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

  1. 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! 
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  2. 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! 
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  3. 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!
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  4. 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! 
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  5. 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!
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  6. 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! 
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  7. 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! 
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Want another option to give back?

Support a collection drive

Make an impact by supporting donation drives organized by United Way of the Midlands. Your purchased items will be shipped directly to United Way.

Cold Weather Drive
Young Leaders Society Be a Book Bunny
Midlands Reading Consortium School Supply and Book Drive
Ready, Set, Supply!

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
LIVVIE Award Winners
Alyce Kemp DeWitt Award

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
Women in Philanthropy
Young Leaders Society

Volunteer Center Sponsors

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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