Autor: Equipo ROMP

Welcome to the month of October, where the crunchy leaves drift across the road and the faint smell of pumpkin spice drifts through the air. October tends to be a fan-favorite month. Whether it’s watching football games, heading out to the pumpkin patch or getting dressed up for Halloween, there are lots of fun, family-friendly activities to do during October. And of course, one thing you can always do is volunteer to give back in your community.
Sometimes, we want to volunteer, but aren’t quite sure where to start. Should you volunteer with an organization, or come up with a project on your own? The options are endless, and it can be daunting to figure out. But, there are plenty of ways to get involved in your community this month. To get you started, we came up with six spooky-fun volunteering ideas for October.

1. Help clean up the neighborhood.
Fall tends to bring seasonal changes that affect the neighborhood. Leaves fall, gardens start to freeze and plants start to get crisp in the cool air. Volunteer to give back this month by helping clean up the neighborhood. For instance, offer to help your elderly neighbor rake up leaves in the front yard; or, help clean up the community garden and prepare it for winter. By cleaning up the neighborhood, you can embrace the season and give back at the same time.

2. Run in a fundraiser race.
Many nonprofit organizations—both local and national—offer fundraiser races during the month of October or the fall months. Volunteer to give back by running in a race you enjoy. Raise money to support the cause you care about and engage your family and friends. Then, show your support by running. Even if you’re not a huge runner, these events are fun to be a part of—and you can always raise money without actually lacing up your shoes.

3. Host a “paint your own pumpkin.”
What’s the first thing you think of with the month of October? Pumpkins, of course! Get into the spirit of the month by hosting a paint (or carve) your own pumpkin event. For example, contact your local school or community center to see if they would like to put on a pumpkin event for the children. Then, invite friends and family to bring their kids—and their pumpkins—while you supply the paint or carving equipment. Add in a few drinks or snacks and you have a fun event the whole community can enjoy!

4. Volunteer with a haunted house.
Throughout the month of October, plenty of pumpkin patches and haunted houses look for team members to help them get the show running. While some of these members are employed, you can give back by volunteering to work with a haunted house or pumpkin patch. Help bring smiles—and maybe a few screams—to children in your area, all for just a few hours of volunteering. Whether you dress up as a scarer, serve hot chocolate or drive the hayrack ride, your volunteering commitment can definitely brighten someone’s day.

5. Serve at a local kitchen.
Of course, with October comes cooler weather, which can often drive people in need indoors to local shelters or soup kitchens. Give back and show you care by volunteering to serve at a local kitchen. This can be as simple as a few hours on one single day, or as complex as a weekly commitment. And with Thanksgiving just around the corner, this is a great way to consistently get involved in the community.

6. Trick or treat with a purpose.
With the end of October quickly approaching, we look forward to one of our favorite holidays—Halloween! Volunteer to trick or treat with a purpose this year by signing up to raise money for a cause you care about. Lots of organizations have trick-or-treat programs on Halloween, or you can create your own by raising money for something unique. You could even volunteer to trick or treat for children who aren’t able to go out on Halloween. No matter how you choose to give back, Halloween is a great time to get involved.
October is officially here, which means there are plenty of ways to give back and volunteer. Try out some of these ideas this month to show others you care and make a tangible difference in your community.

In November 2024, I embarked on a journey to Macas, Ecuador with the Range of Motion
Project (ROMP), carrying 50 pounds of prosthetic components and a desire to contribute to
a meaningful mission: mobility for all. This trip offered not only an opportunity to serve but
also an invaluable learning experience and community that I’ll carry forward in my career
as a prosthetist/orthotist.
Our team, consisting of ROMP staff and four volunteers, traveled eight hours south of
Quito to the city of Macas and then to Logroño, an indigenous community receiving its
first-ever ROMP brigade. Over the course of the week, we delivered 19 prostheses to
patients and helped several others along the way. Despite challenges such as power
outages, long days, and adapting to a new environment, the sense of purpose and
teamwork made every moment meaningful. As I reflect on my time there, I return to
memories involving connection. Connection to the staff, the volunteers, connection to the
patients, their families, connection to their community and environment. In this field, it is
easy to get caught up in the technical aspects, but I want to share a few moments from the
trip that left a mark on me and convey ROMP’s mission.


Young Resilience
Working with children during the brigade was both humbling and inspiring. These young
individuals, many of whom have faced incredible hardships, display a resilience and spirit
that are truly remarkable. I had the pleasure of meeting Ezequiel, a 13-year-old boy, and a
young girl, Maria, born with congenital limb differences, who exemplified this spirit.
Without access to mobility aids, Ezequiel first relied on a wooden crutch built by his father,
and ROMP provided him with his first prosthesis in 2022. He and his mother crossed two
rivers to receive a new prosthesis to accommodate his growth. He expressed an interest in
soccer, and when I showed him the sport of amputee soccer, his eyes lit up! Although
young, Maria influences everyone in her path. With a unique anatomy, she refuses to let her
limb difference or prosthesis define her. She spent her time running around, giving hugs
and spreading joy to everyone she met. It was incredibly rewarding to feel their unshakable
positivity, seeing that our work can help children maintain their youthful spirit and zest for
life.
Strangers Turned Family
When providing care to such a remote and underserved region, challenges include
transportation and housing for the patients, wellness follow-ups and funding to ensure patients
are receiving appropriate care. Margot, an Ecuadorian native, goes above and beyond to
facilitate and provide resources to help her community overcome these challenges. For the
week of our clinic, her house became a home, a bed, a meal, a safe space and a community for
these patients. Whether it was organizing our makeshift ‘prosthetic office’ or nature-based band,
her tireless dedication to her community encouraged connection and a new family.

ROMP’s Mission in Action
On our trip back to Quito, a stop for ice turns into a moment that could be described as
fateful or maybe just a perfect opportunity to showcase ROMP’s values. A former patient
was spotted on the side of the road with essentially no belongings. He was evaluated for a
prosthesis over a year ago but lost contact due to the remoteness of his community. The
ROMP team immediately sprang into action, reconnecting with him and making a plan to
resume his care. This selfless moment highlights the commitment ROMP has to ensuring
no one is left behind and that people always have a community to empower them.
***
The experience didn’t end when the trip was over. Upon returning home, I’ve found myself
reflecting on how to integrate what I learned into my everyday practice and how to spread
the spirit of this work with others in my community. Experiences like this aren’t meant to
be filed away merely as cherished memories but harvested and shared. They carry lessons,
inspiration, and a ripple effect for others. The connections I experienced continue to unfold each
time I share these moments. Thank you to the team- Mireya, Sara, Steven, Pablo, Ivanna, Emily
and Charlie for turning 10 days into a lifetime of memories. Thank you to ROMP for including
me in your community. Let’s continue to share, support, and spread mobility for all.