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Editor’s Note: This is the list of Star-Banner’s volunteer opportunities in Marion County. To place a volunteer call, or to revise this list in any way, send an email to calendar@starbanner.com and write “Get Handed” in the message line.
Brick City Center for the Arts: The Marion Cultural Alliance is looking for volunteers to help host / hostesses in the gallery, give guests information about the exhibiting artists, help in the gift shop, or help the administrative / office staff. Visit www.mcaocala.org/wolunteer or contact admin@mcaocala.com, 352-369-1500, or visit the center in person. Students may be able to credit volunteer hours for community service.
Brother’s keeper: Help out in the thrift store, soup kitchen and much more. (352-622-3846)
City of Ocala: Multiple options including special events, the Fort King National Historic Landmark Visitor Center, the Fleet Management Shop, and the Discovery Center. (352-368-5517 or ccarroll@ocalafl.org)
Help out:Heart of Florida to open a drive-through pharmacy in Wendy’s old building in Ocala
One man’s contribution:Every Monday, local hairdressers volunteer to give free haircuts to the homeless
Big picture:United Way of Marion County Raises $ 4.7M in 2020 with Pandemic Relief Funds
Crones’ Cradle Conserve: Learn more about organic farming and help with tasks. (352-595-3377)
Older options: Seeks volunteers interested in training in fall prevention and chronic disease management for teaching healthy aging. For more information, visit www.agingresources.org/volunteer, email healthaging@agingresources.org, or call Lisa at 352-692-5248.
Florida Center for the Blind: Drive customers, help with reception and drop-off. (352-873-4700 or www.Flblind.org)
Fort King Heritage Center: Help the visitors at the historic landmark. (352-368-5517 or CCarroll@ocalafl.org)
Friends of the Ocala Library Book Market: Provide customer service / assistance to individuals with finding and purchasing books, puzzles, and other reading materials. Must be fun to work with the public, be able to bend, reach, and lift books to put on bookcases, and stand for periods of time. Familiarity with keeping books in a library / bookstore will help. Conveyed training. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 4 p.m. (352-368-4590 or folbookmarketocala@gmail.com)
Guardian ad Litem: Lawyer for abused and neglected children in court. (343-2736 or amarilys.ortega@gal.fl.gov)
Habitat for humanity: Help in the ReStore and building a house. All levels of difficulty. (352-351-4663 or tstarr@habitatocala.org)
Helping Hands: Help in the thrift store or home handyman (352-732-4464 or helphandsocala.org)
His Compassion Food Bank: This is the largest food bank in the region and offers 81 agencies food delivery or pick-up as well as numerous handouts on the HC campus. To volunteer or provide a valuable source of money to keep the groceries flowing for those who need it, email HisCompassionflorida.org@gmail.com
Florida Horse Protection Association: Assistance in the care and maintenance of rescued horses. (hpaf.org or 352-466-4366)
Marion County Hospice: Patient Support, Office, Thrift Stores, and Pet Programs. (352-873-7441)
Marion County’s Humane Society: Help in the second-hand shop and in the warehouse. (www.humanesocietyofmarioncounty.com or)
Interfaith emergency services: Various. (www.iesmarion.org or 352-629-8868, ext. 210)
Kids Central: Ocala Family Resource Center – Volunteers can assist with office work (answering machine, faxing / coping), looking after adults, assisting with events, sorting incoming donations, and working in the closets. (352-274-2817 or Volunteer@kidscentralinc.org)
Related hospice: Sewing friendliness: Looking for people who can turn a personal piece of clothing into a teddy bear or a heart pillow in memory of a loved one. If interested, please call Gayle at 352-622-9331.
Marion Audubon: Volunteers were required to lead / lead outdoor bird watching walks, give educational lectures, assist at festivals / events at the booth, and offer volunteer positions for adults and students. Contact marionaudubon@outlook.com
Marion County Animal Services: There is an acute need for dog walkers! Also required: Kitties and Kong Stuffers. (352-671-8700 or friendsofmcas@gmail.com)
Marion County Literacy Council: Help students develop their skills. (352-690-7323)
Marion County Medical Reserve Corps: Various; No medical experience required. (352-644-2742 or April.Irvin@FLHealth.gov)
Marion County Memorial Honor Guard: Support with “last calls”. (209-1952 or by email to ppetefoster@aol.com)
Marion County Museum of History and Archeology: Help with visitors and museum. (352-236-5245)
Marion County Search and Rescue: Conveyed training. (marioncountysearchandrescue@yahoo.com)
Marion County Genealogical Society: Requires editor for newsletter. (352-897-0840 or President@mcgsocala.org)
Marion Senior Services: Office support, friendly visitors, Meals on Wheels drivers. (352-620-3501 or rezeption@marionseniorservices.org)
Marion Therapeutic Riding Association: Various. (352-732-7300 or Volunteer@mtraocala.org)
Master the possibilities of the center for lifelong learning: There are several options available, including registration help, greeting, hosting classes, technical support, fundraising, event assistance, proofreading, and much more. Call 352-861-9751 or visit https://masterthepossibilities.org/volunteer
Marion County’s National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI): Various. Apply at www.namiocala.org. (352-368-2405 or executeivedirector@namiocala.org)
Ocala Domestic Violence / Sexual Assault Center: Volunteer areas: donation processing, transportation, light cleaning, events, hotline and more. The volunteer orientation takes place on the second Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m. (or by appointment) at the Sexual Assault Center, S. Pine Ave. 2010, Ocala. (352-351-4009 or Volunteer@ocalacsi.com)
Ocala Wildlife Sanctuary (OWLS): Requires volunteers to help with cage maintenance, gardening and gardening. (owls-ocalainc@hotmail.com or 352-895-0451)
Open Arms Village: Provide one meal per month in the transition house. (352-875-1033)
Operation shoebox: Help out in the thrift store and pack items for troops overseas. (352-307-6723)
PACE Center for Girls: Various virtual opportunities such as leading workshops for specialty skills or student clubs. Visit https://www.pacecenter.org/support/volunteer
Marion County’s Hope Project: Various. (352-624-4673 or visit www.projecthopeocala.org)
Project PUP: Pets visit health facilities. (352-615-9277 or email info@projectpupinc.org)
Task Force Racial Harmony and Cultural Awareness: Various. (352-368-5517)
Rizing Starz Inc .: Find volunteers to speak for caregivers in the weekly Shining Lights Community Life group on Thursday morning. In particular, the group needs experts in long-term and financial planning. (rizingstarzinc@yahoo.com or 678-925-0026).
Salvation Army: Angel Tree Helpers – Accepting applications, sorting and distributing gift bags; Soup kitchen; Warehouse for family businesses; Property maintenance and caretaker. (352-629-2004, ext. 306)
Seniors Against Crime: Help resolve civil / consumer complaints. (352-873-6377)
Protection of hands: Help with cat grooming, cat adoptions, and special events. (352-840-0663, option 5 or www.shelteringhands.org/volunteer)
SHINE (serving the health insurance of the elders): Help customers make Medicare decisions. (800-262-2243 or FloridaSHINE.org)
Silver River Museum: Seeks volunteers to serve regularly and for special occasions. (Call Judy or Scott at 352-236-5401 or email scott.mitchell@marion.k12.fl.us. Visit www.SilverRiverMuseum.com)
Silver Springs State Park: Plenty of opportunities every day including visitor center, landscaping, boating, maintenance, office and more (352-456-8676 or ruth.fletcher@floridadep.gov)
Southeastern Guide Dogs: Grooming guide dog puppies. (www.guidedogs.org/volunteer/raise-a-puppy)
Special Olympic Games Florida – Marion County: Various. (352-988-7998)
Stirrup ‘n Strides Therapeutic Equestrian Center: Various. (352-427-3569 or greyhitime@windstream.net).
Inventory in children: Work with the students for 30 minutes a week. (352-671-4162)
The American Red Cross: Various. (352-620-0500 or Terry.Kinder@redcross.org)
Transitions: Support with errands, short-term breaks for caregivers and more. (352-854-5200)
Three Angels Clinic: Lots of opportunities. (352-509-6350)
Transport for Christ: Chaplains for the chapel in the travel center. (352-216-3226)
Marion County United Path: For Reading Pals, 352-732-9696 or jhathaway@uwmc.org. Generally 352-732-9696 or ctruesdale@uwmc.org. For the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, call 352-355-1225 or email dmacphail@uwmc.org.
Veterans help veterans: Support veterans and families by helping with food and clothing packing, office tasks such as answering phones and keeping records, distributing equipment such as walking aids, and doing casework (training provided). Special need for volunteers familiar with Microsoft Office Suite. (352-433-2320, ext. 100, leave a message)
VOCAL: Volunteers with gentle dogs visit senior centers. (352-289-0800)
