There’s no doubt about it, volunteers add to the community and bring a sense of community to the volunteer. That’s a win win situation. If you’re looking for ways to get involved in a worthy cause, I’ve gathered some information for you.
If you enjoy theater, the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre offers many opportunities on stage as well as behind the scenes. Audition for a part. Or you can help with set design and construction. Lighting, costumes, props and stage hands are options as well. You can also support the theater by volunteering as an usher or a door person.
The local Boys and Girls Club is always looking for caring adults to help out. The opportunity with the biggest impact is working with the kids. You would have to commit at least two hours a week at the same time for this position. If you like to plan special events, there’s an opportunity for you to use those skills. Or you can help with a monthly event, Family Night.
Mercy Health Saint Mary’s offers a variety of volunteer opportunities. While there are opportunities to help in the gift shop, there are so many way to support our local health care system. Delivering flowers and patient mail, reading to children in English or Spanish, helping at the guest house of Mercy Health Saint Mary’s and even helping at the Warren Reynolds Library are some of the many, but not all, available volunteer options.
If you are interested in art and love working with people, the Grand Rapids Public Museum has volunteer opportunities. The Discovery Cart volunteer demonstrates artifacts such as a shipwreck or a musical instrument and encourages museum customers to participate. A Docent volunteer leads school tours and answers questions about the exhibits. The Exhibit Interpreter volunteer is similar to the docent, but focuses on one exhibit. Volunteers who complete fifty hours of volunteer work are awarded with a free museum membership.
As you can see, there are many ways to get involved in our community. Volunteering with an organization that interests you is a way to meet new people, support our community and maybe make someone’s day.