Let’s admit it – a lot of us like the idea of volunteering and helping the community, but most of the time we don’t take that idea a step further by Google-ing up ‘places to volunteer in KL’ before we forget about it all together. While we’re all aware that doing something good for others is essentially good for ourselves, it’s funny how very little things motivate us to want to actually go out and dedicate a bit of our time to the community. Do we consciously avoid volunteer work because we’re too busy or do we not volunteer because we’re uninformed about the available opportunities out there?

The recently launched Do Something Good initiative believes it’s the latter and attempts to solve that by providing a one-stop online platform for those interested to look for a volunteering opportunity nearby and for charities and organisations to post available volunteer positions and manage registrations. Think of it as a listings website with social networking capabilities where you can interact with other like-minded volunteers and share ideas.

The way Do Something Good works is simple: Visit the website, register using Facebook or your email address and start searching for a field you’d like to volunteer in – you can also click on the ‘Volunteer’ tab to find all the listed categories available. For each volunteer task you register for and complete, you earn virtual points and badges. Much like a game, the more you volunteer the higher your score (fittingly dubbed ‘Karma’) and the better your badge. Registering will also keep you in the loop of the latest volunteer opportunities posted, as well as updates by the organisations you’ve volunteered with.

As for organisations and NGOs seeking volunteers, they can register on the website and post their events aside from being able to keep in touch with volunteers for updates and future events, potentially giving them greater access to interested volunteers around the country.

Participating organisations include Arteri, Dignity for Children, Ecoknights, Instant Cafe Theatre and House of Matahati to name a few, and the help needed aren't just limited to traditional charity work and helping the less fortunate; there are internships, tutoring jobs and opportunities to volunteer in the arts too.

With an entire website dedicated to helping you find ways to give back to the community, the next time you're struck with a sudden idea to volunteer, this website should help you get started and walk the talk. If you're 'too busy', there are volunteering opportunities that you can do from home. In other words, there's really no excuse.

For more info and to get started, visit dosomething.gd.