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Public Sites and Parks

 

Beaufort Historic Site
138 Turner St., Beaufort
(252) 728-5225
, (800) 575-SITE

Beaufort Historic Site is a large preservation organization that relies heavily upon its volunteers. From docents and tour guides, to English double decker bus drivers and office staff, there are literally hundreds of unique and enjoyable volunteer opportunities for people of all ages at Beaufort Historical Association (BHA). The site maintains Beaufort's oldest art gallery, the Mattie King Davis Art Gallery, and a fund-raising thrift shop staffed by volunteers. Members of the community are also encouraged to volunteer to provide information to visiting school groups. Scripts and other materials are provided in advance. Whether you want to volunteer on a regular basis, or just offer your expertise or help during a special season or event, the BHA is always appreciative of its volunteers.SS 01-13-09

Carteret County Public Library
210 Turner St., Beaufort
(252) 728-2050

Each of the four Carteret County public libraries has an active volunteer group that helps with all types of library programs, from Storytime for Kids to adult reading groups to book sales. Contact the individual libraries in your area for details:
Beaufort — (252) 728-2050
Bogue Banks — (252) 247-4660
Western Carteret — (252) 393-6500
Newport — (252) 223-5108
SS 01-13-09

Down East Library
373 U.S. Hwy. 70, Beaufort
(252) 728-5412, (252) 729-7681

This small library was formed based on the need to have library services in the Down East area of Carteret County. Founded, supported and staffed by volunteers, this library is offering a wonderful service to the area. Volunteers of all types are needed — from those interested in answering the phone or shelving books to those interested in helping with the children's reading program. There are many community programs and classes developing, including after-school homework help, knitting and scrapbooking classes, and book clubs. All the books in the library are by donation, so book donations are always needed and appreciated.SS 01-13-09

Carteret County Public School System
107 Safrit Dr., Beaufort
(252) 728-4583

Volunteer opportunities in the public school system are many and varied. Each of the county's 17 public schools seeks individuals interested in tutoring students, helping with special projects, working with band programs or assisting in the office. Whether you are interested in listening to a first grader read, helping a fourth grader with multiplication, having lunch each week with a special student or working out chemistry problems with a tenth grader, the school system would be excited to have your help. The school system requires a background check and provides mandatory training for all its volunteers.SS 01-13-09

Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center
1785 Island Rd., Harkers Island
(252) 728-1500

Core Sound Waterfowl Museum depends on volunteer help for daily carving demonstrations and special programs year round. Demonstrations, revolving local exhibits and programs focusing on local heritage are offered year round. The museum houses the area's finest collection of carvings and waterfowl art and archives oral histories and artifacts from the Down East communities. Volunteers are needed to help with programs for school groups and bus tours, to assist staff with administrative duties and to serve on committees and boards. For more information on the museum, see our Attractions chapter. SS 01-13-09

Cape Lookout National Seashore
131 Charles St., Harkers Island
(252) 728-2250

Volunteers provide valued skills and assistance for many programs at Cape Lookout National Seashore. At the Harkers Island headquarters, volunteers can help at the Visitor Center to greet visitors, provide information and operate the bookstore. There are also many programs for those volunteers who like to be outside and active. As caretakers and keepers, volunteers live and work for six weeks at a time at the Cape Lookout Light Station, Cape Lookout Village, the Great Island Cabin area and Portsmouth Village. Other volunteers help with special projects such as photography, monitoring wildlife or presenting school programs. Whatever your interest, there are many rewarding opportunities to help protect the National Seashore and to facilitate visitor understanding and enjoyment of its resources.SS 01-13-09

Fort Macon State Park
MM 1, N.C. Hwy. 58, Atlantic Beach 
(252) 726-3775

Volunteers, working through the Friends of Fort Macon, act as guides at this historic site throughout the year. Training is usually conducted in February of each year. Volunteers help park rangers with special group tours and presentations. Fort Macon is one of the busiest state parks in North Carolina, and volunteers play an important role in facilitating visitation. A Coastal Education Center is in the process of being built with completion slated for late summer or early fall of 2009. Volunteer opportunities, such as meeting and greeting visitors and assisting in the overall operation of the center ,are forthcoming; contact the park for details.SS 01-13-09

The History Place
1008 Arendell St., Morehead City
(252) 247-7533

The History Place has become a landmark of Morehead City. It focuses on Carteret County through exhibits and displays in a 12,000-square-foot facility that includes a museum, research library, museum store, classroom and auditorium/learning center. Docents are the backbone of this organization. The History Place has only one full-time paid staff member and one part-time paid library director. The rest of the "staff members" are volunteers. Docents greet visitors and answer questions, with shifts usually set at three hours either once a week or once a month, generally from 10 AM to 1 PM or 1 to 4 PM. Museum hours are 10 AM to 4 PM Tuesday through Saturday. Docents assist visitors in the gallery, museum store or library. Docents also assist, on occasion, with folding brochures and newsletters or helping keep the museum scrapbook up to date. There is always a need for volunteers to assist in preparing for events and programs. Training for volunteers is provided.SS 01-13-09
 

N.C. Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores
MM 7, N.C. Hwy. 58, Pine Knoll Shores 
(252) 247-4004

www.ncaquariums.com

The aquarium relies upon a large force of cheerful volunteers to help visitors enjoy the many exhibits and programs and to assist the staff with a variety of tasks. Volunteers interpret exhibits, discuss marine life in the touch pools, staff the discovery carts, greet school groups and help with kids' crafts and activities, among other things. The information desk and the sport-fishing gallery also offer volunteers a chance to work closely with aquarium visitors.SS 01-13-09

N.C. Maritime Museum
315 Front St., Beaufort
(252) 728-7317
www.ncmm-friends.org

North Carolina Maritime Museum volunteers are renowned for their hospitality and helpfulness. They work at the museum's information desk, serve as interpreters at displays and as guides for school and other groups, do restoration and construction work in the museum's Watercraft Center and ship model shop, serve on the Board of the Friends of the Museum, assist with the Cape Lookout Studies and Junior Sailing Programs, maintain the reference library, perform clerical duties and help at special events and programs.SS 01-13-09

 

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Animal-Care Services

Humane Society of Carteret County
Hibbs Rd., Morehead City
(252) 247-7744

Members provide staffing for administration and animal-care services, usually for dogs and cats that are in between homes. Volunteers are needed at the shelter primarily to help clean up the facilities and care for animals. Donations are accepted for yard sales held annually during the summer months. There is an ongoing wish list of items for the shelter, such as monetary donations, dry food for dogs and cats, non-scoopable litter, bleach, paper towels, dish soap, laundry detergent, copy paper, index cards and more. Volunteers are also needed to operate the Humane Society Thrift Store in Morehead City, (252) 726-1399.SS 01-08-09

Outer Banks Wildlife Shelter
100 Wildlife Way, Newport
(252) 240-1200

This shelter for injured wildlife is operated with volunteer help, including the help of licensed rehabilitators. Funding efforts include daily aluminum-can recycling, an annual benefit dinner, an art auction and contributions of visitors and rescuers of injured animals. Feeding and animal care is volunteered. Volunteers are always needed and must be 18 years of age or older. The Baby Bird Feeders program offers opportunities for those 13 years of age and older. On-the-job training is provided to all volunteers.SS 01-08-09

Pet Adoption and Welfare Society (PAWS) of Carteret
1211 Bridges St., Morehead City
(252) 247-3341

PAWS focuses on animal adoption, health and safety, and community education and participation. PAWS offers an adoption program in which pets are spayed, neutered and healthy for their placement. PAWS rescues and vets pets regularly in addition to expanding and partnering with other community organizations. PAWS partnered with Carteret County Emergency Management and County Animal Control to provide a pet-friendly hurricane shelter for Carteret County. In another partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Coastal Carolina, PAWS offers fun and educational pet care clinics throughout the year. Annually, PAWS hosts the Sunday Brunch fundraiser during the Carolina Chocolate Festival, hosts the OktoberPets event at the Crystal Coast Civic Center, and participates as Pets for Vets in the Morehead City Veteran's Day parade. Plans are in the works for a Pet Adoption Center, which will house the administrative and educational facility. Volunteers are always needed to assist through participation in adoption programs, foster care, the thrift store, membership, the hurricane shelter, education and fundraising. The website provides a wealth of information and showcases adoptable pets.SS 01-08-09

 

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Human-Care Services

American Cancer Society
 (252) 695-9028

The American Cancer Society plans the annual Relay for Life, a 24-hour fund-raising event each year in Carteret County. The event takes place on a high school track in the county, bringing groups from churches, businesses and families together in the fight against cancer. Volunteers not only participate in the relay but organize it as well. Help is always needed.SS 01-13-09

Boys & Girls Club of Coastal Carolina
P.O. Box 1514, Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 222-3007

The Boys & Girls Club of Coastal Carolina includes clubs in Morehead City, Beaufort and Havelock. The club relies on volunteers in all aspects of its operation, including tutoring, special-skills training, fund-raising, homework help and administrative support. Volunteer positions vary and include art program volunteers, handyman volunteers, homework helpers, social recreation area volunteers and technology lab volunteers just to name a few. Best of all, they provide positive role models for kids. After-school programs are also in place in several elementary schools in the area. They are always in need of additional help. Specific volunteer positions that need to be filled can be found on the club's  website.SS 01-13-09

Broad Street Clinic
500 N. 35th St., Morehead City
(252) 726-4562

The Broad Street Clinic offers medical treatment for chronic illnesses for the non-insured who meet the agency's income criteria. Volunteers help in administrative capacities and as receptionists, and medical professionals donate their time to offer services. There are volunteer opportunities during the day and evening, and training is provided.SS 01-13-09

Carteret County Domestic Violence Program
  (252) 728-3788

Volunteers help in a variety of capacities for the Carteret County Domestic Violence Program. An upscale resale shop, Caroline's Collectibles, 3716 Arendell Street in Morehead City, is completely staffed by volunteer help. Additional volunteers serve on the board, assist at the program's center for non-violence, help in Caroline's House and help raise funds for this deserving organization. Volunteers are also needed to provide transportation and to serve as child-care sitters.SS 01-13-09

Carteret County General Hospital
Carteret General Hospital, 3500 Arendell St., Morehead City
(252) 808-6046

The Carteret County General Hospital volunteer program began in 1977 and today has a vital group helping in 30 different areas of the hospital. In addition to providing support for the hospital, the volunteers also raise funds for the Hospital Foundation through various fundraising activities held throughout the year. The largest fundraiser is The Gift Gallery, the hospital gift shop, which is staffed by volunteers. For more information about the Carteret General Hospital Volunteers, call the Volunteer Office.SS 01-13-09

Carteret Literacy Council
Morehead City
(252) 808-2020

This program matches tutors with students, often adults, who need help with reading, writing or math. Private sessions are arranged by the tutor-student team who meet once or twice a week at a location convenient to both parties. Volunteer training is coordinated by the Literacy Council every three months. In addition, the program offers an annual business spelling bee each year in October and an outreach program that offers free presentations on literacy, storytelling for the Head Start program, and Bringing Books to Babies in cooperation with Carteret General Hospital.SS 01-13-09

Crystal Coast Habitat For Humanity
1412 Bridges St., Morehead City
(252) 808-2757

Habitat for Humanity provides volunteer labor to build homes for qualified families, and volunteers support the program every step of the way. Volunteers serve on the board and are involved in administrative functions, in the hands-on acts of building and in fund-raising efforts. Call the office for volunteer forms. The program's resale home store also relies on volunteer labor. Donations and purchases from the store help the funding of the materials they need to build the homes. You can call them at (252) 223-4493 and arrange for them to pick up large item donations.SS 01-13-09

Down East Council of Hispanic/Latino Affairs (DECHLA)
503 Guion St., New Vern
(252) 672-8867

DECHLA provides services to the Hispanic and Latino community in Carteret, Craven, Jones and Pamlico counties, including free community English classes, Spanish and English interpretation, computer education, and referral information and services. The New Bern center is always in need of help in the upkeep and maintenance of the premises, basic clerical tasks and data entry. There are ongoing volunteer opportunities available; contact the director at the New Bern office for the most current opportunities.SS 01-13-09

Foster Grandparent Program
301 McQueen Ave., Newport
(252) 223-1630

The Foster Grandparent Program, administered by Coastal Community Action, serves Carteret, Craven, Pamlico and Jones counties. It provides a stipend for limited-income participants ages 60 and older who offer 20 hours a week for one-on-one extra assistance of children in school, libraries or in the hospital, where they must annually meet safety training requirements of hospital employees. Volunteers must apply.SS 01-13-09

Guardian ad Litem
Courthouse Square, Beaufort
(252) 728-8574

After training, Guardian ad Litem volunteers are assigned by the juvenile court to investigate cases of child neglect or abuse and to report their findings to the court. This advocate for the child ensures that the child's interests are properly presented to the court.SS 01-13-09

Hope Mission of Carteret County, Inc.
1410 Bridges St., Morehead City
(252) 240-2359

Hope Mission exists to meet the immediate needs of people requiring help. At the mission's soup kitchen, volunteers assist in serving food provided by area churches, restaurants and private donations. Lunch is served daily Monday through Saturday from 11 AM to 12:30 PM to people in need, and special dinners are served during the holiday season. The soup kitchen often needs volunteers Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 2 PM and welcomes church groups and organizations. The mission also offers a men's shelter and a men's and women's recovery home.SS 01-13-09

Hospice of Carteret County
302 Medical Park Ct., Morehead City
(252) 808-6085

A division of Carteret General Hospital, Hospice of Carteret County trains volunteers to serve patients and care-giving families. They provide relief and support for family members by keeping the patient company, running errands and serving as a vital link between the family and Hospice staff.SS 01-13-09

Martha's Mission Cupboard
901 Bay St., Morehead City
(252) 726-1717

This is an emergency food pantry for families in crisis in Carteret County. Every month, the mission provides food for more than 300 families, senior citizens and mentally and physically challenged persons. Martha's Mission operates strictly on donations, and volunteers help to sort and distribute the incoming food. The Mission Cupboard is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10:30 AM to 3 PM.SS 01-13-09

Meals on Wheels
(252) 247-6909

Meals on Wheels volunteers are always needed to help deliver meals to homebound individuals. Meals on Wheels also has groups in the surrounding areas, including Beaufort.SS 01-13-09

Project Christmas Cheer
 (252) 247-7275

Project Christmas Cheer began in 1985 when a group volunteered their time to assist an overflow of families seeking assistance from the Carteret County Department of Social Services. Volunteers take applications and match the applicants with donors. Donors make arrangements to deliver Christmas gifts such as food, toys, blankets, fuel oil and things that would really help during Christmas of a difficult year. The offices are open from October through December.SS 01-13-09

Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)
301 McQueen Ave., Newport
(252) 223-1630

RSVP strives to meet vital community needs by providing volunteer opportunities for seniors. Members of RSVP are age 55 and older and pledge to perform at least one hour of service each week. These active, energetic volunteers are matched with tasks that suit their abilities, interests and experience. RSVP volunteers tutor in schools, help homebound seniors with meal delivery, compile mailings and make visits at nursing homes. SS 01-13-09

 

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Environmental Services

N.C. Big Sweep
N.C. Cooperative Extension Service, Morehead City
(252) 222-6359

N.C. Big Sweep is a statewide effort to clean trash out of the waterways. It's a one-day effort that occurs in Carteret County annually on a Saturday in October following the North Carolina Seafood Festival. Big Sweep is locally coordinated through the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service office in Morehead City.SS 01-08-09

N.C. Coastal Federation
3609 N.C. Hwy. 24, Ocean
(252) 393-8185

This coastal environmental protection organization offers education, restoration and preservation, environmental information and legislative accountability and is funded through membership contributions. Volunteers are needed to help with marsh-grass plantings in the late spring, oyster shell baggings and reef creation, and trail maintenance days. Volunteers are also needed in the office to type, file, answer phones and more. Help with membership drives and fund-raising is always needed. Specific expertise is welcomed, as NCCF coordinates special projects and events.SS 01-08-09

Rachel Carson Reserve
135 Duke Marine Lab Rd., Pivers Island, Beaufort
(252) 728-2170

Volunteer opportunities at the Rachel Carson National Estuarine Research Reserve in Beaufort include: collecting water samples, clearing trails, assisting with the annual horse and bird censuses, guiding visitors on nature walks, leading canoe or kayak trips, helping in the headquarters office, participating in periodic beach sweeps or reserve clean-ups, and assisting the education staff with summer camps. Volunteers gain firsthand knowledge of estuarine ecology and enjoy the beautiful islands that comprise the Rachel Carson National Estuarine Research Reserve.SS 01-08-09

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