Volunteering in Middle Georgia
Rebuilding Macon welcomes volunteers to help repair the homes of elderly and disabled Macon residents.
Macon’s preservation organization, Historic Macon Foundation, offers a variety of volunteer opportunities.
Macon Outreach touches the lives of many in need on a daily basis. They focus on basic needs and welcome volunteers year-round.
Macon Area Habitat for Humanity offers opportunities to help build homes.
Loaves & Fishes is working to end food security. Volunteer to help meet the need.
Whether it’s mandatory or willingly, volunteering can be made easier when you find the right fit for you. Luckily, Middle Georgia has over 1,000 nonprofit organizations to choose from. While some may support the same cause, each organization has something unique about them.
One of the life lessons we teach youth at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Georgia is to be engaged in the community through volunteering. As part of that pillar, here is a collection of opportunities in the middle Georgia area for our teens & their families, our board & staff, and our organizational supporters alike to reference. If you need volunteer hours or want to take your contribution to your community to the next level, below are some amazing organizations that are always looking for volunteers. Read about why they were created, when they started, what they do and how they do it. Something might just spark an interest.
The Brookdale Warming Center
The once vacant campus of the Brookdale Elementary School was turned into the Brookdale Warming Center at the beginning of the year. The community saw a need for a center like this in Macon after two homeless men died in December 2020. The center is a refuge for families in need and people who are homeless by providing them with shower facilities, three meals per day, and a safe place to stay. The Brookdale Warming Center is working towards closing a gap in our community, not only do they give basic necessities but they also have mental health support and educational support available. In time, they hope to develop more resources and support to those who come through their doors.
Volunteers can help by serving meals, assisting with client intake and doing laundry. Donations are always welcomed and accepted, they ask for bedding, hygiene products, food, first aid, clothes and shoes, etc.
To volunteer you can visit Dinner Volunteers: Brookdale Resource Center (signupgenius.com) to sign up.
For a complete list of acceptable donations, visit Donations Needed! | United Way of Central Georgia (galaxydigital.com)
The Anchor of Hope Foundation
Anchor of Hope is an organization that provides financial and spiritual support, encouragement, community resources, and services to families with developmental disabilities in Forsyth, GA. Founded in 2007, by a couple with their own autistic child, this foundation looked to give hope to families facing the same struggles and disappointments. Nearly 15 years later, this organization has made quite the impact on the community. Through financial scholarships, hours of education and training, building relationships, increasing awareness, hours of counseling and advocacy, and more Anchor of Hope has truly lived up its name.
The Anchor of Hope Foundation believes that volunteers are the hands and feet of the organization. They are always looking for volunteers to help bring the community together and support one another. Volunteers can assist with their Autism Awareness Festival, Parents’ Night Out, and other events. Volunteers can also help with office tasks like managing their resource library, coordinating scholarships, updating their social media, connecting with the community, and more.
To volunteer with the Anchor of Hope Foundation, visit Get Involved | Volunteer (anchorofhopefoundation.org)
Loaves & Fishes Ministry of Macon
More than 50 years ago, the Loaves & Fishes Ministry of Macon started as a food and clothing ministry. Today they have grown and developed to better fit the needs of the homeless, impoverished, and marginalized communities in Middle Georgia. Loaves & Fishes provides access to services that increase the capacity of becoming or remaining self-sustaining.
Meals
Meals are provided on select days, typically Monday through Thursday, and consists of traditional sack breakfasts, traditional sack lunches, and dinners/afternoon meals.
ID’s and Birth Certificates
The necessity of an ID is a pressing issue, Loaves & Fishes helps individuals take the first step towards self-sufficiency by helping them obtain a valid ID or their birth certificate.
Prescription Assistance Program
The purpose of this program is to help a person maintain or improve their health. Not having to worry about affording medications means money can go towards food or shelter. The program can help individuals obtain medications for a variety of health issues such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, seizures, pneumonia, bronchitis, antibiotics, and more.
Grocery Assistance Program & Laundry Assistance
This program helps families and individuals in need stock their pantries and kitchens with nutritious meals. On certain days they also have laundry assistance available.
Along with bible study, spiritual counsel, AA meetings, housing assistance, and more, the Fishes & Loaves Ministry of Macon really helps families and individuals get back on their feet and stay on their feet. There are many ways to help, volunteers can assist as an office assistant, front counter worker or organizing and helping with fundraisers, and so much more. For more information, visit Loaves & Fishes Ministry (loavesandfishesministry.org)
Macon Area Habitat for Humanity
Macon Area Habitat for Humanity was created out of a Sunday School class at Northminster Presbyterian Church in 1986 to address Macon’s serious need for affordable homeownership opportunities. 35 years later, Macon Area Habitat for Humanity is part of a global, nonprofit housing organization that seeks to build homes, communities, and hope. They are dedicated to eliminating substandard housing through constructing, rehabilitating, and preserving homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. Habitat for Humanity was founded on the conviction that every man, woman, and child should have access to safe, decent, and durable shelter in decent communities. There are three areas in which volunteers can choose to work.
Construction: Working on a team with skilled construction staff during one of the many phases of building a home. (Must be 16 or older)
ReStore: Volunteering at their non-profit building storefront by assisting with collecting, organizing, and pricing donated items; staffing the sales floor, and updating the space.
Office Work: Filing, data entry, and general clerical work as well as campaign support, donation thank you letters and invoices. Help with events, recruitment, and organization. If you’re interested in making your community a place where everyone has access to a decent and affordable place to live go to GET INVOLVED | maconhabitat to volunteer.
Macon Outreach
Since 1971, Macon Outreach has worked with churches, service areas, and volunteers to address the needs of those living in poverty in Central Georgia. Macon Outreach has three main areas they utilize to provide resources.
The Downtown Kitchen
The Daily Hot Meal Program is where over 1,500 hot, balanced meals are prepared and served every week by part-time staff and community volunteers. Meals are served daily Monday through Friday for breakfast and/or lunch.
The Food Pantry
Macon Outreach also helps struggling families in the Bibb County area through the Emergency Grocery Pantry. They work hard to ensure that no child, adult, or family has to worry about whether they will eat tonight.
The Clothing Closet
From the Outreach Clothes Closet, guests can receive clean and reliable clothing and shoes. Macon Outreach accepts donations from 9:30am to noon on Tuesdays. Donations such as clean, gently used clothing, shoes, bibles, and books are preferred.
Volunteers are needed to help serve breakfast or lunch, register clients, hand out clothes, or give out groceries. If you don’t have time to volunteer, you can donate gently used clothing or canned goods.
Historic Macon Foundation
The Historic Macon Foundation came to be when the Middle Georgia Historical Society and the Macon Heritage Foundation merged in July 2003. Historic Macon is all about educating the community on its history and historic preservation. As well as restoring historic buildings, sites, and neighborhoods. Since their creation they’ve completed nearly 150 houses, achieved with help from members and volunteers.
Volunteers can help advocate for historic preservation, plan and execute events, lead hard hat tours of rehabilitation projects, serve on active committees, help at the flea market, and more. If you’re passionate about history or love your city and want to learn more, the Historic Macon Foundation is a great place to volunteer.
To learn more about the Foundation or to sign up to volunteer,
iSparkle2
iSparkle2 is a girl mentoring and leadership organization, based in Warner Robins. Created in 2019, this nonprofit seeks to create a supportive and friendly environment for teen girls to make connections that foster their strengths, reduce risk factors and build their resilience to promote overall emotional well-being and academic success. Overall enabling girls to live within their full potential and thrive to achieve their dreams.
iSparkle2 transforms the lives of girls ages 11-18 by providing guidance through mentoring and leadership programs. Their mentoring program matches girls with the best possible mentor specific to each girl. Other programs include LeadHERship Development and STEM opportunities as well as the opportunity to cultivate personal growth and build lifelong relationships.
For more information on becoming a mentor or to apply to be a mentor, visit EmpowHERment Mentoring – iSparkle2
Interested in volunteering? iSparkle needs volunteers for events, their camp program, and more! To volunteer go to Volunteer Form – iSparkle2
Rebuilding Macon
Rebuilding Macon is a nonprofit organization that repairs the homes of low-income homeowners, particularly the elderly and disabled, improving their quality of life by providing warmth, safety, and independence. Today, the organization completes around 250 project houses a year free of charge.
Much like the majority of other nonprofit organizations, projects are accomplished with the help of volunteers. There are two main ways to volunteer with Rebuilding Macon.
The Good Samaritans
Volunteers can work with a team on a weekly basis, every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday a team of Good Samaritans build wheelchair ramps, repair roofs, fix leaks, and so much more.
Volunteer Teams
Volunteer teams are a great opportunity for a business, club, school, church, or a group in general to work together to help improve the community. Teams can help with ongoing projects or take on their own project start to finish.
If you’re interested in volunteering or know someone who might be, you can visit Volunteer — Rebuilding Macon, children under 14 are not allowed to volunteer.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Georgia
You didn’t think we’d forget ourselves, did you?
Our mission to enable young people who need us most to become productive, caring, responsible citizens is made possible through the help of volunteers. And while COVID precautions have greatly limited the number of volunteers we are able to have inside the clubs, volunteering with us has taken a creative turn.
As we approach our Thriller Night Run 5K, we seek volunteers to help ensure our run goes smoothly and our volunteers stay safe. Click here to sign up!
Additionally, our athletic & wellness director, Marques Cheeks, is looking for volunteers to help with coaching flag football and cheerleading. Email him at mcheeks@bgccg.org to express your interest.
“The Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Georgia strives to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.” This is just a part of our mission that we strive to carry out every day. We believe that volunteering plays a huge role in becoming productive, caring, and responsible. There are so many benefits to volunteering, like gaining social skills and growing your network. It can teach values, give perspective, and provide new experiences. It’s also a two-way street, not only do you benefit, but so does the community. A thriving community is a benefit to all.
Covid-19 has put a strain on the world, to say the least. However, our community still needs help, maybe now more than ever. There are safe ways to volunteer your time and if in-person volunteering isn’t an option, there are other ways to help. Donations are always needed, whether it’s food, clothing, hygiene products, etc. plenty of organizations take donations. Taking the time to go through your closet or pantry or even go grocery shopping is still time that was put into helping out our community. Lastly, monetary donations can always be made. Sometimes $10, $20, $30 doesn’t seem like much, but every dollar counts towards a need. There is always a way to contribute, find what works for you.