Volunteer positions with the Red Cross include blood service aides, disaster relief volunteers, health and safety class instructors, fundraising and public events coordinators, and office aides. Free classes are scheduled to give volunteers training on how to provide assistance to disaster clients. This very active organization has a high community profile and is extremely responsive to people in need. It responds to emergencies both inside and beyond the region with shelter, food and funds. The simple act of giving blood is an easy way to volunteer, and this is a critical need because only 37 percent of the population is eligible to donate and only 7 percent of the eligible donor population actually does. Give blood or volunteer at a blood drive and help save lives.

The Bargain Box, a resale boutique, is an outreach ministry of Wilmington's Church of the Servant, Episcopal. They encourage the recycling of pre-owned goods and the creative utilization of pre-loved merchandise. A wide variety of affordable, quality merchandise is offered, including a complete assortment of clothing, furniture and household items, collectibles and records, tapes and CDs, toys and games, jewelry and accessories. Income is redistributed to existing ministries through a grant program. Vouchers are available from specified churches and social service agencies for people with emergency needs. There is also a bin full of free, usable clothing. Volunteers are needed to steam clothing, work the cash register, provide customer service, pick up furniture, deliver bags of clothes to migrant workers, organize the library, do garden and lawn work and perform handyman duties. Volunteer your time and talents, or help by shopping at The Bargain Box or bringing donations. Encourage your friends and family to do likewise. The Bargain Box is open Tuesday through Friday 11 AM to 6 PM and Saturday 10 AM to 5 PM. They are open on Monday from 10 AM to 4 PM for donations only.

This organization needs volunteers to help families in need of food, shelter, furniture and other necessities. It also needs help with the pantry, fund-raisers, food drives to stock the pantry, and distributing clothes. It distributes more than 500 Christmas baskets across Brunswick County and has a food pantry that distributes more than 197,000 pounds of food each year.

The Brunswick County Literacy Council promotes literacy for people in Brunswick County, focusing primarily on adult and young adult learners. The council helps students with reading, writing, math, computers and English-speaking skills, in a one-on-one confidential setting, by pairing them with volunteers who are carefully trained and matched with each student. Tutoring is free of charge, as is the training for volunteer tutors. In addition, assistance is available with earning a GED, a driver's license and U.S. citizenship. The Literacy Council has impacted the lives of thousands of Brunswick County residents through free tutoring workshops and special projects, such as Books for Babies, Holiday Book Share and National Children's Book Week. In concert with the Brunswick Family Assistance Agency, the council runs the Family Thrift Store at Twin Creek Plaza in Shallotte and contributes to the Holiday Basket program with Book Share, a collection of new or almost new books for youth. In addition to tutoring, volunteers are needed for fund-raising, publicity, information technology, the thrift store and other duties.

The Cape Fear Area United Way funds 56 human-care programs in Brunswick, New Hanover and Pender counties in southeastern North Carolina. These programs provide food and shelter for those in need, daycare and after-school care for local children, job training, family support, health services, domestic violence shelters and crisis intervention. The Cape Fear Area United Way also helps build a strong community through programs such as Project BUILD, a recruitment and training program for volunteers to serve on nonprofit boards; information and referral services through First Call For Help; and volunteer recruitment and training through the United Way Volunteer Center. The Cape Fear Area United Way needs donations of money, services and event sponsorships as well as individuals to serve on the board, volunteer for the fundraising campaign, fund distribution teams and to serve on the communication committee.

Cape Fear Hospital continues to recruit increasing numbers of volunteers to meet the growing needs of its busy facility. As the number of orthopedic surgeries increase, more volunteers are needed to staff the Surgical Waiting Room, especially during the third shift (5 to 7:30 PM). Emergency room facilitators and office assistants are needed as well. The Gift Garden and the main lobby reception desk are lovely places to volunteer and serve patients, visitors and staff. Volunteers are also being recruited for the laboratory. If you're interested, call to find out about the next volunteer orientation.

The Cape Fear Literacy Council works to help adults of all ages improve their literacy skills in reading, writing, math and English language. Adults at all skill levels are welcome. There is a computer literacy lab on site. In addition to the Adult Literacy program, CFLC has a significant English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, training instructors and tutors to work with students with limited or no English skills. More than 200 tutors are needed each year to provide one-on-one tutoring or help in small-group classes. Approximately 500 adults work to improve their literacy and/or English skills with this organization each year. No prior experience is required to volunteer as a tutor. CFLC holds monthly orientation and tutor-training workshops. Opportunities to join the Partners In Literacy team are also available. These volunteers help CFLC put on events, prepare mailings and conduct daily operations. The September Spelling Bee for Literacy fund raiser ties into September's National Literacy Month. The festive Bid for Literacy Mardi Gras auction, held the first Saturday in March, is the agency’s major fund raiser for the year. The council also holds a road race/scavenger hunt in April and a Scrabble tournament in May.

Cape Fear River Watch, Inc. is committed to the improvement and protection of the water quality of the Lower Cape Fear River Basin through education, advocacy and action. Volunteers are needed to assist with many programs, including outdoor education and recreation, clean-ups, outreach, wetlands restoration, fund raising and administrative tasks. To raise funds for its work, this organization manages the paddle boat/canoe concession at Greenfield Lake. Eco-tours are available at the lake upon request.

The goal of the Cape Fear Volunteer Center is to recruit, train and mobilize volunteers in the Wilmington community. The organization also looks to strengthen existing volunteer services within other entities such as churches and civic groups. Aiding numerous non-profit organizations such as the Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity and the Cape Fear Literacy Council, the volunteer center is a great resource for those looking to give something back to their community.

This private, nonprofit agency serving the tri-county area is for individuals who need assistance recovering from chemical dependency/substance abuse, sexual assault and other crisis situations. There is also an emergency-care shelter for youth ages 8 through 17. Other programs include HIV/AIDS outreach, pregnancy testing, criminal justice alternatives and food vouchers. Volunteers are needed to work with children at the shelter, respond to calls to assist victims at their home or in the hospital, and to answer the crisis line. A 48-hour training program is required. The training program is offered twice a year in January and September.

This agency shelters women and children who are fleeing domestic violence. Volunteers are needed for the Vintage Values resale shops, office work, transportation, children's programs, court advocacy, fund raising, outreach/education and direct services. Volunteers can assist with emergencies on an on-call basis. The shelter supported more than 1,500 women and children in the past year. Volunteers are always needed at the stores to serve customers and sort donations. You can also help by donating gently used clothing and merchandise for resale. The Vintage Values stores have locations at 609 Castle Street, 413 S. College Road in University Landing and 3226 S. College Road in the Monkey Junction area. All proceeds from the Vintage Values stores go to support the Domestic Violence Shelter.

Elderhaus provides structured and stimulating daycare activities for adults, primarily the elderly, and weekend daytime respite for caregivers. Elderhaus serves persons with a variety of needs, including those with Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Elderhaus also serves veterans. Volunteers are needed as program aides, activity assistants, meal servers and van assistants. Volunteer board members oversee fund-raising, public relations, educational activities and more. Elderhaus has a 7,000-square-foot center to serve the area's increasing need for these services. Elderhaus serves New Hanover, Pender and Brunswick counties.

This homeless shelter and soup kitchen needs volunteers to work in many different capacities. In the day and night shelter volunteers are needed to work at the front desk greeting guests and answering the phone and also to sort donations of clothing. Every evening, volunteers are needed to help with checking in guests for the night shelter. People interested in working in the kitchen are needed to prepare and serve meals and help with clean up. Volunteers also are needed for Second Helpings, a food salvage program. In 2007 Good Shepherd Center served 100,000-plus meals to the hungry, sheltered more than 1,000 men, women and families with children, and salvaged and redistributed 300-plus tons of food through their soup kitchen and more than 20 other agencies in the community who also feed the hungry. Opportunities are available for individuals of every age, interest, and schedule — days, evening, and weekends. Call for a tour and to explore the many ways that you can make a lasting, positive impact on the lives of those in need, whether as an individual volunteer, family, group or congregation. People can stop by between 8 AM and 5 PM to donate food and clothing.

Volunteers are needed at this domestic violence shelter to work on the speakers bureau and in the office, provide childcare, help organize and implement fund-raising activities, assist clients in preparing paperwork and provide moral support during court proceedings. Volunteers are needed as well for transportation and to help distribute and sort donated clothing at the Hope Chest Thrift Stores in Holden Beach, Leland, Bolivia, Oak Island and Ocean Isle Beach.

Leading Into New Communities (LINC) is a non-profit organization assisting individuals in realizing their goals by creating bridges between them and valuable resources. LINC provides shelter and services to men and women who have been released from local and/ federal prisons and on occasion young adults who have been released form detention centers. Additionally, LINC provides services to children who are at risk due to parental incarceration. They also host a program called LITE (LINC Initiative To Educate), an after-school mentoring program. LINC furthermore supports children with school-attendance issues and helps them get back on track in their schoolwork. Volunteers are utilized in various parts of the program, and inquiries can be made by calling the number listed above.

Hospice serves the needs of clients and their families when terminal illness occurs. Volunteers are needed to visit terminally ill clients, do office work and help with fund-raising events. An 18-hour volunteer training course is required and is offered free of charge three to four times a year. The Annual Festival of Trees is a major fund raiser for Hospice. Hospice also offers a 12-bed inpatient facility for end-of-life care, which is especially helpful when caregivers desire a respite. If interested, call the Volunteer Department at (910) 791-4860.

The New Hanover County Department of Aging is a one-stop shop for lots of volunteer opportunities. It also coordinates programs for the Senior Corps, a national service program that puts the experience and talents of seniors ages 55 and older to work getting things done in the community. Contact the New Hanover County Department of Aging for more information on all of the following.

• Foster Grandparents Program
  Foster grandparents devote their volunteer services to children with special or exceptional needs. A one-on-one service, Foster Grandparents gives you the opportunity to enrich the life of a child by offering emotional support to child victims of abuse and neglect, tutoring children who lag behind in school subjects, or mentoring troubled teenagers. Foster grandparents must be age 60 or older, meet certain income eligibility guidelines and receive training. This requires a time commitment of about 20 hours per week. A modest tax-free stipend and reimbursement for some expenses is offered to offset the cost of volunteering.
• Senior Net Computer Center
  Volunteers provide basic and advanced computer training to older adults in New Hanover County. If you're computer literate and would like to assist with program coordination or instruction, be sure to get involved with this program.
• Retired Senior Volunteer Program
  RSVP is a clearinghouse for seniors who want to volunteer in New Hanover County. They will match your interests, talents and skills with the needs of the community. RSVP volunteers provide many different kinds of community services, such as tutoring, neighborhood watch, building houses and helping organizations operate more efficiently. If you want to volunteer, but aren't sure where to start, RSVP is the place.
• Seniors Health Insurance Information Program
  An arm of RSVP, the SHIIP program utilizes volunteers who are trained by the North Carolina Department of Insurance to help people with Medicare problems and questions about supplemental (Medigap) or long-term care insurance; they also assist with medical claims paperwork and policy comparisons. Volunteers receive 24 hours of training and are schooled in counseling techniques.
• Special Needs Registry
  This RSVP–sponsored program helps identify New Hanover County residents who have special needs and are potentially at greater risk during a disaster. RSVP volunteers personally telephone each person in the Special Needs Registry prior to a disaster and assist them with their disaster plans. Volunteers also help educate registrants on disaster preparedness.
• Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program
  Extensively trained volunteers assist taxpayers with special needs, including persons with disabilities, non-English speaking persons and seniors. This free service, available from the beginning of February through April 15, is very popular and greatly appreciated. Locally, VITA is sponsored by RSVP.

The Medical Center has many areas of volunteer involvement, and opportunities for new services are constantly evaluated. More than 800 active volunteers give their time and skills each year in direct patient-care services. If you feel you have four or more hours per week to give to a service of your choice, call the above number.

The Boiling Spring Lakes Police Assisting Seniors Program seeks volunteers to assist program participants with tasks and in case of emergencies, such as hurricanes. Volunteers may donate time by making repairs such as repairing a broken step; getting food and medicine prior to a hurricane; making telephone calls to be sure participants are alright during and after a storm; removing a downed tree or loaning a vehicle or a piece of equipment. To volunteer, residents may call Margaret Davis at the above numbers. Residents who participate in the program receive a phone call from the police department every day to make sure their needs are being met. Participation is as easy as making a phone call to Allison Aubin, Administrative Assistant at the Police Department, at (910) 845-2247.

The Salvation Army provides shelter for the homeless and assistance for people in difficult circumstances. It needs volunteers in fund-raising activities and public relations efforts. Volunteers may serve on the Advisory Board and Ladies Auxiliary and in the shelter, which serves men, women and children. Volunteers may also work at the thrift store, the Woodlot Project, Christmas fund-raisers, the toy and food distribution center, the annual Coats for the Coatless drive and on disaster relief teams. The shelter provides emergency housing to more than 20,000 individuals each year and has a Soup Line serving meals seven days a week between 5:30 and 6 PM for the public. This food program serves nutritious meals to more than 60,000 people each year in Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, Pender and New Hanover counties.

A resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration, SCORE is dedicated to aiding in the information, growth and success of small businesses. SCORE counselors provide free, confidential counseling to help solve business problems. By volunteering your time, talent and expertise, you'll be assisting entrepreneurs who need your skills and insights. This is essentially a mentoring program, and new members participate in a training program and orientation.

Sheltered Treasures accepts clothing, housewares and other donations. The sale of these items benefits Brunswick County youth who stay at the Providence Home Family Emergency Teen Shelter in Southport. Volunteers are needed to sort and price goods, set up displays and provide customer service at the sites in Sunset Beach, Calabash, Shallotte and Southport.

In Brunswick County, The Volunteer Center is the place to contact if you are interested in volunteering but are not sure exactly what you want to do. Located at the Brunswick County Emergency Services Department of the Government Center, this organization has listings of nearly 100 agencies, public and private, that involve volunteers. They will match you with agencies that need volunteers in your line of interest and expertise. The Volunteer Center holds annual volunteer recognition events with the cooperation of private enterprise as well. The center has met required standards to be included in the Points of Light Foundation and Volunteer Center National Network. This network can be reached at (800) VOLUNTEER. The local number for The Volunteer Center is (910) 253-2574.

School systems offer a variety of volunteer opportunities that are essentially the same from system to system: helping in the classroom, tutoring, serving as a mentor for at-risk students, working in dropout-prevention programs, helping minority students achieve success, getting involved with the PTA/PTO. If you want to volunteer your time to the public schools, contact the Community Schools/Public Information Office in each system: New Hanover County School System, Wilmington, (910) 763-5431; Brunswick County School System, Central Office, Southport, (910) 253-2900; Pender County School System, Burgaw, (910) 259-2187.

This organization requires a tremendous number of volunteers to assist the many Boy Scouts in the Cape Fear area. The Boy Scouts need board and committee members as well as a host of leaders, coaches and advisors. Volunteers are needed for the Sports Club Program, which combines traditional Scout activities with a basketball league for inner-city boys from ten housing developments. They meet Saturday mornings to play basketball and participate in Boy Scout meetings. If you're interested in volunteering for the Sports Club Program call (910) 395-1100 ext. 25.

The Brigade Boys & Girls Club's Big Buddy program matches at-risk youth with positive adult mentors. With more than 150 kids on the waiting list at any time and only a few dozen active mentors, the need for volunteers is constant. Potential mentors are screened and go through training prior to selecting their prospective little buddies. Once matched, Big Buddies are asked to spend a minimum of two hours each week with their new friends. Through this wonderful program, both mentor and child learn many valuable lessons. Big Buddies help with homework, play games or just hang out, building a positive relationship with a young person in need of support. Call the number above for more information.

Brunswick County volunteers involved in Blankets with Love make blankets, which are distributed to babies, children and teens who are ill or have been traumatized and are being helped in shelters, in hospitals and in foster care. The blankets are also carried by EMT personnel and sheriff's units to comfort children in emergency situations. Blankets can be crocheted, knitted, quilted or fleece and can be made in your home and/or at the monthly meetings the first Tuesday of each month. In addition, these volunteers make lap robes for patients who are confined to nursing homes. Donations of materials such as yarn and fabric are welcome as well.

The Community Boys and Girls Club is a youth development organization dedicated to promoting the health, social, educational, vocational and character development of girls and boys ages 6 to 17. Some of the club's outstanding alumni who achieved professional stardom in the NBA are Michael Jordan, Clarence Kea, Chuckie Brown, Kenny Gadison and Harlem Globetrotter legend Meadowlark Lemon. NFL athletes who participated in this program are Clyde and Jimmy Simmons. For more than 65 years the program has provided leadership and guidance to area youngsters. The club is in constant need of financial as well as volunteer support.

DREAMS seeks volunteers all year long to act as cultural mentors, teaching assistants and office help. Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older. Volunteers should be enthusiastic and eager to work with children. Experience in the arts is helpful but not necessary. One great aspect of volunteering is getting to experience the classes in the same way that the children do, learning something yourself in the process.

Children ages 3 to 18 are eligible to participate in learning golf skills and life skills through the efforts of those involved in The First Tee Brunswick County. The Mission Statement of the First Tee reads: "To impact the lives of young people by providing learning facilities and educational programs that promote character development and life-enhancing values through the game of golf." This program strives to instill the nine core values of honesty, integrity, judgment, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, courtesy, responsibility and perseverance into all participants. Lessons are held at locations throughout Brunswick County and at the Golf Club at Cinghiale Creek, which includes three greens, 18 holes, a clubhouse, a practice putting green and a learning center dedicated to use by The First Tee participants. Volunteers are needed to fill the positions of Lead Coaches, Assistant Coaches, Substitute Coaches, Registration Team Members, Park Rangers, Club Repair & Storage Team and The Clean Team. Persons with skills not listed who are interested in helping are encouraged to contact the Volunteer Coordinator with your ideas.

The Guardian ad Litem (GAL) program matches trained volunteers with children who have been indicated in abuse or/and neglect cases. Volunteers, paired with attorney advocates, make recommendations regarding the best interest of the children in order to ensure a safe, nurturing and permanent home. Volunteers collaborate with community agencies and provide written reports to the court regarding the children's needs and status. Thirty hours of pre-service training are required. This program serves more than 600 children in New Hanover and Pender counties. The GAL program has an ongoing waiting list with an average of 100 children in need of volunteer advocates.

Girls Inc. is an after-school and summer program primarily for girls ages 4 through 18. It offers programs in career and life planning, health and sexuality, leadership and community action, sports, culture, heritage, self-reliance and life skills. Volunteers are needed as tutors, group leaders and fund-raisers. Girls Inc. also needs people to assist with homework, sports, cooking, field trips and adolescent pregnancy-prevention programs.

The Girl Scouts need volunteers to serve in many positions. Adults serve as troop leaders, outdoor activities facilitators, trip chaperones, consultants, organizers, trainers, product sales coordinators (we're talking cookies here) and communicators. People with special skills and talents are also needed to share their wisdom. This council serves girls ages 5 to 18 in Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover and Pender counties and offers leadership development through fun and rewarding programs.

Junior Achievement's programs inspire kids to learn the economics of life and gain the keys to success in a free enterprise system. Volunteers are needed to provide role models and facilitate activity-based programs that help students develop their own business sense. Through the sponsorship of local corporations, Junior Achievement of the Cape Fear is able to provide its programs to area schools and give its volunteers all of the training, materials and support they'll need for a rewarding classroom experience. A volunteer teaching commitment would involve one hour per week for five to six weeks. All volunteers are welcome, regardless of background or level of experience. Besides teaching, volunteers are also needed to help with fund raising, public relations and administrative work.

Brunswick County volunteers involved in Project Linus make blankets, which are distributed to babies, children and teens who are ill or have been traumatized and are being helped in shelters, in hospitals and in foster care. The blankets are also carried by EMT personnel and sheriff's units to comfort children in emergency situations. Blankets can be crocheted, knitted, quilted or fleece and can be made in your home and/or at the monthly meetings the first Tuesday of each month. As of this writing the members have made 10,000 blankets. Donations of materials such as yarn and fabric are welcome as well.

In November 1997 Providence Home opened its doors as the result of efforts of area churches, civic organizations, volunteers, grant money, donations and fund-raisers in the renovated Dosher House, former home of Dr. Dosher. A temporary residential facility with a maximum length of stay of 90 days, it serves at-risk children between the ages of 10 and 17. The home offers a nurturing atmosphere with safety, food, clothing and shelter to youth in need of a short-term safe haven. In addition to volunteer needs in Sheltered Treasures and the thrift store, which raises funds for the home, Providence Home needs volunteers to work on fund-raising projects, such as the annual golf tournament. Donations of household supplies, toiletries, art supplies and gift certificates are always helpful. If you have a special talent such as art, playing an instrument or making crafts, the administration would be happy to hear from you.

If you're a real hands-on volunteer, this is certainly the place for you. Be a youth sports coach, nursery attendant, housekeeper, front desk greeter, volunteer summer counselor or Special Olympics volunteer. The Y has a great aquatics program that offers activities for all individuals, and they need volunteers for their Special Populations program for those with disabilities. The YMCA is always looking for volunteers with a wide variety of skills and interests, so give them a call and let them know what you can do.

The YWCA needs volunteer assistance with youth, clerical and maintenance programs. If you'd like to tutor after school, facilitate a racial dialogue group or help with a special event, call the YWCA, which serves women and their families with fitness, health, personal development, job training, counseling and childcare programs. The YWCA functions as an advocate for women's rights, diversity and the elimination of racism.

The Yahweh Center Children's Village provides a comprehensive continuum of residential treatment, child placing/adoption and outpatient therapy for abused and/or neglected children ages 5 to 12. A family counselor is located on site to provide outpatient therapy for children and their families, and the campus also has a psychiatric residential facility. With four buildings already occupied and more to go, the Yahweh Center Children's Village continues to expand its services. Volunteers are needed to help with gardening, landscaping, tutoring, office work, teaching arts and crafts, special projects and fund-raising events. There are also group volunteer opportunities, especially around the holidays. Those who work directly with children must go through a specialized training.