Make an impact by supporting donation drives organized by United Way of the Midlands. Your purchased items will be shipped directly to United Way.
April 21, 2024 - April 27, 2024
Volunteer Week 2024
Volunteering isn’t just a force for good here in the Midlands—it’s also a path to meaningful connection. That’s why United Way is amplifying the opportunities to get involved through our Volunteer Center, so Midlands residents can forge meaningful ties as they forge a more resilient community. Will you join us?
Volunteer Week Projects
-
All Week | April 21 - April 27
Ongoing Projects | Monday, April 17 - Friday, April 21
The Salvation Army Family Store
- Agency: Salvation Army of the Midlands
- When: Monday, April 21 through Friday, April 27 from 10:00AM-3:00PM
- Where: 1312 N Millwood Ave, Columbia, SC 29204
- Description: Help is needed! Spend some time volunteering at the Salvation Army Family (thrift) Store.
- SIGN ME UP!
Read More -
Monday | April 22
Town Theatre Set Breakdown
- Agency: Town Theatre
- When: Monday, April 22 from 9:00AM-1:00PM
- Where: 1012 Sumter St, Columbia, SC 29201
- Description: Relieve some stress by helping the Town Theatre break down the set from their most recent show. The next show, Something Rotten, is quickly approaching, so this project is a particularly quick turnaround. Pizza and subs will be served at lunch!
- SIGN ME UP!
PAWtastic Pooches
- Agency: Palmetto Animal Assisted Life Services
- When: Monday, April 22 from 10AM-12PM
- Where: 221 N Grampian Hills Rd, Columbia, SC 29223
- Description: Help the Palmetto Animal Assisted Life Services tidy up their dog yard. Come out and create a special play area for these sweet dogs!
- SIGN ME UP!
Spring Cleaning
- Agency: Arden Elementary School
- When: Monday, April 22 from 2:30-5:00PM
- Where: 1300 Ashley St, Columbia, SC 29203
- Description: Help declutter the school and prepare it for the students.
- SIGN ME UP!
School Readers on the Go
- Agency: Fairfield Elementary School
- When: Monday, April 22 from 8:00AM-12:00PM, 12:00-3:00 PM
- Where: 175 Medley Rd, Winnsboro, SC 29180
- Description: Organize the reading room and sort books by topic and grade level. After sorting books, pack bags of book to be given out at the end of the year!
- SIGN ME UP!
Read More -
Tuesday | April 23
'Be a Book Bunny' Tote Stuffing Party!
- Agency: Young Leaders Society
- When: Tuesday, April 23 from 12:00-1:00PM
- Where: United Way, 1818 Blanding St., Columbia
- Description: Help YLS stuff literacy totes for students that have participated in the Midlands Reading Consortium program during the 2023-2024 school year. This year our goal is to distribute 800 totes to students to encourage their love for reading over the summer months and we can use your help. We will be stuffing totes with books and sorting by grade for students Pre-K to 3rd grade. This shift will be one hour long; we hope you will join!
- SIGN ME UP!
Meals on Wheels
- Agency: Meals on Wheels
- When: Tuesday, April 23 from 10:30-11:45AM
- Where: 2817 Millwood Ave., Columbia SC 29205
- Description: Volunteer with Senior Resources' Meals on Wheels and make a difference in the lives of Richland County seniors! Children and teens under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, while teens 17 and up can volunteer independently. Come help us deliver more than a meal and bring joy to those in need!
- SIGN ME UP!
Read More -
Wednesday | April 24
Costume Declutter and Organization
- Agency: Trustus Theatre
- When: Wednesday, April 24 from 11:00AM-2:00PM, 2:00-5:00PM
- Where: 1012 Sumter St, Columbia, SC 29201
- Description: Have some fun while organizing, sorting, and cataloging costumes from the last 15 years of productions. Join us to calm some of the costume chaos!
- SIGN ME UP!
Transition Into Spring
- Agency: Transitions Homeless Shelter
- When: Wednesday, April 24 from 9:00AM-1:00PM
- Where: 2025 Main St, Columbia, SC 29201
- Description: Spring is here! Help clean stairwells, walkways and more to make the shelter a welcoming home for all.
- SIGN ME UP!
Read More -
Thursday | April 25
Meals on Wheels
- Agency: Meals on Wheels
- When: Thursday, April 25 from 10:30-11:45AM
- Where: 2817 Millwood Ave., Columbia SC 29205
- Description: Volunteer with Senior Resources' Meals on Wheels and make a difference in the lives of Richland County seniors! Children and teens under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, while teens 17 and up can volunteer independently. Come help us deliver more than a meal and bring joy to those in need!
- SIGN ME UP!
Packing for Meals on Wheels
- Agency: Meals on Wheels
- When: Thursday, April 5 from 8:30-10:30AM
- Where: 2817 Millwood Ave., Columbia SC 29205
- Description: Join Senior Resources in packing meals for nearly 800 clients.
- SIGN ME UP!
Read More -
Friday | April 26
Help Expand Camp Cole
- Agency: Camp Cole
- When: Friday, April 26 from 9:00AM-12:00PM
- Where: 1571 Crossing Creek Rd, Eastover, SC 29044
- Description: Camp Cole has recently expanded and needs your help making it beautiful! Join fellow volunteers in planting and watering new landscaping!
- SIGN ME UP!
Read More -
Saturday | April 27
Gardening for Global Gamecocks
- Agency: International Friendship Ministries
- When: Saturday, April 22 from 10:00AM -1:00PM
- Where: 610 Pickens Street, Columbia, SC 29201
- Description: The grounds around the headquarters for the Columbia International Festival and International Friendship Ministries could use some sprucing up. (Most of the students we serve are at USC, but we touch people from all over the globe--hence the project name.) It would help if you can bring work-gloves and tools (but we'll have a few), so you can prune, sweep, pick up trash, and otherwise beautify our HQ at the corner of Blossom and (610) Pickens near USC. We will be glad to provide pizza and drinks to enjoy after your hard work helping our grounds look better.
- SIGN ME UP!
Run, Forest, Run!
- Agency: Forest Lake Elementary School
- When: Saturday, April 27 from 7:00-11:00AM
- Where: 6801 Brookfield Rd, Columbia, SC 29206
- Description: This is an annual race sponsored by the Forest Lake Education Foundation. The school community will come together to enjoy food trucks, games, face painting, and run/walk. Volunteers will assist at water stations, student activities, setup/cleanup, and cheering on students during the fun run.
- SIGN ME UP!
Read More
Want another option to give back?
Support a collection drive
United Way of the Midlands, lead agency of Midlands Area Consortium for the Homeless (MACH), is collecting new winter items to help those experiencing homelessness this winter. The community can help with the donation drive by purchasing items from United Way’s Amazon Wish List to be shipped directly to United Way.
Visit our wish list
Be a Book Bunny distributes literacy bags to over 900 students served by MRC in the Midlands to help children build personal libraries to encourage reading both in and out of the classroom. Our Amazon wish list is full of options you can purchase for our students. Just place an order and they will be shipped directly to United Way!
United Way believes a strong foundation of reading greatly impacts a child’s success in school and beyond. The Midlands Reading Consortium (MRC) is a library of services including one-to-one tutoring, book donations, book nooks, parent engagement events, guest reading opportunities for individuals and companies, and summer reading camps. Last year, United Way supporters helped 600 elementary students improve their reading skills through the MRC. Help us support our students and their at-home libraries!
Having the right tools is essential for students to succeed in the classroom. Research shows having the proper school supplies promotes learning, builds self-esteem and helps kids stay in school, especially for those who may already feel out of place. The Ready, Set, Supply! initiative offers students a chance to start the school year with the same materials. Your donation also benefits our teachers who often use their own money when trying to meet the needs of their students.
Celebrating Volunteers
We can't wait to celebrate the wonderfully dedicated volunteers in our community during this year's Volunteer Week! Announcements will take place during the week of April 17-22, 2023. Stay tuned!
Check out last year's winners who made a big impact going above and beyond.
The Community Impact Awards allow our community partners to nominate volunteers who have made a tremendous impact on a cause, program or project in the Midlands. Please join us in celebrating last year's Community Impact Award winners!
Pastor Stanley Rivers
Nominated by Calhoun County First Steps. His nominator said “Pastor Rivers is an energetic and enthusiastic volunteer that offers his time and expertise with kindness, laughter (which is good for the soul,) and a big smile. He has impacted our community during the past year, in the midst of COVID-19. His leadership to offer 75% of Evidence-based programs: serving 217 children in Imagination Library, thirty-seven families in Parents as Teachers that include 593 virtual and face-to-face (out-doors) home visits and twenty families to participate in Countdown to Kindergarten. Pastor Rivers is an energetic and enthusiastic volunteer that offers his time and expertise with kindness, laughter (which is good for the soul) and a big smile.
Elana Frazier
Nominated by Columbia Urban League. Her nominator said, “Ms. Elána R. Frazier has been a "do-tank" for the Columbia Urban League. President Frazier has continually pushed the Urban League movement and encouraged young professionals in the Midlands area to get involved in the community, including serving as a mentor with the Project Ready program. Her innovative leadership to build virtual conversations on issues that plagued under-served communities and provide resources as a response to those conversations was crucial to the Urban League in providing continuous service to individuals in need. Her leadership as President of the Columbia Urban League Young Professionals has grabbed the attention of change agents and has increased the Columbia Urban League footprint, presence and activity on the local, regional and national level through strategic partnerships.”
Sandy Grodetsky
Nominated by Transitions. Her nominator said “Sandra (Sandy) Grodetsky had been a dedicated volunteer at the Inclement Weather Center (IWC) for every year that Transitions has done the IWC. Sandy always knew exactly what to do and how to handle any situation. Armed with a big bowl of candy, she gave out bed assignments every night that the IWC was open. It was a rare occurrence for Sandy to miss a day at the IWC--rain, sleet, snow, nor health issues could keep her away. She continued to serve despite having a terminal illness and through COVID-19. Sadly, Sandy lost her battle with cancer this past January at 63 years old. She is already greatly missed, and her absence is felt deeply at the IWC by both clients and staff.“
The LIVVIE Awards honor volunteers who have dedicated themselves to service throughout the year and help promote the spirit of volunteerism in the community through service to United Way. We are honored to celebrate last year's Live United Award winners!
Arlene Andrews
A volunteer with United Way’s Midlands Reading Consortium. Ms. Arlene Andrews has always had a heart for education and as a retired educator, she continues to give. When she learned about United Way of the Midlands Reading Consortium in Fairfield County at Fairfield Elementary in 2017, she was on board from day one and has not missed a year yet! In talking with her that first day of orientation, I knew she was dedicated to what United Way of the Midlands wanted to accomplish at Fairfield Elementary, helping students succeed! She takes on multiple students weekly assisting them in their reading skills and rarely misses her sessions with her assigned students. She knows children not reading on grade level by 3rd grade are 4xs more likely to not graduate from high school on time. With her extra assistance with these students, they have a stronger chance of graduating on time. As long as we have people like Ms. Andrews serving our youth, it benefits that youth, the community and beyond, for years to come! Thank You for not only giving your time, but your heart!
Thomas Tafel
A volunteer with Lexington Medical Center. I think it would be universally agreed that Thomas is irreplaceable. He is motivated, responsive, reliable and has that special skill of being able to truly connect with and lead people. While we may be losing him as YLS Chair as he wraps up the year, we know without a doubt that he will continue to be there for United Way of the Midlands in one capacity or another. Having volunteered with United Way and been involved with YLS for more than 5 years now, Thomas provided the institutional and community knowledge that was key to a new staff member and peace in knowing how dependable and adept at the role he was, no matter the circumstances. He will be missed as he moves on, but will without a doubt continue to do great things with United Way and other community partners.
In 1994, the Beacon of Hope Award was created to recognize a volunteer for outstanding service to the community on behalf of United Way of the Midlands. Alyce Kemp DeWitt was the first recipient of this award in recognition of her commitment to United Way’s Speakers Bureau after giving more than 300 presentations in one year. In 1995, this award was re-named in her honor to recognize a volunteer whose creativity and passion have made a measurable impact in our community over many years.
Today, the Alyce Kemp DeWitt award is our most prestigious award for long-term volunteer service, and we were thrilled to honor last year’s Alyce Kemp DeWitt recipient.
Jerry Davis
Jerry Davis was a quiet champion for United Way of the Midlands for almost twenty years. Jerry was truly a renaissance man, and his commitment to United Way reflected that. He had served on just about every committee we have – everything from Communications to Campaign. He’s helped write marketing plans and direct marketing letters, he’s recruited people to join YLS and our Tocqueville Society. There was no task that he was afraid to take on, and he always did it with a smile. We’ve prepared a brief film to tell you a little bit more about what Jerry meant to United Way and to our community.
Help Change Lives in the Midlands
What's Next?
Deepen Your Engagement
Want to get plugged in after Volunteer Week? Check out our affinity groups! We offer ways to engage, donate, and serve for all ages, stages, and giving levels. Give generously, make new friends, expand your network, and help those in need.
Invested in the Community
Always United is a group of diverse, experienced United Way supporters who are committed to solving problems in the Midlands. There's no age restriction, but most members of Always United are late-career professionals or have retired. Always United provides year-round opportunities for members, from personal development to volunteering to social events.
Many members have been contributing to United Way for years, even decades, and continue to donate, but donations are not required for membership.
Learn more about Always United.
Creating Positive Change for Women & Families
Women in Philanthropy (WIP) promotes the idea that every woman can and must be a philanthropist to solve the many challenges facing women and families. WIP supports volunteering, networking, and personal development opportunities as well as a number of annual social and fundraising events, like Power of the Purse—a designer purse auction.
Learn more about Women in Philanthropy.
Give back, have fun
Young Leadership Society (YLS) is a group of young professionals, ages 21–40, who give and volunteer monthly with United Way. YLS supports programs like Be a Book Bunny, which offers reading totes for Pre-K to second-grade students.
YLS donors also enjoy many exclusive opportunities throughout the year, like professional development, networking opportunities, and invitations to signature events like the YLS Oyster Roast and Cocktails & Conversations. This compassionate group of YLS members is focused on bettering their community as they build their careers.
Volunteer Center Sponsors
-
AgFirst Farm Credit Bank
-
BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
-
Carolina Gas Transmission, a BHE GT&S company
-
Colonial Life
FAQS
Have questions? We've got answers to the most commonly asked questions.
How does Volunteer Week work? United Way of the Midlands collects volunteer project requests from schools and nonprofits in early winter. Projects open in early April for community volunteers to sign up to help.
Who can participate? Organizations with a 501c3 nonprofit status are welcome to submit a project request using this link to participate in United Way of the Midlands Volunteer Week. Any company or individual can form volunteer teams and sign up for volunteer projects.
What kinds of projects take place during Volunteer Week? T here are so many different types of projects available during our Volunteer Week, including hands on project, small group projects, large group projects, virtual projects and everything in between! However, the most common type of work requested is general maintenance, cleaning, and landscaping.
How do volunteers sign up to participate? Stay tuned to this page – on April 1st (no April Fooling here!) we’ll drop our projects. Click the link for the project(s) you’re interested in and sign up! You will need an account with our Volunteer Center to register for a project. While you’re waiting, go ahead and create one.