Gators Volunteer
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: 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: Kelley Kostamo, District Volunteer Coordinator
(352) 955–7250 x6412
kostamkb@gm.sbac.edu
volunteers@gm.sbac.edu
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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
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Mission: To provide services to anyone in need, regardless of race or religion; to advocate justice, human dignity, and quality of life; and to call all people to join in these efforts thereby reflecting the compassion of God in Christ.
Volunteer Opportunities: Pantry Volunteers, Receptionist, computer input (client information), fundraising, development interns.
Volunteer Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am – 4pm, some special events on the weekends
Contact: John Barli, Denise Fanning
(352) 372–0294
jbarli@ccgnv.org
dfanning@ccgnv.org
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Mission: “Strengthening Communities by Building Strong Families”
Volunteer Opportunities: We are looking for Youth Care Worker Assistants – these are volunteers who assist us in the care and mentoring of at-risk adolescents at our Interface Youth Shelter in Gainesville. We also have a need for administrative volunteers in our offices. We offer new volunteer training roughly a month into each semester – so September, February, and June typically. Next new volunteer training will be first week of June.
Volunteer Hours: Volunteers at Interface Youth Shelter are needed whenever the youth are not in school: 3-9 pm on weekdays and 9am-9pm during the weekends or vacations. Administrative volunteers are needed a few hours per week, usually Monday-Friday between 9am and 8pm depending on the position.
Contact: Radha Selvester
(352) 244–0628 x3865
jbarli@ccgnv.org
radha_selvester@cdsfl.org
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Mission: To empower people with disabilities to achieve their goals for independence.
Volunteer Opportunities: Independent Living Skills classes (guest speakers); Paratransit application interviews; Sign Language Interpreting Program (office tasks); High School High Tech youth program (drivers for field trips, businesses for job shadowing/internships, guest speakers, mentors, tutors); promoting community awareness (tabling at events); fundraising (donation requests/sponsorships for our Annual Open House Raffle, held in October)
Volunteer Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
Contact: Amy Feutz
(352) 378–7474
amy@cilncf.org
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Mission: Altrusa House is a licensed adult day health care program that provides a safe and stimulating environment for adults with disabilities or special needs.
Volunteer Opportunities: Reception work; assistance with daily activities (e.g., assisting with lunch); events surrounding Valentine's, Halloween, Easter and various other holidays and parties.
Volunteer Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Contact: Lee Johnson
(352) 377-7708
ljohnson@fl.easterseals.com
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Mission: TTo promote health, character development, and academic achievement through tennis. We emphasize community, inclusion, collaboration, integrity, and fun.
Volunteer Opportunities: 1. Tutoring: We need tutors for our after school program primarily for middle and elementary students. We also have a seasonal need for high school tutoring centered around SAT/ACT Testing and college entry.
2. Tennis coaching/playing: We need volunteers that have tennis experience to help coach or play with our students. Since we are at 12 sites throughout the week, there are multiple opportunities to play tennis with our students.
3. Mentoring: If you are interested in becoming a mentor to one of our students on a consistent basis, we would love to have you.
4. Community Events: A helping hand during community events in neighborhoods, competition, and programs.
5. Athletes with Special Needs: We currently organize and run the tennis season for Special Olympics in Alachua County. If you have experience or a passion working with individuals with special needs, please contact us.
6. Gators In Motion: Our newest program GIM, is based on the campus of University of Florida. If you are interested in hosting our students on a field trip to your career, department, or facility for an enrichment activity, please contact us.
Volunteer Hours: Aces In Motion After School Program at TB McPherson Recreation Center: Mon- Fri: 3:00-6:00 PM
Gators In Motion at UF Campus (FL GYM): Tues and Thurs: 4:00-6:00 PM
Tennis at 21 CCLC: Mon - Fri
Community Tennis Events: Days depend on agency (Kids Count, Reichert, Pineridge, Boulware Springs Charter School)
Adaptive Tennis: Seasonal-Contact for detailed times
Contact: Addison Staples
(352) 514–9975
addison@acesinmotion.org
gainesvilletennis.org
Mission: To provide help and hope to people in crisis
Volunteer Opportunities: Handing out food, seeing clients, tutoring
Volunteer Hours: Mon-Thurs 9am - 3pm, some Tues nights and Saturdays for dental students.
Contact: Michael Wright
(352) 372–8162
gcmone@bellsouth.net
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Mission: To change the way the world views Down syndrome through national campaigns, educational programs, and by empowering individuals with Down syndrome, their families and the community.
Volunteer Opportunities: We are always seeking enthusiastic and committed individuals to be a part of Generation G campaign to "Be Accepting. Be Generous. Be Kind". Volunteers are welcome to make a difference in one of our Committees or Programs. Each Committee has a specific focus and include Programs, Volunteers, Playhouse Operations, Fundraising, Communications, Outreach, Events, and Facility & IT. Volunteers can also interact with our families during our regular programs that have specific goals for each different age groups. Programs include Destination Discovery (all ages), LMNOP (5 & under), Literacy (3 and up), Friends, Fun & Fitness (11 - 21), and Fantastic Friends (18 and up).
Volunteer Hours: Volunteer hours vary depending on the Committee or Program. Volunteers are required to complete a volunteer orientation, background check, and specific committee/program training.
Contact: Dayita Wable
(727) 687-4633
volunteergainesville@gigisplayhouse.org
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Mission: K9s For Warriors is ending veteran suicide and returning our Warriors to a life of dignity and independence. We rescue and train shelter dogs to be paired as Service Dogs for Warriors with service-connected Post-Traumatic Stress, Traumatic Brain Injury and/or Military Sexual Trauma.
Volunteer Opportunities: Kennel Caretaking, Landscaping work, Housekeeping opportunities
Volunteer Hours: Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm, some weekends and holidays
Contact: Donnie Horner III
(443) 262-2245
dhorner@k9sforwarriors.org
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Mission: The mission of the March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.
Volunteer Opportunities: The main event that we would seek volunteers would be the Alachua County March for Babies Walk that happens at the beginning of April each year. We also have smaller events throughout the year that we may need volunteers such as kickoff luncheons, thank you/awards parties, bank days (counting donations being the main task here), and other small items that may arise.
Volunteer Hours: Our office is open from 9am–5pm weekdays but these may be adjusted depending on events or meetings.
Contact: Tamerin Dygert, Executive Director
(352) 642–8292
tdygert@marchofdimes.org
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Mission: The mission of Special Olympics Florida is to provide year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for people with intellectual disabilities who wish to participate, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.
The ultimate objective of Special Olympics Florida is to help people with intellectual disabilities participate as productive and respected members of society at large, by offering them a fair opportunity to develop and demonstrate their skills and talents through sports training and competition, and by increasing the public’s awareness of their capabilities and needs.
Volunteer Opportunities: With 10 sports across Alachua County there are year-round events where volunteers are needed. Here are some of the ways you can volunteer:
Day of Event Volunteer
Administrative Help
Coach or Assistant Coach
Committee Member
Fundraising Events
Unified Sports® Partner
Volunteer Hours: Varied, mostly weekends and evenings
Contact: Michelle Beumer, County Director
(352) 340–7945
michellebeumer@specialolympicsalachua.org
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