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Having just eaten a pile of Christmas cookies and feeling full of holiday goodness, The List decided to look into some volunteer opportunities —‘tis the season, etc. To her dismay, local non-profit directors told her that, well, they just didn’t really need the help. In fact, all the organizations The List spoke to were turning away volunteers because so many people had already offered their time. In a region known for its wealth and often painted as dysfunctional, it’s a testament to the goodwill of the people who actually live here that they’re fighting over the chance to serve.

1. “We only have one that’s left. All other opportunities have been filled”

   Alicia Lee of Greater D.C. Cares says all of its partner organizations’ holiday volunteer opportunities are booked solid except for one event at a home for senior citizens. “A lot of people obviously are in the giving spirit,” she says.

2. “An amazing outpouring of support”

   John O’Brien of the Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless says they field “a ton of calls and a ton of requests” from potential volunteers, and all volunteer slots for the next few days are committed. Undeterred, people “drop off amazing things,” O’Brien says. “Even the necessities they drop off are wrapped.” This week, the Coalition received 30 baskets from a local spa, 150 presents for kids from an NGO, and 22 turkeys from another donor.

3. “10,000 volunteers walk through our doors every year”

   Except for a few slow weeks in the summer and around Easter, Martha’s Table is never short of volunteers, says volunteer manager Kim Lyons. “D.C. has a really strong community service commitment,” she says. “It’s a wonderful place to have a non-profit.” With a full crew of volunteers in place for Christmas Eve and Christmas day, Martha’s Table finds they often have more people wanting to help than they have need for. “We try to accommodate if we can,” Lyons says.

4. “We have to say, unfortunately, there are no opportunities for the day”

   Lee says they have to turn volunteers away at some point because their partner organizations don’t have the space or staff to accommodate the hundreds of people eager to serve. “But we say it in a very nice, tactful way.”