Volunteer Center

     

Genesee and Shiawassee Serves, a program of the United Way of Genesee County, is a volunteer center that connects volunteers directly to volunteer opportunities. The goal is to create a positive impact in Genesee and Shiawassee County by encouraging all to serve. We firmly believe there is a role and a pathway for everyone to serve. There are organizations looking for volunteers to serve anywhere from the classroom to the boardroom. There are volunteer opportunities ranging from one-time opportunities to yearlong national service positions. Genesee and Shiawassee Serves has several components that offer everyone a chance to be successful in finding volunteer opportunities.
  • For Volunteers: The Genesee and Shiawassee Serves website is a great way to explore all of the volunteer opportunities in Genesee and Shiawassee County. There are opportunities for youth, elderly, families or groups to serve. Volunteers can search for opportunities catered to their interests. The website will also send out notifications when new opportunities are posted. 
  • For Organizations: The Genesee Serves website is a great tool for organizations to recruit volunteers. Not only will your organization be able to post volunteer opportunities on the website, it will also be able to interact with volunteers and track volunteer engagement. 

Whether you want to volunteer on your own, with your family or with your friends, Genesee and Shiawassee Serves offers opportunities for all interests and skill level. Our largest events Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Global Youth Service   Day and 9/11 Day of Remembrance engage hundreds of volunteers of all ages. Last year our Martin Luther King Jr. event alone engaged over 550 volunteers (ages 6 to 90) who packed 100,000 meals for people in our community. Click here to learn more! Still have questions? Contact Diane Woodruff, Volunteer Coordinator, at 810.762.5821 or dwoodruff@unitedwaygenesee.org.

Service in a Box

With Service in a Box, groups large and small can give their time, talent, and treasure to help our  community! Corporations, classrooms and other volunteer groups can complete Service in a Box projects at the time and location of your choice. Genesee and Shiawassee Serves will provide the instructions, pre-flection/reflection activities, and connections to local nonprofits to help your completed projects get to the people who need them. 

A Service in a Box project ideas include:

  • Birthday in a  Box
    • Benefits children in the foster care system
  • Sensory Bottles
    • Benefits children and adults suffering with anxiety and other disorders
  • Laundry Soap and Fabric Softener
    • Provided to hygiene pantries and shelters for distribution to clients
  • Dog and Cat Toys
    • Benefits animals living in shelters and animal rescue homes
  • Plarn
    • Provided to various crochet groups who turn the plarn into water proof matts for the homeless
  • Kids' Comfort Kits
    • Benefits children in crisis 

For more information contact your campaign representative or Diane Woodruff via email to: dwoodruff@unitedwaygenesee.org.