1. Put your green thumb to work.
It’s not too late to get down and dirty with some gardening! Community planting still crops up at Evergreen brick works, and Oct 16th and 17th at 10 – 12 PM is your next chance to get involved. Round up some of your favourite tree huggers and contribute to the transformation of the community environmental center in the Don Valley!

2. Schmooze at a DIY fashion fest.
The Creativ Festival is a hub for sewers, knitters, beaders, quilters and crafters to come together and show off their creations. Get a behind the scenes glance at some of the country’s craftiest trends and get insider tips on the DIY fashion world. Volunteer your time by helping out instructors, setting up exhibits, make and takes, and demo’s this Oct 22, 23, 24 at the MTCC. Check out http://www.csnf.com/index.html

3. Hang out with kitties.
Annex Cat Rescue is always on the lookout for temporary foster parents to care for their homeless cats. The weather is getting chilli, and the Annex Cat Rescue doesn’t have an animal shelter. It is incredibly satisfying to play a part in rescuing a feline in need! For more info, click here http://annexcatrescue.ca/2010/09/foster-parenting-2/

4. Geek out at Canada’s largest zine / alternative culture fair.
If you’re a zine nerd, chances are you will want to be present when 100+ zines, publishers and comic artists take over the Great Hall Oct 24 from 1 – 7. For more info, check out the Broken Pencil Website here http://www.brokenpencil.com/canzine/

5. Build puppets and scare kids.
Night of Dread, that haunting evening of music and masquerade, lofty puppets and sinister masks rolls around every Oct 30th, with the help of many talented souls. Volunteers will help set up Dufferin Grove Park the week prior with construction and repairs, and of couse, dressing up the ghouls. Clay Paper Theatre are the brains of this organization: http://www.clayandpapertheatre.org/

6. Play with chocolate.
Join the choc-elite as you help out at a series of delicious events all over the city, learn a little more about every girl’s best friend, and eat some mad chocolate. All events will be helping raise funds in support of breast cancer and prostate cancer and SickKids. Chocoholics, clear your schedules between Oct 22 – Nov 7th. http://www.chocolatefestivalweek.com/main.htm

–By Kait Fowlie