Volunteering

Appalachian Wildlife Refuge

Appalachian Wildlife Refuge is a 501c3 nonprofit that coordinates the needs of wildlife rehabilitation in Western North Carolina providing care for injured and orphaned wildlife, support for the wildlife rehabilitation network and conservation education to the community. Info: www.appalachianwild.org/volunteer.html

American Cancer Society

For over 100 years, the American Cancer Society (ACS) has worked relentlessly to save lives and create a world with less cancer. Together with millions of our supporters worldwide, we help people stay well and get well, find cures, and fight back against cancer. Info: Tracy at 828-254-6931 ext. 29194.

• American Cancer Society needs office volunteers! Do you have a passion for helping others? Do you want to help end the suffering caused by cancer? Help the American Cancer Society end the fight against Cancer by being an office volunteer at the Asheville office of the American Cancer Society. Activities you will be engaged in include but are not limited to:
  • Help with answering phones, taking messages and transferring calls
  • Open and sort mail and faxes
  • Prepare regular and bulk office mailings
  • Shred files
  • Organize office spaces and files
  • Provide customer service by greeting and assisting office visitors and volunteers
  • Help connect volunteers with appropriate office staff
  • Assist with regular and bulk mailings
  • Copy materials, fold brochures and cut paper
• You will gain real world office experience. Learn how the non-profit sector works. Have first-hand connections with Relay Staff and programs offering opportunities for continuing service in our mission. We can schedule hours that work with your schedule. We look forward to having you on our team!

American Pet Association Society for the Protection of Companion Animals

Uses local grassroots efforts to assist responsible pet owners and their companions in times of crisis. Info: apaspca.org, [email protected] or 279-3969.

• Volunteers are needed to participate in our 30 Day Friends & Family fundraiser and certified fundraiser programs. Volunteers may set their hours and most work may be done from home. Must be 14 years or older to apply.

The American Red Cross

Network of generous donors, volunteers and employees share a mission of preventing and relieving suffering, here at home and around the world. We roll up our sleeves and donate time, money and blood. We learn or teach life-saving skills so our communities can be better prepared when the need arises. We do this every day because the Red Cross is needed – every day. Sign up to volunteer at www.redcross.org/volunteer or contact Alison Gibbons at [email protected] or 333-9296.

• The American Red Cross continues to have an emergency need for blood and platelet donations. And, the number of blood drives in the Western North Carolina area have increased. There is not only a great need for blood donors, but also volunteers. Do you have great customer service skills and want to make a difference? Support the Red Cross blood program as a Blood Donor Ambassador! Ambassadors help donors feel welcome and comfortable, sign them in, and visit with them while giving out snacks & beverages after they donate blood. Shifts vary with each drive, but are generally 3-5 per shift.

Asheville Area Habitat For Humanity

Builds new homes for qualifying families and individuals while preserving existing homes. Info: [email protected]

• Urgent need: volunteers to make a regular commitment to volunteer with our Home Repair Program
• Volunteers needed to be “on call” to work with our Home Repair crew
• Please visit ashevillehabitat.org for more information

Asheville-Buncombe Technical College

A-B Tech works to offer opportunities for specific job training and retraining and personal enrichment. Info: [email protected] or 230-6526.

• Volunteers needed to assist in Adult Basic Skills (ABS) and High School Equivalency (HSE, formerly GED) program at Goodwill in West Asheville. Volunteers should be proficient in language arts or math. Session available Tues., Wed., or Thurs. from 9am-noon.

Asheville City Schools Foundation

Works to create strong public schools and break the cycle of poverty. Info: [email protected] or 350-6135.

• Volunteers needed to tutor/ mentor students (k-12). Shifts available Mon.-Fri., 8am-6pm.

• Volunteers needed to tutor Asheville High School/SILSA students. All subjects requested, math tutors especially needed. Once per week 10-10:35am or 3:30-4:30pm.

Asheville Downtown Association

Acts a leader and advocate for the vitality of downtown. Info: ashevilledowntown.org, [email protected] or 251-9973.

• Volunteers are needed at all of our events, including the Downtown After 5 concert series, Ingles Independence Day Celebration, Asheville Oktoberfest and Asheville Holiday Parade. Duties include everything from pouring beer and wine to selling merchandise and water or helping with festival greening.

Asheville Living Building Challenge Collaborative

The Asheville Collaborative intends to be a resource for built environment professionals that want to understand Living Building Challenge concepts and process. We support Living Buildings by providing information and education to the public, builders, designers, and advocates for change. We are available to present on key concepts of the Living Building Challenge at your office or community meeting space. Info: collaboratives.living-future.org/asheville or [email protected].

• Our goal as the Asheville Living Building Challenge Collaborative is to foster the area’s first LBC-certified construction within three to five years. We are looking for building professionals, community leaders, and sustainability champions to join our collaborative as a volunteer to research barriers and opportunities of implementing a living building in WNC. As a volunteer, you choose which topic interests you: place, water, energy, health, happiness, materials, equity or beauty.

Aura Home for Women Vets – Asheville

Aura Home is a 501C (3) non-profit, helping homeless women veterans transition from communal living to self-sufficiency. Info: Alyce Knaflich at 771-6979 or aurahomewomenvets.org

• Volunteers are needed for computer tech support in office, volunteer coordinator and working board support.

Aura Home for Women Vets – Hendersonville

Aura Home is a 501C (3) non-profit, helping homeless women veterans transition from communal living to self-sufficiency. Info: Ellen-Gayle at [email protected]

• Volunteer support is needed for property renovation located in Hendersonville. If interested, please submit your contact information,skills, talents, experience, day/weekend/times available.

Big Brothers, Big Sisters of WNC

Helps children thrive through partnerships with trained adult mentors. Info: bbswnc.org or 253-1470

• Big Brothers Big Sisters needs volunteers age 18 and older to share their interests twice a month with a young person from a single-parent home. Suggested activities are free or low-cost, such as sports, local attractions, etc. Men are especially needed! Volunteers are also needed to mentor 1 hour a week in elementary schools and after-school sites.

Brother Wolf Animal Rescue

Provides the resources and life-saving programs to build a No Kill community in Buncombe County. Info: bwar.org or 828-230-2156

• Volunteers needed to help care for animals staying in the adoption center and/or foster animals at home.
• Volunteers needed to assist with fundraisers, adoption events and clerical tasks.

Care Partners FoundationInfo: 828-575-2509, carepartnersfoundation.org/• Come join with other local volunteers and CarePartners Foundation to help raise funding for CarePartners hospice. Opportunities are available at our Hospice Thrift store and Estate Sales Services. Please volunteer or donate today.

Charlie’s Angels Animal Rescue

A shelter and foster network for area cats and dogs based in Fletcher. Info: wncanimalrescue.org or 885-3647.

• Volunteers are needed to foster a dog for 2 to 3 weeks. No costs involved.

Children First CIS of Buncombe County

Provides programs to economically disadvantaged children & families. Info: childrenfirstcisbc.org, [email protected] or 828-620-9091.

• Children thrive when there is a caring adult in their lives. You can be that caring adult and help elementary students succeed in school & after school. Just one hour a week can make a difference in the life of a local child living in poverty. We have opportunities to be a tutor/mentor/role model for local children in need Monday-Friday both during school and after-school hours. This is a great opportunity for retirees and students.

Citizens’ Climate Lobby

The Citizens’ Climate Lobby is a volunteer-driven organization building the political will for congressional action on climate change. We advocate a unique plan to put a slowly increasing fee on fuels that emit carbon pollution and refund the money collected to American families. Info: www.citizensclimatelobby.org/chapters/NC_Asheville 

• Volunteers are needed to help get signatures from businesses, politicians, academics, faith leaders and scientists that asks our legislators to take action on climate or to request a solution (like Carbon Fee & Dividend).
• Volunteers are also needed to write letters to the editor or opinion editorials, give presentations, lobby our legislators as citizens, and work to educate others.
• The Asheville Chapter is looking for volunteers to contact community leaders. If you could spare two hours per week for this important work, please contact Dan at 828-747-9121, [email protected] or Tom at 828-505-1138, [email protected]. Training and all needed resources will be provided.

Disability Partners

Provides a variety of independent living services with the goal of increasing independence and improving quality of life for individuals with disabilities. Info: 298-1977 or disabilitypartners.org

• Volunteers are needed to teach the Basic Computer Skills course. The class is for adults with disabilities and is limited to 6 people. The class must meet two days a month from 12:30p.m.-4 p.m. The two days are the choice of the volunteer, but they need to be consecutive.

Eliada

Eliada’s mission is Helping Children Succeed. Since 1903, Eliada has been doing one thing: Helping Children Succeed! Located on the same piece of ground that our Founder Dr. Lucius Compton purchased, we have spent 114 years caring for children with all types of needs. Info: Joshua Conger-Kallas at [email protected].

• Volunteers with Eliada Homes will assist children and families in the community to succeed through service in our programs. Volunteer opportunities include work with: Leadership Committees, Child Development, Psychiatric Residential Treatment and Level III Day Treatment, Foster Care, Fundraising/Clerical Departments, Recreation & Residential Activities, Student Clubs, Transitional Living and Workforce Development, Facilities & Campus Maintenance, Early Education, Afterschool/Summer Camp, Special Events, Corn Maze and/or the Therapeutic Animal Stewardship Cooperative.

Energy Savers Network

Energy Savers Network(ESN) may be the only organization in western North Carolina that addresses both the local poverty issue while also addressing the global issue of climate change and pollution from energy consumption. ESN is a volunteer driven organization that makes energy saving repairs and upgrades in low-income homes, free of charge to the homeowner. The result is lower energy bills for the homeowner and fewer carbon emissions for the planet. Info: www.energysaversnetwork.com or [email protected].

• Volunteers will spend several hours in a low-income home, learning how to install weather stripping, efficient lighting, weatherized windows, and other energy saving fixes. We also need volunteers for administrative and outreach efforts.

Guardian ad Litem

Helps neglected and abused children have a voice to represent their best interests in court in Henderson, Polk, Transylvania, Rutherford and McDowell counties. Info: 694-4215

• Volunteers needed to track case progress and help children express their wishes in court proceedings. Average case takes 8-15 hours per month commitment. Training provided.

Hall Fletcher Elementary

An Asheville City school located in West Asheville. Info: volunteercorner.wordpress.com or 350-6451

• Volunteers needed to assist teachers, maintain school garden and tutor children in math and reading. Shifts available Mondays through Fridays 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Haywood Regional Medical Center

Haywood Regional Medical Center, a Duke LifePoint Hospital, is located in Haywood County and offers a comprehensive array of services, including orthopedics, spine services, cardiology, general surgery, women’s care, emergency medicine, behavioral health, and includes 12 multi-specialty physician clinics. Info: MyHaywoodRegional.com/Volunteer or 828-452-8301.

• Haywood Regional Medical Center is currently seeking volunteers of all ages for ongoing support at the hospital, outpatient care center and The Homestead. Volunteering for Haywood Regional will offer you an opportunity to utilize your special talents, learn new skills, and make new friends. Volunteers can choose to work include: Emergency Department, Information Desk- Main Lobby, Patient Escort, Library Cart, Outpatient Surgery, The Homestead (Hospice), the Auxiliary Gift Shop or on-site fundraising.

Heart of Horse Sense

Heart Of Horse Sense supports quality, professional Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Learning programs (EAP/EAL) for veterans, active duty service members and their families and for economically disadvantaged children and their families. For more information, email: [email protected] or phone 828-649-7064. Website: heartofhorsesense.org

• Volunteers are needed to help care for animals/farms where EAP/EAL is offered, help at offsite horse events throughout WNC and assist with fundraising events and clerical tasks.

Literacy Council of Buncombe County

Works to increase literacy and English language skills. Info: [email protected] or 254-3442

• Volunteers needed for the Adult Education Program, which teaches basic reading, writing and spelling. Previous teaching experience not required.

• Volunteers needed for the Augustine Program, which works with low-income children reading below grade level. Previous teaching experience not required.

Loving Food Resources

A special needs food pantry providing food and other items to persons living with HIV/AIDS or in hospice with any diagnosis. Info: 255-9282.

• Volunteers needed for stocking, helping clients shop, driving, food box delivery, sorting, graphic design and office assistance. Shifts available Tue.-Fri.: 9am-noon; Sat.:9am-2pm.

Lunch Buddies

Candler, Pisgah and Woodfin Elementary all have a lunch buddy program in which volunteers come once a week to have lunch with a child. Information: Laura Cleaveland, school social worker at 828-779-1240.

• Volunteers need to pass a background check.

MANNA FoodBank

Processes donated food for distribution throughout WNC. Info: mannafoodbank.org or 299-3663.

• Volunteers needed to work in the warehouse. Mon.-Sat. daytime and Tuesday evenings.

My Sister’s Place

Works to end domestic violence and sexual assault and provides safe haven for women and their children. Info: 828-649-2582.

• Volunteers needed to work at the thrift store in Marshall, which supports the organization’s clients. Shifts available Mon.-Fri.: 10am-4pm; Sat.: 10-2pm. Volunteers also needed for internet support, fundraising and light building maintenance.

N.C. Arboretum

Located in the inspirational Southern Appalachian Mountains, The North Carolina Arboretum cultivates connections between people and plants through creative expressions of landscape stewardship. Info: 665-2492.

• Hundreds of volunteers needed in a variety of areas nightly November 18-January 2 from 5:30-10pm. Opportunities available for groups, individuals, families and friends to volunteer indoors and outdoors! Info: ncwinterlights.com

Opportunity House

A cultural center in Hendersonville. Info: opportunityhouse.org or 692-0575.

• Volunteers needed to work in the thrift store and front desk.

Pan Harmonia

Asheville’s own chamber music repertory company. Info: [email protected].

• Volunteers needed throughout our concert season for the following:

Staffing and ushering at a concert
House manager for performances
Outreach coordination support
Brochure and poster distribution
Ticket sales and office help

Pisgah Legal Services

Provides free legal help to people who cannot afford a private attorney. Info: 210-3787 or pisgahlegal.org

• Volunteers needed for the reception area and other administrative areas as needed. Must be 18 years or older to apply.

T.H.E Center for Disordered Eating

T.H.E Center for Disordered Eating, founded in 2004 and located in the heart of Asheville, is a support network for individuals and families, health care providers, educators, and the general public. T.H.E. Center is the only nonprofit in North Carolina serving thousands through community and professional outreach and education, advocacy, resource development and referral, a lending library, and support groups.

• Volunteer needed for administrative assistance or participation on the event committee. Volunteer opportunities are on-going or event based.

The Rathbun Center

Provides free lodging to patients and caregivers staying in Asheville for medical treatment. Info: rathbuncenter.org or 251-0595.

• Volunteers needed to support and register guests. Weekend shifts: noon-3pm; 3-6pm; 6-9pm.

The Community Kitchen

Provides free meals and food boxes to the needy. Info: [email protected] or 648-0014.

• Volunteers needed to help prepare and serve dinner.

WNC AIDS Project

Provides resources and support for AIDS patients and their families. Info: wncap.org or 252-7489.

• Office and clerical volunteers needed for data entry and computer-related tasks during daytime office hours Mon.-Fri.

WENOCA: The Sierra Club of Western North Carolina

To explore, enjoy and protect the planet. To practice and promote the responsible use of the earth’s ecosystems and resources; to educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment; and to use all lawful means to carry out those objectives. Information: [email protected], 828-683-2176

• Volunteers needed for Facebook posts, newsletter articles, kitchen help, transportion help, working booths, etc.

YWCA

Advocates for young women’s leadership and welfare. Info: 254-7206, ext. 219

• Volunteers needed for a variety of tasks in the child care department. A background check, a medical questionnaire, TB screening and a minimum age of 16 are required.