Reading Buddies meet once or twice a week for 30 minutes at a time during the school year (September - April), or during the summer (June) with students who are attending Camp iRock. Reading Buddies provide additional one-on-one time for struggling students. Reading Buddy volunteers must be 18 or older and must pass a SLED and National Sex Offender Registry background check prior to volunteering. Sites and dates varry. Click here to learn more about this opportunity.

Free File volunteers help low-income taxpayers file their taxes for free by serving as a Tax Preparer, Intake Coordinator, Interpreter, Site Coordinator, or a Tax Preparer for Foreign Students at tax sites across Pickens County. This volunteer opportunity takes place January- April each year. United Way provides training and guides volunteers through the IRS Certification process. Click here to learn more about this volunteer opportunity.

Born Learning Trails are placed throughout Pickens County and help engage young children and their caregivers in fun learning opportunities. Volunteers are needed to refresh the trails by repainting the activities on the sidewalks, cleaning off the metal signs, and adding mulch to the base of the signs as needed. This project is best suited for groups of 5-10 people ages 13 (with adult supervision) and up. Materials are provided by United Way.

Throughout the year, there are multiple opportunities to organize collection drives for your group. Examples of items needed include:

• School Supplies
• Socks
• Books
• Food
• Hygiene Kit Items

If you are interested in organizing a drive for your group, fill out the form below and someone from United Way will contact you to discuss the timing and logistics.

Volunteers are needed to help facilitate Empathy in Action- an interactive simulation designed to raise awareness of the lives of people living with substance use disorder, mental health conditions, unstable employment and other similar concerns. Empathy in Action takes place October 29, 1:30-4:00 p.m. at Southern Wesleyan University. A 30 minute virtual training will be provided the week before the event.

Companies can engage employees through volunteer opportunities that benefit the community. Examples of volunteer opportunities include stuffing backpacks; packing literacy, financial literacy or hygiene kits; serving as Reading Buddies; refreshing Born Learning Trails and more. Learn more about Company volunteer opportunities and other ways to engage your workplace in serving the community.