Impact
Five ways to give back and get involved in your 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.
YMCA’s Neighbor to Neighbor Christmas Program seeks volunteers
For over 30 years, the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg has been teaming up with the community to bring the spirit of Christmas to nearly 400 families and 1,000 children.
The YMCA is seeking volunteers for the 35th Annual Neighbor to Neighbor Christmas Program, where families receive a live Christmas tree, ornaments, a holiday dinner, books and toys. In addition, each child receives a free full season of youth sports or aquatics.
On Saturday, Dec. 6, volunteer drivers and navigators are needed to help deliver Christmas trees, along with all of the trimmings, directly to families’ doorsteps.
On Wednesday, Dec. 17, adopted families will visit the Childs Park YMCA to collect free toys. Volunteers will assist with setting up the toy shopping room, carrying toy bags and accompanying parents as they shop, monitoring toy tables and cleaning up after the event.
Volunteers can also donate items or collect unwrapped toys from local businesses.
For more details about volunteering, click here.
Volunteer in Suncoast Voices for Children’s tent at Shopapalooza
Suncoast Voices for Children Foundation is seeking volunteers to help at their tent during Shopapalooza, Saturday, Nov. 29 and Sunday, Nov. 30 at Vinoy Park, 701 Bayshore Drive NE, St. Petersburg.
Suncoast Voices for Children works closely with child protection investigators, case managers and community partners to keep children out of the dependency system, meet their needs while in the system and give them what they need to succeed once outside of the system.
Volunteers will assist the organization’s staff and board members throughout the event with greeting visitors, educating people about the Foundation’s programs, promoting holiday giving opportunities and encouraging people to sign up for their mailing list to keep connected.
Shifts each day are from 9 a.m.-12 p.m., 12-3 p.m. and 3-5:30 p.m.
Click here for more information and to sign up.
Keep Pinellas Beautiful Holiday Open House
Keep Pinellas Beautiful (KPB) is hosting a Holiday Open House Friday, Dec. 12 from 8:30 until 11:30 a.m. at its offices at 5090 66th Street N., St. Petersburg.
The event is to celebrate and thank volunteers for a year of service. It will feature refreshments, tours of KPB’s facility and some giveaways. In addition, the KPB Youth Advisory Council will be auctioning off artwork created by local youth and inspired by Florida’s native species.
Florida Resurrection House seeks tutors
Florida Resurrection House works to end the cycle of generational poverty and build long term stability for families in the Tampa Bay area. The organization offers safe and peaceful transitional housing, provides intensive case management, connects families with therapeutic services, incorporates life skills and continuing education and acts as a supportive community while families do the hard work of changing their lives.
Volunteer tutors are needed to provide academic support for elementary, middle and high school students.
Sessions take place on Mondays from 6:30-7:30 p.m. onsite at 800 11th Street N., St. Petersburg and are based on participants’ needs. Volunteers must be 18 and older and available to arrive one-half hour before class and stay one-half hour afterwards to help clean up.
TradeWinds St. Pete Beach Cleanup
TradeWinds Island Resorts and Keep Pinellas Beautiful are holding a St Pete Beach cleanup, Saturday, Dec. 13 from 8 until 10 a.m.
Volunteers are asked to wear closed toe shoes and weather appropriate clothing. All cleanup supplies, including reusable gloves, trash bags, trash pickers, sunscreen, hand sanitizer and bug spray, will be provided. A water refill station will available. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Volunteers should meet at the south end of the TradeWinds Island Grand Resort, 5500 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach. Parking at the resort will be free for the duration of the cleanup event.
For more information, 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.
