Where to Volunteer in Raleigh, North Carolina

"You have not lived until you have done something for someone who can never repay you." That comes from The Heartland Volunteers of Raleigh, North Carolina. They want you to know that if you can spare a day, an hour, anything, there's a volunteer organization in Raleigh, North Carolina, just waiting to hear your voice on the other end of the telephone line.

People may write a check to a charitable organization, but it's not so easy for volunteer organizations to get people to give up their time. If you have a skill to offer, you'll find a volunteer organization in Raleigh, North Carolina, thrilled to take you up on your offer of time. Whether your skill set involves organization, accounting, gardening, teaching, building, it doesn't matter. To make the successful volunteer connection, all you need to is figure out what YOU want to do. There is an organization out there to match YOUR wants and needs. Look for a win-win situation!

When considering donating your time, don't just think about what you do for a living as a way to offer expertise. Think of your hobbies or even just your likes that you never seem to find time for. This may be a way for you to indulge in an activity you like while helping your community.

Here are a few of the offerings in Raleigh, North Carolina:

Animals
Safe Haven for Cats, www.safehavenforcats.org. 919-872-1128.
Safe Haven is a no-kill shelter that relies on volunteers to help with adoption activities, fairs, administrative duties, playing with the cats every day, cleaning cages, adoption counselors, special events.
You can work shifts, as many hours as you choose. There is no set time commitment, although every hour is appreciated by both two- and four-legged friends.

Art:
Raleigh City Museum, http://www.raleighcitymuseum.org. 220 Fayetteville Street, Suite 100, 919-832-3775.
Some of the volunteer opportunities include: Greeters (who meet people at the front desk), Museum Shop Attendant (work with inventory, money and problems within the store), Docent who provides exhibit information and answers questions), Outreach Volunteer (reaches out to local groups and organizations, Collections Volunteer (who works at securing special collections; Special Event Volunteer, Hospitality Volunteer (for when the museum holds receptions such as fundraising events).
Business

Ten Thousand Villages,www.villagesofraleigh.org/Volunteers.htm. Cameron Village, 435 Woodburn Road, 919-821-1100.
Thousand Villages of Raleigh features the work of artisans in developing countries in a shop in Cameron Village in Raleigh. It functions primarily through the use of about 70 tireless volunteers, and they can always use more.

Needs include Sales Associates. You'd be helping people learn the background of the items for sale as well as finding the perfect gift item. You also get to pass on the history of Ten Thousand Villages, and the importance of their mission. There's plenty of work behind the scenes: items to be inventoried and catalogued, then displayed, as well as essential housekeeping needs.

Ten Thousand Villages will provide training for all volunteers to bring them up to speed on the history and future of the operation. Regardless of the volunteer activity you choose, education always plays a part.

Environment
Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department, http://www.raleigh-nc.org/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_2_306_204_0_43/http;/pt03/DIG_Web_Con tent/dept/public/Dept-AboutUs-ParksnRec.html. 222 W. Hargett Street, 919-996-3100.
Volunteers are needed for ongoing activities, as well as for one-time events. You can volunteer alone or with friends and families. In general, volunteers use their talents to pass on sportsmanship, leadership and team building in the various activities.

Triangle Off Road Cyclists (TORC), www.torc-nc.org.
Here's a great way for volunteers who love the outdoors to contribute. TORC's mission is to promote mountain biking in the Triangle region of North Carolina as well as to ensure the future of mountain biking through the maintenance of trails and preservation of national resources.

General
Keeping Pace Raleigh, www.beatingdebt.org/KeepingPace.htm.
If you have financial acumen, Keeping Pace Raleigh needs you. The group is dedicated to help people maintain financial accountability. Volunteers help members learn different ways to manage their personal finances.
Health

So many health-related organizations have needs, and most need administrative, as well as hands-on volunteers.

WakeMed,www.wakemed.com/topnav.cfm?id=347&oTopID=347. 3000 New Bern Ave., 919-350-8293
WakeMed seeks high school students, homemakers, retirees, career professionalsanyone who can lend a hand. Assignments are made based on your skills and interests. A Community Services Manager will work with you to find the exact type of volunteer spot that suits you. You'll get a 3-hour orientation to fully prepare you.
Central North Carolina Chapter (American Red Cross), www. centralnorthcarolina.redcross.org. 4737 University Dr., 919-489-6541.

Volunteers provide disaster relief, driving, administrative needs and the like.
Heartland Hospice, www.heartlandvolunteers.com. 3117 Poplarwood Ct., 919-877-9959.

Volunteers provide compassion. According to the Web site, No task is too big or too small. You will aide the patient as well as the family. That may entail being a friendly visitor, caregiver, a relief to the primary caregiver, bereavement, and so much more.

Gay/Lesbian Issues
Gay and Lesbian Helplinehelpline@tcworks.org (an email for more information). 919-821-0055.
Volunteers are asked to commit to one, 3-hour shift per month. The organization provides regular training orientation.

If nothing here strikes you, check out these general Web sites that are updated regularly.
www.volunteermatch.com
http://volunteerism.meetup.com/cities/us/nc/raleigh