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Home > Volunteer
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Public Sites and Parks |
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Beaufort Historic Site Training sessions for volunteers at the Beaufort Historic
Site offer a wonderful overview to this large preservation organization that
relies heavily upon volunteers. From docents and tour guides to bus drivers
and office staff, there are literally dozens of jobs for people of all ages
at BHA. The site maintains Beaufort's oldest art gallery, the Mattie King
Davis Art Gallery, and a fund-raising thrift shop. Both are staffed by
volunteers. Groups such as the Warped Weavers and the Beaufort Herb Society
are always looking for new members. And, of course, folks who are good with
a sewing machine are needed to help create docent costumes. Whether you want
to volunteer on a regular basis or just offer your expertise during a
special event, BHA is always excited to hear from potential volunteers.
Carteret County Public Library 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: Down East Library 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. Book donations are also needed. Carteret County Public
School System 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. Core Sound Waterfowl Museum
& Heritage Center 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.
Cape Lookout National Seashore Volunteers are needed for many of Cape
Lookout National Seashore's programs. At the Harkers Island headquarters,
volunteers can help with administrative duties, greet visitors and provide
information. For those volunteers who like to be outside and active, there
are many programs. As caretakers/keepers, volunteers live and work for six
weeks at a time at the Cape Lookout Light Station and Portsmouth Village.
Other volunteers help with special projects such as photography, monitoring
wildlife or presenting school programs. Whatever your interest, the National
Seashore can help you select the volunteer position that is just right for
you. Fort Macon State Park 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. The Friends of Fort Macon hold regular meetings and
special events throughout the year. The History Place 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. You can 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.  N.C. Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores 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. N.C. Maritime Museum 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.
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Animal-Care ServicesOuter Banks Wildlife Shelter 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. Humane Society of Carteret County 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. Volunteers are also needed to operate the
Humane Society Thrift Store in Morehead City, (252) 726-1399.
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Human-Care ServicesAmerican Cancer Society 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. Boys & Girls Club of Coastal Carolina 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. Best of all, they provide positive role models for kids.
After-school programs are also in place in several elementary schools in
the area. Broad
Street Clinic 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. Carteret County Domestic Violence Program 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. Carteret General Hospital The Carteret General Hospital volunteer program began in
1977 and today has a vital group helping in all areas of the hospital.
Volunteers also raise funds used for equipment and renovations to enhance
patient care. The largest fund-raiser is the Gift Gallery, a unique gift
shop located in the Arendell Street entrance of the hospital. All
fund-raisers are open to the public. For more information, please contact
the hospital's Volunteer Director. Carteret Literacy Council This program matches tutors with students,
often adults, who need help with reading, writing or math. 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
tutors to the public school system. Crystal Coast Habitat For Humanity 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. The program's resale home store also relies on
volunteer labor. Call the office for volunteer forms. Foster Grandparent Program 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. Guardian ad Litem 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. Hope Mission of Carteret County, Inc. 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 to people in need, and special dinners are served
during the holiday season. The mission opened a shelter last fall, and
volunteers are needed to help there. Volunteers also assist in outreach
ministries and in preparing gifts during special times.
Hospice of Carteret County 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. Martha's Mission Cupboard 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 are needed to sort and distribute the incoming
food. The Mission Cupboard is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10:30
AM to 3 PM. Meals on Wheels Meals on Wheels has groups in Morehead City, Beaufort
and Newport, and volunteers are always needed to help deliver meals to
homebound individuals. Project Christmas Cheer 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. Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) 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.
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Environmental ServicesN.C. Big Sweep 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 late September or early October. Big Sweep is
locally coordinated through the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service office
in Morehead City. N.C. Coastal Federation This coastal environmental protection
organization offers education, information and legislative accountability
and is funded through membership contributions. Volunteers are needed to
help with marsh-grass plantings in the late spring and to work on trail
maintenance. 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. Rachel Carson Reserve 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. |
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