Drop off clothes, furniture, toys and household items for families in need at collection boxes in shopping centers across Wake County. Or donate cash to support Helping Hand’s New Bern House Soup Kitchen and other services. wake.nc.networkofcare.org
Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina
Donate money toward holiday meals for families in need now through the new year. Every $10 donation provides up to 50 meals, with opportunities to match donations as well. And if you’d rather contribute consumable goods to the cause, the Food Bank accepts myriad large and small food donations. So sleigh! foodbankcenc.org
InterAct Holiday Bazaar
’Tis the season for generosity! From now through Nov. 30, InterAct is accepting monetary donations that will go toward gift cards for the families InterAct supports—or volunteer to gather goods, decorate and prep the Holiday Bazaar Boxes to be distributed to those in our community impacted by domestic and sexual violence. interactofwake.org
Volunteer
Photo courtesy of The Salvation Army of Wake County
The Salvation Army of Wake County
Ready to roll up your sleeves and volunteer? Find a scad of ways to provide hands-on help, whether you’re jumping on as a kitchen donations helper, working at the family thrift store or helping in the soup line. southernusa.salvationarmy.org
Shepherd’s Table Soup Kitchen
Shepherd’s Table serves ~250 meals per day, with volunteers preparing food and serving until noon, followed by a light cleanup afterward. shepherds-table.org
Photo courtesy of Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina
Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina
Hungry for another way to help? Individual and group volunteers sort and repack bulk food items and produce, help partner agencies pick up food and build disaster relief boxes. Or organize a food drive at your office, church or in your community. foodbankcenc.org
Meals on Wheels Wake County
They see me rollin… to deliver hot meals to older adults and disabled clients. The program also provides opportunities for volunteers to check on each clients’ wellbeing and ensure their safety. wakemow.org
Warmth for Wake
During the cold weather months, volunteer to cut, split and deliver firewood to low-income residents of Wake County. Work sessions are held ever other Saturday morning through March. wakegov.com/humanservices
Jingle Ball, December 7 Mix, mingle and chill with Kris Kringle at Capital City Clauses’ 30th annual Jingle Ball at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences. The joyful evening will feature delish Rocky Top Catering fare, Conniption Gin martinis, a photo booth, a permanent jewelry station and much more.capitalcityclauses.org
Christmas Meal Packing, December 19–22 The best way to spread Christmas cheer is by signing up to pack, deliver and distribute Christmas meals to fellow Raleighites via Raleigh Rescue Mission. Happy holidays, indeed! raleighrescue.org
Oakwood24, December 22–23 Lace up those sneaks for the 6th annual daylong (read: 24-hour) run/walk benefiting Healing Transitions and supporting addiction recovery. healing-transitions.org
Help your Triangle neighbors out this April via Global Volunteer Month.
They say not all heroes wear capes—but volunteers are definitely a saving grace. If you’re looking to do some good yourself, Global Volunteer Month is this month and there are a plethora of local volunteer opps to take advantage of throughout April—and beyond. Here, we give you some ways you can make a difference in our fair city while helping make a positive impact on the community. A win-win!
These shoes were made for walking—to defeat ALS! Sign up to participate in the walk (April 15) as an individual or with a team, or donate to the cause. All fundraising for the event will help provide education, support groups and access to care for those living with ALS. Walk on!
For those with a green thumb or a genuine love for nature, check out Raleigh City Farm’s weekly Wine + Weeds volunteer opp. Not only will you be contributing to the farm’s growth (literally and figuratively) by mulching, weeding, harvesting and distributing produce, but you’ll also get to raise a compostable glass of wine to a job well done. We’ll cheers to that.
WEB EXCLUSIVE Activate Good is offering over 250 volunteer opportunities through its September Month of Service and 9/11 Day 20-Year Anniversary Remembrance.
“People-powered projects for good” is what Activate Good is all about, and that’s exactly what the nonprofit will be offering during its September Month of Service and 9/11 Day 20-Year Anniversary Remembrance—with over 250 ops (virtual and in-person) now through Sept. 30 to get out and give back to the community.
In previous years—excluding 2020—Activate Good has hosted a single day of service to honor those who lost their lives on 9/11. With the COVID-19 pandemic, however, the nonprofit has molded their tradition into a monthlong endeavor seeking to safely “do some good.”
“Last year, we saw a light shine on some of the biggest needs in our community,” says Amber Smith, executive director of Activate Good. “People stepped up to help their neighbors and volunteered in communities across the Triangle. But we know the need is not over yet—we’re hoping people will keep it up.”
Our community could always use a little help, but especially now. Here are 10 ways to get involved this month—and keep the do-gooding train running full steam ahead. For Activate Good’s full list of featured volunteer opportunities this month, go to activategood.org/september-month-of-service-2021.
Horses for Hope is looking for volunteers to help beautify the grounds with mowing, weed-whacking, power-washing, pasture-dragging, fence-mending, tree-cutting, trail maintenance and more on Sept. 11.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)’s signature fundraising event helps raise both awareness and funds to eliminate drunk and drugged driving. Sign up to volunteer at Knightdale Station Park on Sept. 25.
Carroll’s Kitchen, which provides women with healthy employment and stability in its REM program, is throwing its five-year anniversary event on Sept. 28 and needs volunteers to help set up, serve and break down.
Don’t mind getting your hands dirty? Help Wildwoods Farm prepare for fall by spreading mulch throughout their gardens and planting beds (multiple dates).
Make those experiencing homelessness in Wake County feel right at home by creating a warm and inviting environment in Oak City Cares’ community lunchroom and helping assemble and distribute meals to guests (multiple dates).
Help organize and restock items at The Salvation Army of Wake County’s Family Store, which sells items to the community at low prices and then uses the proceeds to help pay for our other programs (multiple dates).
The coronavirus pandemic has had a damaging impact on many in the Raleigh community and MRC, a local full-service branding agency, wants to help Raleighites help Raleighites in need.
This month, Mike Rosado, MRC’s creative director, will launch helpraleigh.com, a website featuring a curated list of nonprofits and resources aimed at helping those in the Raleigh community who are struggling with repercussions from the coronavirus pandemic and economic shutdown. Groups include the NC Artist Relief Fund, Bridge the Gap Mission, the Independent Restaurant Coalition and Activate Good. Rosado says the nonprofits fall into five categories he’s personally passionate about: Relief for artists (musicians, visual artists, performers and others), for small businesses, for hospitality workers, for families and for healthcare workers.
helpraleigh.com
On the website, each nonprofit will have an icon attached to it with a call to action. Web visitors can either donate money, goods or volunteer their time and users can filter through the five categories of community members who need help as well as through the kinds of actions they’d prefer to take. Rosado says he hopes the website will contribute to the conversation of how we can all help each other get out of the mess that the coronavirus has created here in Raleigh. “Everybody talks about wanting to help,” Rosado says. “This facilitates taking the word ‘help’ and putting it into action. That’s what we’re trying to help encourage.” helpraleigh.com
Due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations in response to COVID-19 concerns, the country is currently facing a severe blood shortage. Now, more than ever, it’s critical that healthy people continue to donate blood for those that need it most. There are many opportunities to give blood locally, including through The Blood Connection and the American Red Cross. Read our guide before you schedule your next appointment.
Who Can I Contact?
Two organizations in Raleigh are available for those who want to donate blood. Both have excellent reputations and can ensure safe and successful experiences.
The Blood Connection provides blood to our local healthcare facilities including WakeMed Health, UNC Rex and more. 5925 Glenwood Avenue 1-800-392-6551 thebloodconnection.org
Eat healthy, iron-rich foods such as red meat, fish, poultry, beans, spinach, iron-fortified cereals or raisins in the days leading up to your donation.
Drink lots of liquids, especially water and fruit juices.
What If I Can’t Donate Blood?
There may be reasons why you cannot donate, including illness, medications, low iron, or travel outside of the United States, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t make a difference! Contact The Blood Connection or The American Red Cross about organizing a blood drive or volunteering at any of their Raleigh facilities.
What Can I Expect?
The blood donation process is relatively quick and easy. Here’s what to expect, step by step.
Find a blood drive or make an appointment at a blood donation center.
Sign in and review your eligibility with your chosen organization’s employee or volunteer.
Show ID, such as your driver’s license, and confirm your address.
Receive information on donating blood and answer basic health questions in a private and confidential interview.
Once registered, an employee/volunteer will check your vitals (temperature, pulse, blood pressure, and hemoglobin levels).
When it’s your turn, a technician will cleanse an area on your arm and insert a brand new, sterile needle for the blood draw (it feels like a quick pinch and it’s over in seconds).
The entire process lasts about 10 minutes and you’ll be sitting or lying down comfortably.
After the blood draw is complete (and approximately a pint of blood has been collected), you’ll get a bandage on your arm and snacks in a refreshment area.
General Requirements for Donating Blood
• Be at least 16 years old.
• Weigh at least 110 pounds.
• Be in good health generally and feel well on the day of donation.
• Provide a current photo ID on the day of donation.
