April 21, 2024 - April 27, 2024

Volunteer Week 2024

Volunteering isn’t just a force for good here in the Midlands—it’s also a path to meaningful connection. That’s why United Way is amplifying the opportunities to get involved through our Volunteer Center, so Midlands residents can forge meaningful ties as they forge a more resilient community. Will you join us?

Volunteer Week Projects

  1. All Week | April 21 - April 27

    Ongoing Projects | Monday, April 21 - Thursday, April 26

    • The Salvation Army Family Store

      • Agency: Salvation Army of the Midlands
      • When: Monday, April 22 through Friday, April 26 from 9 a.m.-11 a.m.
      • Where: 1312 N Millwood Ave., Columbia, S.C. 29204
      • Description: Help is needed! Spend some time volunteering at the Salvation Army Family (thrift) Store. 
      • SIGN ME UP! 

    • 'Be a Book Bunny' Tote Stuffing Party!

      • Agency: United Way's Young Leaders Society
      • When: Tuesday, April 23 through Friday, April 26 from noon-1 p.m.
      • Where: United Way, 1818 Blanding St., Columbia, S.C. 29201
      • Description: Help YLS stuff literacy totes for students that have participated in the Midlands Reading Consortium program during the 2023-2024 school year. This year, our goal is to distribute 800 totes to students to encourage their love for reading over the summer months and we can use your help. We will be stuffing totes with books and sorting by grade for students Pre-K to 3rd grade. This shift will be one hour long; we hope you will join!
      • ALL VOLUNTEER SPOTS FILLED
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  2. Saturday | April 20

    • Kinetic Derby Day

      • Agency: Kinetic Derby Day
      • When: Saturday, April 20 from 6:30-11 a.m., 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
      • Where: Meeting and State Streets, West Columbia, S.C. 29169
      • Description: Stimulate creative thinking, ignite competition, and ensure family fun at the 5th Annual Kinetic Derby Day! Gear up in your favorite cartoon character costume for the new Cartoon Theme event. Other events include a soapbox race, kinetic sculpture race, and an obstacle course!
      • morning shift! AFTERNOON SHIFT! 
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  3. Monday | April 22

    • Town Theatre Set Breakdown

      • Agency: Town Theatre
      • When: Monday, April 22 from 9 a.m.-1p.m. or 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
      • Where: 1012 Sumter St., Columbia, S.C. 29201 
      • Description: Relieve some stress by helping the Town Theatre break down the set from their most recent show. The next show, Something Rotten, is quickly approaching, so this project is a particularly quick turnaround. Pizza or subs will be served at lunch!
      • SIGN ME UP! 

    • PAWtastic Pooches

      • Agency: Palmetto Animal Assisted Life Services
      • When: Monday, April 22 from 10 a.m.-noon
      • Where: 221 N Grampian Hills Road, Columbia, S.C. 29223
      • Description: Help the Palmetto Animal Assisted Life Services tidy up their dog yard. Come out and create a special play area for these sweet dogs!
      • SIGN ME UP! 

    • Spring Cleaning

      • Agency: Arden Elementary School
      • When: Monday, April 22 from 2:30-5 p.m.
      • Where: 1300 Ashley St., Columbia, S.C. 29203 
      • Description: Help declutter the school and prepare it for the students.
      • SIGN ME UP! 

    • School Readers on the Go

      • Agency: Fairfield Elementary School
      • When: Monday, April 22 from 8:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
      • Where: 175 Medley Road, Winnsboro, S.C. 29180
      • Description: Organize the reading room and sort books by topic and grade level. After sorting books, pack bags of book to be given out at the end of the year!
      • SIGN ME UP! 

    • Spring Gardening

      • Agency: Mental Illness Recovery Center
      • When: Monday, April 22 from 10 a.m.-noon
      • Where: 1813 Washington St., Columbia, S.C. 29201
      • Description: Help create an inviting environment at MIRCI. This project will benefit the young men living in the home who may have been facing housing instability, mental health concerns, and other difficult circumstances before choosing to enter the program. Sign up to garden and paint, making the home feel livelier!
      • ALL VOLUNTEER SPOTS FILLED
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  4. Tuesday | April 23

    • Delivering Meals on Wheels

      • Agency: Senior Resources
      • When: Tuesday, April 23 from 10:30-11:45 a.m.
      • Where: 2817 Millwood Ave., Columbia S.C. 29205
      • Description: Volunteer with Senior Resources' Meals on Wheels to deliver food and make a difference in the lives of Richland County seniors! Children and teens under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, while teens 17 and up can volunteer independently. Come help us deliver more than a meal and bring joy to those in need!
      • ALL VOLUNTEER SPOTS FILLED

    • Transition into Spring

      • Agency: Transitions Homeless Shelter
      • When: Tuesday, April 23 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
      • Where: 2025 Main St., Columbia, S.C. 29201
      • Description: Spring is here! Help clean stairwells, walkways and more to make the shelter a welcoming home for all.
      • ALL VOLUNTEER SPOTS FILLED
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  5. Wednesday | April 24

    • Costume Declutter and Organization

      • Agency: Trustus Theatre
      • When: Wednesday, April 24 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 2-5 p.m.
      • Where: 1012 Sumter St., Columbia, S.C. 29201 
      • Description: Have some fun while organizing, sorting, and cataloging costumes from the last 15 years of productions. Join us to calm some of the costume chaos!
      • SIGN ME UP! 

    • Transition into Spring

      • Agency: Transitions Homeless Shelter
      • When: Wednesday, April 24 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
      • Where: 2025 Main St., Columbia, S.C. 29201
      • Description: Spring is here! Help clean stairwells, walkways and more to make the shelter a welcoming home for all.
      • ALL VOLUNTEER SPOTS FILLED

    • Landscaping Spruce Up

      • Agency: Babcock Center
      • When: Wednesday, April 24 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
      • Where: 719 Laurel St., Columbia, S.C. 29201
      • Description: Volunteer at the Babcock Center to clean the beds of debris while planting the new season's garden. Come get your hands dirty to welcome in spring!
      • SIGN ME UP! 
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  6. Thursday | April 25 | All Volunteer Spots Filled

    • Delivering Meals on Wheels

      • Agency: Senior Resources
      • When: Thursday, April 25 from 10:30-11:45 a.m.
      • Where: 2817 Millwood Ave., Columbia S.C. 29205
      • Description: Volunteer with Senior Resources' Meals on Wheels to deliver food and make a difference in the lives of Richland County seniors! Children and teens under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, while teens 17 and up can volunteer independently. Come help us deliver more than a meal and bring joy to those in need!
      • ALL VOLUNTEER SPOTS FILLED

    • Packing for Meals on Wheels

      • Agency: Senior Resources
      • When: Thursday, April 25 from 8:30-10:30 a.m.
      • Where: 2817 Millwood Ave., Columbia S.C. 29205
      • Description: Join Senior Resources in packing meals for nearly 800 clients.
      • ALL VOLUNTEER SPOTS FILLED
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  7. Friday | April 26

    • Help Expand Camp Cole

      • Agency: Camp Cole
      • When: Friday, April 26 from 9-noon
      • Where: 1571 Crossing Creek Road, Eastover, S.C. 29044
      • Description: Camp Cole has recently expanded and needs your help making it beautiful! Join fellow volunteers in planting and watering new landscaping!
      • ALL VOLUNTEER SPOTS FILLED

    • Packing for Meals on Wheels

      • Agency: Senior Resources
      • When: Friday, April 26 from 8:30-10:30 a.m.
      • Where: 2817 Millwood Ave., Columbia S.C. 29205
      • Description: Join Senior Resources in packing meals for nearly 800 clients.
      • SIGN ME UP! 

    • Delivering Meals on Wheels

      • Agency: Senior Resources
      • When: Friday, April 26 from 10:30-11:45 a.m.
      • Where: 2817 Millwood Ave., Columbia S.C. 29205
      • Description: Join Senior Resources in packing meals for nearly 800 clients.
      • ALL VOLUNTEER SPOTS FILLED
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  8. Saturday | April 27

    • Gardening for Global Gamecocks

      • Agency: International Friendship Ministries
      • When: Saturday, April 27 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
      • Where: 610 Pickens St., Columbia, S.C. 29201
      • Description: The grounds around the headquarters for the Columbia International Festival and International Friendship Ministries could use some sprucing up. This includes pruning, sweeping, trash pick up, and the overall beautification of International Friendship Ministries' headquarters. Most students served are at USC, but people from all over the globe benefit. If possible, please b ring work gloves and tools. Pizza and drinks will be provided after the project.
      • SIGN ME UP! 

    • Run, Forest, Run!

      • Agency: Forest Lake Elementary School
      • When: Saturday, April 27 from 7-11 a.m.
      • Where: 6801 Brookfield Road, Columbia, S.C. 29206
      • Description: This is an annual race sponsored by the Forest Lake Education Foundation. The school community will come together to enjoy food trucks, games, face painting, and run/walk. Volunteers will assist at water stations, student activities, setup/cleanup, and cheering on students during the fun run.
      • SIGN ME UP! 
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Celebrating Volunteers

We can't wait to celebrate the wonderfully dedicated volunteers in our community during this year's Volunteer Week! Announcements will take place during the week of April 21-27, 2024. Stay tuned!

Check out last year's winners who made a big impact going above and beyond.

Community Impact Award Winners

The Community Impact Awards allow our community partners to nominate volunteers who have made a tremendous impact on a cause, program or project in the Midlands. Please join us in celebrating last year's Community Impact Award winners!

Fundraising Team

Nominated by Dickerson Children's Advocacy Center. This remarkable team of volunteer Fun(d)raisers has hosted annual events for more than two decades to exclusively support the mission of Dickerson Children’s Advocacy Center. The Fun(d)raisers have a legacy of building a fiscal bridge to ensure that child abuse victims, ages 2 to 18, always have free access to a safe place filled with caring professionals to listen to their secrets and heal their hearts. These unsung heroes are woven into the very fabric of the indispensable care that is provided to child abuse victims in our community. The Fun(d)raisers want to be certain that these children have a safe space to share their secrets and begin recovering from the trauma. Even during the pandemic, as fundraising events had to be canceled, this dynamic team of Fun(d)raisers didn’t waver in their commitment as they still raised a substantial amount of funds by virtually connecting with people that have been attending the events for years. Their passion is contagious as event participants evolve into loyal donors to join the Fun(d)raisers in their mission to ensure child abuse victims heal and recover.

Brian Olesnevich

Nominated by Midlands Housing Alliance. His nominator said, “Brian Olesnevich has volunteered extensively at the city Overflow Shelter these past 5 years and coordinated many other volunteers from his church to come serve as well. As the volunteer coordinator for Midtown Church in Columbia, he led several efforts not only at the Overflow Shelter but also at Transitions. Midtown has done days for service, Super Bowl activities, and Halloween pumpkin carvings parties for years. These events have impacted both facilities, improving client morale and making the overall experiences at both locations better. Brian is reliable, positive, willing to help, and compassionate about our clients. He encourages the clients and tells volunteers what to do, so they can better serve at each facility. He is invaluable to the volunteer effort, and Transitions is grateful for what he has contributed to Transition’s homeless Center.”

Richard MacDermott

Nominated by Midlands Housing Alliance. Richard MacDermott has volunteered for over three years teaching and mentoring classes in a voluntary, Christian-based jobs program called Transitions WORKS at Transitions Homeless Center.  The WORKS acronym stands for Willing, Organized, Ready, Knowing, and Skillful, and Rick models these characteristics for the clients. He also teaches some basic scripture passages that promote motivation to seek a job and then maintain employment. The multi-week program stresses practical job preparation such as resume writing, job interviews, greetings, dress for success, and additional soft skills. Rick has perfected the lessons and made them his own. He uses his vast experience from his military career to help clients better understand work attire, mock interviews that yield better practice for clients, and writing of quality on their resumes. He is always encouraging the clients and promoting their abilities and skills. At graduation ceremonies, he always finds good things to say about every graduate as he hands them their certificate. He has taught every WORKS course and developed outstanding relationships with every graduate in his small groups. His caring is unmatched, and many clients are grateful for him enabling them to find work and then permanent housing. 

 

 

Live United Award Winners

The Live United Awards honor volunteers who have dedicated themselves to service throughout the year and help promote the spirit of volunteerism in the community through service to United Way. We are honored to celebrate last year's Live United Award winners! 

Park to Give!

Parking has never really been an enjoyable experience for most people. But thanks to Park to Give, that’s all changed in the Midlands. Park to Give is a website that allows people who park in spaces donated by local businesses on nights and weekends, or whenever a company doesn’t need them, to pay for parking by making a donation to United Way of the Midlands -- all on the honor system. From those four parking spots that began taking donations in 2018, the Park to Give team have continued to volunteer and secure more parking spots to raise money for the cause – a total of more than $30,000 since inception. Park to Give does almost all of the work themselves -- creating and maintaining the website, putting up signage, and even putting on Live United T-Shirts and accepting donations in person during concerts and football games with parking spots donated by local businesses. Volunteers with creativity and ingenuity like the ones at Park to Give are invaluable to helping United Way create generational change. Murray Coleman and his son Garner, who frequently volunteer with Park to Give, will be accepting the award on their behalf. And if any of you know of any parking spaces in high demand areas, let’s have a conversation about Park to Give.

Glenda Bunce

A volunteer with the United Way Midlands Reading Consortium. Glenda Bunce, Midlands Reading Consortium Volunteer (former immigration attorney) shows her commitment to our English language learner students at Richland County school district 1. She works diligently with 3 students at 2 schools for 1 hour and thirty minutes a week which is over and above our requested 1 student for thirty minutes weekly. Also, she has requested an additional thirty minutes for one of her current students. Not only does she go above and beyond in her own tutoring she recruits others to reach more students. Additionally, she assists with resources from Richland County as well as promote family engagement. We appreciate all of our volunteers and value their contributions however, we must request more for a volunteer who gives more.

Alyce Kemp DeWitt Award

In 1994, the Beacon of Hope Award was created to recognize a volunteer for outstanding service to the community on behalf of United Way of the Midlands. Alyce Kemp DeWitt was the first recipient of this award in recognition of her commitment to United Way’s Speakers Bureau after giving more than 300 presentations in one year. In 1995, this award was re-named in her honor to recognize a volunteer whose creativity and passion have made a measurable impact in our community over many years. 

Today, the Alyce Kemp DeWitt award is our most prestigious award for long-term volunteer service, and we were thrilled to honor last year’s Alyce Kemp DeWitt recipient.

Bryant Davis

Bryant Davis is a tireless volunteer with United Way of the Midlands and across the community. "A passion of mine is being able to see communities thrive and I get the opportunity to do that through volunteering," said Bryant. Bryant has served on United Way's Board of Directors, chaired United Way's Financial Stability Council, served on WellPartner's Advisory Council and the Community Impact Committee. He also gives his time and talent to partnering agencies, serving on Homeless No More and Senior Resources' boards. Bryant is a graduate of Leadership Columbia and has served on the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce's board. 

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What's Next?

Deepen Your Engagement

Want to get plugged in after Volunteer Week? Check out our affinity groups! We offer ways to engage, donate, and serve for all ages, stages, and giving levels. Give generously, make new friends, expand your network, and help those in need.

Always United

Invested in the Community

Couple volunteering with Always United

Always United is a group of diverse, experienced United Way supporters who are committed to solving problems in the Midlands. There's no age restriction, but most members of Always United are late-career professionals or have retired. Always United provides year-round opportunities for members, from personal development to volunteering to social events.

Many members have been contributing to United Way for years, even decades, and continue to donate, but donations are not required for membership.

Join Always United

Learn more about Always United. 

Women in Philanthropy

Creating Positive Change for Women & Families 

Women in Philanthropy involvement

Women in Philanthropy (WIP) promotes the idea that every woman can and must be a philanthropist to solve the many challenges facing women and families. WIP supports volunteering, networking, and personal development opportunities as well as a number of annual social and fundraising events, like Power of the Purse—a designer purse auction. 

Join Women in Philanthropy

Learn more about Women in Philanthropy.

Young Leaders Society

Give back, have fun

Readers excited about Be a Book Bunny giving

Young Leadership Society (YLS) is a group of young professionals, ages 21–40, who give and volunteer monthly with United Way. YLS supports programs like Be a Book Bunny, which offers reading totes for Pre-K to second-grade students.

YLS donors also enjoy many exclusive opportunities throughout the year, like professional development, networking opportunities, and invitations to signature events like the YLS Oyster Roast and Cocktails & Conversations. This compassionate group of YLS members is focused on bettering their community as they build their careers.

Join Young Leadership Society

Learn more about YLS.

Volunteer Center Sponsors

FAQS

Have questions? We've got answers to the most commonly asked questions.

How does Volunteer Week work?  United Way of the Midlands collects volunteer project requests from schools and nonprofits in early winter. Projects open in early April for community volunteers to sign up to help.  

Who can participate?  Organizations with a 501c3 nonprofit status are welcome to submit a project request using this link to participate in United Way of the Midlands Volunteer Week. Any company or individual can form volunteer teams and sign up for volunteer projects. 

What kinds of projects take place during Volunteer Week? T here are so many different types of projects available during our Volunteer Week, including hands on project, small group projects, large group projects, virtual projects and everything in between! However, the most common type of work requested is general maintenance, cleaning, and landscaping. 

How do volunteers sign up to participate?  Stay tuned to this page – on April 1st (no April Fooling here!) we’ll drop our projects. Click the link for the project(s) you’re interested in and sign up! You will need an account with our Volunteer Center to register for a project. While you’re waiting, go ahead and create one. 

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