Austin Habitat for Humanity will host the 2025 Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project, a week-long event where volunteers from around the world will come together to build affordable homes in the city. This marks the 40th anniversary of Austin Habitat’s mission to provide multi-generational stability through homeownership for Central Texan families. The project will also highlight the ongoing challenge of affordable housing in the region.
Venterra Realty has been named to Great Place to Work® Canada’s 2024 Best WorkplacesTM for Giving Back list, highlighting the company’s commitment to community service and employee volunteerism. Venterra’s Culture of Care fosters a strong sense of social responsibility, offering employees a day of paid time off for volunteering and supporting initiatives like Feed the Children.
United Airlines and Rise Against Hunger are collaborating for the fourth year on ‘September of Service’, a month-long initiative aimed at combating global hunger. Throughout September, United employees will participate in various volunteer opportunities, including 16 meal packaging events, with the goal of preparing over 400,000 meals for those in need.
National Grid is celebrating the fourth anniversary of its Project C initiative with a week of service where over 1,500 employees will volunteer in communities across New York. This program highlights the company’s commitment to local revitalization, clean energy, and community engagement, demonstrating their dedication to building a better future for their neighbors.
Helping Hand for Relief and Development (HHRD) is hosting its 3rd Annual Day of Service, rallying volunteers across the country to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable communities in Bangladesh, Gaza, and Jordan. The event, themed ‘Own the Change’, will involve packing essential relief items, organizing donation drives, and raising awareness about the plight of refugees and marginalized groups. This initiative exemplifies HHRD’s commitment to global humanitarian aid.
Beginning Friday, 2,000 volunteers will scour 300 kilometers of river pathways in Calgary, anticipating the collection of thousands of kilograms of garbage. This annual cleanup effort, sparked by the discovery of a mattress in the Elbow River by 12-year-old Sandra Crawford in 1967, has evolved to address modern challenges such as encampments with potential hazards like drugs and weapons. Volunteers are equipped with special tools and knowledge to handle any dangers encountered, such as needles, which are flagged and reported to Alpha House for safe removal.
Lawyers for the Creative Arts (LCA) and the Arts & Business Council of Chicago (A&BC) are joining forces to form one of the largest volunteer corps supporting the arts in the country. The combined organization will provide a range of services to arts organizations throughout Illinois, including pro bono legal assistance, business consulting, and education. The merger comes at a time when arts organizations are facing financial challenges, staffing issues, and other difficulties. The new entity aims to address these challenges by providing comprehensive support and resources to the arts community.
Volunteer Braille Services, a Golden Valley-based nonprofit that has been providing Braille transcription services for over 50 years, will be closing its doors on May 31st. The closure is due to a decline in the number of volunteers, making it impossible to keep up with the demand for Braille materials. While Braille is being used less and less, it remains an essential resource for many people with vision loss, particularly adults who need instruction manuals translated. The loss of Volunteer Braille Services is a significant blow to the community and highlights the challenges faced by organizations that rely on volunteers.
Jason Zan, an archeologist from Edmond, Oklahoma, and his girlfriend, Harriet Campbell, a professional baker from New Zealand, are embarking on a mission to provide food for Ukrainians close to the front lines. The couple met online when Campbell needed assistance sending tourniquets to Ukraine, and Zan’s experience volunteering in the country led him to help her. They have since volunteered in western Ukraine and plan to move to the country for three months in August to cook and distribute meals. Zan and Campbell are raising funds through Sooner Hope for Ukraine to support their mission and encourage Oklahomans to continue caring about the ongoing war.
