1. CCPL
They represent the Portuguese community in Luxembourg, but Anglophones are welcome to get involved. “We want volunteers to engage in social activities, to help with IT and to handle event organisation,” such as one for youth facing school difficulties, says José António Coimbra de Matos. The group also gives French classes to Syrian refugees.
Volunteers from Serve the City give a helping hand during the World Autism Awareness Day event held on the place d’Armes on 2 April 2016. Photo: Fondation Autisme Luxembourg
2. Fondation autisme
Supporting the rights of those with autism is one of the main goals of this NGO. They need help with translation and event organisation. For the next World Autism Awareness Day (this year’s pictured), “we will need around 50 volunteers to help out with sales, stand animation and children’s entertainment,” says Catherine Fouss.
Volunteers at the Fondatioun Kriibskrank Kanner stand during the Tour de Luxembourg in June. Photo: Fondatioun Kriibskrank Kanner
3. Fondatioun Kriibskrank Kanner
The foundation has been supporting families of children with cancer and life-threatening diseases for more than 25 years. “We need volunteers to help with administrative work and public relations,” says Veerle Dierick. Over 50 volunteers helped put on the recent family “Summerfest”, for example.
An art piece created as part of Een Häerz fir kriibskrank Kanner’s “We care, we share” programme. Photo: Een Häerz fir kriibskrank Kanner asbl
4. Een Häerz fir Kriibskrank Kanner
They help families of children with cancer through psychological, palliative and practical support. Activities involving art are a big part of the programme. “We need people who can translate our flyers into English [and] make sure our website’s texts are correct,” says Marie-Marthe Bruck-Clees.
Stefan Chorus makes a bid during Make-A-Wish Luxembourg’s “Skyball” charity gala. Photo: Steve Eastwood
5. Make-A-Wish
By granting wishes to seriously ill children, the NGO aims to empower them and their parents. Fundraisers, such as the Skyball gala in 2014 (pictured), help make these dreams come true. “We need help with translation, and we also want people to represent us in events like the ‘Fête de l’été’ that we organise,” says Marcel Hagendoorn.
The 11th “Kick Cancer Into Touch” touch rugby charity tournament, an annual fundraiser for Omega 90. Photo: Steve Eastwood
6. Omega 90
Omega 90 is looking for volunteers to help care for people with cancer or other life-threatening diseases, or who can support people in grief. The NGO prefers volunteers who can speak multiple languages. Or participate in an affiliated fundraiser, like the annual summertime Kick Cancer Into Touch tournament (2012 edition pictured).
The volunteers with the Luxembourg Red Cross international section who organised the fourth annual “Afterwork Swimming” event at Les Thermes in Strassen. Photo: Steve Eastwood
7. Red Cross
“With the refugee crisis, we need more people to work with newcomers,” says Djuna Bernard. Speaking French or Luxembourgish is a big advantage. Or join the NGO’s English-speaking “international section”, which organises the Triple C and Afterwork Swimming (2013 edition pictured) sporting fundraisers, among other events.
Irina Aleksandrova of Sportunity in a portrait taken for the Delano November 2013 cover story. Photo: Julien Becker
8. Sportunity
This NGO uses sports to boost Luxembourg youth from disadvantaged backgrounds. They also set up training sessions for refugee children that are coached by champions who first came to Luxembourg as refugees. “We need volunteers in our operational team and during our big sporting events such as the ING Night Marathon,” says Irina Aleksandrova.
Déierenasyl Gaasperech holds an open house on Sunday 25 September from 10am and 5:30pm. Photo: Déierenasyl Gaasperech’s Facebook page
9. Déierenasyl
Since 1956, the national animal shelter has been caring for homeless cats and dogs. In 2015, it took in 848 animals--more than 460 canines among them--who have to wait for adoption. The shelter needs volunteers to take dogs out for a walk, from Monday to Friday between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. The dogs don’t care what language you speak.
Members of Trisomie 21. Photo: Trisomie 21 ASBL Lëtzebuerg
10. Trisomie 21
Known for its battle for people with Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), the NGO organises multiple cultural and sporting events throughout the year. “We need people who can represent our association during our awareness weeks in place d’Armes,” says Jeanne Zuidberg. Trisomie 21 also needs help with IT and translation from French and German.