Can online volunteering count toward my community service hours?

Absolutely, online volunteering can count toward your community service hours, as long as it’s a legitimate organization and you’re doing real work. Just because you’re wearing sweatpants doesn’t mean your effort doesn’t matter. Virtual tasks like transcribing documents, creating awareness campaigns, or helping tutor younger students all show initiative, responsibility, and a desire to help. Schools and admissions officers care more about the what and why than the where. Just make sure you keep track of your hours, get confirmation from a supervisor, and be ready to explain what you did. Community impact isn’t measured by miles traveled. It’s measured by effort, heart, and how much better the world is because you showed up—even if it was through a screen.