Give an hour. Give a Saturday. Give your Heart. Volunteer.
The 8th annual Charlevoix Emmet Day of Caring took place on September 15. Despite rain showers and cool weather, over 500 volunteers pitched in to complete nearly 50 projects ranging from beach cleanups to building a ramp for a senior citizen; from cleaning a food pantry to building a trail.
While an annual event like the Day of Caring is a lot of fun, we know that people want to volunteer year ‘round, and that a wide range of non-profit agencies need a helping hand throughout the year.
That is why we launched the Volunteer Connections program nearly two years ago. This ‘virtual volunteer center’ is a free, easy-to-use online site. People interested in volunteering can search for opportunities that meet their skills, availability and passion. Non-profit agencies can easily post their volunteer needs – whether for a one-time special event, ongoing tasks, or specialized skills like web design or serving on a Board.
Over 50 agencies now post their volunteer opportunities on Volunteer Connections, and over 250 people have been referred to those placements.
I’ve talked to parents looking for a meaningful summer project for their kids, recent retirees hoping to put their skills to use, unemployed workers seeking to build their resume and contacts, and countless others who have found Volunteer Connections a useful resource.
United Way also promotes volunteering to schools, businesses, and civic groups. We provide volunteer management resources to other non-profits. We work with local schools to promote the Michigan Student Service Award for graduating high school students, and we work with Priority Health on the annual Senior Impact Award.
The value of an hour of volunteer time is reckoned at $21.36. In these challenging economic times, volunteers help cash-strapped agencies maintain their services.
Contributions to Char-Em United Way help support Volunteer Connections and help us connect those wanting to give their time with those needing it.
To view the searchable database of volunteer opportunities. Take a look and find the right opportunity for you.