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(jumpy upbeat music)

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- Social distancing and self-isolation

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have left some people vulnerable

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and charities and organizations strained.

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So, if you happen to have
some extra time on your hands,

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there are some ways to
occupy yourself at home,

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while also helping out the needy.

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Hence the rise of the virtual volunteer.

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In New York alone, the month of March

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had a 288% spike in the
number of people volunteering.

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Last week saw the launch of
a brand-new website called

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Volunteer From Your Couch.

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Its mission is to connect
willing volunteers

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with organizations that serve people

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affected by the pandemic.

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The site was launched by a company called

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Mobilize, which has its roots
in political organization.

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They noticed an outpouring
of support from people

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who wanted to give back.

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So, they rolled out their site

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and they made their technology free

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for groups that are
responding to the virus.

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(fast guitar music)

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Organizations are getting
creative in finding ways

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to channel the volunteer energy.

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A local Meals on Wheels group
that serves 3,000 senior

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citizens in Ohio and Kentucky has seen

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their volunteer base rise
from five to 10 regulars

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to several hundred during the crisis.

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Volunteers can easily sign up for a couple

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of hours of phone banking.

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They'll reach out to older folks to see

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if they need food and simply provide

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some meaningful company in a lonely time.

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Another charity is No Vet Alone,

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which assists military
vets and first responders

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suffering from PTSD and brain injuries.

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For them, isolation can
be particularly painful.

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Volunteers can register
for virtual happy hours

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and online yoga sessions

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to provide the vets with
some human connection.

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They are many more opportunities,

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some of which are hosted
by political campaigns

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like Joe Biden's or AOC's.

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And the benefits flow both ways.

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The effects of checking
in with other people

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can be just as therapeutic for
lonely or bored volunteers.

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There are many obvious
downsides to life at the moment,

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but it also seems to be
bringing out the best in people.

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Sure, we have to stay six feet apart

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from each other, but in some ways it feels

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like communities have never been closer.

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So, if you find yourself
with some time to kill

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and the urge to pitch in,

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check out some ways you can contribute

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on volunteerfromyourcouch.com.

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(happy upbeat music)

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(upbeat music)

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(rustling)

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(spraying)

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(spraying)

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(sighs)

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(birds chirping)