Volunteering this Fall
Fall is the perfect time to volunteer! Our local nonprofit organizations welcome your gifts, especially your gifts of time and talent. As we move into the season of harvest, take a moment to reflect on your blessings and how you can give back to the community.
Volunteering is an amazing way to enrich your life through giving. Choose a cause that is personal to you. Donate time to honor a loved one. Help distribute meals to the needy as food insecurity is increasing. Volunteer at one of our amazing venues or museums. Foster an animal that needs a temporary home. There are plenty of opportunities on EastMSHub.org. Connect with your community by volunteering this Fall!
Opportunities
Quick overview of agencies (broken down by causes) needing volunteers this Fall:
- Animals: Roadside Rescue Network needs volunteers to help foster and transport animals.
- Arts and Museums: Jimmie Rodgers Museum, Meridian Symphony Association, MSU Riley Center, Mississippi Children's Museum - Meridian, Temple Theatre for Performing Arts, and The Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience can always use your help!
- Children & Families: Care Lodge Domestic Violence Shelter, Center for Pregnancy Choices, and Northeast Lauderdale Football Booster Club have great opportunities that need fulfilling.
- Disaster Services: Lauderdale Emergency Management Agency and Lauderdale County Volunteer Fire Services need individuals ready to serve when disaster strikes.
- Education: Illuminations Center for Dyslexia needs volunteers for their Fall Fest!
- Environment: Mississippi Inland Cleanup needs volunteers to suggest community clean-ups.
- Food Insecurity: Feed by Faith, Multi-County Community Service Agency (Meals on Wheels), Salvation Army, and Wesley House Community Center need your help!
- Health Related (Mental & Physical): Alzheimer's Association and Free Clinic of Meridian need advocates and volunteer medical professionals.
- Historic Preservation: Meridian Rails Historical Society needs board members and help with grant writing and community outreach.
- Housing & Homelessness: Aslane's Mission and Habitat for Humanity need volunteers for ongoing projects.
- Veterans & Military Families: East Mississippi Veterans Foundation is building a team to raise funds and implement a Veterans Memorial Park project.
- Youth Mentoring & Advocacy: The Meridian Freedom Project needs tutors, guest speakers, and mentors.
Visit EastMSHub.org to see a full list of current volunteer opportunities and sign-up for those that fit your skills and interests!
Youth Engagement & Future Career Opportunities
For our youth, there are many benefits in volunteering with the East Mississippi Hub for Volunteers and Nonprofits:
- Fulfill community service requirements
- Complete leadership or internship projects
- Explore potential career paths or college majors
- Learn new skills or hobbies
- Find group activities for families and friends
- Meet new people, make friends, or potential references
- Have a story to share for class assignments, essays, or job interviews
- Feel happier and healthier
- Make a difference
In a study done by HR professionals, 82% of respondents said they would be more likely to choose a candidate with volunteer experience on their resume, but only 30% of the resumes they see have volunteering listed.
Join the Hub in Promoting Volunteerism
By helping promote volunteerism, our community will fulfill crucial needs and services for both youth and adults.
Other benefits:
- Keep kids out of trouble
- Raise a generation more willing to give back and invest in their community
- Raise happier, healthier, and more fulfilled children
- Create more knowledgeable, experienced, connected, and motivated adults
Sense of Community
Meridian needs volunteers for upcoming events. If you are interested in helping in this way, call or text 601-678-2413. Community events do not just happen. Excited citizens and local businesses pitch in together with time, effort, energy, and money to make it all happen. So, when you are at Third Thursday or Bud and Burgers enjoying the good times this Fall, smile at your neighbors and thank them, as we make this a better place together.
For questions and inquiries, contact Casey Culpepper at eastmsvolunteerhub@gmail.com.
The MS Hub Network includes eight hubs: Central MS, Delta, East, Golden Triangle, Gulf Coast, Northeast, Northwest and Southeast. The Hubs are a local point of contact for all nonprofits and provides valuable connections between volunteers and nonprofits. The Hubs also provide disaster support for their region. In conjunction with The Mississippi Alliance of Nonprofits and Philanthropy, the Hubs also assist with recruiting and marketing for classes that cover the 10 Principles and Practices for Nonprofit Management Excellence needed to strengthen nonprofits for sustainability.
The East Mississippi HUB for Volunteers and Nonprofits (Est. 2020), is a partnership with the United Way of East Mississippi and the Community Foundation of East Mississippi.
