United Way of Central Iowa volunteers give back to the community by raising their hands and taking action – especially when crisis strikes. Will you join them?

Whether you have been volunteering with us for years or are taking the first step in giving back to the community, we have in-person and virtual opportunities for you to get involved right now listed on our Get Connected volunteer portal. Here are just a few ways you can raise your hand:

How Volunteers Help

Excited about becoming a United Way of Central Iowa volunteer? You should be! Volunteers make a big difference. In the past year, volunteers just like you have:
  • Mentored 1,602 Kids
    For kids, having a caring adult in their corner can make a world of difference. Through programs like Book Buddy, Power Read, and Real Men Read, volunteer adults are paired with local students for academic and personal support. These experiences can help kids develop the capacity to take purposeful initiative and build self-confidence, as well as better prepare them to face challenges before, during, and after school.

  • Donated 45,484 Pounds of Food
    Not just any food – fresh, healthy produce! Community and corporate gardens are an effective way to help fight hunger in our community. Volunteers supported these giving gardens in their neighborhoods or at work to support food desert areas or areas with a high population of families with low-income.

  • Made 289 Blankets for Children in Poverty
    A blanket can offer warmth and comfort in a time of need. Volunteers came together to create no-sew fleece blankets for local kids and families supported by Bidwell Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hill, funded partners of United Way of Central Iowa. The blankets were distributed to their clients: children who are experiencing homelessness, victims of domestic violence, and families that are not yet financially stable.

Volunteers are proof that change happens when we LIVE UNITED! If you are ready to give back to our community, sign up for an upcoming volunteer activity.

COVID-19 Volunteering

Topics: Volunteer, UWCI Partner

Sara Engelhart

Written by Sara Engelhart

Sara Engelhart is United Way of Central Iowa's former Strategic Communications Operations Manager.

UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL IOWA
1111 9TH ST  •  Suite 100
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(515) 246-6500   •   contactus@unitedwaydm.org

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