Explore opportunities to help others

As we count our blessings this Thanksgiving, our thoughts turn to ways we can better help others. The

has compiled this Volunteer Guide, featuring a list of opportunities to help organizations, individuals and families in Georgetown and Williamson County. Browse the list to see where your interests and talents can make a difference and become a volunteer this holiday season and in the coming new year. This list is not comprehensive.

Annunciation Maternity Home 3610 Shell Road 512-866-7755 www.thematernityhome.org

Annunciation Maternity Home provides housing, education and access to health services to young mothers facing an unplanned pregnancy. Volunteer opportunities include fundraising, tutoring, administrative support, event planning and being a life skills instructor.

Assistance League of the Georgetown Area 900 North Austin Avenue 512-864-2542 www.assistanceleague.org/georgetown-area

The Assistance League provides several support programs in central Williamson County, including mentoring and reading to school children, providing refreshments and entertainment at memory care facilities, giving new clothing and shoes to children, gift cards to first-year teachers and college scholarships to qualifying students from Georgetown, Jarrell and Florence ISDs. Volunteers are Assistance League members who can choose from the philanthropic programs and committees that interest them and would benefit from their special skills.

Backpack Buddies 512-818-5123 www.georgetownbackpackbuddies.org

Backpack Buddies pack and deliver packaged food each Friday to food-insecure children to stash in their backpacks and take home for weekend meals. The goal is that the students will come to school on Monday mornings nourished and ready to learn. A typical meal pack includes two breakfasts and two lunches for the weekend — milk, cereal, oatmeal, an entree, canned vegetables, fruit and a snack.

Blue Moon Animal Sanctuary

300 Havelka Road bluemoonanimalsanctuary@gmail.com www.facebook.com/BlueMoonEquineRescue

Blue Moon is a nonprofit organization that rescues and rehabilitates horses, donkeys, miniature horses, pigs, cats and dogs. Most animals were rescued from slaughter. Blue Moon has a fondness for special-needs animals. Volunteers help with animal care and a variety of barnyard chores.

Boys & Girls Club of Georgetown 1100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard 512-868-3700 www.bgctx.org/Georgetown/Georgetown-1bgca The Boys & Girls Club works to enable young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens. It is committed to providing a safe place for youth to learn and grow, offer on-going relationships with caring, adult professionals, and engage in life-enhancing programs and character development experiences. Volunteers can assist in fine arts, crafts, dance, music, computer technology and other childcare and kids’ activities. Homework helpers, tutors and sports enthusiasts are also needed. The times of greatest need are between 3-6 p.m., weekdays. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old.

Brookwood in Georgetown (BIG) 905 N. Church Street 512-943-8430 https://brookwoodingeorgetown.org

BIG is a nonprofit vocational community for adults with special needs. It provides meaningful work, a sense of belonging, dignity and respect for adults with functional disabilities. BIG Citizens are empowered to become artisans, bakers, gardeners, cardmakers and more. As a nonprofit, 100 percent of proceeds return to help create a bright future for adults with special needs. Volunteers can work in the BIG shop or cafe, or do clerical or grounds work. https:// brookwoodingeorgetown.org/volunteer-2/

The Caring Place 2000 Railroad Avenue 512-943-0700 www.caringplacetx.org

The Caring Place provides for basic human needs in the community — food programs; rent, mortgage and utility assistance; clothing, housewares and furniture; medical and transportation assistance; and case management help. The Caring Place offers volunteers over 30 different service options, spread over morning and afternoon shifts Monday through Saturday and a late shift on Thursday night in the store. Volunteer jobs include receptionist, switchboard operator, intake, client advocate, quality assurance, pantry client helper, donation area worker, cashier, merchandisers, pricers and security. Contact the agency to learn how Covid-19 protocols have affected volunteer opportunities.

CASA of Williamson County 2100 Scenic Drive, Ste. 110 512-868-2822 www.casawilco.org

CASA — Court Appointed Special Advocates — work for the welfare of children in the foster care system. CASA volunteers are screened, trained and then appointed by judges to represent and advocate for a child’s best interests. CASA volunteers are the “eyes and ears” for the judge in child welfare cases. This includes researching each child’s situation and making objective recommendations to help them reclaim their childhoods from abuse and neglect. CASA volunteers are frequently the only stable presence in these children’s lives as they navigate the foster care system. Volunteers must be at least 21 years old.

Faith in Action Georgetown P.O. Box 743 Georgetown, Texas, 78627 512-868-9544 www.faithinactiongt.org

Faith in Action helps seniors live independently, even if they are unable to drive. Services offer support through one-on-one rides, the Go-Van-Go program, medical equipment closet or Buddy Program. Volunteer opportunities include transporting seniors to and from appointments, care calling and other assistance throughout the year.

Friends of the Georgetown Public Library 402 West Eighth Street 512-930-3551 www.folgeorgetown.org

Friends of the Georgetown Public Library advocate, raise funds, and provide critical support for the library’s educational programs and enrichment activities. FOL also offers the Hill Country Author Series. Volunteers are needed to staff its bookstore, Second Hand Prose, and for fundraising, communications, art/design and technology efforts.

Georgetown Animal Shelter 110 Walden Drive 512-930-3592 www.pets.georgetown.org

The Georgetown Animal Shelter cares for dogs and cats awaiting adoption by a loving family. Volunteers help as adoption guides, with cat chores and socialization, dog kennel chores, dog walking, fostering, grounds work, offsite adoption events and office help. Volunteers must be 16 or older and pass a background check.

Georgetown ISD Mentors and Volunteers www.georgetownisd.org/Page/16905

Mentors, volunteers, partners, and supporters help Georgetown students be successful. Criminal background checks are required.

Georgetown Parks & Recreation Community Engagement Coordinator Courtney Butler 512-930-3510 Courtney.Butler@georgetown.org

Opportunities to volunteer with Georgetown Parks & Recreation are almost unlimited. Individuals and groups can help on a one-day project or special event or assist on an ongoing basis.

Georgetown Police Department Blue Santa 3500 D.B. Wood Road 512-930-2747 www.bluesanta.georgetown.org

GPD’s Blue Santa provides toys to more than 1,500 children during its annual toy drive and distribution. Each year, the Georgetown Police Department, volunteers and businesses hold special events or set up donation barrels to collect toys. Toys are sorted into age-appropriate categories and special Christmas boxes are filled for families who apply for assistance. Volunteers can help by conducting fundraising drives or toy drives.

The Georgetown Project 2308 Old Airport Road 512-943-0074 www.georgetownproject.org

The Georgetown Project identifies needs and develops resources, relationships and services so that area youth become caring, capable and resilient individuals. The 35plus agencies and organizations involved with The Georgetown Project Collaborative for Children and Youth represent a strong, interconnected service community that maps local resources, identifies needs and gaps in services and networks to fill the gaps for families. Information about volunteer opportunities is available at www.georgetownproject.org/welcome/ volunteer

A Gift of Time

410 East 19th Street 512-489-0610 https://agiftoftimegeorgetown.org

A Gift of Time offers education, community support and social interaction for those with memory loss and their caregivers.

Habitat for Humanity of Williamson County 2108 North Austin Avenue 512-863-4344 www.williamsonhabitat.org

Habitat for Humanity partners with people in the community to help them build or improve a place they can call home. Volunteers can work individually or as a group. Construction experience is not required. Volunteers can also work at Habitat’s Georgetown ReStore.

Handcrafts Unlimited 104 West Eighth Street 512-869-1812 www.handcraftsunlimited.com

Handcrafts Unlimited is an all-volunteer, nonprofit retail store located on the Courthouse Square, featuring handcrafts and stitchery items made by local artists who are 50 years old and older. The store offers needlework items which include quilts, knitted and crocheted pieces; wood creations; ceramics and pottery, jewelry, artistic cards, toys and gifts. Volunteer opportunities — which “feed the creative spirit” according to store manager Kate Challingworth — include sales, consignments, display, hospitality, special events, publicity, bookkeeping and computer work.

Helping Hands of Georgetown 107 Halmar Cove, Ste. 232 512-688-3593 www.helpinghandsgtx.org

Helping Hands works to provide food security and additional social services. In 2020, it launched a mobile food pantry. The organization distributes about 600 brown bag meals and water each week. Volunteers are needed to work both in the office and at the food pantry van.

Laundry Love

www.laundrylovegeorgetown.org

Laundry Love provides free laundry services including money and detergent for the community’s low-income, unemployed and elderly population, or to anyone needing help to wash and dry clothes and bedding at a laundromat. Service is available at Washatopia, 1910 South Austin Avenue, twice monthly — from 4-8 p.m. on the second Tuesday and last Thursday of every month. Volunteers help families load, unload and fold laundry, and start up machines with Laundry Love’s payment cards.

Literacy Council of Williamson County 805 West University Avenue 512-869-0497 www.literacycouncilwilco.org

Literacy Council WILCO is a nonprofit organization serving adults through literacy education. The council provides GED, English as a Second Language, Adult Basic Education and Vocational Training. The Literacy Council relies on 80 to 100 volunteers to help fulfill its mission. Volunteer tutors are needed to teach adults to read, write and speak English. Tutors are also needed to help adults who did not finish high school earn a GED to expand their work options. Volunteers also help in the office, plan special events, write grants, create publicity and serve on the council’s board of directors.

Lone Star Circle of Care 205 East University Avenue, Ste. 200 877-800-5722 www.lscctx.org

Lone Star Circle of Care provides primary health care services for uninsured and underserved patients in Central Texas. Volunteers help with administrative tasks and other assignments.

Meals on Wheels of Williamson and Burnet County—Georgetown Opportunities for Williamson and Burnet Counties (OWBC) 604 High Tech Drive 512-763-1400 www.owbc-tx.org/meals-on-wheels

As the senior nutrition program for Williamson and Burnet Counties, the agency provides consistent and healthy meals to seniors in need each weekday. It offers meals at select OWBC centers, as well as home-delivered meals to those whose mobility is limited. Individuals, groups and businesses are invited to volunteer for meal deliveries.

Miniwonders Equine Therapy 2811 County Road 152 www.miniwonderstexas.org

Miniwonders is a nonprofit organization that provides group or one-on-one therapy- trained miniature horses at nursing homes and assisted living centers, hospitals, hospice facilities or to anyone in need of comfort or company. Volunteers help with barn work, visits and marketing.

Ride On Center for Kids (ROCK) 2050 Rockride Lane 512-930-7625 www.rockride.org

ROCK provides equine-assisted services to children, adults and veterans with physical, cognitive and emotional challenges. Its mission is to improve independence and life skills in partnership with the horse. ROCK is a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International Premier Accredited Center. Volunteer opportunities include sidewalkers, horse handlers, barn maintenance, special events, office assistance and work groups. Volunteer training courses are offered throughout the year and, while horse experience is valued, it is not required.

Salvation Army Williamson County

1930 South Austin Avenue, Ste. 101 512-943-8421 www.salvationarmyaustin.org/williamson- county-service-center

The Williamson County Service Center offers urgently-needed services to adults and children facing the possibility of homelessness in Williamson County. It offers intake and assessment of the needs of men, women and children to provide direct services (e.g., food, rent and utility assistance) and refers qualified individuals to other important social services in the county. It also supports the community through a nursing home ministry, a youth music program, summer day camps and outreach to disadvantaged neighborhoods. Volunteers can assist with Salvation Army events or by ringing a bell at a Salvation Army Red Kettle during the holidays.

St. David’s Hospital Georgetown

2000 Scenic Drive 512-943-3000 https://stdavids.com/locations/st-davids- georgetown-hospital/about/volunteering/ index.dot

Volunteers at St. David’s Hospital Georgetown are asked to commit to a weekly schedule of 3-4 hours per week. Volun teer opportunities for teens and college students are available during summer months. Applications for adult volunteers (30+) are accepted year-round. Volunteer areas include: administrative/clerical, chaplain services, emergency department, laboratory, lobby piano player, medical/ surgical units, outpatient day surgery, rehab, welcome greeter team and women’s services.

Stonehaven Senior Center 1704 Hart Street 512-863-5141 www.thecarecenters.com stonehavencenter@verizon.net

Stonehaven is open to those aged 50 and older. Volunteers provide companionship and entertainment to residents as well as assist with activities hosted by the center.

Sun City Volunteerism

www.suncitycenter.org/visitors/volunteerism. html United Way of Williamson County 1111 North Interstate 35 Frontage Road, Ste. 220 Round Rock 512-255-6719 www.unitedway-wc.org/volunteer

The United Way’s focus is on education, health and financial stability — the building blocks of quality of life. United Way has a wide variety of volunteer opportunities — virtual, individual and small group, and corporate. Check them out online.

Williamson County Brown Santa 508 South Rock Street 512-943-1300 www.wilco.org/brownsanta brownsantawilco@gmail.com

Williamson County Sheriff’s Brown Santa supports children through a general distribution of toys, books and stuffed animals for Christmas. Volunteers help provide a more personal Christmas experience through Adopt-A-Family. AAF reviews situations and assigns families in need to sponsors. The sponsor then engages the family directly to understand the specific needs (toys, clothing, food, etc.), shops for the gifts, wraps gifts (based on family preference) and delivers the gifts to the parents.

Williamson County Medical Reserve Corps 355 Texas Avenue, Round Rock 512-248-3215 www.wcchd.org/about/human_resources/ volunteer.php

Volunteering with the WilcoMRC helps support the Williamson County and Cities Health District by becoming part of a trained team who prepare for and respond to public health emergencies. In times of non-emergency, WilcoMRC volunteers can help with other efforts geared toward promoting the importance of good health, nutrition, safety and personal preparedness.

Williamson County Parks Department 512-943-1920 www.wilco.org/parks

The Williamson County Parks Department volunteer and park host opportunities at most County parks. Opportunities are abundant and can vary from one-time service type projects to larger more long term endeavors. Opportunities include visitor services and administrative support; landscaping, tree and other vegetation control and maintenance; erosion control projects; facility cleaning and litter collection; guided hikes; light carpentry projects; and trail maintenance. ContactParksvolunteer@ wilco.org.

Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter 1855 SE Inner Loop 512-943-3322 www.pets.wilco.org

The Wilco animal shelter cares for dogs and cats awaiting adoption by a loving family. Its mission is to provide a safe haven with compassionate and humane treatment for the lost and unwanted pets in Williamson County. Volunteers are needed to foster animals, walk and socialize dogs, socialize cats, clean, work offsite events, do laundry and administrative tasks, help with photography and video of shelter animals, and much more. One-time volunteer opportunities for community, school, church and other groups are also available.