Volunteers are everywhere across the San Diego region. Almost half of San Diegans reported volunteering for a local nonprofit in 2023, according to a University of San Diego study. Across the country, more than 40% of people reported volunteering in some way in 2022, according to a report from The Independent Sector.
At its core, volunteering is helping others without expecting anything in return. It’s a service for others or for the environment that is purely meant to enrich the community. KPBS is telling stories of local volunteers who are giving their time in unusual and unexpected ways.
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Retired engineer and volunteer docent Ron Peterson guides visitors around the Tijuana Estuary by teaching them to rely on their other four senses. -
Volunteers at Bikes Del Pueblo empower people to become self-sufficient bicyclists by teaching them how to fix their own bikes. -
Bill Nye the Science Guy once said, “To leave the world better than you found it, sometimes you have to pick up other people’s trash.” A local retired science teacher started a volunteer program doing just that — cleaning up others’ litter.
San Diego is home to countless organizations that rely on volunteers to make a difference in our communities. Whether you’re passionate about supporting underserved youth, protecting the environment, or assisting those experiencing homelessness, there’s a place for you to lend a hand.
