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 for Surfers for Autism
The local chapter of Surfers for Autism is presenting its 14th annual Beach Surf Festival at St. Pete Beach on Saturday, Sept. 5 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. and welcomes anyone to volunteer.
The mission of Surfers for Autism is to enrich the lives of children and adults living with autism and other development delays by providing free surf experiences in a safe, supportive and inclusive environment.
Volunteers are needed for a variety of roles, and surfing experience is not required. Water volunteers will be in the water about waist deep assisting surfers on their boards and gliding them into the waves towards the beach.
Experienced surfers are always needed to be Team Leaders and head a crew of volunteers in the water.
On land, help is needed with registration, assisting the food service and beach safety teams, or being a part of the beach cheer squad.
Volunteer check-in is at 8 a.m. and a volunteer meeting will be held at 8:45 a.m. Everyone will receive a free lunch.
Appropriate beach wear, sun shirts and hats are recommended.
For more information and to sign up, click here.
Treasure Island Labor Day beach cleanup
Treasure Island Adopt-a-Beach, in partnership with Keep Pinellas Beautiful and Misting Monsoon Diving, is holding a sunset cleanup on Labor Day evening, Sept. 7, from 6:30 until 8 p.m. The event is part of the Ocean Conservancy’s 2026 International Coastal Cleanup taking place Sept. 1 through Oct. 31.
Volunteers will assist with picking up litter along the beach. Closed toe shoes and weather appropriate clothing are recommended. Cleanup supplies will be provided, however, participants are encouraged to bring their own gloves, buckets and pickers. A water refill station and restrooms will be available onsite.
Anyone under the age of 18 must be signed in by a parent or guardian and volunteers under the age of 15 must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the event.
Participants will meet at Gulf Front Park Lot, 10400 Gulf Boulevard, Treasure Island.
Click here to reserve your spot.
Bay It Forward charity event
On Saturday, Sept. 19, Magic 94.9 Tampa Bay’s Best Music is hosting the Stella Artois Shuffleboard Soiree to benefit Bay It Forward. The Tampa Bay nonprofit’s mission is to support pediatric cancer patients by providing access to technology that helps them stay connected to loved ones while creating moments of normalcy throughout their treatment journey.
The event, taking place at the St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club from 7 until 10 p.m., will feature local vendors, food, Stella Artois beer, music by DJ Ekin and a shuffleboard competition.
Participating vendors include Howdy Hunny Hat Bar, Lost Coast Oyster Company, Gypsea Blooms, King of Pops and Tampa Bay Burger Company.
Registration is free. A limited number of VIP tickets are available which includes access to the Clubhouse, a sampling of a drinks from Stella, Nutrl and Cutwater, a Stella Artois chalice, 3 oysters from Lost Coast Oysters and a popsicle from King of Pops.
The St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club is located at 559 Mirror Lake Drive N., St. Petersburg.
To learn more, click here.
Suncoast Voices For Children- Pinellas Volunteer Day
Suncoast Voices for Children, located in Clearwater, provides for unmet physical, educational and social needs of abused, abandoned and neglected children in Pinellas and Pasco counties.
Working alongside child protection investigators, case managers and other community partners, it provides essential support to keep children with their families whenever possible, meet the needs of kids in the foster care system and help young adults with what they need to succeed once outside of the system.
The organization is holding a volunteer day on Saturday, Sept. 19 from 9 until 11 a.m. Volunteers will be sorting clothing items and creating outfit bags for children.
The Suncoast Voices for Children Pinellas Closet is located at 8550 Ulmerton Road, Largo.
More information can be found here.
Volunteer with Neighborly Senior Care Network
Neighborly Senior Care Network is dedicated to improving lives of older persons in need of home and community-based services who reside in Pinellas County. The organization provides Meals on Wheels, adult day programs and senior dining and transportation.
Meals on Wheels (MOW) volunteers deliver lunchtime meals to homebound seniors, usually weekdays between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at various locations throughout Pinellas County.
Transportation Drivers ensure Neighborly clients safely arrive on time and return home from medical appointments, pharmacies and other travel needs. Volunteers assist for a two-to four-hour block between 8:45 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Senior Café volunteers assist the Senior Café staff by packing totes with meals for MOW drivers and help with meal service. There are eight locations to choose from and hours are usually Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
The minimum age to volunteer is 18. 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.
