By Angela DeBoskey
What causes speak to you?
Maybe you have a passion for initiatives that help kids, or programs that assist veterans, the elderly or single mothers. Maybe you’d like to support local cancer patients or assist families transitioning from homelessness. You might prefer to work with your hands outdoors, or maybe you enjoy a group project. Want to volunteer from home in your pajamas? No problem!
At United Way of Hancock County, we know that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to Making a Difference. And we know that volunteers of all ages, backgrounds and skillsets are vital to keeping many local service programs functioning at their highest capacity. From answering phones to income tax preparation, designing flyers or landscaping, chances are that whatever your skill, a local nonprofit could put it to good use and benefit greatly.
If you have made a resolution to get more involved in 2023, I would urge you to visit our website and explore a variety of rotating volunteer opportunities. You’ll find everything from one-time, 101-level offerings such as weeding the community gardens or loading food into vehicles during a mobile food pantry to 401-level opportunities such as board and committee service or advocating for a child in the court system.
You can also register with Volunteers United, our online hub for local volunteer opportunities, and request a one-on-one meeting with a volunteer counselor. They’ll meet with you informally to assess your skills, goals and interests and match you with meaningful opportunities that could use your expertise.
You name it. If you have a skill and a passion, we can connect you to a resolution to Make a Difference in 2023. Visit www.liveunitedhancockcounty.org/volunteersunited to get started.
DeBoskey is CEO of United Way of Hancock County.
(This guest column appeared in the Findlay Courier on Jan. 11, 2023.)