There are several ways to get involved in your community and give back to others this holiday season. Union County has a variety of organizations that offer volunteer opportunities for teens. Here are just a few that might interest you!
I. Humane Society of Union County
Volunteering: If you love animals, are passionate about helping the community, and have a strong work ethic- this is perfect for you!
Some ways you can volunteer: attend play dates, bi-monthly chore days, help with monthly community food pantry, transport dogs and cats to local veterinary appointments, assist with hands-on repair and small building projects in their play yard, organizes pet supplies and food in their warehouse, photograph fosters/post on their social media, office work, assisting staff with the kennels, running fundraisers, helping with “Doggie Banks” drop off and pick up, as well as other special projects/fundraisers
*If you are interested, you will need to fill out a volunteer application to get started.
Fostering: You can foster a cat or dog until they find their forever home! Fostering not only helps socialize pets, but it also provides them with a home environment that they can thrive in.
*All food, supplies, and veterinary care are provided by the Humane Society
Another great way you give back is by donating money to help support the Humane Society of Union County!
Humane Society Contact Info:
Contact: Sue Grimm
Phone: 704.283.9126
Email: volunteerhsuc@gmail.com
Website: hsuc.org
*Minimum age to volunteer is 16!
II. Common Heart
Teens can volunteer as long as they have a signed waiver. There are various projects for teens to work on including: sorting and packing food donations, distributing food packs at food pantries, driving to local stores and restaurants to pick up surplus food, delivering food monthly to families who are unable to get to the food pantry, delivering food to families in immediate need, and helping in the office.
Common Heart Contact Info:
Phone: 704.218.9060
Website: CommonHeart@Common Heart.org or commonheart.org/volunteer
*Minimum age to volunteer is 12!
III. American Red Cross
Holidays For Heroes Campaign: This program allows people to “Give Something That Means Something” this holiday season. You can join your local Red Cross office to thank and recognize members of the military, veterans and their families through a variety of activities.
Apply to be a Volunteer: Teens (aged 15-17) can complete an online volunteer application to engage in meaningful opportunities for education, training and community service.
Start an Online Fundraiser: Starting an online fundraiser allows you to get creative while helping those in need. Create your own fundraiser page to: help with disaster relief, fundraiser at your school, or celebrate and honor a loved one by starting a Tribute Fundraising page. You can even host a charity stream by playing your favorite video games while raising life-saving funds to help those in need!
Donations: You can also visit the American Red Cross website to make immediate donations that support all the urgent humanitarian needs of the American Red Cross! Donations help the Red Cross provide shelter, food, emotional support and other necessities to rebuild the lives of those affected by emergency disasters.
American Red Cross Contact Info:
Contact: Amy Korb
Phone: 704.221.8862
Email: amy.korb@redcross.org
Website: redcross.org/volunteer
IV. Union County Library
The Union County Library offers a variety of ways that teens (ages 14-17) who are library cardholders can volunteer, either virtually or in person!
Virtual: create content for the library's various digital platforms.
Ways to virtually volunteer: Write book reviews, Create book lists, Contribute content to the Teen Bookworm Blog
In-person locations in Monroe, Indian Trail, Marshville, and Waxhaw.
Ways to volunteer in person: Shelving books, retrieving items from shelves for staff to scan to fulfill holds, shelf read and edge bookshelves.
If you’re interested, please visit the Union County Library website to review the Union County Library Volunteer Guidelines and then click the link to the application!
Union County Library Contact Info:
Contacts: Stephanie Johnson, Danielle Carlton
Email: ucpl.volunteers@unioncountync.gov
Phone: 704-283-8184 (all locations)
*Minimum age to volunteer is 14!
V. Salvation Army Angel Tree
The Salvation Army, along with WCCB Charlotte’s CW, administer the Angel Tree program to provide children age 12s and under with new toys for the holidays.
Visit their website: wccbcharlotte.com and from there:
Select your county.
Register as an Angel Tree Donor
Select a child from the list of children in need in your county.
Submit and print your selection
Buy a gift
Take your gift to an Angel Tree location.
VI. Union Christmas Bureau
This is a great way to provide assistance to local Union County families in need during the holiday season!
Donate/Sponsor a Family: You can donate food, gifts or toys for families in need with children 18 and under, a disabled adult, or a senior adult receiving SSI or Medicaid. (Donations due between Dec. 9th-14th)
Sorting/Distribution: You can also volunteer to help with sorting and distributions at two different locations:
Toy Sorting & Matching: 2520 W Roosevelt Blvd., Monroe
Food Sorting & Matching: 2330 Concord Ave., Monroe
Union County Christmas Bureau Contact Info:
Email: john.tompkins@unioncountync.gov or cbureau@unioncountync.gov for more information or to sign up.
VII. Create Your Own Donation Drive
You could also start your own donation drives in your community (at your school, neighborhood, church, etc.). Gather a group of close friends to help run the drive, promote the drive in your community/on social media, and maybe even reach out to local businesses for support!
Donation Drive Ideas: help supply food for local food pantries, school supplies for low income schools, clothing drives for families in need, toys for children at local children's hospitals, pet food/pet supplies drives for local rescues or humane society