Volunteer Opportunities From: United Way of the Midlands

You can touch a heart-maybe even your own.

You can be a hospice volunteer and experience the joy and the satisfaction of making a difference in the life of someone with a life-limiting illness. Anyone with a caring heart and a little time to share can become a hospice volunteer. Caris Healthcare Volunteers come from all walks of life and bring a wide variety of interests and life experiences to support and comfort the patients and families Caris is privileged to serve.

The opportunities are endless. If you can an interest, a skill, a talent- Caris can put it to use!

Caris Healthcare is committed to honoring and meeting the needs of Veterans in our community who are facing a life-limiting illness. We are actively recruiting Veterans willing to share their time, talents, friendship and support with fellow Veterans. Whenever possible, Caris will match our Veteran-to-Veteran Volunteers with a Caris patient from the same branch of service and/or the same service area. What do Veteran-to-Veteran volunteers do exactly?

Caring adults who can support students with Math in Elementary, Middle, and High schools located in Richland, Lexington, and Fairfield Counties.

Senior Companions are senior volunteers who provide home-bound seniors with companionship between 15-40 hours each week. Senior Companions are able to provide assistance with light duty needs and offer respite to caregivers in the home. Senior Companions provide a vital human connection that helps prevent loneliness and isolation among the elderly population. The program also enhances the quality of life of our volunteers by keeping them active and engaged in their community. Senior Companions is a program of AmeriCorps Seniors. Seniors who fall within age (55 and older) and income guidelines can receive a tax-free stipend and mileage reimbursement.

Opportunities to volunteer in many areas in the healthcare environment. Come assist our care team members in providing outstanding care to the Midlands Community. We welcome Pet Therapy volunteers also. To learn more about available areas to volunteer at MUSC, contact us. 

This is a rewarding opportunity to connect with and support some of Columbia's senior citizens and assist in making one's day a little brighter. Provide transportation, escort style or taxi style (one way or round trip) to and from appointments, grocery stores, shopping and more. All drivers must pass a background check and be current with auto insurance. Contact us today to set up an interview. Training will be provided.

Volunteers are needed to assist clients in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program. No prior tax preparation experience is necessary; The Cooperative Ministry provides complete IRS-approved training and assistance. Volunteers can serve from home or with friends at a location near home. (www.coopmin.org/vita)

For more information, please contact Michelle Blackman at VITA@coopmin.org.

Help is needed from both individuals and groups during business hours. Volunteers sort and prepare clothing for our store setting, and may also assist both donors and clients.

NOTE: Please go to this link to sign-up for Volunteering! You can also sign up on United Way, but if you use our site you will automatically be added to our volunteer database. Thank you! 

Volunteers are a crucial element in building, maintaining, and protecting the Palmetto Trail. Each year thousands of volunteer hours are put forth to create a safe and enjoyable outdoor experience for all Trail users. Trail Volunteers work in a group setting. Projects are dependent on the needs of the trail in that area. Trail work may include:

Volunteers needed to provide one-on-one interaction and recreational activities with people with developmental disabilities served by the Babcock Center.

Are you a creative who's skilled in creating murals? Have you ever wanted to showcase your talent and passion?  

We desire to beautify our space through the transformative power of murals. Youth involved can be transformed through the process of creating community art and making a meaningful contribution to their school and residential area. Youth can gain social capital through teamwork, skill building, relationship building, and learn different mediums of creative expression. They can develop a sense of pride and ownership for their community space while creating lifelong memories.

JOIN US in a safe environment as we PAINT OUR IMAGINATIONS! 

Volunteers are needed to pack and/or deliver meals between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m., Monday through Friday. Meal distribution sites are located at:

We welcome one-time volunteers, volunteers who want to deliver on a weekly or monthly basis, and families who want to volunteer together. Substitute delivery volunteers are also needed to replace regular volunteers.

Local businesses are also welcome to “adopt” a delivery route to share among employees, or to organize a one-day delivery “blitz” to provide a break to our regular volunteers.

Visit our website to sign up!

The Communications Chair Role

Serving as a Communications Chairperson, you will work in conjunction with the volunteer committee members and the Marketing and Events Manager to raise awareness, participation, and revenue to ensure Family Connection’s key fundraising events—LOOK! TM , and Buddy Walk—are successful.

LOOK! Background
LOOK! is an inspiring photography exhibit highlighting the unique abilities of children and young adults in South Carolina who are living with a disability. Professional photographers volunteer their time and talents during photo sessions capturing the participants in candid moments doing things they like to do best.

This annual exhibit is hosted at an opening ceremony at a Columbia venue. Ideally, the exhibit will remain on display at one or more venues throughout the year. The intent of LOOK! is to help people pause, reflect, and see disability in a thoughtful way. It is a beautiful event that speaks to our goal of creating inclusion, equity, and community.

Buddy Walk Background
Each year, Family Connection honors Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October, and we host our Buddy Walk event as part of this annual celebration. This walk and festival-like event attracts hundreds of family members, friends, sponsors, and supporters who raise awareness and funds during the Buddy Walk campaign.

Responsibilities:
- Become familiar with Family Connection mission and event speaking points and be comfortable presenting this information to help promote interest, participation, and support of our events.
- Help secure media partnerships with TV, radio, outdoor and/or print outlets.
- Assist with creating and implementing event publicity plans.
- Help recruit one or more new members to the volunteer leadership committee.
- Ask your company or organization to support our events by committing to one or more of these activities:
    o Become a sponsor of LOOK!
    o Purchase ad space in the LOOK! Book
    o Become a Buddy Walk sponsor or form a company team and commit to a fundraising goal
    o Become an event vendor
    o Make a donation to LOOK! or Buddy Walk
- Assist with attending LOOK! photo sessions, interviewing parents, writing or proofreading story pages.
- Assist with securing one or more venues for the LOOK! 2025 exhibit to be on public display.
- Attend committee meetings (may be virtual or in person)
- Serve as a Tailgate Judge at Buddy Walk.
- Assist with scripting, staging, and media activities at LOOK! and Buddy Walk events.

The Logistics Chair Role
The Logistics Chair will work with the volunteer committee members and the Marketing and Events Manager to plan and manage event logistics and lead day-of-event activities and volunteer management. The primary role of the Logistics Chair is to ensure that the event runs smoothly, and is safe, well-organized, and engaging.

LOOK! Background
LOOK! is an inspiring photography exhibit highlighting the unique abilities of children and young adults in South Carolina who are living with a disability. Professional photographers volunteer their time and talents during photo sessions capturing the participants in candid moments doing things they like to do best.

We present the annual exhibit at an opening ceremony in Columbia. Ideally, the exhibit will remain on display at one or more additional venues throughout the year. The intent of LOOK! is to help people pause, reflect, and see disability in a thoughtful way. It is a beautiful event that speaks to our goal of creating inclusion, equity, and community.

Buddy Walk Background
Each year, Family Connection honors Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October, and we host our Buddy Walk event as part of this annual celebration. This walk and festival-like event attracts hundreds of family members, friends, sponsors, and supporters who raise awareness and funds during the Buddy Walk campaign.

Logistics Chairperson Responsibilities:
- In collaboration with event committee and Marketing and Events Manager, create a logistics plan and timeline for pre-event, day-of, and post-event activities.
- Assist with attending LOOK! photo sessions, interviewing parents, writing or proofreading story pages.
- Assist with securing one or more venues for the LOOK! 2025 exhibit to be on public display.
- Become familiar with Family Connection mission and event speaking points and be comfortable presenting this information to help promote interest, participation, and support of the event.
- Ask your company or organization to support our events by committing to one or more of these activities:
   o Become a sponsor of LOOK!
   o Purchase ad space in the LOOK! Book
   o Become a sponsor of Buddy Walk or form a company team and commit to a fundraising goal
   o Become an event vendor
   o Make a monetary and/or in-kind goods or services donation to LOOK! or Buddy Walk
- Help secure gift cards and donations or discounted rates for logistics-related event material or services.
- Serve as a Tailgating Judge at Buddy Walk.
- Assist with managing activities and volunteers on event days.
- Attend committee meetings (monthly—may be virtual or in person).

The Sponsorship Chairperson’s Role
Serving as a Sponsorship Chairperson, you will work in conjunction with the volunteer committee members and the Marketing and Events Manager to help set and meet sponsorship revenue goals to ensure Family Connection’s key fundraising events—LOOK! TM , and Buddy Walk—are a success.

LOOK! Background
LOOK! is an inspiring photography exhibit highlighting the unique abilities of children and young adults in South Carolina who are living with a disability. Professional photographers volunteer their time and talents during photo sessions capturing the participants in candid moments doing things they like to do best.

We present the annual exhibit at an opening ceremony in Columbia. Ideally, the exhibit will remain on display at one or more additional venues throughout the year. The intent of LOOK! is to help people pause, reflect, and see disability in a thoughtful way. It is a beautiful event that speaks to our goal of creating inclusion, equity, and community.

Buddy Walk Background
Each year, Family Connection honors Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October, and we host our Buddy Walk event as part of this annual celebration. This walk and festival-like event attracts hundreds of family members, friends, sponsors, and supporters who raise awareness and funds during the Buddy Walk campaign.

Sponsorship Chair Responsibilities:
- Become familiar with Family Connection mission and event speaking points and be comfortable presenting this information to help promote interest, participation, and support of our events.
- Ask your company or organization to support our events by committing to one or more of these activities:
   o Become a sponsor of LOOK! or
   o Purchase ad space in the LOOK! Book
   o Become a sponsor of Buddy Walk or form a company team and commit to a fundraising goal
   o Become an event vendor
   o Make a donation to LOOK! or Buddy Walk
- Help recruit one or more members to the volunteer leadership committee.
- Work with committee and staff liaison to:
   o Develop a prospective sponsorship pipeline to secure two or more new sponsors for each event
   o Assist with confirming past year sponsors
   o Assist with securing one or more venues for the LOOK!2024 exhibit to be on public display (venues can be located anywhere in the state)

- Write a personal thank you note to sponsors upon commitment.
- Serve as a tailgate judge at Buddy Walk.
- Meet with staff liaison and other committee members (virtual or in-person).

Are you interested in providing educational support to youth behind the fence who are eager to get their GED and/or graduate and who desire to go to the next level?

Spend an hour volunteering one-on-one between 8-3:30 p.m. with a young person who truly needs your support!

Share you knowledge of various subjects and see the difference your presence makes immediately. Tutoring occurs with youth between ages 12-17. If you are interested in having a positive impact on the life of a young person, please respond!

Application, background check, and orientation are required at no cost to the volunteer.  Scheduling is flexible to best meet the needs of the volunteer and DJJ education staff. 

We are always looking for adult volunteers who have lived experience with mental health conditions. This can include being in recovery of one's own mental illness or being a supporter of a family member with a mental health condition. In this paid volunteer position, volunteers are paid a stipend to present the Ending the Silence presentations to students, staff, and community members.

We are always welcoming young adult volunteers that have lived experience with a mental health condition. This paid volunteer position receives a stipend after each presentation. Young adult volunteers are between the ages of 18-24 and have lived experience with a mental health condition themselves and are in recovery or have a story to share about a family member who has struggled with a mental health condition. Young adults present their story at the end of the presentation to share their experiences with similar aged people that can learn and relate from their story.

BE THE VOICE! We are seeking volunteers to advocate for vulnerable adults by serving as a volunteer Vulnerable Adult Guardian ad Litem (VAGAL). Vulnerable adults are 18 and older with a physical or mental impairment, in the protective custody of Adult Protective Services. These adults are often victims of abuse, neglect, exploitation, and/or self-neglect. We need YOUR voice to help advocate for their well-being.

As a VAGAL SC volunteer, you will get to know the vulnerable adult and interact with others involved in their life including family members, caregivers, social workers, and medical providers. You will gather information about the adult, find out what option(s) would improve the adult's situation, and make unbiased recommendations to the South Carolina Family Court on the best interests of the vulnerable adult.

Training is provided in person (at this time) in a one-day session, as well as two opportunities to shadow VAGALs at court hearings to see the process firsthand. Although we cover all 46 counties across the state, volunteers would be given cases near their local counties.

We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds. This is a rewarding and challenging volunteer opportunity. We really want to hear from you!

To apply and register for training, please visit: https://aging.sc.gov/VAGAL

We are looking for a handful of Front Desk Volunteers to cover our front desk.   Must be friendly, customer-service oriented, and able to take instruction.   We can work with your schedule.  Background check required and training is provided prior to scheduled shift.  Thank you!

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We are currently seeking front desk volunteers to assist during office hours on Fridays, as well as at other times throughout the summer as needed. Volunteers will play a key role in creating a welcoming environment by greeting visitors, answering incoming calls, providing simple customer service, and managing entry through the front doors.

Volunteers will report to Pamela Sykes, Community Innovation Center Manager.

Please note that all volunteers are required to complete a background check prior to serving.

We’d love to have your help in creating a positive first impression for all who enter our space!

The USO’s mission is to strengthen the well-being of the people serving in America’s military and their families. At USO South Carolina, we bring that mission to life by providing a warm, welcoming space for service members and their families traveling through Columbia Metropolitan Airport.

We’re currently seeking volunteers to join our incredible team at the USO Columbia Airport Center. Whether it’s offering a snack, a smile or simply a place to relax before their flight, our volunteers make a real impact one shift at a time.

On behalf of the American Cancer Society, an ACS CARES volunteer empowers patients and caregivers with information and resources, as well as providing support to people during their cancer experience. 

*Non-clinical

*Flexible Schedule

Receive comprehensive training that is online and completed at your own pace (averaging 4-6 hours). 

*More information on requirements and benefits can be found here: Volunteer Opportunity

On behalf of the American Cancer Society, the Road to Recovery Driver provides people with transportation to and from their cancer-related medical appointments. Drivers donate their time to help people with cancer get the lifesaving treatments they need. 

*Volunteers choose the rides that work best for their schedule.

*Most rides are scheduled during the weekday between 7am and 7pm.

*The American Cancer Society asks volunteers to commit to a minimum of 2 rides per month. 

*More information on requirements and procedures can be found here: Richland Volunteer Opportunity , Lexington County Volunteer Opportunity 

We Care Center located in Chapin, SC sponsors a great volunteer opportunity for those interested in greeting clients, answering the phone, maintaining client files, and inputting data. 

**This opportunity can be set up directly through the website or through the Volunteer Center team at the United Way of the Midlands!

Volunteer Website

We Care Center located in Chapin, SC is sponsoring a volunteer opportunity for those interested in interviewing clients to determine needs; provide spiritual support; and input data. 

**This opportunity can be set up directly through the website or through the United Way of the Midlands Volunteer Center team!

Volunteer Website

We Care Center located in Chapin, SC is sponsoring a volunteer opportunity for those interested in sorting and stacking donated food, filling food assistance orders, and able to lift 50 lbs. 

**This opportunity can be set up directly through the website or through the United Way of the Midlands Volunteer Center team! 

Volunteer Website

We Care Center located in Chapin, SC is sponsoring a volunteer opportunity for those interested in picking up donated perishables from local grocery stores as a member of a team. 

**This opportunity can be set up directly through the website or through the United Way of the Midlands Volunteer Center team. 

Volunteer Website

Central SC Habitat for Humanity focuses on the restoration, construction, revitalization of neighborhoods and communities. 

Individually, you can participate in: 

*More information can be found on the website. Opportunities can be set up via website or the Volunteer Center team at the United Way of the Midlands. Volunteer Website

Central SC Habitat for Humanity focuses on the restoration, construction, and revitalization of neighborhoods and communities. 

As a team, you can participate in: 

*More information can be accessed through the website. For volunteer opportunities, they can be set up through the website or the Volunteer Center team at the United Way of the Midlands.  Volunteer Website

About Sew and Heal

Founded in 2023 by Jacquelyn Odom, a proud veteran of the U.S. Army, Sew and Heal is on a mission to helping veterans heal from PTSD stitch-by-stich.

The nonprofit offers a range of services to women Veterans, including Beginner Sewing Workshops, Crafting Classes, Mindfulness Sewing Circles, Journaling Workshops, and Peer Support Groups. These services offer a range of mental and physical health benefits to service members, including enhanced emotional well-being, improved mental focus, increased social connection, and a sense of purpose. 

What Does a Volunteer Board Member Do?

- Attend monthly board meetings in Irmo, SC

- Monitor financials and oversee the financial health of the nonprofit

- Advance our mission by leveraging networks and supporting fundraising efforts

- Provide advice to the Executive Director and support programming and operations duties

Why Join Our Board of Directors?

- Support the healing journeys of women who have served in the military

- No military or previous board experience necessary

- Gain new skills

- Strengthen your networks

- Have fun

Harvest Hope Food Bank is South Carolina's largest food bank on a mission to eliminate hunger and food insecurity. They rescue nutritious food from stores throughout the state and distribute it to food pantries, shelters, and soup kitchens. 

To get involved, individually or teams can volunteer with Harvest Hope to sort and pack food items to be distributed. Shifts include:

*This opportunity can be set-up through the website or through the Volunteer Center team at the United Way of the Midlands!

Family Connection serves more than 6,000 families across the state! Each time we receive a referral, we create a packet of information specific to the child's age and interest of the parents. 

These packets need to be prepared and mailed on a weekly basis. We are looking for volunteers to put these packets together and prepare them for mailing. 

Please go to SalvationArmyMidlands.org and sign up under the Volunteer Tab.

Do you have a big voice, a bigger smile, and a love for fun? The Lourie Center is looking for a charismatic Bingo Caller to lead our Thursday games from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. Bring your enthusiasm, your best “B-12!” energy, and a heart for connecting with older adults who look forward to this weekly highlight.

If you enjoy laughter, friendly competition, and making someone’s day a little brighter, this is the perfect volunteer role for you.