Explore volunteer opportunities

Browse categories of participating organizations below, or choose the alphabetical listing to view a list of all opportunities.

ACORN Clinic

Mission: Provides primary and preventive health services to individuals and families of rural north central Florida, regardless of ability to pay. ACORN Clinic provides high quality, affordable medical care, dental care, and social services by staff and volunteers. ACORN acts as a bridge between patients and community resources. In partnership with educational institutions, ACORN functions as an exemplary service learning site for health professionals.

Volunteer Opportunities: Licensed provider volunteers for ACORN Clinic’s Medical and Dental Clinic. This would include physicians, dentists, dental hygienists and mental health providers.

Volunteer Hours: Medical Clinic: Monday and Wednesday 8 am to 4 pm, Tuesday and Thursday 8 am to 8 pm
Dental Clinic: Monday through Thursday 8 am to 4 pm, Alternating Friday mornings 8 am to noon

Contact: Candace King
(352) 468–1133 x 20
cking@acornclinic.org
Visit Website

Alachua Conservation Trust

Mission: To protect the natural, historic, scenic and recreational resources in and around Alachua County, Florida. ACT protects land through purchase, donation, and conservation easements.

Volunteer Opportunities: Land management/preserve monitoring & maintenance, office/clerical, research, grant writing, special events staffing, weekend docenting (at Historic Haile Homestead), short workshop presentations (45 minuted to 1.5 hours) in areas such as NCF botany, entomology, natural history, regional Native American & early European settlement history, etc.

Volunteer Hours: Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm; some evening and weekend hours (docenting, periodic special events & workshop presentations)

Contact: Lesa Holder
(352) 373–1078
Info@AlachuaConservationTrust.org
Visit Website

Alachua County Public Schools

Mission: We will graduate students who have the knowledge, skills, and personal characteristics to be lifelong learners and independent thinkers. Our graduates will excel in their chosen careers and be productive and contributing members of the global community.

Volunteer Opportunities: The Alachua County Public Schools need mentors and classroom volunteers.  Could you spend a few hours a week helping a child succeed?  Your impact on children now could help shape their future for the better. To learn more about the different ways you can get involved in the schools, call the School Volunteers Office at 352-955-7250 X252.

Volunteers are welcome in the public schools in many capacities. You could volunteer in a classroom, become a PTA/PTO member, join a booster club for athletics, band, or academics, become a SAC member, mentor a student, serve as a classroom speaker, judge a science fair, participate in a career fair, become a business partner, volunteer in the media center, clinic, cafeteria or front office.   To explore the possibilities, contact the School Volunteer Office or the school of your choice. You can make an appointment to come by the Volunteer Office to look through hundreds of requests from teachers asking for classroom help!  Classroom volunteers work closely with teachers and staff, assisting in various projects, keeping records, preparing instructional materials, and interacting with students. Duties in elementary schools may include reading/telling stories, listening to children read, and preparing instructional material. Duties in the middle and high schools may include working on special projects, operating AV equipment, performing clerical duties, making instructional materials, reviewing homework and assisting with testing.

Volunteer Hours: Generally M-F between 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM. Some evenings and Saturdays may be available for special events.

Contact: Liz Stark, District Volunteer Coordinator
(352) 955–7250 x252
starkef@gm.sbac.edu
Visit Website

Alachua Habitat for Humanity

Mission: Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope. Vision Statement: A world where everyone has a decent place to live

Volunteer Opportunities: Administrative Office: Clerical, Family Support, Board of Directors
ReStore: Receiving and sales
Construction Sites: Building homes, A Brush With Kindness (painting)

Volunteer Hours: Administrative Office: Mon–Fri 9a-5p
ReStore: Mon–Sat 9a-6p
Construction Sites: Fri-Sat 8:30am-2pm

Contact: Scott Winzeler
(352) 363–6492
volunteercoordinator@alachuahabitat.org
Visit Website

Alachua Humane Society

Mission: To end the needless euthanasia of healthy and treatable companion animals in our community

Volunteer Opportunities: Opportunities are available all year long for animal care for both dogs and cats, thrift store assistants, front office help, pet promoters and pet tech assistance. Animal care volunteers will assist staff with cleaning, socializing with animals, and giving out enrichment each day. Thrift store assistants will sort through donations, place merchandise on the floor, and keep the store looking tidy. Front office assistants will file paperwork, answer phone calls, and greet guests at the Humane Society. Pet promoters will attend outreach events in the community to spread the word about our programs and our adoptable animals. Vet tech assistants will work with our vet and vet techs to assist with cleaning of exam rooms, filing paperwork and restraining animals getting vaccines/medication. We also need help with special events throughout the year including Woofstock (Nov) where volunteers will check guests into the event, monitor silent auction tables, give our merchandise and assist with cleaning up after the event.

Volunteer Hours: 8AM - 6PM each day

Contact: Sarah MacLennan
(352) 373–5855 x706
volunteer@alachuahumane.org
Visit Website

Alzheimer's Association of Central and North Florida

Mission: To eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.

Volunteer Opportunities: Community Educators are volunteer speakers who help provide education and expand the reach of Alzheimer's Association programs. Community Educators deliver Alzheimer's Association programs on topics related to Alzheimer's disease and other dementias using prepared materials.

These volunteers provide programs scheduled by Association staff and help identify potential community partners and education venues using their established community networks. Community educators assure that the general public, caregivers and people living with Alzheimer's or dementia are linked to Alzheimer's Association programs and our free 24/7 Helpline. They are true partners with our staff and extend the reach of our programs to all communities.

Volunteer Hours: varied

Contact: Audrey Coachman, Program Manager
(850) 583-8758
adcoachman@alz.org
Visit Website

American Cancer Society

Mission: To save lives, celebrate lives and lead the fight in a world without cancer.

Volunteer Opportunities: Reach to Recovery - Trained breast cancer survivors assist patients and families
Road to Recovery - Volunteers drive cancer patients to and from treatments
Hope Lodge - volunteers make meals and help with this home away from home for cancer patients
Event Volunteers: Assistance with major fundraising events such as Relay for Life

Volunteer Hours: Office volunteer M-F 9-5. All others vary

Contact: Lindsey Roberts
(352) 240–5060
lindsey.roberts@cancer.org
Cancer.org
UF-Specific
Making Strides Walk

American Heart Association

Mission: To build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.

Volunteer Opportunities: The Gainesville Heart Ball (usually held in February at the UF Hilton): This event is a social gala to raise funds for the American Heart Association. Included are a social hour, dinner, dancing, silent auction, live auction, and an Open Your Heart mission appeal. Volunteers are needed to help set-up for the event, work the event and clean up after the event is over. Shifts are available.
The Alachua County Heart Walk (to be held September 23, 2017 at Santa Fe College): This is a 3-mile walk to promote living a healthy lifestyle and making the Alachua community a healthier place. Throughout the season, funds are raised by companies who start walking teams and fundraise throughout the community. The Heart Walk is a celebration for the money raised. Volunteers are needed to help set-up for the event, work the event, and clean up after the event is over. Shifts are available.

Volunteer Hours: Gainesville Heart Ball: The day of the event (Friday or Saturday) from 11AM to Midnight. Shifts are available throughout the day.
Alachua County Heart Walk: The day before the event (Friday), volunteers are needed from 11AM to 4PM. The day of the walk (Saturday), volunteers are needed from 6AM to Noon.

Contact: Monica Clifford
(727) 563–8083
monica.clifford@heart.org
Visit Website

American Red Cross

Mission: To prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.

Volunteer Opportunities: Volunteers carry out 90% of the humanitarian work of the Red Cross. Our vital work is only possible because of people like you. Whether helping one displaced family or thousands, providing care and comfort to an ill or injured service member or veteran, or teaching others how to respond in emergencies, it’s through the efforts of ordinary people that we can do extraordinary things. Browse Volunteer Opportunities in Your Community on our website today!

Volunteer Hours: Business hours are 9:00am to 4:00pm. However, if your staff choose to volunteer during a disaster, there are potentially 24 hour Disaster Operation Volunteer Programs. Each volunteer listing has the required time commitment listed online.

Contact: Meghan Hotchkiss, Senior Volunteer Specialist
(904) 248–4085
meghan.hotchkiss@redcross.org
Visit Website

Arc of Alachua County

Mission: To provide a continuum of exemplary services, supports, and advocacy to assure that people with developmental and intellectual disabilities can enjoy respect and dignity and become full participants in the community.

Volunteer Opportunities: Landscaping, yardwork, painting, handiwork, etc. Event support includes golf tournament support, registration help, advocacy, calling vendors for support, etc.

Volunteer Hours: Monday - Friday 8am - 4pm, and during fundraising events (as needed)

Contact: Dr. Mark Johnson, Director of Marketing and Public Relations
(352) 334–4060 x127
mjohnson@arcalachua.org
Visit Website