Opportunities From: Get Connected

Let's make this Thanksgiving special for as many families in our great community as possible!

Sponsor a Thanksgiving Family Meal Kit for 4 people - $50.

All donations/ sponsorships are appreciated and can be placed through the Hamilton Community Foundation in the HAHA Special Projects Fund.

Meal kit includes: turkey, all sides, cooking utensils to provide a wholesome family meal for the holiday.

Volunteer Assembly Days:

November 14 at 1:00 PM 
Location: Shared Harvest 
We need 15 volunteers to help prep, pack, and stack boxes for assembly. 

Distribution Dates & Locations
 * November 18 (3-6 PM): Boys and Girls Club Hamilton 
 * November 19 (10 AM - Noon): Marshall High School
 * November 20 (4-6 PM): Linden Elementary & Shared Harvest Box Truck (26 Ft)
 * November 22 (2-6 PM): Ace Hardware (TBD)

Buffet Dates & Locations:
 * November 24 (Noon- 2 PM): Boys and Girls Club of Hamilton (Grand Location)
 * November 25 (6 PM): Booker T. Washington (Hamilton)
 * November 26 (1-3 PM): YMCA Central 

Please join us below in volunteering to support:
The Greater Miami Valley YMCA Central Hamilton, Booker T. Washington Community Center, Ace Hardware, Shared Harvest, Boys & Girls Club of Hamilton, Linden Elementary School, and  Marshall High School (Hamilton Campus). 

Questions, contact Tyler McCleary Via Email (to tyler@cohatch.com) or (513) 504-9167

We'll be spreading compost on our garden beds to get them ready to grow lots of fresh, organic, produce for our hungry neighbors next year

Share your gardening and park passion and introduce visitors to Cox Arboretum MetroPark!  Garden Guides have an enthusiasm for plants and MetroParks which is infectious and gets visitors excited about all the things they are seeing in the park.  Connecting and educating visitors to a diverse landscape of plants through a tour of our gardens is what a Garden Guide does. You do not need to know the name of every plant, but a "what's in bloom" highlight will be shared at the beginning of each tour.  May through September, Garden Tour Guides support our education team in providing this unique experience to visitors mainly at Cox Arboretum. 

Program Support volunteers help build access, comfort, and safety for all interested in learning about the natural world.  Volunteers provide support for first-time learners and help participants build subject-specific skills.   Volunteers help people make a stronger connection to nature by making it accessible and easy to experience the outdoors in fun activities. Nature is a respite for many, and Garden Tour Guides support our education team in providing this service to park visitors. 

This opportunity is open to the following volunteers: Long-Term volunteers who have completed the Garden Guide training.  Learn more about our types of service here. 

Additional Notes

Look for Additional Details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing! See the Programming Volunteer Position for more information on programming opportunities with us.  

Share your gardening and park passion and introduce visitors to Cox Arboretum MetroPark!  Garden Guides have an enthusiasm for plants and MetroParks which is infectious and gets visitors excited about all the things they are seeing in the park.  Connecting and educating visitors to a diverse landscape of plants through a tour of our gardens is what a Garden Guide does. You do not need to know the name of every plant, but a "what's in bloom" highlight will be shared at the beginning of each tour.  May through September, Garden Tour Guides support our education team in providing this unique experience to visitors mainly at Cox Arboretum. 

Program Support volunteers help build access, comfort, and safety for all interested in learning about the natural world.  Volunteers provide support for first-time learners and help participants build subject-specific skills.   Volunteers help people make a stronger connection to nature by making it accessible (via the TRAMS) and easy to experience the outdoors in fun activities. Nature is a respite for many, and Garden Tour Guides support our education team in providing this service to park visitors. 

Eligibility: This opportunity is open to Long-Term volunteers who have completed the Garden Guide training, and successfully checked off on the TRAMs.  Learn more about our types of service here. 

Additional Notes

Look for Additional Details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing! See the Programming Volunteer Position Description for more detailed information.  

We need volunteers for set-up, course marshal, check-in, & tear down. Set-up begins at 7:00am, pre-race activities begin at 9:00am, and the 5K kicks off at 10:30am. Finish your registration at https://www.gotreco.org/volunteer

Our Historic and Cultural team creates a learning environment to help individuals enjoy the outdoors in fun and safe activities. They have created a series of hikes with the University of Dayton's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute to highlight various MetroParks, introduce them to the history and unique features, and incorporate essential information for people to enjoy a short hike in nature.   Volunteers will support the staff lead and participants as they enjoy nature, discover new MetroParks treasures, learn about the area's history, increase their activity, and find different ways to explore nature. This opportunity will be at Sugarcreek MetroPark, and meeting at the main parking lot entrance.  Participants will be hiking an easy-to-moderate trail at a comfortable pace.  

Impact

Volunteers help build access, comfort, convenience, and safety into our programs for all interested in learning.  They enable more individualized support for first-time learners and create a better skill-building environment. Volunteers help people make a stronger connection to nature by making it easy to experience the outdoors in fun activities.

Tasks

This opportunity is open to the following volunteers: Short-term and Long-term. Learn more about our types of service here. 

Look for Additional Details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing! See the Programming Volunteer Position for more information on programming opportunities with us.  

Do artistic, creative, and cheerful describe you? Help create that Fall magic at this year's Fall Family Adventure as a Face Paint Program Support volunteer! Face painting is a highlight for youth at any event and is one of our most popular stations at Fall Family Adventure. We like it because it encourages creativity and the use of imagination in children helping them create a stronger connection to nature. Face Painters will paint the faces of kids (and adults if interested) using one of three simple, easy to paint designs. No experience or artistic skills are required. We will provide everything you need to successfully support this station.

Volunteers like YOU are an essential part of MetroParks' programs and events. Your participation helps make events like this one possible, allowing children and families to safely explore nature, learn, and have fun together in our parks.

At the heart of every youth and family event with MetroParks is a nature-based activity - Help create the Fall magic at this year's Fall Family Adventure as a Nature Knowledge Program Support volunteer! You'll share information about owls, squirrels, trees, and leaves with children and families, but don't worry we'll provide everything you need to successfully support this activity station.

Volunteers like YOU are an essential part of MetroParks' programs and events. Your participation helps make events like this one possible, allowing children and families to safely explore nature, learn, and have fun together in our parks.

Look for additional details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing! See the Programming Volunteer Position for more information on Programming volunteer opportunities with us.  

The Behavioral Health (BH) Volunteer, having direct care of children, must submit to local, state and national crime checks and other background checks as requested, including BMV.  The BH Volunteer must also complete required background checks including BCII / FBI with no record of forbidden offenses listed in OAC 5180:2-5-09.  Volunteers for events/activities where they will be supervised by Focus staff and not involving the care or supervision of youth are not required to do background checks.

Tasks may include:

*Volunteer hours can be flexible depending on schedules.  

One of the ways you can make a direct impact is by helping us build regulation kits—simple but powerful tools that help children manage big emotions and feel safe. No special skills are needed, and all instructions and materials will be provided on site.

One of the ways you can make a direct impact is by helping us build regulation kits—simple but powerful tools that help children manage big emotions and feel safe. No special skills are needed, and all instructions and materials will be provided on site.

Join Miami's Green Team for a Sustainability week service event!

Come learn about proper battery disposal practices, tape batteries to recycle, and watch a movie while celebrating Campus Sustainability Week! You can submit your attendance at this event to Community Connect to receive credit for these service hours with the Office of Sustainability! 

Junior Achievement is looking for enthusiastic volunteers to lead career-based learning sessions with 6th–8th grade students at Windham Jr. High. Join us on Tuesday, November 18th, from 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM and help spark curiosity and excitement about future careers.

No teaching experience? No problem! We’ll provide a virtual training session and all the materials you need to feel confident and prepared. Plus, lunch will be provided as a thank-you for your time.

This is a fun, rewarding way to make a real impact in students’ lives—your guidance could help shape their future!

Join us at our 7th Habitat Heroes volunteer project! Become a hero for the environment by working with our stewardship department to create more sustainable and quality habitat for the benefit of nature and people alike. We will be continuing to remove the invasive tree buckthorn from the grounds. Tools, training, and snacks will be provided.

NorthStar Home Hospice is locally owned and we are committed to providing compassionate, personalized care to our neighbors when they need it most. 

Volunteers are the HEART of our hospice team! We are committed to engaging dedicated and compassionate people in supporting patients and families through friendly visits to their homes or long-term care facilities throughout the Great Cincinnati area, including Butler County. Being a hospice volunteer is profoundly rewarding and there is no previous experience needed or medical/personal care involved.

Some of the ways YOU can make a difference when visiting patients:

We provide volunteers with ongoing support, comprehensive orientation/training, and screenings at no cost to you. Once you complete your orientation and screenings, we will strive to assign you close to your home or work, and based on your schedule and availability.

You can complete the volunteer application at the following link:

 https://www.volgistics.com/appform/2124156212

NorthStar Home Hospice is locally owned and operated. We care for our neighbors in Fairfield and throughout Greater Cincinnati.

We are seeking compassionate people to join our volunteer team to make friendly visits to patients living in their own homes or long-term care facilities in the Fairfield area. No personal or medical care is involved, just your time, kindness, and presence.

Some of the ways YOU can make a difference...

Volunteers are an integral part of our hospice team! We provide ongoing support, comprehensive orientation/training, and screenings at no cost to you. Once you complete your orientation and screenings, we will strive to assign you close to your home or work, and based on your schedule and availability.

Become part of something special and make a difference in the lives of local hospice patients when they need it most!

Click the link below to complete the volunteer application!

https://www.volgistics.com/appform/2124156212

NorthStar Home Hospice is calling on local veterans, including those who have served or are currently serving in the military, to provide companionship and supportive visits to veterans in hospice care, who live in their own homes or assisted living facilities throughout the Greater Cincinnati area, including Butler County.

As a Veteran to Veteran volunteer you can provide much needed comfort and companionship through friendly visits to local veterans in hospice care, strengthened by the bond of military service. You can also participate in pinning ceremonies, and other events where we honor our veterans' service to our country.

Volunteers are an integral part of our hospice team, and we provide you with ongoing support, comprehensive onboarding/training, and screenings at no cost to you. Once you complete your orientation and screenings, we will strive to assign you close to your home or work, and based on your schedule and availability.

Become part of a special and make a difference in the lives of fellow veterans when they need it most!

You can complete our volunteer application at the following link:

https://www.volgistics.com/appform/2124156212

NorthStar Home Hospice is locally owned and operated, serving the Fairfield and throughout the Greater Cincinnati area. We are dedicated to providing compassionate, personalized care that honors the dignity and wishes of our patients and their families.

We are looking for pet therapy teams to visit our patients living in their own homes and in long-term care facilities in Fairfield. Visits from dogs and their human counterparts can lift hospice patients' spirits, be a calming presence, and make them smile at a time when they need it most.

If you're already a certified/registered pet therapy team we want to hear from you now! If your dog is not certified/registered yet, check out one of the organizations below for details how to make it happen:

We provide the human member of the team with ongoing support, comprehensive orientation/training, and screenings at no cost to you. Once you complete your orientation and screenings, we will strive to assign you and your dog close to home, and based on your schedule and availability.

Your dog must have:

Become part of something special and make a difference in the lives of local hospice patients!

NorthStar Home Hospice is locally owned and operated and we are committed to providing compassionate, personalized care to our patients who are living in their own homes or long-term care facilities throughout the Greater Cincinnati area, including Butler County.

At NorthStar Home Hospice, we believe in neighbors helping neighbors. If you're a senior with a caring heart, your presence can mean the world to another senior on their final journey. Being a hospice volunteer is profoundly rewarding and there is no previous experience needed or personal care involved.

Some of the ways YOU can make a difference when visiting patients:

We provide volunteers with:

You can complete the volunteer application at the following link:

https://www.volgistics.com/appform/2124156212

Individuals who volunteer their time and talents help put excitement and perspective into the activities offered by our programming teams.  The Teachers' Night Out series is designed for teachers to learn about nature and science topics and how they can incorporate these topics into classroom learning.  This session will focus on the Green Schoolyard program, which encourages schools to develop outdoor learning spaces in their schoolyards. Participants will be sketching out garden ideas on graph paper as part of the session.   A volunteer with more gardening knowledge will be helpful in supporting this opportunity.  Program Support Volunteers are needed and able to participate in various entry opportunities to support programs, while not needing to be the expert at the activities. 

Impact

Volunteers enable us to accomplish so much more by lending a hand in simple activities, allowing demonstrators to take a break, or talking with the visitors about the activities while allowing the tasks to be completed.

 Tasks

This is an opportunity for the following volunteers: Short-Term and Long-Term Volunteers. Learn more about our types of service here.

This opportunity is available for OSUE Master Gardener service hours.

Look for additional details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing! See the Programming Volunteer Position for more information on programming opportunities with us.  

Gardening season is year-round, and our programming team at Possum Creek MetroPark is creating a way for people to learn during the colder months in our various garden-oriented classes!  Join the team and help us to create a more engaging and individualized program for our programs.  You do not need to be an expert to be program support for this opportunity, but gardening and plant knowledge are always a plus.

Horticulture at Five Rivers MetroParks creates, maintains, and preserves green space and habitats for pollinators and native plants, as well as educates visitors on sustainable gardening practices and local food production.  Program support volunteers help build access, comfort, convenience, and safety into our programs for all interested in learning. They enable more individualized support for first-time learners in this valuable skill-building program. They help people make a stronger connection to nature by making it easy to experience the outdoors in fun activities.

Under the supervision of the Staff Lead, volunteers will assist with the following: 

This opportunity is open to the following volunteers: Long-Term and Short-Term.  Learn more about our types of service here.

This opportunity is available for OSUE Master Gardener service hours.

Look for additional details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing! See the Programming Volunteer Position for more information on programming opportunities with us.  

Central Ohio Symphony needs ushers for the November 15th concert (featuring Symphonic Metamorphosis and Bruch's violin concerto.  Ushers need to be at Gray chapel by 7:00 and need to wear white tops and black bottoms.  They also get admission to the concert

Central Ohio Symphony is looking for ushers for the Holiday Concert on December 7 at Gray Chapel.  Ushers need to be at Gray Chapel by 1:30 and wear white tops with black bottoms and hints of red and green.

Assigned 1-2 stations to assist participants as they complete each STEAM challenge. Please arrive at 12:30 to prepare before doors open at 1 pm. Total time may be shorter or longer than anticipated, depending on participant count and duration required for STEAM challenge completeness.

The Event: Explore Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math through hands-on learning fun!  This special event will feature interactive stations dedicated to each area of S.T.E.A.M. - perfect for families, curious kids, and life-long learners alike.

Are you knowledgeable about the parks and current activities?

Volunteer to

Contact Craig Spicer with questions - 419-661-1697x3 | Cspicer@wcparks.org

We're looking to make Wild Lights 2025 more spectacular than ever with the help of bright volunteers like you! 

By registering for this opportunity, you'll be:

Questions? Contact Program Naturalist Craig Spicer - 419-661-1697 x3 | cspicer@wcparks.org

Do you love cooking or baking for others, especially those in need? You can help feed the hungry in our community! Common Ground serves prepared meals at the Free Store in Delaware, Ohio, 5 days per week. You choose your level of engagement... donate a bag of cheese for taco night, make a casserole, donate garlic bread for spaghetti night, or make a yummy dessert! You can choose one item or the entire meal. Just decide what works for your schedule and your budget. Every contribution counts! Sign-ups are easy; just use the SignUp Genius link below. It's updated monthly, so feel free to jump in or schedule ahead. "If you cannot feed a hundred people, then feed just one" (Mother Theresa).

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0B48A8A72AA5FB6-46706705-free#/

We're looking to make Wild Lights 2025 more spectacular than ever with the help of bright volunteers like you! 

By registering for this opportunity, you'll be assisting us with decorating the woods at W.W. Knight Nature Preserve with lights of all kinds, setting a magical scene for the competitors' decorated animal displays and for hundreds to walk through during the Wild Light Weekend (January 10-12, 2025).

Projects to be completed include

Questions? contact Program Naturalist Craig Spicer - 419-661-1697 x3 | cspicer@wcparks.org.

Join us at our 8th Habitat Heroes volunteer project! Become a hero for the environment by working with our stewardship department to create more sustainable and quality habitat for the benefit of nature and people alike. We will be removing the invasive shrub honeysuckle from the hillside leading to the river. Tools, training, and snacks will be provided. 

Leader: Stewardship Staff

Help create the Fall magic at this year's Fall Family Adventure as a Program Support volunteer!   The game areas are where fun and laughter can be heard all through the park.  Volunteers will enjoy these activities just as much as the families.  Creativity and playfulness are good traits to have when volunteering in this area

Volunteers help build access, comfort, convenience, safety, and FUN into our programs for all interested in learning!  Games are more than having fun, and can be a great learning tool for kids and families.  They can help children work on skills such as concentration, strategizing, following directions, and patience.

Assist the Stewardship Department with the native plant program by transplanting seedlings and performing other tasks in the warmth of the greenhouse. 

Assist the Stewardship Department with the native plant program by transplanting seedlings and performing other tasks in the warmth of the greenhouse. 

Join us during this all-day event and help the stewardship staff clean native seeds that were harvested from Park District properties last year. While you're here, be sure to sample and vote for your favorite chili from the options staff members provide! Arrive and depart as you wish.

Help clean native seeds that have been harvested from Park District properties. This is an indoor, sit-down activity. 

Help clean native seeds that have been harvested from Park District properties. This is an indoor, sit-down activity. 

Help clean native seeds that have been harvested from Park District properties. This is an indoor, sit-down activity.

At the heart of every youth and family event is a memorable activity that creates a DIY themed memento. Have that creative spirit?  Love working with crayons, construction paper and glue? Help create the Fall magic at this year's Fall Family Adventure as a Program Support volunteer!  Have you ever wondered why arts and crafts are so important for child development? For children aged 3 – 8 experts say it is the most important way to help them grow and develop.  Volunteers will be assisting children and their families with craft activities.  These are fun activities, and they can give kids a sense of achievement and build confidence.

Volunteers help build access, comfort, convenience, safety, and FUN into our programs for all interested in learning! When kids use their fingers to manipulate art materials they are developing their fine motor skills, their coordination skills improve as they learn to use both hands at the same time. When kids make art or crafts they get to talk about their work which develops their communication skills.  Kids get to learn about and recognize different shapes, count and sort out their art supplies, and even measure out lengths and sizes of art materials. Volunteers who support craft opportunities also foster mental growth in children by providing opportunities for trying out new ideas, new ways of thinking, and problem-solving.

We need people willing to commit to a 4-hour shift to monitor our guests while they are in the building. Monitors will answer the office phone, distribute bed linens, make coffee, run dishwasher, light cleaning as needed, open tote rooms for guests to obtain their personal items, and other miscellaneous tasks. Depending on the shift hours, bed linens also need to be laundered.

Our monitors are people willing to help the less fortunate in non-judgmental ways. We provide professional social services when requested so you do not need to be a counselor or professional social worker in order to volunteer. We do train and we are flexible with scheduling.

These are our current shifts that need additional people:

     4:00pm-9:00pm     Tuesdays

     4:00pm-9:00pm     Wednesdays

     4:00pm-9:00pm     Saturdays

We could also use people who cannot commit to a regular schedule but would be willing to fill in when someone cannot fill in on their regular shift due to illness or vacation time. 

Let us know which day works into your schedule!

Deep cleaning our facility in the kitchen, dorms, bathrooms, common areas and laundry room.

Wash and dry bedding, towels, washcloths. Our guests will do their own personal laundry.

Answer phones, prepare documents, help with mailings, miscellaneous tasks as needed. No prior office experience is needed and we will train.

Charity Newsies is excited to be a site for OSU's Exploring Columbus Through Leadership and Service program. Charity Newsies is offering a volunteer opportunity for over 80 volunteers including OSU students and Keller Williams employees who will complete 4 hours of service to support students in Franklin county and receive educational tours to learn more about the importance of organizations like Charity Newsies.

Building Block events are our way of joining together with our neighbors throughout Butler County to give back in a way that will build a solid foundation for the future. Each Building Block event is tailored to one of the building blocks for a good life:Youth Opportunity, Healthy Community, and Financial Security.
Between Monday, September 5, 2025 and Tuesday, December 10, 2025, we will hold a Basic Needs Building Block Event and collect new games and board games to give to needy children this holiday season. The Games and Board Games Drive will be distributed through our Partner Agency, PARACHUTE: Butler County CASA to children and their families in uncertain situations; a game or board game will help bring a bit of brightness to them this holiday season.

Please consider participating and see how you might be one of the building blocks toward a brighter future for many of these children throughout our county.

All big things start out small. Let's be the cornerstone of big change!

Drop your new games and board games off any time between September 5, 2025
and December 10, 2025, Tuesday- Thursday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Butler County United Way
323 North Third Street
Hamilton, OH 45011

Building Block events are our way of joining together with our neighbors throughout Butler County to give back in a way that will build a solid foundation for the future. Each Building Block event is tailored to one of the building blocks for a good life: Youth Opportunity, Healthy Community, and Financial Security.

Between Monday, September 5, 2025 and Tuesday, December 10, 2025, we will be holding a Basic Needs Building Block Event partnering with Butler County Educational Service Center. We will provide you or your organization with a wishlist of items for a family in need this holiday season. We ask that all gifts remain unwrapped. To Adopt a Family, volunteer, or donate, please contact us at holidayhelp@bcesc.org.

Please consider participating and see how you might be one of the building blocks toward a brighter future for many of these children throughout our county.

All big things start out small. Let's be the cornerstone of big change!

Drop your donation off any time between September 5, 2025
and December 10, 2025, Tuesday- Thursday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Butler County Educational Service Center
400 North Erie Blvd
Hamilton, OH 45011

Butler County United Way is holding a Building Block event in support of Hope House Mission in Middletown. It's our way of joining together with our neighbors throughout Butler County to give back in a way that will build a solid foundation for the future. Each 'Building Block Event' is tailored to one of the building blocks for a good life: Youth Opportunity, Healthy Community, and Financial Security.

Hope House Mission is a faith-based ministry, serving homeless men, women, and children by providing comprehensive programs and services designed to promote long-term, sustainable life transformation. In preparation for the winter months, we recognize the importance of providing even basic necessities and are collecting socks to donate to Hope House for those in their care. Please join us during "SOCKtober" to help our community's less fortunate.

To make your contribution go even further, select "Butler County United Way" as your AmazonSmile organization and a percentage of your purchase will benefit this and other programs throughout our county!

 Click Here to Access the Registry! 

Click Here to Make a Monetary Donation!

GIVE. ADVOCATE. VOLUNTEER.

Building Block events are our way of joining together with our neighbors throughout Butler County to give back in a way that will build a solid foundation for the future. Each Building Block event is tailored to one of the building blocks for a good life: Youth Opportunity, Healthy Community, and Financial Security.

Between Monday, September 5, 2025 and Tuesday, December 10, 2025, we will be holding a Basic Needs Building Block Event and will be collecting new stuffed Teddy Bears, other stuffed animals, or any appropriate children's toys to give to needy children this holiday season. The Teddy Bears and toys will be distributed through our partner agencies to children and their families who are in uncertain situations; a teddy bear, other plush animal, or toy will help to bring a bit of brightness to them this holiday season.

Please consider participating and see how you might be one of the building blocks toward a brighter future for many of these children throughout our county.

All big things start out small. Let's be the cornerstone of big change!

Drop your new Teddy Bears and toys off any time between September 5, 2025
and December 10, 2025, Tuesday- Thursday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Butler County United Way
323 North Third Street
Hamilton, OH 45011

Building Block Events are our way of joining together with our neighbors throughout Butler County to give back in a way that will build a solid foundation for the future. Each 'Building Block Event' is tailored to one of the building blocks for a good life: Youth Opportunity, Healthy Community, and Financial Security.

Our 'Thanksgiving Meal Packages' event will be held on Thursday, November 20, 2025, and will focus on creating Thanksgiving meal care packages to be donated to the Salvation Army for distribution to those in need. We are looking for the following donations to be graciously provided for the care packages: corn bread, corn, green beans, yams, cranberries, stuffing, mashed potatoes in a box, desserts, and re-usable bags.

We invite you to join us in assembling these care packages.

Event will be held
Wednesday, November 20 from
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at:

Butler County United Way
323 North Third Street
Hamilton, OH 45011

Click here for a Monetary Donation for Buying Food! 

GIVE. ADVOCATE. VOLUNTEER.

Historic Interpreter volunteers are needed during Christmas on the Farm to provide interpretation for the Daniel A Arnold Historic Farm and to lead and interpret several demonstrations:

Volunteers represent what living in the 1880s might have been like, and help visitors make a stronger connection to the history of Carriage Hill and experience life on an 1880s working farm. This opportunity will focus on historical farming, gardening, homesteading, and food preparation information.

This is an opportunity for the following volunteers: Long-Term Volunteers who are 16 and older and have qualified as Historic Interpreters  Learn more about our types of service here. 

Look for Additional Details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing! See the Programming Volunteer Position for more information on programming opportunities with us.  

Program Assistant volunteers during Christmas on the Farm will be supporting the staff on the historic farm or in the visitor center, engaging the public with demonstrations of knitting, crocheting, weaving, spinning, sewing, and other related textile activities.  The individuals who volunteer their time and talents help put excitement and perspective into the activities at the Carriage Hill Historic Farm. 

Program Assistant volunteers add depth to an event or program, help things run more efficiently, bring a 21st-century skill to share at an event or program, and are not Historic Interpreters.  These volunteers will support the staff and historic interpreter volunteers to enhance the experience guests have a better experience at Carriage Hill Historic Farm. Period clothing is not required.

Volunteers will be demonstrating skills they have in modern times that also were popular in the 1880s, and help visitors make a stronger connection to Carriage Hill and experience life on an 1880s working farm. This opportunity will allow people to enjoy an experience at the historic farm, learn more about the Textile process, and get a personal introduction to life on the farm.

This opportunity is open to the following volunteers: Short-term and Long-Term who are 16 years or older and have been qualified in an area of textiles. Learn more about our types of service here. 

Look for additional details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing! See the Programming Volunteer Position for more information on programming opportunities.  

Do you love the holidays and all the great family activities? Christmas on the Farm is back and Santa is expecting mail this year from Carriage Hill.  Volunteers will assist families in crafting a letter to Santa and ensure it gets in the mail.  Volunteers will be in the Visitor Center classroom and no period clothing is needed. 

Program Support volunteers enhance the visitor experience by offering excellent customer service, and sharing their passion for Carriage Hill and the event. Volunteers enable the staff to offer a diverse and engaging experience to those who come to the park.  They also help all of the day's visitors build awareness of all the amenities that MetroParks offers to community members.

This is an opportunity for the following volunteers: Short-Term and Long-Term who are 16 and older. Learn more about our types of service here. 

Gardeners know holiday decorating is a breeze when using evergreens that can be found around the home.  Do you love the holidays, decorating with the garden, and traditions of the season? Christmas on the Farm shares what it was like in the 1800's and ways they utilized materials found on the property to make seasonal decor. Volunteers will offer visitors some of the materials to make holiday decorations at home.

Program Support volunteers enhance the visitor experience by offering excellent customer service and sharing their passion for Carriage Hill and the event. Volunteers enable the staff to offer a diverse and engaging experience to those who come to the park.  They also help all of the day's visitors build awareness of all the amenities that MetroParks offers to community members.

This is an opportunity open to the following volunteers: Short-term and Long-term. Learn more about our types of service here.

This opportunity is available for OSUE Master Gardener service hours.

Do you enjoy baking and working in the kitchen?  Is a behind-the-scenes opportunity one that suits you? Be a part of our pre-event setup team and help with the preparation of the "goodies" to be baked and given out at Christmas on the Farm!  Under the supervision of the assigned MetroParks staff, volunteers will be making batches of gingerbread recipes, and freezing them for use.

Special Event volunteers are critical in ensuring that each special event or large-scale program runs smoothly and allow us to expand and enhance what we are able to offer through our programs and events.  

This is an opportunity for the following volunteers: Long-Term and short- term who are 16 and older. Learn more about our types of service here.  

Bring your own tools or borrow ours for this quick and dirty honeysuckle hack. Fall is a great time to remove honeysuckle allowing our native plants to flourish in the open space we create. 

This will involve cutting down honeysuckle, treating the stumps with herbicide, and possibly dragging downed wood to make piles.  If we find trash, we will also try to clean this as we go. This will be our 4th year tackling this site, and we have seen vast improvements in the habitat due to the work these last few years.

What to bring: If you have work gloves, loppers, or a saw please bring them. It will be late Fall in Ohio, so the ground may be hard and dry, or it may be really muddy. Please wear clothes that you don't mind getting dirty. We will be in an area with tall plants, so long sleeves and pants are recommended.

We will bring: We will have water bottles, and jugs to refill if you bring your own reusable bottle. We always bring snacks. We will also have extra gloves and tools that you can borrow.

Parking:  Parking is available onsite, right next to our work area.

Other: There are pit restrooms available on site.

Help bring the fun to life at this Halloween-themed 5K! Volunteers assist with registration, water stations, cheering on runners, setup and teardown, and handing out post-race treats. Costumes are welcome (and encouraged!). It’s a great way to support United Way and make sure everyone has a frightfully good time. https://runsignup.com/Race/Volunteer/OH/Dublin/TheMonsterDash5k

Spooky movie night is back!  Let's get in the Halloween spirit and decorate pumpkins.

Meet us at Grace Lutheran Church (4441 Monroe St., Toledo, OH  43613).  This ministry is designed to share the love of Christ with everyone, but with a special invitation to folks with developmental disabilities. It's a little bit of singing, a little bit of story, a little bit of praying, a little bit of craft. a little bit of snack, AND a whole lot of joy! EVERYONE is welcome!

Celebrate the season at the 39th Annual Sylvania Fall Festival.  If you'd like to join us for lunch, please bring money,

Program Assistant volunteers enhance the market experience by helping staff offer interactive activities for youth and families based on seasonal themes. See the schedule below for details:

Thursday, February 13th- Bean to Bar with Love CANCELLED

This program will feature chocolate growers and makers who create slave-free chocolate. The program is educational, with tasting samples and an activity to make your own chocolate granola grab bag to take home.  Volunteers will assist staff with set up, interacting with the guests, answering questions, and cleaning up.

Sunday, March 23rd- World Down Syndrome Day Craft Assistant

Volunteers will help guests make crafts to raise awareness about Down Syndrome. The crafts include a beaded bracelet and coloring socks to hang around the Market. Volunteers will help lead the activities, assist with tie the stretchy string for the bracelets, and keep the craft area tidy. 

Note: Socks symbolize the extra copy of chromosome 21 that causes Down syndrome. When viewed under a microscope, chromosomes appear as pairs that look like socks.

Saturday, April 19th- Annual Carolyn Kimes Tree Seedling Give-Away

Kristie Fisher and her mother Carolyn Kimes started giving away tree seedlings over 25 years ago. Since her mother’s passing, Kristie has kept this annual, community-loved tradition alive at the 2nd Street Market. In celebration of Earth Day, visitors will be able to select from a variety of free tree seedlings to take home and plant. Deciduous and coniferous trees will be available while supplies last. Volunteers are needed to assist staff with bagging tree seedlings, directing foot traffic, answering questions, and cleaning up.

Sunday, October 26th-  Halloween Pumpkin Decorating

Volunteers will assist participants with decorating pumpkins with paper, glue, sparkles, pipe cleaners, and more!  Help excited hands create pumpkin masterpieces while also encouraging children to visit the market vendors for trick-or-treat.

Sunday, December 14th and 21st- Breakfast with Santa

Volunteers will assist children and their guardians as they go through a buffet line to select their breakfast.  Volunteers will help with serving food and drinks, check off people when they arrive, and assist with clean up. There are two breakfast sessions held this morning. 

Programs at the Market inspire further exploration of our natural and cultural world and encourage community engagement and healthy lifestyles.

See the Programming Volunteer Position Description for more detailed information.

Carriage Hill Riding Center is hosting Halloween themed pony rides. This fun event allows the public to see our horses in cute costumes, and to join in on some spooky season fun! Parking Volunteers will be stationed at the entrance gates to the Riding Center.  Volunteers will redirect cars to the Visitor’s Center for parking, as well as open the barricades to allow the wagon to come and go with passengers to the barn. Volunteers will be given a safety vest and radio to communicate with barn staff.

Impact

Tasks

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to the following volunteers: 

Youth and Long-Term. Learn more about our types of service here. 

Youth Volunteers: Youth volunteers ages 14-17 are not required to complete a background check. If you are a new youth volunteer contact volunteer.services@metroparks.org to have your background check waived. 

Additional Notes

Carriage Hill Riding Center is hosting Halloween themed pony rides. This fun event allows the public to see our horses in cute costumes, and to join in on some spooky season fun! Registration Assistants will help check people in who have preregistered for the event.

Impact

Tasks

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to the following volunteers: 

Youth and Long-Term. Learn more about our types of service here. 

Youth Volunteers: Youth volunteers ages 14-17 are not required to complete a background check. If you are a new youth volunteer contact volunteer.services@metroparks.org to have your background check waived. 

Additional Notes

Volunteers needed on Mondays or Thursdays from June 2 through July 24, 2025.   Most volunteers serve as group guides for school age children grades K-12, divided into 6 age groups.   Group guides get to know the kids (all at-risk, 80% BIPOC), accompany the kids through their learning stations and assist the kids, if needed, at the station.   Times are 11:45am - 2:30pm. 

Most kids stay in the program long-term; there are VERY FEW behavioral issues.   Learning stations are: Literacy, Healthy Living, Bible, and Fun (group games) for elementary.  Teens have Bible study and emotional/relational skills.  Station leaders do teaching at the stations - curriculum is provided.   

When you select a position (most volunteers serve once a week), you are committing to all 8 weeks of the program, but you will have the opportunity to enter any dates you cannot volunteer as you signup.   Have children? They are welcome to enjoy the program as you volunteer!

Have only a few weeks to volunteer?   Feel free to volunteer as a sub.

All volunteers are background-checked and trained.   Volunteer training is May 19 at 7pm or May 22 at noon.

Volunteer registration link will be available by early April.  

Questions?   Call Sue Guttag, Director of Missions Cornerstone Church

513-874-0910 x325 or email missions@cornerstonechurch.org 

NOTE: As of 10/1/2025, Sue Guttag has retired as volunteer Missions Director.  Please email johnmccollum007@gmail.com, and I will forward your request to the right person.  Thanks!

Book lovers around the world enjoy searching for Little Free Libraries using our app. We need your help to increase the accuracy of our map of book-sharing boxes! 

You can get started in 2 steps: register on our website and then complete a self-paced online training. We will show you how easy it is to use our free app to find mapped Little Free Libraries and report any that are missing. If it's your first time signing up with Team LFL, you will need to create an account in our online volunteer hub.

It’s very flexible: search for libraries whenever it fits in your schedule. For your convenience, you will identify the areas around Cleveland that are easiest for you to visit. This is a solo/independent volunteer activity (unless you recruit friends and family to come with you!). It's a great option for a self-motivated volunteer.

Purpose: By increasing the accuracy of Little Free Library locations on our free world map, you are helping us to build community, inspire readers, and expand book access. 

Responsibilities:

Time Required: Please complete the Little Free Library visits by the end of December 2025. You can schedule your volunteer time based on your own availability. 

Training & Resources Available: We will help you get to know our organization and share best practices for visiting Little Free Libraries through our self-paced online training. We’ll also mail you printed invitations & envelopes that you can share with unregistered book-sharing boxes. 

Qualifications:

Volunteer Perks: You’ll get a free Little Free Library t-shirt after you record your first impact here on the Team LFL hub! If you need hours verified for a service-learning or workplace volunteer program, Little Free Library can provide verification. 

Supervision & Support: Little Free Library’s Community Engagement Manager can answer questions.

A local high school student is in need of a calculus tutor. 

Help keep elementary students entertained by playing games in the gym while their parents attend conferences. Sign up; https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0949AFAC23ABF58-59115405-childcare#/

Come dance the night away at our Halloween Costume Party!

Join us for our favorite activity . . . BINGO!

The Upper Twin Conservation Area contains a unique, diverse mix of high-quality habitats. Located in the Twin Valley corridor upstream from Germantown and Twin Creek MetroParks, this approximately 580-acre area does not have public facilities or a public parking lot, so this is a great opportunity to explore an area of undeveloped natural beauty! As with all of our parks, however, we still have much more to do! Your participation in a Make a Difference Day volunteer service project allows MetroParks to continue its mission to protect the region's natural heritage and provide outdoor experiences that inspire a personal connection with nature.  

Protecting open space and natural areas is a priority for Five Rivers MetroParks, which protects nearly 16,000 acres of land — 90 percent of it in its natural state. Conservation volunteers are a part of our regional conservation story by assisting in implementing a variety of natural area management plans.

Under the supervision of the assigned staff, volunteers will support and assist with the following:

Historic Interpreter volunteers are needed during Christmas on the Farm to provide interpretation for the Daniel A Arnold Historic Farm and to lead and interpret several demonstrations:

Impact

Volunteers represent what living in the 1880s might have been like, and help visitors make a stronger connection to the history of Carriage Hill and experience life on an 1880s working farm. This opportunity will focus on historical farming, gardening, homesteading, and food preparation information.

Tasks

This is an opportunity for the following volunteers: Long-Term Volunteers who are 16 and older and have qualified as Historic Interpreters  Learn more about our types of service here. 

Look for Additional Details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing! See the Programming Volunteer Position for more information on programming opportunities with us.  

Historic Blacksmith volunteers are needed during Christmas on the Farm to provide interpretation and demonstrations for the Blacksmith shop on the Daniel A Arnold Historic Farm.

Volunteers represent what living in the 1880s might have been like, and help visitors make a stronger connection to the history of Carriage Hill and experience life on an 1880s working farm. 

This is an opportunity for the following volunteers:  Long-Term Volunteers who have qualified as Historic Interpreters, as well as Historic Blacksmiths. Learn more about our types of service here. 

Volunteers must be qualified as Historic Blacksmiths to serve in this opportunity. To learn more, visit our Historic Blacksmith Volunteer Training page here.

Look for Additional Details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing!  See the Skilled Trades Volunteer Position for more information on skilled trades opportunities with us.  

Historic Woodworker volunteers are needed during Christmas on the Farm to provide interpretation and demonstrations for the Wood Shop on the Daniel A Arnold Historic Farm.

Volunteers represent what living in the 1880s might have been like, and help visitors make a stronger connection to the history of Carriage Hill and experience life on an 1880s working farm. 

This is an opportunity forthe following volunteers:  Long-Term Volunteers who have qualified as Historic Interpreters, as well as, Historic woodworkers.  Learn more about our types of service here. 

Volunteers must be qualified as a Historic Woodworker to serve in this opportunity. To learn more, visit our Historic Woodworker Volunteer Training page here.

Look for Additional Details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing!  See the Skilled Trades Volunteer Position for more information on skilled trades opportunities with us.  

Gardening is about growing your plants, and our programming team at Possum Creek MetroPark is creating a way for people to learn about how to use these plants.  The Herbal Wellness series is about traditional medicinal concoctions and discovering the lore and history behind their use.  Join the team and help us create a more engaging and individualized program for our participants.  You do not need to be an expert to be a program support for this opportunity, but gardening and plant knowledge are always a plus.

Horticulture at Five Rivers MetroParks creates, maintains, and preserves green space and habitats for pollinators and native plants, as well as educates visitors on sustainable gardening practices and local food production.  Program support volunteers help build access, comfort, convenience, and safety into our programs for all interested in learning. They enable more individualized support for first-time learners in this valuable skill-building program. They help people make a stronger connection to nature by making it easy to experience the outdoors in fun activities.

Under the supervision of the Staff Lead, volunteers will assist with the following: 

This opportunity is open to the following volunteers: Long-Term and Short-Term.  Learn more about our types of service here.

Look for additional details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing! See the Programming Volunteer Position for more information on programming opportunities with us.  

 The stewardship department will be hosting an Adopt-A-Garden volunteer appreciation lunch at J.C. Reuthinger Memorial Preserve on Tuesday, November 18th from 11:30 am to 1 pm. The address is 30730 Oregon Rd, Perrysburg, OH 43551. Lunch will be provided by the stewardship department, but feel free to bring any additional food items to share if you would like! 

Package food for communities in need. 

Our Historic and Cultural team creates a learning environment to help individuals enjoy the outdoors in fun and safe activities. They have created a series of hikes with the University of Dayton's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute to highlight various MetroParks, introduce them to the history and unique features, and incorporate essential information for people to enjoy a short hike in nature.   Volunteers will support the staff lead and participants as they enjoy nature, discover new MetroParks treasures, learn about the area's history, increase their activity, and find different ways to explore nature. This opportunity will be at Medlar Conservation area, and meeting in the primary parking lot.  Participants will be hiking an easy-to-moderate trail at a comfortable pace on a paved surface.  

Impact

Volunteers help build access, comfort, convenience, and safety into our programs for all interested in learning.  They enable more individualized support for first-time learners and create a better skill-building environment. Volunteers help people make a stronger connection to nature by making it easy to experience the outdoors in fun activities.

Tasks

This opportunity is open to the following volunteers: Short-term and Long-term. Learn more about our types of service here. 

Look for Additional Details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing! See the Programming Volunteer Position for more information on programming opportunities with us.  

Our Historic and Cultural team creates a learning environment to help individuals enjoy the outdoors in fun and safe activities. They have created a series of hikes with the University of Dayton's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute to highlight various MetroParks, introduce them to the history and unique features, and incorporate essential information for people to enjoy a short hike in nature.   Volunteers will support the staff lead and participants as they enjoy nature, discover new MetroParks treasures, learn about the area's history, increase their activity, and find different ways to explore nature. This opportunity will be at Aullwood Garden MetroPark, and we will meet at the visitor parking lot.  Participants will be hiking an easy-to-moderate trail at a comfortable pace, and also get a tour of Marie Aull's home.  

Impact

Volunteers help build access, comfort, convenience, and safety into our programs for all interested in learning.  They enable more individualized support for first-time learners and create a better skill-building environment. Volunteers help people make a stronger connection to nature by making it easy to experience the outdoors in fun activities.

Tasks

This opportunity is open to the following volunteers: Short-term and Long-term. Learn more about our types of service here. 

Look for Additional Details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing! See the Programming Volunteer Position for more information on programming opportunities with us.  

Rest. Reconnect. Regenerate.

Come walk the land and learn about MTSO's Seminary Hill Farm and Land Stewardship Initiative. This is an opportunity to explore volunteer opportunities in three focus areas:

The Children's Garden

Community Greens, our food pantry field and

Habitat restoration.

As well as opportunities for projects that match your interests and skills such as: ADA garden beds, vermicomposting, small-scale construction projects, seed saving and more.

Join our central Ohio team of compassionate volunteers and help bring comfort, companionship, and support to patients and families in need. Your time and kindness can make a world of difference in someone’s final journey. How you can help: ·      

No experience necessary- we will provide training and education. To get involved, contact Jennifer Porter at Jennifer.Porter@Compassus.com, or fill out a volunteer application on our website: Careers

Together we can provide comfort and dignity when it matters most.

Are you a veteran looking for a meaningful way to serve your community? Join our team as a Veteran-to-Veteran Hospice Volunteer and provide companionship, understanding, and support to fellow veterans in their final journey.

Why Veteran Volunteers Make a Difference

Veterans share a unique bond that goes beyond words. Your shared experiences can bring comfort and dignity to patients who served our nation.

What You'll Do

·       Providing Veteran to Veteran patients visits

·       Participating in Individual and community Pinning ceremonies to honor veterans and first responders

·       Facilitating connections with fellow veterans through group activities, discussions, or support groups

·       Organizing and participating in special events or ceremonies to honor veterans, such as Veterans Day celebrations or military branch-specific recognition events

·       Offering assistance with accessing veteran benefits, resources, and programs available through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

Why Volunteer?

Who We're Looking For

Together, we can honor those who served and ensure no veteran faces the end of life alone. If you have the heart to serve, we would love to have you join our team! To get involved, contact Jennifer Porter at Jennifer.Porter@Compassus.com, or fill out a volunteer application on our website: Careers

Together we can provide comfort and dignity when it matters most.

Share your time and talents by helping ADULTS learn English. You do not need to be a certified teacher. Volunteers can lead small virtual classes, with schedules that are flexible and based on your availability. No prior teaching experience required-just patience,encouragement,and a willingness to make a difference!! We do ask you commit to either half a year or a whole year.

6 Reading Role Models will be needed at Streetsboro Elementary as there are 6 kindergarten classes. Reading will be for a half hour starting at 11:00 a.m. for the dates listed.

Below is some basics for Reading Role Models:
• Wear your United Way Reading Role Model shirt
• Bring 4-5 books age appropriate to read to kindergarten class during the ½ hour reading
• Try to arrive 5-10 minutes prior to reading time
• Sign in with front office (office attendant will direct all readers to kindergarten rooms)
• Have FUN! This is a great time to encourage early grade reading, feel free to include audience participation by asking questions or by having a short discussion after you read.

PLEASE log your volunteer hours :)

Stockhands Horses for Healing was founded in 2014 based on the belief that horses have the power to heal. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit that provides equine-assisted therapeutic riding services to children and adults living with mental, physical, and emotional challenges. 

We rely on our volunteers to assist with our adaptive riding lessons, maintain our large facility, and care for our herd of 30+ horses. If you do not have any experience working with horses, we will teach you everything you need to know!

Volunteer Reviewers will log-in to a virtual one-hour orientation webinar to review the application instructions and process. Reviewers must sign and submit a Conflict of Interest statement.  Reviewers will then independently review their assigned proposals.  Finally, reviewers will log-in to the scheduled virtual team conference call for a facilitated discussion of their assigned proposals.  All application materials must either be destroyed or returned to ServeOhio.

Reviewers should plan to commit between 8 - 15 total hours to the review process as follows:
• Orientation Call: Video call discussing the application process and evaluation criteria – 1 hour.
• Independent Review: Reading and feedback submission on 3 to 6 proposals – 6 to 12 hours.
• Virtual team Meeting: Group discussion – 1 - 2 hours, depending on the discussion and total number of applications to review.

Medlar Conservation Area is home to a unique mix of diverse, high-quality habitats. Join our crew in cutting and dragging out invasive species that threaten to outcompete native plants and disrupt these ecosystems. Your efforts will directly support the health and resilience of this special area. This is a great opportunity for those wanting to get hands-on with habitat restoration!

Protecting open space and natural areas is a priority for Five Rivers MetroParks, which protects nearly 16,000 acres of land — 90 percent of it in its natural state. Conservation volunteers are a part of our regional conservation story by assisting in implementing a variety of natural area management plans.  

Under the supervision of the assigned staff, volunteers will support and assist with the following:

Help Plant Native Trees at Carriage Hill

Join us in planting native trees that will grow into the next generation of Carriage Hill MetroParks' forest! The trees are ready to be in the ground, and volunteers will help dig holes and plant species such as oaks, persimmons, hickories, and black gum.

These efforts will strengthen the natural landscape and provide food and shelter for local wildlife. Come ready to get your hands dirty and leave knowing you’ve made a lasting impact on the park!

Protecting open space and natural areas is a priority for Five Rivers MetroParks, which protects nearly 16,000 acres of land — 90 percent of it in its natural state. Conservation volunteers are a part of our regional conservation story by assisting in implementing a variety of natural area management plans.

Under the supervision of the assigned staff, volunteers will support and assist with the following:

Join Five Rivers MetroParks horticulture education team and support family programming throughout the year that connects visitors of all ages to the natural world through storytime,  gardening, and meaningful exploration of the outdoors! This opportunity will focus on a storytime followed by a related activity that follows the theme of the garden-related story.  Help us share amazing stories with children, exciting them about discoveries they can find in nature, and encouraging them to get outside and explore. 

Program support volunteers help build access, comfort, convenience, and safety into our programs. Volunteers enable more individualized support for first-time learners and create an inclusive skill-building environment. Volunteers help people create a stronger connection to nature by making it easy to experience the outdoors in fun activities.

This opportunity is open to the following volunteers: Short-term and Long-Term. Learn more about our types of service here. Volunteers should have good reading skills, be enthusiastic about finding discoveries in the garden, and enjoy working with children and families.

Environment & Physical Demands:  This opportunity is indoors.  The market may be cool in the winter and warm in the summer. Volunteers may have light physical duties like standing, walking, and light lifting to help set up and tear down.  The market may be busy with a lot of ambient noise during the program time. This is a family program, and volunteers should enjoy working with kids and families.

Parking & Meeting Instructions: Parking is available at the 2nd Street Parking lots. Volunteers are scheduled to arrive 1/2 hour before the program begins for set up and a brief orientation, review of roles and activities, and to gather supplies needed.  Please arrive early to park and check in.   You will meet the staff lead in the Pavilion or dining area.

Dress:  Please dress appropriately for the weather.  Wear your volunteer name badge, and if you have one, your volunteer T-shirt.

Head out with your camera and take photos of the plants and animals you see within Bull's Run. We are using the free iNaturalist app to gather data on the various species of plants and animals living at Bull's Run. All you need is your phone and the app.

When: Our BioBlitz runs all September and October. You can visit the arboretum anytime from dawn til dusk. Spend 5 minutes or 5 hours, this is totally up to you.

How: Take close up pictures and it will directly input them into our project (location needs to be turned on). The newest release of iNaturalist makes suggestions for the species you are submitting.

Why: We use the data you collect to figure out if there are critters or plants living there that need extra protection, or if there are invasives that we need to work on clearing out.

See the results: You can visit the project to see other peoples submissions at https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/fall-2025-bull-s-run-arboretum-bioblitz

Get the app or use a traditional camera: You will need to either download iNaturalist to your phone and have location turned on. Or, if you use a traditional camera you can submit online. Both the app link and the online submissions can be found at https://www.inaturalist.org/

Parking and Map: Free onsite parking and a trail map is located at the entrance.

5 Reading Role Models will be needed at Willyard Elementary.  We are adding Willyard as a monthly reading event.  Please see list of dates below and sign up for as many as you wish.  Thank you.

Below is some basics for Reading Role Models:
• Wear your United Way Reading Role Model shirt
• Bring 4-5 books age appropriate to read to kindergarten class during the ½ hour reading
• Try to arrive 5-10 minutes prior to reading time
• Sign in with front office (office attendant will direct all readers to kindergarten rooms)
• Have FUN! This is a great time to encourage early grade reading, feel free to include audience participation by asking questions or by having a short discussion after you read.

PLEASE log your volunteer hours :)

Columbiana County RSVP has partnered with Samaritan's Feet to host a senior focused health fair, as well as a free shoe distribution for qualified registrants. The event will feature screenings, information from local health and social service agencies and more. Seniors are encouraged to register to qualify for a free pair of shoes by going to https://samaritansfeet.org/ColumbianaCounty Volunteers are needed to assist with all aspects of this event.

We have a community carnival on October 4th. Volunteers help with horse riding, food preparation, set up, etc. On October 18th we will have a work day and training in preparation for launching a new equine-assisted activities and therapy program. 

As part of the regular Findlay Market OTR Blitz events, volunteers will team up with the Findlay Market maintenance crew, Cincinnati Center City Development Corp (3CDC), and Model Groups to clean up the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood and areas of Findlay Market on Saturday, October 18th. This OTR Blitz will also partner with eight to ten youth volunteers from Wesley Chapel, with age groups ranging from middle schoolers to high schoolers. This event will take approximately four hours. During this time, volunteers will pick up trash, remove graffiti, recycle what they can, sweep away debris, and help to clean up about four city blocks.

This project aims to beautify and maintain Findlay Market and the OTR neighborhoods, supporting over 5,000 diverse residents made up of families and people from various socioeconomic and educational backgrounds. It will also provide a pleasant experience for the 1.4 million visitors who visit this historic market and area each year. By enhancing the atmosphere of Findlay Market and the OTR neighborhood, this cleanup day will help highlight local culture and create a clean, safe space for residents and visitors.

This cleanup project will not only enhance the neighborhood's appearance but also include an educational component. Volunteers will learn the importance of caring for the environment and their communities, as well as the area's rich history and cultural heritage. By using sustainable practices to promote a healthier environment, this experience will also create a sense of pride in this charming and historic part of Cincinnati.

This fall, United Way invites you to be part of Make a Difference Day by joining our community-wide project: “FROM OUR FAMILIES TO YOURS” – Sharing essentials, strengthening homes, building community.

We know that many families in our community face real challenges in meeting their basic needs; stretching already tight budgets as the cost of household essentials continues to rise. Together, we can ease this burden and help families focus their limited resources on other critical needs.

We need the help of  volunteers to assemble the collected items at Gibbs Elementary, into From Our Families to Yours Kits . These kits will be distributed to the students’ families prior to Thanksgiving, sending a powerful message: our community cares, and no one is alone.

Volunteers will identify and mark storm drains within neighborhoods, parks, school campuses, or other public areas. This process involves locating storm drains and placing clearly visible educational markers on or near the drains using an adhesive. Before applying the markers, volunteers will clean the surface of each drain to ensure that it is free of dirt and debris so the markers can adhere properly and remain in place long-term. The volunteers will hand out educational materials to nearby homes, helping spread awareness beyond the marked drains.

This fall, United Way invites you to be part of Make a Difference Day by joining our community-wide project: “FROM OUR FAMILIES TO YOURS” – Sharing essentials, strengthening homes, building community.

We know that many families in our community face real challenges in meeting their basic needs; stretching already tight budgets as the cost of household essentials continues to rise. Together, we can ease this burden and help families focus their limited resources on other critical needs.

We need the help of  volunteers to assemble the collected items at Alliance Preschool, into From Our Families to Yours Kits . These kits will be distributed to the students’ families prior to Thanksgiving, sending a powerful message: our community cares, and no one is alone.

This fall, United Way invites you to be part of Make a Difference Day by joining our community-wide project: “FROM OUR FAMILIES TO YOURS” – Sharing essentials, strengthening homes, building community.

We know that many families in our community face real challenges in meeting their basic needs; stretching already tight budgets as the cost of household essentials continues to rise. Together, we can ease this burden and help families focus their limited resources on other critical needs.

We need the help of  volunteers to assemble the collected items at Massillon East Elementary, into From Our Families to Yours Kits . These kits will be distributed to the students’ families prior to Thanksgiving, sending a powerful message: our community cares, and no one is alone.

Volunteers will identify and mark storm drains within neighborhoods, parks, school campuses, or other public areas. This process involves locating storm drains and placing clearly visible educational markers on or near the drains using an adhesive. Before applying the markers, volunteers will clean the surface of each drain to ensure that it is free of dirt and debris so the markers can adhere properly and remain in place long-term. The volunteers will hand out educational materials to nearby homes, helping spread awareness beyond the marked drains.

come volunteer and help us clean up the garden and put the beds to sleep until next spring. We need help clearing out weeds, cutting high grass, weed eating around the fence line and clearing our high tunnel.

Biannual community service event at the CCYC After-School youth center in Wilmington, OH.