Volunteer Opportunities
Are you looking for a way to give back to the community? Here are some ideas and opportunities to give back!
Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities
National Gardening Day
Date: Friday April 14th, 2023 10:00am-12:00pm (rain or shine)
Location: 1821 Racepath Ave, Conway, SC
Details: Volunteers needed to prepare local community garden for Springtime
Contact: lnlevert@coastal.edu
Earth Day at the Bay
Date: Saturday April 22nd, 2023 11:00am-2:00pm (rain or shine)
Location: Ocean Bay Middle, 905 International Drive, Myrtle Beach
Details: Volunteers needed for setup/cleanup, etc.
Contact: Cindy Lilly at 843-903-8420 or clilly001@g.horrycountyschool.net
Website: http://forms.gle/VV7AevUxGSptfbQx5
MDA Summer Camp at Camp Cole
Dates: Sunday, July 30th to Friday, August 4th
Location: Eastover, SC
Details: The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is seeking volunteers for our national summer camp program.
In addition to bringing joy to Campers, this fantastic opportunity allows Volunteers to gain high-quality, field-based experience in physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical professions, education, recreation, and family social sciences, as well as earning them extensive volunteer hours. MDA Summer Camp locations are available across the nation. Check out this short VIDEO or MDA.org to learn about Summer Camp’s impact on MDA families and Volunteers.
While interested Volunteers are welcome to apply to any MDA Summer Camp session across the nation, the session closest to Costal Carolina University is MDA Summer Camp at Cole
Online Volunteering
Follow these links to find creative ways to use your time and skills to volunteer online.
25 Volunteer Jobs to Do From Home
Volunteer with the United Nations
Points of Light Virtual Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer in Your Community
Your safety and the safety of others is the ABSOLUTE FIRST PRIORITY. Do not volunteer under any conditions where you cannot practice safe and recommended physical distancing. Also, be sure to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) like masks and gloves if you are leaving your home.
Research local non-profits and community organizations to identify the specific needs of your community. When you find one you are interested in, contact them to see what needs they have and if you can help in any way. Be sure to ask them how they are protecting their volunteers and how they are practicing physical distancing.
Organizations that may be in need:
- Homeless shelters
- Food banks
- Community kitchens
- Youth organizations like The Boys and Girls Club
Get Creative
Serving others is not limited to volunteering with non-profits. Now if the time for the most basic and foundational element of service, kindness.
Here are some ideas for how you can serve others around you through kindness:
- Offer to run errands for friends/family/neighbors who are at higher risk for contracting COVID-19. This can be a grocery run, going to the post office, picking up medications, etc.
- If you know any teachers, ask if there is any way you can help with their expanded workload.
- Buy gift certificates from local small businesses. You can save them for later OR give them to people providing vital services, such as mail carriers, sanitation workers, and grocery store employees.
- Contact local assisted living facilities to see if there is any way you can help brighten their day such as writing letters or making cards.
Donate
Though it is important to give your time to your community through volunteering, there is an extreme needs for donations at this time. Monetary donations are the most helpful, but there are also opportunities to donate goods locally.
It is critical to research organizations before donating to ensure your security. Many new funds and charities have been created in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, so be sure to confirm your donation is going to a legitimate organization. Try to find donation links through trusted sources instead of google search results.
The American Red Cross is also in great need of blood donations because many of their blood drives have been cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.
To find out more about their COVID-19 response and to make an appointment visit the American Red Cross website.