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 17, 2023 - April 22, 2023
Volunteer Week 2023
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
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All Week | April 17 - April 21
Ongoing Projects | Monday, April 17 - Friday, April 21
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Three in One Thrifting
- Agency: Salvation Army-Columbia Corps
- When: Monday, April 17 through Friday, April 21 from 9:00AM-12:00PM
- Where: 1312 N Millwood Ave, Columbia, SC 29201
- Description: Help is needed! Spend some time volunteering at the Salvation Army Family (thrift) Store.
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Packing for Meals on Wheels
- Agency: Senior Resources
- When: Monday, April 17 through Friday, April 21 from 8:30-10:30AM
- Where: 2817 Millwood Ave, Columbia, SC 29201
- Description: Pack and deliver a hot meal to our homebound seniors at the Millwood location.
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Deliver for Meals on Wheels
- Agency: Senior Resources
- When: Monday, April 17 through Friday, April 21 from 11:00AM-12:30PM
- Where: 2817 Millwood Ave, Columbia, SC 29201
- Description: Deliver a hot meal to our homebound seniors at the Millwood location. Pickup for delivery is from 10:30 a.m.-11:45 p.m.
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Unaccompanied Youth Awareness
- Agency: Palmetto Place Children's Shelter
- When: Monday, April 17 through Friday, April 21 from 11:00AM-12:00PM (See description for Saturday option.)
- Where: See description
- Description: Who are unaccompanied youth and how does homelessness affect youth here in the Midlands? Find out and educate your friends/followers on social media all at the same time! Each day of Volunteer week, there will be prompts and stories posted to the Palmetto Place Facebook Page for you to engage with (react/comment/share). On Saturday, April 22nd, volunteers can use the knowledge they gained throughout the week to provide awareness and advocacy at Soda City Market. Volunteers that participate in each day will receive a Palmetto Place “Home” t-shirt. Visit www.Palmettoplace.org to learn more about the mission of Palmetto Place Children & Youth Services.
Read More -
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Monday | April 17
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'Be a Book Bunny' Tote Stuffing Party!
- Agency: Young Leaders Society
- When: Monday, April 17 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 2022-2023 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!
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Healthy Learners Van Wash Party
- Agency: Healthy Learners
- When: Monday, April 17 from 4:30-5:30PM
- Where: 2711 Middleburg Dr, Columbia, SC 29204
- Description: Healthy Learners Midlands has a fleet of six Dodge Grand Caravans for student transportation to medical appointments. As they are used for hauling children all day, these vans get MESSY - inside and out! This opportunity would be a time for a volunteer group to come together to wash, detail and vacuum the inside/outside of our vans so that they can be nice and clean for our students and staff!
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Palmetto Conservation Corps at Fort Jackson Weston Lake
- Agency: Palmetto Conservation Foundation
- When: Monday, April 17 from 9:00AM-12:00PM
- Where: 4420 Leesburg Rd, Hopkins, SC 29209
- Description: Please join the Palmetto Trail on Monday, April 17th from 9am-12pm for a trail maintenance workday on the Ft. Jackson (Weston Lake) passage along with the conservation corps. Work will include raking the trail, clearing debris, and removing litter.
Please fill out these forms before the workday: - Gear: Bring water and a snack Wear long pants, long-sleeved shirt, and sturdy shoes. Wear sunscreen and a hat. Bring bug repellent. Bring rain gear and a fleece jacket (thunderstorms can cause dramatic temperature shifts). Wear a daypack to carry your stuff. No pets allowed at workdays.
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Three in One Thrifting
- Agency: Salvation Army-Columbia Corps
- When: Monday, April 17 from 9:00AM-12:00PM
- Where: 1312 N Millwood Ave, Columbia, SC 29201
- Description: Help is needed! Spend some time volunteering at the Salvation Army Family (thrift) Store.
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Packing for Meals on Wheels
- Agency: Senior Resources
- When: Monday, April 17 from 8:30-10:30AM
- Where: 2817 Millwood Ave, Columbia, SC 29201
- Description: Pack and deliver a hot meal to our homebound seniors at the Millwood location.
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Deliver for Meals on Wheels
- Agency: Senior Resources
- When: Monday, April 17 from 11:00AM-12:30PM
- Where: 2817 Millwood Ave, Columbia, SC 29201
- Description: Deliver a hot meal to our homebound seniors at the Millwood location. Pickup for delivery is from 10:30 a.m.-11:45 p.m.
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ReStore Work with Habitat for Humanity Central South Carolina
- Agency: Habitat for Humanity Central South Carolina
- When: Monday, April 17 from 9:00AM-1:00PM
- Where: 2814 Augusta Rd., West Columbia, SC 29170
- Description: Volunteer groups assist our employees in organizing donated furniture and helping customers at our West Columbia ReStore. Our ReStore is constantly in need of volunteer groups to help process donations, and would love to work with your group.
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Unaccompanied Youth Awareness
- Agency: Palmetto Place Children's Shelter
- When: Monday, April 17 from 11:00AM-12:00PM
- Where: See description
- Description: Who are unaccompanied youth and how does homelessness affect youth here in the Midlands? Find out and educate your friends/followers on social media all at the same time! Each day of Volunteer week, there will be prompts and stories posted to the Palmetto Place Facebook Page for you to engage with (react/comment/share). On Saturday, April 22nd, volunteers can use the knowledge they gained throughout the week to provide awareness and advocacy at Soda City Market. Volunteers that participate in each day will receive a Palmetto Place “Home” t-shirt. Visit www.Palmettoplace.org to learn more about the mission of Palmetto Place Children & Youth Services.
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Sweet and Savory
- Agency: Palmetto Place Children's Shelter
- When: Monday, April 17 from 9:30AM-4:30PM
- Where: 701 Whaley St, Columbia, SC 29201
- Description:
Sweet and Savory Chefs Competition is a fundraising event that benefits the youth of Palmetto Place Children & Youth Services. Doors open at 530 pm to the cook off of the year, and we need your help to prepare. We will meet at 9:30am at 701 Whaley to set up for the event.
If you possess at least one of the following skills, we’d love to have you: the ability to lift up to 25 pounds, an eye for interior decoration, a passion to help end youth homelessness in the Midlands. Volunteers will earn entry into the event that evening. Visit www.Palmettoplace.org to learn more.
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Lunch Buddies
- Agency: United Way of the Midlands
- When: Monday, April 17 from 10:00AM-1:00PM
- Where: 737 Pine Ridge Dr., West Columbia, SC 29172
- Description: Volunteers will eat lunch with students in grades 4K-5. Volunteers can assist students with their lunches, sit with students as they eat, and chat with students. Volunteers can bring their own lunch or purchase a school lunch if they would like to eat during this time.
Read More -
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Tuesday | April 18
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'Be a Book Bunny' Tote Stuffing Party!
- Agency: Young Leaders Society
- When: Tuesday, April 18 from 9:00-10:00AM
- 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 2022-2023 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!
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Clean and organize Owl's Outlet clothing closet
- Agency: Communities In Schools of South Carolina
- When: Tuesday, April 18 from 9:00AM-1:00PM
- Where: 737 Pine Ridge Drive, West Columbia, SC 29172
- Description: Spring is here! Help us organize the students' Communities in Schools closing closet; sort clothing by size and type!
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Organizing the Resource Closet
- Agency: Communities In Schools of South Carolina
- When: Tuesday, April 18 from 8:30-11:30AM
- Where: 2700 Seminole Rd, Columbia, SC 29210
- Description: Time to spring clean! Help us organize the resource closet of clothing, school supplies, and toiletries.
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Weeding Blooms for Ballentine Library
- Agency: Richland Library
- When: Tuesday, April 18 from 9:30AM-12:00PM
- Where: 1200 Dutch Fork Rd, Irmo,, SC 29063
- Description: Help weed flower beds welcoming customers at Richland Library! There may also be some plants to help plant.
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Three in One Thrifting
- Agency: Salvation Army-Columbia Corps
- When: Tuesday, April 18 from 9:00AM-12:00PM
- Where: 1312 N Millwood Ave, Columbia, SC 29201
- Description: Help is needed! Spend some time volunteering at the Salvation Army Family (thrift) Store.
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Packing for Meals on Wheels
- Agency: Senior Resources
- When: Tuesday, April 18 from 8:30-10:30AM
- Where: 2817 Millwood Ave, Columbia, SC 29201
- Description: Pack and deliver a hot meal to our homebound seniors at the Millwood location.
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Deliver for Meals on Wheels
- Agency: Senior Resources
- When: Tuesday, April 18 from 11:00AM-12:30PM
- Where: 2817 Millwood Ave, Columbia, SC 29201
- Description: Deliver a hot meal to our homebound seniors at the Millwood location. Pickup for delivery is from 10:30 a.m.-11:45 p.m.
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ReStore Work with Habitat for Humanity Central South Carolina
- Agency: Habitat for Humanity Central South Carolina
- When: Tuesday, April 18 from 12:00-4:00PM
- Where: 2814 Augusta Rd., West Columbia, SC 29170
- Description: Volunteer groups assist our employees in organizing donated furniture and helping customers at our West Columbia ReStore. Our ReStore is constantly in need of volunteer groups to help process donations, and would love to work with your group.
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Gardening Galore
- Agency: Communities In Schools of South Carolina
- When: Tuesday, April 18 from 11:00AM-1:00PM
- Where: 735 Pine Ridge Drive, West Columbia, SC 29172
- Description: Calling all green thumbs! Help students get our garden ready at Pine Ridge Middle School!
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Imagine Working In a Benevolent Retail Store Setting
- Agency: The Cooperative Ministry
- When: Tuesday, April 18 from 9:00AM-12:00PM
- Where:3821 W Beltline Blvd, Columbia, SC 29204
- Description: The Cooperative Ministry's new store setting allows clients to shop for free clothing to wear at work or school. Volunteers are needed to sort and rack clothing and, as needed, assist clients with ""shopping"" for just the right fashion styles. Staff will be on hand for orientation and guidance. This volunteer experience is similar to working in a retail store setting.
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Unaccompanied Youth Awareness
- Agency: Palmetto Place Children's Shelter
- When: Tuesday, April 18 from 11:00AM-12:00PM
- Where: See description
- Description: Who are unaccompanied youth and how does homelessness affect youth here in the Midlands? Find out and educate your friends/followers on social media all at the same time! Each day of Volunteer week, there will be prompts and stories posted to the Palmetto Place Facebook Page for you to engage with (react/comment/share). On Saturday, April 22nd, volunteers can use the knowledge they gained throughout the week to provide awareness and advocacy at Soda City Market. Volunteers that participate in each day will receive a Palmetto Place “Home” t-shirt. Visit www.Palmettoplace.org to learn more about the mission of Palmetto Place Children & Youth Services.
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Nature Trail Painting: Informational Signs!
- Agency: Camp Cole
- When: Tuesday, April 18 from 9:00-11:30AM
- Where: See description
- Description: Join Camp Cole to help us enhance our nature trail with creating and painting information signage about all that is on the nature trail. Our Cole's Root program is our outdoor immersion program and our goal is teach the campers we serve all about the world which they live in!
Read More -
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Wednesday | April 19
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'Be a Book Bunny' Tote Stuffing Party!
- Agency: Young Leaders Society
- When: Wednesday, April 19 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 2022-2023 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!
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Clean and organize Owl's Outlet clothing closet
- Agency: Communities In Schools of South Carolina
- When: Wednesday, April 19 from 9:00AM-1:00PM
- Where: 737 Pine Ridge Drive, West Columbia, SC 29172
- Description: Spring is here! Help us organize the students' Communities in Schools closing closet; sort clothing by size and type!
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Help the Librarian!
- Agency: Communities In Schools of South Carolina
- When: Wednesday, April 19 from 8:00AM-12:00PM
- Where: 2700 Seminole Road, Columbia, SC 29210
- Description: Calling all book worms! Assist the school librarian organize the books and shelves at Sandel Elementary School.
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Summer Camp is Coming!
- Agency: Girl Scouts of South Carolina - Mountains to Midlands, Inc.
- When: Wednesday, April 19 from 12:00-4:00PM
- Where: 1107 Williams St, Columbia, SC 29201
- Description: Summer camp is coming and we need some help! We need a few friends to help us clean up the Art Studio, STEM Lab, and outdoor area. We will be organizing, and decorating for a summer filled with fun!
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Dreyfus Woodshop Spring Spruce Up
- Agency: Babcock Center
- When: Wednesday, April 19 from 8:00AM - 12:00PM
- Where: 1032 Dreyfus Road, Columbia 29201
- Description: Spring is here! Help us plant flowers and spread mulch on outside of building. General cleaning on inside of building.
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Juvenile Justice Jeopardy
- Agency: United Way of the Midlands
- When: Wednesday, April 19 from 5:30-7:30PM
- Where: 1818 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201
- Description: JJJ teaches youth ages 12-18 about SC laws. It is a basic overview of how to interact with law enforcement and know your rights. Want to play a full game of JJJ, but don’t have time during the day to volunteer? Well, please select from the two available shifts I will host a JJJ Volunteer Training and welcome all of you to join. There will be dinner served for the evening shift, so a head count is needed. Feel free to come to play JJJ and how you can serve youth groups in your communities.
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Three in One Thrifting
- Agency: Salvation Army-Columbia Corps
- When: Wednesday, April 19 from 9:00AM-12:00PM
- Where: 1312 N Millwood Ave, Columbia, SC 29201
- Description: Help is needed! Spend some time volunteering at the Salvation Army Family (thrift) Store.
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Packing for Meals on Wheels
- Agency: Senior Resources
- When: Wednesday, April 19 from 8:30-10:30AM
- Where: 2817 Millwood Ave, Columbia, SC 29201
- Description: Pack and deliver a hot meal to our homebound seniors at the Millwood location.
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Deliver for Meals on Wheels
- Agency: Senior Resources
- When: Wednesday, April 19 from 11:00AM-12:30PM
- Where: 2817 Millwood Ave, Columbia, SC 29201
- Description: Deliver a hot meal to our homebound seniors at the Millwood location. Pickup for delivery is from 10:30 a.m.-11:45 p.m.
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Working through the Words
- Agency: United Way of the Midlands
- When: Wednesday, April 19 from 11:00AM-12:30PM
- Where: 257 Crossbow Dr, Columbia, SC 29212
- Description: This project would entail the organization of phonics boxes for teachers. Our teachers use a word study program that requires hours of preparation in organizing word cards to match specific lessons in our phonics boxes. This would help match and organize all word cards with each lesson's folder so our teachers can pick up the lesson and teach it! We want our teachers to spend their time with specific and intentional planning to the needs of students, rather than prepping these materials. We would LOVE the support in organizing materials so teachers can put their focus on our students!
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Gardening Galore
- Agency: Communities In Schools of South Carolina
- When: Wednesday, April 19 from 11:00AM-1:00PM
- Where: 735 Pine Ridge Drive, West Columbia, SC 29172
- Description: Calling all green thumbs! Help students get our garden ready at Pine Ridge Middle School!
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Unaccompanied Youth Awareness
- Agency: Palmetto Place Children's Shelter
- When: Wednesday, April 19 from 11:00AM-12:00PM
- Where: See description
- Description: Who are unaccompanied youth and how does homelessness affect youth here in the Midlands? Find out and educate your friends/followers on social media all at the same time! Each day of Volunteer week, there will be prompts and stories posted to the Palmetto Place Facebook Page for you to engage with (react/comment/share). On Saturday, April 22nd, volunteers can use the knowledge they gained throughout the week to provide awareness and advocacy at Soda City Market. Volunteers that participate in each day will receive a Palmetto Place “Home” t-shirt. Visit www.Palmettoplace.org to learn more about the mission of Palmetto Place Children & Youth Services.
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New Construction Build with Habitat for Humanity
- Agency: Habitat for Humanity Central South Carolina
- When: Wednesday, April 19 from 8:00AM-2:00PM
- Where: 1113 Monticello St, West Columbia, SC 29169
- Description: Activities are anything from the ground up to painting and landscaping, it just depends on the stage when you volunteer. Please wear close toe shoes and comfortable clothes you don't mind getting messy.
Read More -
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Thursday | April 20
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'Be a Book Bunny' Tote Stuffing Party!
- Agency: Young Leaders Society
- When: Thursday, April 20 from 9:00-10:00AM
- 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 2022-2023 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!
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Help the Librarian!
- Agency: Communities In Schools of South Carolina
- When: Thursday, April 20 from 8:00AM-12:00PM
- Where: 2700 Seminole Road, Columbia, SC 29210
- Description: Calling all book worms! Assist the school librarian organize the books and shelves at Sandel Elementary School.
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Three in One Thrifting
- Agency: Salvation Army-Columbia Corps
- When: Thursday, April 20 from 9:00AM-12:00PM
- Where: 1312 N Millwood Ave, Columbia, SC 29201
- Description: Help is needed! Spend some time volunteering at the Salvation Army Family (thrift) Store.
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Packing for Meals on Wheels
- Agency: Senior Resources
- When: Thursday, April 20 from 8:30-10:30AM
- Where: 2817 Millwood Ave, Columbia, SC 29201
- Description: Pack and deliver a hot meal to our homebound seniors at the Millwood location.
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Deliver for Meals on Wheels
- Agency: Senior Resources
- When: Thursday, April 20 from 11:00AM-12:30PM
- Where: 2817 Millwood Ave, Columbia, SC 29201
- Description: Deliver a hot meal to our homebound seniors at the Millwood location. Pickup for delivery is from 10:30 a.m.-11:45 p.m.
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Unaccompanied Youth Awareness
- Agency: Palmetto Place Children's Shelter
- When: Thursday, April 20 from 11:00AM-12:00PM
- Where: See description
- Description: Who are unaccompanied youth and how does homelessness affect youth here in the Midlands? Find out and educate your friends/followers on social media all at the same time! Each day of Volunteer week, there will be prompts and stories posted to the Palmetto Place Facebook Page for you to engage with (react/comment/share). On Saturday, April 22nd, volunteers can use the knowledge they gained throughout the week to provide awareness and advocacy at Soda City Market. Volunteers that participate in each day will receive a Palmetto Place “Home” t-shirt. Visit www.Palmettoplace.org to learn more about the mission of Palmetto Place Children & Youth Services.
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Home Repairs with Habitat for Humanity Central South Carolina
- Agency: Habitat for Humanity Central South Carolina
- When: Thursday, April 20 from 8:00AM-2:00PM
- Where: Location will be shared the week of the project.
- Description: Activities include demolition, painting, caulking, siding repair, ramp repair, landscaping, window/door installation. Please wear close toe shoes, and clothes you don't mind getting messy.
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Field Day Fun at Wood Elementary
- Wood Elementary School
- When: Thursday, April 20 from 7:30AM-11:30AM or 12PM-2PM
- Where: 737 Pine Ridge Dr., West Columbia, SC 29172
- Description: Wood Elementary needs volunteers will help with field day. They will help set up/clean up, run stations, monitor students, etc.
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Read Aloud Relief
- Agency: United Way of the Midlands
- When: Thursday, April 20 from 10AM-1PM
- Where: 737 Pine Ridge Dr., West Columbia, SC 29172
- Description: Spend time in the classroom by reading aloud your favorite childhood books! Time is between 10am - 1pm. We'll confirm your time and classroom in early April.
Read More -
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Friday | April 21
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Help the Librarian!
- Agency: Communities In Schools of South Carolina
- When: Friday, April 21 from 8:00AM-12:00PM
- Where: 2700 Seminole Road, Columbia, SC 29210
- Description: Calling all book worms! Assist the school librarian organize the books and shelves at Sandel Elementary School.
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Juvenile Justice Jeopardy
- Agency: United Way of the Midlands
- When: Friday, April 21 from 12:00-2:30PM
- Where: 1818 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201
- Description: JJJ teaches youth ages 12-18 about SC laws. It is a basic overview of how to interact with law enforcement and know your rights. Want to play a full game of JJJ, but don’t have time during the day to volunteer? Well, please select from the two available shifts I will host a JJJ Volunteer Training and welcome all of you to join. There will be dinner served for the evening shift, so a head count is needed. Feel free to come to play JJJ and how you can serve youth groups in your communities.
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Dental Health Kits Assembly - Give a Kid a Healthy Smile!
- Agency: Healthy Learners
- When: Friday, April 21 from 10:00-11:00AM
- Where: 2711 Middleburg Dr, Columbia, SC 29204
- Description: Healthy Learners provides access to critical healthcare services for low income children. A major part of our work includes dental health services. We are trying to obtain mass quantities of dental supplies (tooth brushes, tooth paste, dental floss and dental education) to then have a team of volunteers assemble the kits into bags for us to distribute. The goal would be to assemble 1,000 kits.
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Give a Kid a Book Drive!
- Agency: Healthy Learners
- When: Friday, April 21 from 10:00-11:00AM
- Where: 2711 Middleburg Dr, Columbia, SC 29204
- Description: Healthy Learners Midlands has the goal of serving at least 1,400 unique children in Richland, Lexington, Fairfield and Newberry counties in 2023. We would love to be able to send each child we serve home with a book to keep. So many children do not have books at home to read! We would love to work with volunteers to purchase a new book/s or to donate used books their children have outgrown, so that we can give the gift of reading to the children we serve.
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Clothing Closet Help at Cooperative Ministry
- Agency: The Cooperative Ministry
- When: Friday, April 21 from 9:00AM-12:00PM
- Where: 3821 W Beltline Blvd, Columbia, SC 29204
- Description: The Cooperative Ministry needs your help sorting, folding and hanging clothes in our clothing closet!
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Three in One Thrifting
- Agency: Salvation Army-Columbia Corps
- When: Friday, April 21 from 9:00AM-12:00PM
- Where: 1312 N Millwood Ave, Columbia, SC 29201
- Description: Help is needed! Spend some time volunteering at the Salvation Army Family (thrift) Store.
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Packing for Meals on Wheels
- Agency: Senior Resources
- When: Friday, April 21 from 8:30-10:30AM
- Where: 2817 Millwood Ave, Columbia, SC 29201
- Description: Pack and deliver a hot meal to our homebound seniors at the Millwood location.
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Deliver for Meals on Wheels
- Agency: Senior Resources
- When: Friday, April 21 from 11:00AM-12:30PM
- Where: 2817 Millwood Ave, Columbia, SC 29201
- Description: Deliver a hot meal to our homebound seniors at the Millwood location. Pickup for delivery is from 10:30 a.m.-11:45 p.m.
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Unaccompanied Youth Awareness
- Agency: Palmetto Place Children's Shelter
- When: Thursday, April 20 from 11:00AM-12:00PM
- Where: See description
- Description: Who are unaccompanied youth and how does homelessness affect youth here in the Midlands? Find out and educate your friends/followers on social media all at the same time! Each day of Volunteer week, there will be prompts and stories posted to the Palmetto Place Facebook Page for you to engage with (react/comment/share). On Saturday, April 22nd, volunteers can use the knowledge they gained throughout the week to provide awareness and advocacy at Soda City Market. Volunteers that participate in each day will receive a Palmetto Place “Home” t-shirt. Visit www.Palmettoplace.org to learn more about the mission of Palmetto Place Children & Youth Services.
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New Construction Build with Habitat for Humanity
- Agency: Habitat for Humanity Central South Carolina
- When: Friday, April 21 from 8:00AM-2:00PM
- Where: 1113 Monticello St, West Columbia, SC 29169
- Description: Activities are anything from the ground up to painting and landscaping, it just depends on the stage when you volunteer. Please wear close toe shoes and comfortable clothes you don't mind getting messy.
-
Field Day Fun at Wood Elementary
- Wood Elementary School
- When: Friday, April 21 from 7:30AM-11:30AM or 12PM-2PM
- Where: 737 Pine Ridge Dr., West Columbia, SC 29172
- Description: Wood Elementary needs volunteers will help with field day. They will help set up/clean up, run stations, monitor students, etc.
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Read Aloud Relief
- Agency: United Way of the Midlands
- When: Friday, April 21 from 10AM-1PM
- Where: 737 Pine Ridge Dr., West Columbia, SC 29172
- Description: Spend time in the classroom by reading aloud your favorite childhood books! Time is between 10am - 1pm. We'll confirm your time and classroom in early April.
Read More -
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Saturday | April 22
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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.
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Unaccompanied Youth Awareness
- Agency: Palmetto Place Children's Shelter
- When: Saturday, April 22 from 11:00AM-12:00PM
- Where: See description
- Description: Who are unaccompanied youth and how does homelessness affect youth here in the Midlands? Find out and educate your friends/followers on social media all at the same time! Each day of Volunteer week, there will be prompts and stories posted to the Palmetto Place Facebook Page for you to engage with (react/comment/share). On Saturday, April 22nd, volunteers can use the knowledge they gained throughout the week to provide awareness and advocacy at Soda City Market. Volunteers that participate in each day will receive a Palmetto Place “Home” t-shirt. Visit www.Palmettoplace.org to learn more about the mission of Palmetto Place Children & Youth Services.
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Home Repairs with Habitat for Humanity Central South Carolina
- Agency: Habitat for Humanity Central South Carolina
- When: Saturday, April 22 from 8:00AM-2:00PM
- Where: Location will be shared the week of the project.
- Description: Activities include demolition, painting, caulking, siding repair, ramp repair, landscaping, window/door installation. Please wear close toe shoes, and clothes you don't mind getting messy.
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United Paint Transformation! Clean Your Way!
- Agency: United Way of the Midlands
- When: Saturday, April 22, 2023 from 9AM-NOON
- Where: 2025 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201
- Description: We need help painting doors in administration, caseworker area, paint 2nd floor dorm outside walls, client's storage area replace numbers on units, clean blinds and windows. We will have some supplies provided but are seeking assistance to have additional supplies for this project.
Read More -
Want another option to give back?
Support a collection drive
Cold Weather 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
Young Leaders Society Be a Book Bunny
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!
Midlands Reading Consortium School Supply and Book Drive
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!
Ready, Set, Supply!
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.
Community Impact Award Winners
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.“
LIVVIE Award Winners
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.
Alyce Kemp DeWitt Award
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
Giving to United Way is a great way to support multiple causes with one click, knowing that your money will stay right here in the community.
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.
Always United
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.
Women in Philanthropy
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.
Young Leaders Society
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
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AgFirst Farm Credit Bank
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BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
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Carolina Gas Transmission, a BHE GT&S company
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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.
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