volunteers there.

I will definitely visit and volunteer. I am not a shopper so figure that it will be a good time to go when my friends are shopping their hearts out in Cruz Bay.

Thank you for posting about the ACC we are animal lovers & would love to volunteer during our stay in the fall . Love their web page & wish I could bring all the dogs back to PA !!!