Needs From: Love the 'Ham

Do you love helping out where it's most needed?

Volunteers get to help out with whatever is needed, from filing, cleaning, scanning, and other projects happening at the time. Respond to explore opportunities and lend a helping hand to a valuable asset in our community that provides a global impact. 

After initial training, hours are flexible during library hours Mon-Thur 8am-7pm, Fri 8am-6pm, and Sat 9am-1pm.

Do you love details, organization, and a worthwhile project to invest your time and energy?

Volunteers get to help continue the work of scanning, storing, and organizing records and information for generations to come. 

After initial training, hours are flexible during library hours Mon-Thur 8am-7pm, Fri 8am-6pm, and Sat 9am-1pm.

Does history, searching, investigating, and coming upon clues and treasures thrill you? 

Volunteers get to help research, add to the volumes of records, and share what they’ve learned from requests submitted.

Training provided. 

Prepare supplies for crafts, supervise students during naturalist-led trail walks and supervise students in the exhibit room, read to students, assist students during craft activities, etc.

PAVE's Festivals and Events Action Team is working to make Effingham County more connected in the sense of knowing what's going on throughout the county on any given day. There is already so much going on that they want to highlight those events and better promote the county. The Action Team is also working on their first "Countdown to Christmas" which would be an advent calendar for Effingham County. This idea is in the beginning stages, but Action Team members are excited about a new way to get people out into the community and visit our local shops!

Zoom is always an option.

PAVE's Childcare Action Team utilizes the Childcare Research Committee, which will be folding into this Action Team next month. The Childcare Research Committee has worked with childcare facilities to provide gap scholarships as well as conduct increased capacity programs. This Action Team realizes how large of a concern childcare is in Effingham County as well as the state and nation. If you are interested in joining this Action Team, please reach out! Zoom is always an option.

PAVE's Housing Action Team is currently working to address the housing need in Effingham County. With collaboration from Effingham County, the City of Effingham, and Lake Land College, the Action Team is analyzing housing in the past in order to better prepare for the future. If housing is an interest for you, we'd love to have you on this Action Team! Zoom is always an option.

PAVE's Workforce and Education Action Team is currently working on coordinating with the Effingham Parks District on a summer camp weeks that highlight woodworking and robotics, working with Lake Land College to assess the need for GED and ESL students, and is also working towards a voucher program for interview attire. The Workforce and Education Action Team is one of PAVE's most active groups and is doing great things! This Action Team meets the 2nd Thursday of the month at 10 am. Zoom is always an option.

The Parks & Recreation Action Team is currently supporting the Evergreen Bark Park, the skate park, and the new sports complex. They meet monthly on the first Wednesday of the month at 7:30 am where they discuss projects, fundraising, and other PAVE matters. There is always a Zoom option.

Volunteer position to champion Dementia Awareness in Effingham County - possible opportunities would include speaking to groups and organizations in the community to increase awareness of dementia versus normal aging.  Help caregivers communicate better with people living with dementia and increase awareness of assistance that is available.  Training is provided.  Hours vary.

Activity Level: Low-Moderate

Time Commitment: Drop-in as desired; May-October

Person Power: Age 13-Adult / All Experience Levels

Help keep our grounds beautiful! Volunteers help grow and maintain plants. With staff supervision, prepare planting beds, plant, weed, prune and deadhead, water, and harvest. Training and tools provided.

Activity Level: Moderate-High

Time Commitment: Two visits/month

Person Power: Age 13-Adult / All Experience Levels

Volunteers help carry out annual trail maintenance in late spring and summer to prepare the trails for hikers. The work involves cutting trees that have fallen across the trail and maintaining and improving water diversions to prevent erosion. Great for couples and families. Training, safety gear, and tools provided.

Activity Level: Moderate-High

Time Commitment: As Needed

Person Power: Age 13-Adult / All Experience Levels

Workdays are announced as needed for specific tasks like painting, building, clean-up, etc. Training and tools provided.

Maintenance workers make sure any mechanical devices in the Museum are in working order.

Monitor and maintain trails, construct footbridges and benches, trim trees, mow grass, etc.

All volunteers must complete a Background Check, TB Test, and Physical.

Training is provided.

Are you a natural at software and love working with computers?  Then, work with the Love the 'Ham team by assisting with setting up and managing organizations/agencies' online profiles and needs on the Love the 'Ham platform.  You will work directly with the agency representatives to tailor their profiles and needs to their requirements.

*Agencies requesting assistance will be referred as needed

Do you love social media, photography, reporting, meeting people, and seeing life-change first-hand?  Work with the Love the 'Ham team by promoting and recording success stories of events and organizations' work throughout Effingham County.  You can inspire others to get involved by sharing stories/photos/videos of what's happening and providing updates of our partner agencies.

Often there is need to restore artifacts to their original condition or appearance.

Creates displays and exhibits.

Teach a skill—Whether you have one hour or more, you can share your skills! Teach a one-time workshop or series or start a limited-time special interest club in an area like sailing, knitting, fishing, and more!

Help with Projects—Serve as an advisor or mentor to a 4-H member regarding project work. Help them set goals and create plans to complete their projects!

Share Your Experiences—Become a guest speaker or short-term instructor and share your experiences. Talk about your career path, share your educational path, or share how you got where you are today.

Judge Projects - Serve as a judge for 4-H exhibits, competitions, or performances, providing encouragement and ways to improve.

Use Your Tech Skills! Help develop curriculum or project sheets, help create marketing tools, graphic design, social media, and more. Whatever skills you have, we'd love to put them to use!

Help with Programs - Volunteer at 4-H programs like after-school, summer, camps, or meetings. Help with one meeting or program, or help for a season -- whatever fits your schedule!

Open the Visitor Center, greet visitors, answer the phone, and complete miscellaneous assignments.

Docents are volunteer educators who serve in three distinct capacities: 

Regular hours docent - Special Events docent - Substitute docent

All docents share their knowledge of local heritage.

Greeters provide a friendly welcome to Museum visitors during regular hours or during special events.

Clerical work involves entering data into the computer, especially maintaining membership information.

Supervise rooms during special events.

Volunteers make sure everything is clean and sanitary.

Performs data entry regarding artifacts.

Help with the annual banquet and other fundraising ideas, grant writing, etc.

Serve on a Board! Sit on a local advisory or governing board. Advise on program priorities and growth strategies to help shape the program's future.

Help lead a club - Help make it a great club experience by assisting a leader with organizing meetings, helping to arrange speakers or helping with meeting logistics!

Give the gift of life!

Did you know that every donation has the potential to save three lives? Not only improving the health and well-being of others, blood donation helps you! When you arrive, your blood pressure, pulse, and iron levels are checked, which can help detect potential health issues. Some health risks for conditions such as iron overload, some cancers, and cardiovascular disease are lowered by donating blood. It may also reduce stress and improve your mood. The Red Cross often offers fun incentives for each donation, too.  It's a win-win!

Click RESPOND to have a Red Cross Representative contact you, or view EVENTS for local blood drives near you that align with your schedule.

Assist with food pantry distribution at a variety of locations from 15 minutes to 2 hours away with a 2 hour event. Shift duration is from 2.5 to 6 hours per trip.

Food Pantry Distribution Assistant position may be light duty or physically demanding. 

You  may ride the bus or drive separately.

Food Pantry Hours Monday/Wednesday/Friday 9-11:30 am & 12:30-4 pm

Food Pantry Warehouse position may be light duty or physically demanding. 

Food Pantry Hours Monday/Wednesday/Friday 9-11:30am & 12:30-4pm

Food Pantry Clean-Up is light duty physical position.

Activity Level: Low-Moderate

Time Commitment: As Needed

Person Power: Age 17-Adult / All Experience Levels

As a Volunteer Site Host, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring a positive experience for visitors at our site. Your primary responsibility will be to welcome and assist visitors, provide information about the site, and ensure their safety and comfort upon check-in. Training provided.

Activity Level: High

Time Commitment: Weekly visits

Person Power: Adult / Knowledge of land management

Be the eyes and ears at camp. Take responsibility for monitoring and reporting issues and tackling minor land management issues with guidance from board member(s). Work independently and/or lead a group of volunteers. Training provided.

Activity Level: Low-Moderate

Time Commitment: Occasional; Hourly shifts; Year-Round

Person Power: Age 13-Adult / All Experience Levels

Do you like working with people? Special events require volunteers to serve as greeters, traffic control, activity helpers and more. Training provided.