At the start of each new year, people make a list of things they are going to do to improve their lives. We say we are going to eat less and work out more. Think about making resolutions that will not only help you, but help your community. Volunteerism can take many forms. Whether you choose to spend time helping out at your local library, mentoring a child, or building a house, there are many nonprofit volunteer organizations that could really use your help. Or, if your time is really in short supply, maybe you can at least find it in you to donate the furniture, clothing and other household items that you no longer need, rather than leaving them out by the curb to fill up our landfills. In addition to our local schools, support groups and clubs (see pages 68, 69 and 72), synagogues and churches, hereβs a sampling of some local, non-profit organizations that are in need of volunteers, financial contributions and/or miscellaneous donations.
Adopt-A-StreAm progrAm
(Watershed Stewardship Program)
This Cobb County program provides participants the opportunity to learn about the watershed they live in with a variety of programs designed to help people learn how to improve local water quality through hands-on activities for all ages. Free.
www.cobbcountyga.gov
AmericAn red croSS
Seeks blood donors.
2145 Roswell Road, Suite 250 Marietta, GA 30062 www.givelife.org
center for children & Young AdultS
770-528-1482
cobb communitY foundAtion
Promotes philanthropy to create and support a vital and caring community. It builds a collection of endowment funds and distributes the proceeds to nonprofit organizations that serve the communityβs members.
Sue Wootton, Executive Director 1985 N. Park Place Atlanta, GA 30339-2004
www.cobbfoundation.com
770-578-1977
Provides secure residential care for Cobb Countyβs abused and neglected children.
Merrill Autry, Director of Development www.ccyakids.org
the center for fAmilY reSourceS
770-333-9447
Provides emergency assistance to families in Cobb County so that they can acquire the resources they need to become independent and self-sufficient, thereby breaking the cycle of poverty.
Jennifer Cain, Development & Volunteer Coordinator 995 Roswell Street, Suite 100 Marietta, GA 30060
www.theCFR.org
770-428-2601
770-953-6865
cobb countY Juvenile court β citizen pAnel review A volunteer supported program tasked with reviewing foster care cases.
Joshua Weeks
www.cobbcountyga.gov
770-528-2284
cobb countY Juvenile court SpeciAl AdvocAte
A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) is a trained community volunteer appointed by a Juvenile Court Judge to speak up for the best interest of an abused or neglected child involved in a juvenile court proceeding.
Carlene Redmond
www.cobbcountyga.gov
770-528-2285
cobb countY Juvenile court Youth diverSion progrAm This program is for first offenders with minor offenses. These juveniles are given the opportunity to appear before a panel of community volunteers instead of a judge.
Rita Evans
www.cobbcountyga.gov
770-528-2243
We are an online store which sells: Fashion Jewelry, Shoes, Handbags, Personalized gifts for men, women and Babies. Rings Sunglasses, Personalized Decorations for Weddings, Birthdays, Housewarming and other occasions ETC.
We are an online store which sells: Fashion Jewelry, Shoes, Handbags, Personalized gifts for men, women and babies, Rings, Sunglasses, Personalized Decorations for Weddings, Birthdays, Housewarming and other occasions, ETC.
Schedule your purse and jewelry party today, make $$, get discounts on your order and a free gift.
Phone: 678-727-6608
Web: www.sleekandchicboutique.com
E-mail: info@sleekandchicboutique.com
cobb countY public librArieS
Help needed with shelving and straightening paperbacks and periodicals as well as other opportunities as listed on website.
Alexandra Beswick
www.cobbcat.org
cobb literAcY council
770-528-2320
Needs tutors for GED as well as administrative help. Donna Frankovsky www.cobbworks.com
770-528-8094
the extenSion
A Marietta residential recovery program for the homeless. Needs volunteers to plan, prepare and serve meals.
Tyler Driver, Executive Director & Volunteer Coordinator 1507 Church Street (Menβs Extension) Marietta, GA 30061 130 Holiday Street (Womenβs Extension) Marietta, GA 30060
770-590-9075
feed the hungrY foundAtion
Needs volunteers to help sort, pack and deliver food boxes. Rev. Mack Barnes, Executive Director 1440 Dutch Valley Place Atlanta, GA 30324 www.feedthehungryfoundation.com
770-980-1550
friendS for the eASt cobb pArK
For the establishment, maintenance, and expansion of the only passive park in East Cobb. Mike Voegtle, President www.eastcobbpark.org β’ president@eastcobbpark.org
georgiA AArp tAx-Aide
Seeks volunteers for tax counseling service between midJanuary and April 15. www.aarp.org
1-888-227-7669
girlS inc. of cobb countY
Provides programs to promote self-esteem in young women. Seeks people to donate time and skills working with girls in an activity or class such as arts and crafts, computer training, sports, aerobics, and tutoring.
Gabrielle Stewart, Director of Development 461 Manget Street
Marietta, GA 30060
houSemAte mAtch
770-422-0999
If you are over 50 years old, have an extra room in your home and need extra money, share your home. Program sponsored by the Atlanta Jewish Community Center.
Lynne Dyckman, Housing Counselor 2509 Post Oak Tritt Rd.
Marietta, GA 30062
www.housematematch.org
Junior leAgue of cobb - mAriettA
678-812-3729
Organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of members and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.
505 Kennesaw Avenue Marietta, GA 30060 www.jlcm.org
770-422-5266
mAKe A wiSh foundAtion of georgiA And AlAbAmA
Grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy. The Foundation needs office volunteers, fundraisers and wish granters.
Deirdre Trevett, Volunteer Coordinator 1775 The Exchange SE, Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30339 www.ga-al.wish.org
Help You Help Others
Whatβs your excuse for not getting involved: Not enough time? No skills or experience you think could help anyone? Nothing nearby? If you had information on thousands of non-profit agencies looking for volunteers anywhere nationwide and also were able to choose how much time to spend, the type of cause you want to support, and set your own hours for volunteering, it would be hard to find a reason not to volunteer, wouldnβt it?
No more excuses. Whether you can spend 10 hours a week or 10 minutes, whether you want to support the arts, the environment or social issues, there are thousands of opportunities waiting on VolunteerMatch.
VolunteerMatch is a non-profit website that serves as a clearinghouse for organizations needing individuals to volunteer and volunteers looking for organizations who can use their skills and experience. To date, nearly 20,000 non-profit and tax-exempt organizations have received more than 700,000 volunteer referrals through the site.
Any non-profit or tax-exempt organization can list an unlimited number of volunteer opportunities on VolunteerMatch. Visitors to VolunteerMatch simply enter their ZIP code to find local opportunities. Volunteers can also search by interest, date and keyword to generate a personally customized list. Once an opportunity of choice is found, the interested volunteer simply clicks on it to contact the organization and get involved. Non-profit organizations find VolunteerMatch an easy and efficient way to connect with people who can support their efforts through volunteer activity
VolunteerMatch is a great way for interested volunteers to find out if their skills meet an organizationβs needs before they make contact, and itβs also a good way to get the word out about projects and special needs within a specific community. βIf thereβs a local disaster or even something like a marathon that needs volunteers, help can be coordinated online,β she says
βVolunteerMatch makes it easy to bring volunteers and charitable organizations together to meet the needs of their community,β says the serviceβs president, Jay Backstrand. To find volunteer opportunities in your area, or to learn more about VolunteerMatch, visit www.volunteermatch.org.
β’ Homeowners - $220 (for most returns)
β’ Corporate Returns & Partnership Returns
β’ Monthly Business Accounting
β’ Now on YouTube. Visit us at www.YouTube.com/johnmillercpainc
As you know, tax time is once again upon us. Have your tax return prepared by a CPA with over 20 years experience preparing tax returns. You will receive fast, reliable service at reasonable rates.
Your Federal and State returns will be carefully prepared to make sure that you get every deduction to which you are entitled. You will also be advised on how to keep your taxes as low as possible for next year.
DO GOOD GUIDE
meAlS on wheelS
Volunteers needed on meal delivery team. Volunteers also serve as a link of information between the client and caseworker.
miniStrieS united for Service And trAining (muSt) Since 1972, MUST has provided services to the poor and homeless in Cobb and Cherokee Counties.
Jenaila Hawkins, Volunteer Coordinator 1407 Cobb Parkway Marietta, GA 30061
www.mustministries.org
770-790-3873
northweSt metro AtlAntA hAbitAt for humAnitY
Strives to eliminate substandard housing in Cobb County through new home construction and existing home renovation. Also offers zero-interest loans.
J.J. Currie, Volunteer Coordinator 1625 Spring Road Smyrna, GA 30080
www.nwmetroatlantahabitat.org
probAtion officer progrAm
770-432-7954
Cobb County Superior Court needs help relieving the State probation caseload. Qualified volunteers will undergo formal training.
www.cobbcountyga.gov
770-528-7986
SAfe KidS cobb countY
Safe Kids Cobb County is committed to reducing and preventing accidental injuries to children in Cobb County. It provides information and education on the following topics: Car and Booster Seats, Poison Prevention, Water Safety, Bicycle/Wheel Safety, Home Safety & Pedestrian Safety. Sponsors car seat checks, bike rodeos, and safety fairs. Amanda Walpole, Safe Kids Co-Coordinator 122 Al Bishop Drive Marietta, GA 30008
www.safekidscobbcounty.org
Lisa Gardner, Safe Kids Co-Coordinator 114 Cherry Street, Suite G Marietta, GA 30060
www.safekidscobbcounty.org
SAfepAth childrenβS AdvocAcY center
770-852-3285
770-793-7185
Ensures a child-friendly environment in which child victims of abuse and neglect can feel safe and comfortable during the process of intervention and investigation. Caring adults are needed to greet families and supervise children in their playroom/waiting area during the day, and in the evening on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Leigh Kelley, Volunteer Coordinator 736 Whitlock Ave. West Park Government Center, Ste. 600 Marietta, GA 30064
www.safepath.org
SeniorS βmoSt wAntedβ
770-801-3465
Cobb County Sheriffβs program is looking for residents 55 and older to assist deputies and other staff in sheriffβs office operations.
The mission of the Tommy Nobis Center is to develop and provide job training, employment and vocational support for youth and adults with disabilities and other barriers to employment. Several volunteer opportunities are available.
United Way does βwhatever it takesβ to help the Cobb community focus and get results on important human issues. While United Way does raise and invest dollars, it also helps people volunteer, lend their professional expertise, donate household and office items and advocate on behalf of issues.
Leah Rolfes, Director 995 Roswell Street, Ste. 338 Marietta, GA 30060
www.unitedwayatlanta.org
wellStAr
404-527-7200 or 211
WellStar volunteers are an integral part of our healthcare team. Through a variety of important opportunities, volunteers provide service to the hospital while also promoting a caring attitude in the hospital and community. Volunteers make a difference. To help maintain high quality patient care, volunteers interact daily with hospital team members, physicians, patients and patientsβ families.
Brooke Schembri, Director of Corporate & Community Health 330 Kennestone Hospital Boulevard Marietta, GA 30060
www.wellstar.org
YwcA of northweSt gA
The YWCA of Northwest Georgia seeks volunteers for its thrift store, special events, crisis hotline, family violence shelter, transitional housing, legal advocacy, sexual assault accompaniment advocacy, childrenβs services, Latino outreach and other needs.
Kristi Storey, Communications Coordinator 48 Henderson Street SW Marietta, GA 30064
