On September 11th, the Chatham County Community Engagement Task Force—comprised of Chatham Literacy, Chatham Partnership for Children, Chatham County Aging Services, CORA, and Second Bloom—hosted a fantastic Day of Service event at 79 West Co-working Space & Innovation Hub who also sponsored the event. The Volunteer Fair was a great success, bringing together 22 local organizations and over 60 attendees, all eager to learn how they can give back to the Chatham County community.

This event provided a unique opportunity for individuals to connect with organizations making a difference across Chatham County. The Volunteer Fair highlighted the many avenues available for residents to contribute their time and skills, offering valuable insights into how everyone can play a role in strengthening the community. Attendees had the chance to explore various ways to serve, fostering deeper connections and supporting causes that enrich the lives of neighbors and friends alike. It was an inspiring day of collaboration and service, with something for everyone eager to make a meaningful impact.

Participating Organizations and Their Volunteer Needs:

Carolina Tiger Rescue: Saving and protecting wild cats in captivity and in the wild through rescue and education. Working towards a day when wild cats are living in their native habitat and are not exploited by humans.

Chatham Animal Rescue & Education: Promotes the health and safety of all dogs and cats in Chatham County.

  • Volunteer Needs: Fosters for dogs or cats, Board Members, Treasure, Social Media, Marketing, Events, IT with Microsoft Workspace Knowledge, Voicemail and Email Responders, Cat Trapping and Data Collection

Chatham Cares Community Pharmacy: Reduces health disparities by providing access to quality pharmacy services for the low income, uninsured, and underinsured residents of Chatham County.

Chatham County Aging Services: Empowers adults as they age by offering a wide variety of home and community services, providing them with opportunities to remain active and independent.

  • Volunteer Needs: Activities and Wellness, Advisory Committees, Community Ambassadors, Friendly Caller Program, Program and Class Instructors, Center Kitchen Volunteers, Meals on Wheels Drivers, Minor Home Repair Team, Senior Games & SilverArts, Special Event Assistance, Staff Support

Chatham County Aging Services – Seniors Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP): Assists individuals though the NC Senior Medicare Patrol Program (NCSMP), SHIIP assists in helping individuals recognize and prevent Medicare billing errors, fraud and abuse.

Chatham County Aging Services: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA): Assists eligible taxpayers by providing free tax return preparation. As a partnering organization with IRS VITA, we provide to prepare free tax returns in Chatham County.

  • Volunteer Needs: No prior experience required – Greeter/Screener, Interpreter, Tax Preparer, Quality Reviewer, Tax Coach
    • More Information can be found here – VITA
    • Contact: Linda Saum – Linda.Saum@chathamcountync.go

Chatham County Partnership for Children: Promotes opportunities for young children to grow up safe, healthy and able to succeed. In collaboration with our community partners, we plan, fund, and implement quality care and education, health, and family support initiatives.

Chatham Habit for Humanity: Works in partnership with God and people to create self-help opportunities for families to own affordable homes, improve their lives, and strengthen their communities.

  • Volunteer Needs: No Skills Required in both the Restore and Construction (16+years or older)

Chatham Literacy: Helps adults living or working in Chatham County N.C. acquire the literacy and educational skills they need to function successfully in society.

Chatham Outreach Alliance (CORA): Provides nutritious food to community members facing food insecurity.

  • Volunteer Needs: Morning Vegetable and Grocery Set Up, Sort and Stock Pantry, Community Connector, Intake Assistant, Shopping Assistant, Car Loader, Retail Recovery Culling, Retail Recovery

Chatham Reads/Chatham Education Foundation: Fosters community partnership that are dedicated to ensuring that literacy and reading resources are accessible to all Chatham County residents.

Chatham Winter Weather Survival Drive: Provides new and gently used winter outerwear got the vulnerable population of Chatham County to include unsheltered, inadequately housed, those without heating and individuals/families lacking funds to obtain protection from the dangers of sub-freezing temperatures.

  • Volunteer Needs: Pickup and Transportation from 8 Donation Sites, Processing, Organizing and Distribution of Donated Items, Communications, Volunteer Outreach, Transportation Coordinator

Chatham YMCA: Puts Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

Clapping Hands Farm: Build a diverse community that includes people of many cultural backgrounds and perspectives, and to create an environment where people can be themselves, learn, and create together.

  • Volunteer Needs: Work with Children, Help with Camp Maintenance, Camp Preparation, Community Events,  Admin and Office Stuff, Garden, Fundraising

Communities in Schools of Chatham County: Surrounding Students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.

  • Volunteer Needs: Mentors to young people, reading buddies for elementary lunch times, lunch buddies, Tutoring and working with the Juvenal Justice Community Service and Restitution Program

Fuel Up at Perry Harrison School: Provides children with nutritious meals and snack when they are not in school.

  • Volunteer Needs: Collect, Sort and Distribute Food year round

Hispanic Liaison: Fosters intercultural understanding and to empower Latinxs to overcome the challenges they face and make their voices heard in the community.

Nearby Nearby: Simplifying local exploration, supporting small businesses and fostering community connections through an innovative, user-friendly platform.

  • Volunteer Needs: Looking for passionate people to provide up-to-date information, on local businesses, events, and activities so we can spread the word.

QuiltMakers Cafe: Provides community and healthy meals to all people regardless of their ability to pay.

Rotary Club of Pittsboro: Service above self.

  • Volunteer Needs: Helping with Service Projects for any community organization that needs help such as for schools, meals on wheels, habitat for humanity and adopt a highway

Sanctuary at the Burrow: Supports individuals , families, caregivers and communities navigate end of life, death and the living path of grief and renewal.

Second Bloom of Chatham: Identifying and raising awareness of the needs of those in Chatham County affected by any form of intimate partner and/or sexual violence and working in collaboration with the community to meet those needs.

Missed the Event? Here’s How You Can Still Get Involved:

If you missed this wonderful event, there’s still time to get involved! Each of the organizations listed above, along with many others from the event, continue to seek dedicated volunteers. Contact them directly to find out how you can contribute to their efforts in making Chatham County a more connected, supportive community.

Excitingly, plans are already in the works for a 2nd Annual Day of Service next year, so stay tuned for details on how you can participate in future volunteer opportunities.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended and supported this event! Together, we’re helping to build a more compassionate and engaged Chatham County, one act of service at a time.

 

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