Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful401 E Jackson Ave., Suite 1825 Tampa, FL 33602(813) 221-8733   If imagining litter from the Gasparilla Pirate Festival makes you say, “Argh!” in frustration, Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful would love to have you on its cleanup crew. Formed in 1989, this volunteer organization is the local affiliate of Keep America Beautiful. It organizes local efforts of the International Coastal Cleanup, the Hillsborough River and Waterways Cleanup, and other beautification programs in neighborhoods. It also focuses on litter prevention, recycling awareness, and environmental stewardship …

Easter Seals Florida2403 E. Henry Ave. Tampa, FL 33610(813) 988-7633 If you’re already in the holiday spirit, Easter Seals Florida in the Tampa Bay area needs help at a fund-raiser later this week and throughout December. This nonprofit organization serves Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Polk counties, providing early intervention and therapeutic services for children with disabilities and special needs. Its programs include child-development centers, pediatric therapy, speech and communication therapy, and inclusive child-care. From Nov. 11 to 13, Easter Seals Florida needs helpers who are…

Animal Based Charities, Inc.4340 S. Manhattan Ave.Tampa, FL 33611(813) 380-5674E-mail: admin@animalbasedcharities.org If you love animals and bargains, consider helping out at the south Tampa thrift store benefiting Animal Based Charities, Inc. (ABC). ABC is a not-for-profit corporation that supports animal-rescue groups with fund-raising, adoption events and media awareness, its Web site says. It also provides people in need with food for their pets. The organization’s thrift store at 4340 S. Manhattan Ave. receives donations of clothing and household goods daily that need to be sorted, …

Hillsborough Education Foundation 2306 N. Howard Ave.Tampa, FL 33607(813) 574-0287 If you would like to be a champion for the county’s public schools -- or just mentor a struggling student -- the Hillsborough Education Foundation has several roles you can fill. Established in 1988, the foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that helps garner private funding for the county’s public schools that typically is more flexible than tax dollars, its Web site says. This money (roughly about $5 million per year) provides extra resources for students and teachers. But the foundation’s …

Best Buddies Tampa4302 Henderson Blvd. Suite 104Tampa, FL 33629813-254-9025 Best Buddies International is a nonprofit organization that provides a network of “buddies” matched to disabled children and adults who could use help developing the social skills and independence to succeed in school and on the job. Its Tampa office is hosting a volunteer workshop on Oct. 11 from 5:30pm to 6:30pm that is open to the public, according to Volunteer Match. The office specifically needs people to help register and supervise participants at upcoming events, as well as assist with the set-up and breakdown …

Redemption Song Inc.Mail Only: P.O. Box 101637, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33310Main Office: 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa, FL 33602(813) 384-8103E-mail: redemsong@gmail.com Redemption Song Inc. is a nonprofit organization that assists at-risk youths and their families through projects involving music and artistry -- for instance, matching a music producer with a gifted child to learn how mathematics is connected to music.  But even if you think you have a tin ear, the group could use your help in several ways. According to a posting on VolunteerMatch.org, the organization needs volunteers to work …

American Cancer Society - Greater Tampa Unit12810 USF Magnolia DriveTampa, FL 33629Contact: Sarabeth Smith(813) 254-3630 or (800) 227-2345 Undergoing treatment for cancer can be physically and emotionally draining -- for patients as well as their loved ones. That’s why the American Cancer Society wants friendly people to help guide them toward its resources. This community-based health organization seeks volunteers in several capacities: * Community Outreach Volunteers: These helpers visit local hospitals and doctors’ offices with information about free programs and services for cancer …

St. Joseph's Hospital Auxiliary3001 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.Tampa, FL 33607(813) 870-4189 If you are an energetic adult with good people skills and perhaps some retail experience, consider joining the St. Joseph's Hospital Auxiliary. The hospital’s volunteers provide assistance to staff and extra TLC to patients, their families, and visitors. According to the hospital’s Web site and Volunteer Match, the hospital currently needs volunteers in three areas: Patient Escorts: They greet patients and visitors; expedite admissions; escort patients to hospital rooms and other areas as …

Trinity Café1603 N. Florida Ave. Tampa, FL 33679 (813) 865-4822 If you have a warm heart and a desire to serve smiles and hot lunches to those in need, Trinity Café would be happy to meet you. This non-denominational, not-for-profit restaurant is located inside the Salvation Army building at 1603 N. Florida Ave. Although its customers are the homeless and hungry, the café is not a soup kitchen. Five days a week, volunteers greet guests and seat them at tables decorated with tablecloths, floral arrangements, silverware and dishes. Volunteers also fill the diners’ breadbaskets and beverage …

Glazer Children’s Museum110 W. Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa, FL813-443-3815 If you love being around children -- or are a kid at heart -- the Glazer Children’s Museum could use your help. The museum, which opened in 2010, boasts more than 170 exhibits designed to spark the imaginations of children ages 10 and younger. Volunteers greet and interact with visitors, giving directions, answering questions -- and monitoring the lobby for unescorted children. They also act as “Play Pals,” assisting educational staff with preparing activities such as arts and crafts, engaging children during …

SERVE - Volunteers in Education3111 Tampa Bay Blvd.Tampa, FL 33607Phone (813) 872-5254Fax  (813) 673-4577 If you want to share your life experiences with students, serve as a motivator or role model, or help students learn basic math and language skills, SERVE might have an assignment for you. SERVE - Volunteers in Education is the volunteer arm of the Hillsborough County School District. Founded in 1969, this nonprofit organization assists local schools by providing volunteers to help stimulate and enhance the curriculum, its Web site says. For the current school year, SERVE is seeking …

The Arthritis Foundation - Tampa Office3816 W. Linebaugh Ave., Ste. 303 Tampa, FL 33618(813) 968-7000Volunteer Contact: Melissa Hughey The Tampa office of the Arthritis Foundation needs behind-the-scenes help for its 5K Jingle Bell Run/Walk later this year. This not-for-profit’s mission is to provide public-health education, pursue public policy and legislation, and conduct programs that improve the quality of life for those living with arthritis, the most common cause of disability. It also assists people with similar conditions. Its Jingle Bell Runs/Walks nationwide in November and December…

American Red Cross - Tampa Bay Chapter3310 W. Main St.Tampa, FL 33607(813) 348-4820 ext. 7645 or 7622 E-mail: brownm@usa.redcross.org The Tampa Bay chapter of the American Red Cross needs people interested in assisting others after disasters such as fires, floods -- and hurricanes. This humanitarian organization is looking for people who can remain calm under pressure as they shepherd others through perhaps one of the worst times of their lives. It’s also seeking clerical and administrative help at its Tampa office, the organization’s Web site says. All volunteers must be at least 18 years …

The Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI)4801 E. Fowler Ave.Tampa, FL 33617(813) 987-6370 If you like butterflies, high-wire bikes, and knowing how things work, the Museum of Science and Industry has several slots for enthusiastic and curious volunteers. With three floors of interactive exhibits, MOSI is the largest science center in the South. It also houses a planetarium and the state’s only IMAX Dome Theatre. Volunteers enhance the museum’s experience by providing demonstrations and in-depth information. For instance, volunteers are needed in the Bioworks/Butterfly Garden from 9am to 5pm …

Woman to WomanGulf Coast Jewish Family & Community Services15402 N. Nebraska Ave., Suite 200Lutz, FL 33549(813) 558-1370 If you would like to guide a pregnant teen or a teenage mother through adjusting to parenthood so she can complete high school, consider volunteering with the Woman-to-Woman program. Woman-to-Woman is a program of Gulf Coast Jewish Family & Community Services, which serves the community’s needy and vulnerable, regardless of religion, the agency’s Web site says. It links mentors with teenage mothers and pregnant teens at risk for academic failure and repeat pregnancies. The …

H.O.P.E. Learning Center2902 E. Lake Ave.Tampa, FL 33610(813) 231-9177 or (813) 443-4873 If you want to help people learn computer programs, search for jobs online, or access other information on the Web, consider volunteering with H.O.P.E. Learning Center. H.O.P.E. stands for Helping Our People Excel, a mission that stretches from children to the elderly. According to its Web site, the learning center is affiliated with Bible Truth Ministries International, the College Hill Chess and Checker Club, Brain Expansions Scholastic Training, and All Sports Community Service Foundation. The common …

Guardian Ad Litem ProgramThirteenth Judicial Circuit700 E. Twiggs St., Suite 750Tampa, FL 33602813-272-5110 If your heart aches over stories about abused and neglected children and you’d like to give them a voice, consider becoming a Guardian ad Litem. Volunteers in the Guardian Ad Litem program speak in court on behalf of abused, abandoned, and neglected children. They work to ensure each child finds a safe and permanent home and make independent recommendations based on each child’s physical safety and emotional needs. Any court case in which a child is under the supervision of the …

Bay Area Youth Services14902 Winding Creek CourtSuite 102-CTampa, FL 33613(813) 961-7975 If you’re interested in tutoring young people who could use a positive influence -- or assisting others trying to make a difference in their lives -- Bay Area Youth Services would like to speak with you. Since 1982, Bay Area Youth Services has provided youth and family services throughout West Central Florida with the objective of increasing the potential of young people and improving their quality of life. This nonprofit corporation has been responsible for an array of delinquency-prevention, diversion, …

Girl Scouts of West Central FloridaTampa Resource Center5002 W. Lemon StreetP.O. Box 18066Tampa, FL 33679-8066Volunteer contact: Kristie Wiley, (813) 262-1765 (Mon to Thurs, 9am to 5pm)e-mail: volunteer@gswcf.org If you would like to share your appreciation of nature and act as a mentor to young girls, the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida is seeking women and men to volunteer as troop leaders. Scouting helps girls develop their individual potential on several levels, from relating to others to providing the foundation for sound decision-making and leadership skills. Troop leaders are …

Project Return304 W. Waters Ave. Tampa, FL 33604 (813) 933-9020e-mail: information@projectreturn.org Project Return’s mission is to help people coping with mental illnesses live productive and fulfilling lives by providing them with educational, vocational and housing services. These services include not only classes but also social activities. The organization needs assistance in several capacities. You can share your hobbies and interests as a guest speaker or volunteer as a teacher, assist with special events, or serve on a committee. If you’re involved with a business, the organization …