For locals wanting to volunteer their time and efforts, there is no shortage of possibilities.
Whether you’re a retired senior wanting to give back to the community, someone wanting to expand their work experience, knowledge, and skills, or just someone who loves to see the look of appreciation on peoples’ faces when they see someone cares enough to help, several local associations and organizations who rely on volunteers.
Here are some options:
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton
A nonprofit organization founded in 1973 in Americus, Ga. on the principle that everyone deserves affordable housing, Habitat for Humanity was a passion of the 39th President of the United States — Jimmy Carter. Now, with a global presence across 70 different countries, Habitat for Humanity volunteers help with numerous different initiatives.
The Dayton Restore — located at 115 W. Riverview Ave. — and the Springfield Restore — located at 2990 Derr Road in Springfield, both have volunteers who help with unloading, stocking, sales and inventory of donated household items.
Volunteers can also donate their time and efforts at new home-build sites, volunteer as family advocates helping underprivileged families, or become committee volunteers. For seniors and retirees, there’s an opportunity to join The Golden Hammers — a group devoted to home building that has been active in Dayton for more than 20 years.
Read more on that group at daytonhabitat.org/how-to-help/goldenhammers.html.
United Way of the Greater Dayton Area
Serving the Preble, Montgomery and Greene county areas, the United Way of Greater Dayton Area has been a strong local community presence for more than 100 years. Whether it’s volunteering your time to help needy families, helping children and teenagers with reading and academics, or volunteering for fundraisers, events, and community outreach initiatives, you’ll be joining more than 30,000 volunteers devoted to improving the lives of more than 350,000 Greater Dayton residents and families.
Dayton Metro Library
Located at 215 E. Third St., the Dayton Metro Library needs English as a Second Language (ESL) facilitator volunteers to help Dayton Ohio residents improve their English. Volunteers are also needed for the Dayton Metro Library’s Meal Program, which works alongside the Dayton Public Schools Hunger Alliance initiatives.
From volunteering your time as a reading buddy for preschool children, helping as a general library helper, being a special event volunteer to being a homework helper for teenagers needing assistance and guidance, the Dayton Metro Library has numerous volunteering opportunities within a well-established community outreach network.
More information may be found at daytonmetrolibrary.org/volunteer.
Blue Star Families of Dayton & Southwestern Ohio
Being a volunteer for Blue Star Families means you are providing much-needed support to local military families with enlisted servicemen and women serving overseas. If you are a veteran — or just someone who empathizes with the sacrifices that military families make — then there are numerous ways to donate and volunteer your time.
Get information online at bluestarfam.org/chapters/dayton.
Brunner Literacy Center
The Brunner Literacy Center needs volunteers willing to provide essential one-on-one assistance to Dayton residents wanting to improve their literacy and math skills. Volunteers will work with those 19 and older by providing essential tutoring, helping individuals improve their comprehension, reading, and writing while also helping them prepare for their GED.
An association committed to improving reading and writing for thousands of Dayton residents, the Bruner Literacy Center has two locations: the BLC Reibold Building on 14th West Fourth St. and the BLC Shiloh Springs location at 1995 Shiloh Springs Road.
Learn more online at brunnerliteracy.org/volunteer.html.
Clothes That Work
If you have ever experienced a job loss or prolonged unemployment, then you’re aware of how emotionally devastating it can be. Fortunately, Clothes That Work in Dayton is a nonprofit with volunteers who help with numerous initiatives focused on helping Dayton jobseekers find work.
Whether it’s donating clothes, volunteering as a client-coach to help improve someone’s interviewing skills, taking part in special events, volunteering at their store, helping with inventory, or simply helping individuals build their confidence for that next, all-important job interview, there are plenty of volunteering opportunities.
More info is online at clothesthatwork.org.
Downtown Dayton Partnership
Do you live in downtown Dayton and want to volunteer close to home? If so, then the Downtown Dayton Partnership offers numerous volunteering opportunities to help with local festivals, events and gatherings. Whether it’s the First Four Activities, multiple other downtown festivals, or events like Art in the City, you’ll find plenty of different events and celebrations to choose from.
For more information on downtown volunteering opportunities, call (937) 224-1518, ext. 227 or go to downtowndayton.org/about-us/volunteer.
House of Bread
With the upcoming 13th annual Empty Bowls fundraising event on Feb. 5, House of Bread volunteers continue a 30-plus-year tradition of serving warm, nutritious meals to underprivileged Dayton families and those suffering from homelessness.
A non-profit organization that started in Dayton in 1983, House of Bread counts on volunteers to help them prepare meals. Established on the belief that nobody should ever go hungry, House of Bread is committed to helping individuals before and after homelessness.
Learn more at houseofbread.org/volunteer.
Red Cross Miami Valley Chapter
The Red Cross is always looking for volunteers. Whether it’s helping with a local blood drive, volunteering your time for first aid and CPR courses, helping with disaster relief, distributing food and providing shelter, or simply donating blood, there are multiple ways to donate your time. Get information by calling (937) 222-6711.
GETTING STARTED
For some people, the decision to volunteer their time is an easy one. For others, there may some trepidation about where to start. Ultimately, if you’ve been thinking about volunteering and have taken the time to investigate your options in and around Dayton, then you’ve already taken that all-important first step.
Focus on a cause or initiative close to your heart. Volunteering gives you a chance to become part of a larger community, builds confidence, and helps with personal growth.
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