JustServe Matches Would-be Volunteers with Nonprofits

The Quad City area has several organizations that work to serve others and strengthen our community, and all can use more volunteers. If you are looking for a way to become more involved in the community, you’ll be glad to know there’s a website designed to match volunteers with nonprofit organizations in the Quad City area: www.JustServe.org. 
When you visit the site you’ll find a wide variety of volunteer opportunities, one or more of which may be just right for you, your family, church group, company or other organization. When you get to the home page simply type in the name of your town, hit enter and information on groups needing volunteers will fill your screen. And, you can even select a mile-radius function allowing you to zero in or expand your search to best fit your personal needs. 
The site is hosted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but is nondenominational, and it posts volunteer opportunities without regard to religious affiliation. Its purpose is to help people find a volunteer opportunity that fits their time, talent and personal interests, and for nonprofits to find volunteers. 
Pam and Gary Wendell are a husband-and-wife team living in Prescott who volunteer their time to network within the community and help organizations post their volunteer opportunities. They strive to keep the site up to date and ensure it features a variety of service opportunities.
Gary says while most organizations are looking for people to volunteer for “ongoing” positions or do something on a regular basis over several months, the site also provides information on one-time events. 
For example, the Wendells say one project they are excited about is the Quad City Interfaith Council’s 2nd annual Prescott Parks Clean-up Day of Service. The event is scheduled for July 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., appeals to people of any age, and is especially appropriate for families. Registration is at Granite Creek Park. The event, expected to attract 250 volunteers, will clean up that park and also paint metal rails at the Mike Fann Skate Park and adjacent soccer field. A barbecue luncheon and community celebration will close out the event. 
Another way JustServe is proving useful is in helping companies find opportunities to work on service projects as a team-building exercise. Many of the organizations listed on the website would benefit from a group of employees who came out together to support a major one-day project, or better yet, companies often “adopt” a nonprofit and work with the organization on an ongoing basis. 
The Wendells are eager to meet with nonprofit organizations to explain the program, discuss their volunteer needs and post them on the site. The program is free, but the site is not to be used for fundraising or to support political candidates. The Wendells can be contacted at: gary.pam.wendell@gmail.com or at 928-458-5715.
Volunteering is a wonderful way to serve others and make new friends. Here’s hoping you can find an opportunity that is just right for you on JustServe.org.