“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.” — Elizabeth Andrew
That quote has been on our minds lately as we change seasons from summer to fall. Whether we’re heading back to school, starting a new routine or are just excited for autumn’s beauty and fall festivities, much like the winter-to-spring transition, summer-to-fall is a time of reflection.
And as you’re reflecting, we’d like to encourage you to consider adding volunteerism to your new routine and making it a regular part of your life, because anyone who has volunteered their time for community organizations knows it can be so rewarding. Participating in positive change is just good for the soul.
If you’re looking for opportunities to lend a hand, especially as we get closer to the season of giving, please take a look at our volunteer portal, VolunteerMPC.org, for a whole host of ways that you can give back. Here are just some examples of ways you can volunteer this fall:
- United Way’s Helpful Harvest Program needs volunteers to water plants, sow seeds, harvest produce, do greenhouse maintenance, deliver produce and more. The program uses funds raised from selling leafy greens and microgreens from the greenhouse to purchase a variety of fruits and vegetables that are donated to area food pantries and programs to help people in need.
- Literacy Volunteers of Mon and Preston Counties needs people to help with “drop-off days” for the organization’s annual Pop-Up Used Bookstore Fundraiser. The sale itself will be in October, but there are numerous volunteer opportunities throughout September for people who are willing to move books being dropped off into the back room of the store.
- Scott’s Run Settlement House needs help occasionally unloading the USDA food truck that makes deliveries to help stock the food pantry. The truck comes on the first and third Wednesday of the month. Sign up to help on the volunteer portal, and someone from the settlement house will reach out with more information.
- People are still needed to help volunteer on Sept. 8 for the Save a Life: Free Naloxone Day event. The Monongalia County Quick Response Team is asking for volunteer help at eight locations around the county. As a volunteer, you will hand out naloxone and teach people how to administer it.
- Morgantown Feral and Stray Cats needs help with animal care and cleaning cat carriers, traps and litter boxes. The organization traps feral cats and kittens to then take them to vet appointments and place them in foster homes.
- United Way needs volunteers to help kick off the 2023 Campaign by holding up signs, cheering and waving at popular intersections around town from 7:45-8:45 a.m. Sept. 9. This Honk and Wave event aims to build support for the organization and spread good cheer to the community during the morning commute. To volunteer for this opportunity, you can also email servando@unitedwaympc.org.
- Operation Welcome Home needs volunteers to help with the Veterans Golf Classic, a charity golf outing benefiting the agency, on Oct. 5 at the Pines Country Club.
- Volunteers are needed to help set up and tear down Christian Help’s Children’s Consignment Sale happening at the Morgantown Armory on Oct. 2. Duties include loading and unloading the truck, building racks, taking racks down and helping to transport leftovers to Christian Help or its storage unit.
These and many other volunteer opportunities are listed on VolunteerMPC.org. Head over there to look through the options, find something that fits well with your personality, or even choose based on the organizations that interest you. With the plethora of opportunities available in our community, you’re bound to find something that works for you.
And to anyone who has ever volunteered in some way, thank you for your time and commitment to this community. You’re appreciated more than you know.
AMANDA POSEY is the director of marketing and communications for the United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties. She can be reached at amanda@unitedwaympc.org.
