Local nonprofits seek summer volunteers

For students who find they have extra time on their hands this summer, there are organizations in Charlottesville that provide opportunities for students to contribute to the community by volunteering. Volunteers have the opportunity to discover new interests, meet new people and give back to the community.

“I, personally, am very passionate about volunteering and giving back to the community that has given so much to me,” said Rebecca Davis, co-president of the Volunteer Club at Piedmont Virginia Community College. “The reward of volunteering is knowing that you’re making a difference in someone’s life.”

Students can make a difference while serving a variety of populations, from the homeless to the disabled, to victims of domestic violence.

For animal lovers, the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA is the ideal volunteer opportunity. The SPCA is a nonprofit, no-kill animal welfare organization that always welcomes volunteers to help with cleaning, laundry, walking dogs and providing foster homes to pets. To volunteer, one simply needs to complete an application and attend an orientation and training session. To learn more about involvement with the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA, students may email Lisa Milliken at lmilliken@caspca.org.

The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank is seeking volunteers to help at the food bank, local food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters. “The food bank is also in desperate need of food donations,” said Davis. “This food bank provides meals to families right here in our area.” Volunteers can help fulfill the organization’s mission of feeding the hungry in various ways, from sorting through food donations to processing surveys. Brafb.org provides information about programs and ways to become involved.

The Haven, located near the Historic Downtown Mall, gives the homeless and the very poor a place to receive vital services and to connect with social service providers. The Haven is seeking volunteers for a wide range of tasks, such as preparing, serving and cleaning up after meals, helping at the welcome desk and directing guests to the various service providers in the building. For more information about volunteer opportunities at the Haven, please email Stephen Hitchcock at stephen@thehaven.org.

Arc of the Piedmont is a nonprofit organization that strives to improve the quality of life of people with, or at risk of, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and their families. On its website, the Arc of the Piedmont advertises opportunities for volunteers to “spend time with a person with a disability, provide administrative help, serve on a committee, assist with special events, or lend a hand in one of our service programs.” Those interested in learning more about volunteering at the Arc of the Piedmont may contact David White at dwhite@thearcofthepiedmont.org.

Originally started as a volunteer-run organization, AIDS/HIV Services Group (ASG) still relies on volunteers today. ASG provides services and programs to those living with, affected by or at risk of HIV or AIDS. For those who want to help with outreach and testing events, fundraising, or administration, ASG offers a variety of opportunities for students to volunteer. For more information, please contact Penny Goldman at penny.goldman@asgva.org.

The Shelter for Help in Emergency is an organization and shelter that is working to end domestic violence in the Charlottesville community. The shelter offers services intended to create a community of support and to empower victims of domestic violence. The shelter is seeking volunteers to answer the 24-hour hotline, help with special events and fundraisers, and provide transportation, among various other tasks. Volunteer training sessions are offered, and students can contact the volunteer coordinator at volunteercoordinator@shelterforhelpinemergency.org for details.

To these organizations, every donated minute counts, and these are only a few of the volunteer opportunities PVCC students can help with in Charlottesville. To learn more about local organizations seeking volunteers, interested students may contact Rebecca Davis at rjd2331@email.vccs.edu.