Impact
Five ways to give back and get involved in your community
Channel your energy into giving back to the community.
If you’re searching for ways to give back, the Catalyst’s Impact Connector is here to help. Each week, we feature five organizations in the Tampa Bay area that need your input, whether that’s time, talent, items, funding or simply awareness. We’re certain you’ll find something here that matches your interests and will positively impact the community.
Volunteer at the Saturday Morning Market
The Saturday Morning Market is back at Al Lang Stadium and is seeking volunteers. Here farmers, growers and producers are able to sell directly to the community, keeping more money in the local economy and making fresh food more accessible to everyone.
The Market runs from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Volunteers work in the information booth where they can learn about how the market works behind the scenes, get to know the vendors, and have a front-row seat to everything going on.
Two shifts are available every Saturday: 9 until 11:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.
The Saturday Morning Market is held at Al Lang Stadium, 230 1st Street S., St. Petersburg.
To learn more and view available slots, click here.
Doggy Costume Contest benefits Humane Society
Gigglewaters Social Club and Screening Room in Safety Harbor is hosting a Doggy Costume Contest Saturday, Oct. 10 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. with proceeds benefiting the Humane Society of Tampa Bay.
The event will be hosted by WTVT’s Charley Belcher.
The cost is $10 for dogs to be entered in the costume contest. The event will also feature drinks from Gigglewaters’ outside bar, pet vendors, and adoptable dogs from the Humane Society.
Vendor spaces are still available.
Gigglewaters is located at 737 Main Street, Safety Harbor.
More information about the event can be found here.
Better Living for Seniors seeks Silver Santas volunteers
The Pinellas Chapter of Better Living for Seniors is recruiting Silver Santas to bring warmth and joy to isolated low-income seniors across Pinellas County.
Professional guardians, social workers, senior community directors and other professionals identify individuals who are in danger of being forgotten during the holidays. Gift tags for these recipients are placed on trees at various locations in Pinellas County beginning in November.
Silver Santas select a tag, shop for a gift and bring the gift and tag back to the same or an alternate location.
Along with Silver Santas, volunteers are needed to help track tag distribution, stock donations, sort and assess gift bags and offer general administrative, behind-the-scenes support.
To learn more about becoming a Silver Santa click here.
To volunteer as a Santa’s Helper, click here.
Tampa Bay Watch needs help with reef ball installation
Coquina Key Bird Island is a nesting island for brown pelicans, double-crested cormorants and several species of wading birds.
Traffic from boat channels on the north and eastern sides of the island causes severe erosion, and many of the mangroves vital for nesting fall into the bay. The goal of the reef ball installation project is to stabilize the shoreline and prevent erosion while creating a habitat similar to natural oyster communities found along shoreline areas throughout Tampa Bay.
Volunteers are needed Friday, Oct. 16 from 8:45 a.m. until noon to help with the installation of oyster reef balls. Two people help to load the balls, which weigh close to 200 pounds, from a trailer to the boat and help roll them into place on the shoreline of the island.
The minimum age to volunteer is 16, and heavy lifting is required.
The meeting location is Bay Vista Park, 7000 4th Street S., St. Petersburg.
Native Grass Planting at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve
Friends of Boyd Hill Nature Preserve and the St. Pete Eco Club are joining together for a native grass planting Saturday, Oct. 17 from 7:30 a.m. until noon.
This planting project is intended to expand the footprint of the wetland corridor by connecting surrounding upland areas and improving water quality from stormwater runoff.
Volunteers should wear closed-toe shoes and bring gloves, a water bottle and sun protection. The native grasses and all necessary tools will be provided, along with shade tents, water refill stations and light snacks. Volunteers must be 18 and older to participate.
Boyd Hill Nature Preserve is located at 1101 Country Club Way South, St. Petersburg.
For more information about parking and to reserve a spot, click here.
By engaging in these five impactful ways to give back, we can empower our communities and contribute to a more compassionate society. If your organization is seeking volunteers, donations or awareness, click here to submit your opportunity. We’ll get the word out to our readers.
