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Volunteer Opportunity: Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful

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.

Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful 401 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 and education. This year the organization is partnering with the City of Tampa and Pepin Distributing Company to help “green up” Gasparilla, scheduled…

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Volunteer Opportunity: The Make-A-Wish Foundation

The Make-A-Wish Foundation needs extra help at the Hyde Park Village Tree Lighting next week, as well as in other capacities.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation needs extra help at the Hyde Park Village Tree Lighting next week, as well as in other capacities. Since 1980, this charity has worked to grant the heartfelt wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions through trips, special events, and fund-raisers. Its Web site says it now has a network of nearly 25,000 volunteers reaching about 250,000 children around the world. The Suncoast-Tampa Office, located at 324 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Suite 203, currently seeks 45 volunteers of all ages to help out at the Hyde Park Village Tree Lighting on Nov. 25. Volunteers are needed both to set up for the event at 1621 W. Snow Circle from 3:30pm to 4:30pm and clean up from 8:15pm to 9pm. In addition, from 4:45pm to …

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Volunteer Opportunity: Easter Seals Florida

If you’re already in the holiday spirit, Easter Seals Florida needs help at a fund-raiser later this week and throughout December.

Easter Seals Florida 2403 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 at least 18 years old to sign up people for and work at the Magical Night of Giving fund-raiser at WestShore Plaza. For the Nov. 13 event, …

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Volunteer Opportunity: Animal Based Charities, Inc.

If you love animals and bargains, consider helping out at the south Tampa thrift store benefiting Animal Based Charities, Inc.

Animal Based Charities, Inc. 4340 S. Manhattan Ave. Tampa, FL 33611 (813) 380-5674 E-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, priced, and put out for sale. Proceeds from the thrift store assist pet-rescue groups in central Florida and the Bay area with food and supplies, as …

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Volunteer Opportunity: The Hillsborough Education Foundation

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.

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 investment in schools isn’t merely financial. It also provides mentors and tutors to scholarship recipients and struggling students, helping them to set …

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Volunteer Opportunity: Best Buddies

The local office of this international organization that pairs disabled children and adults with supportive "buddies" is hosting a volunteer workshop on Oct. 11.

Best Buddies Tampa 4302 Henderson Blvd. Suite 104 Tampa, FL 33629 813-254-9025 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 processes. It also could use someone with graphic-design experience to create logos for these events. But that’s not all: The organization always …

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Volunteer Opportunity: Redemption Song Inc.

This organization with music and artistry at its heart needs help with its fund-raising -- and can help local families in need earn money too.

Redemption Song Inc. Mail Only: P.O. Box 101637, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33310 Main Office: 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa, FL 33602 (813) 384-8103 E-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 the concession stands at Raymond James Stadium, the St. Pete Times Forum, and Tropicana Field. What’s more, if you’re part of a family with children…

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Volunteer Opportunity: American Cancer Society

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 those in need toward its resources.

American Cancer Society - Greater Tampa Unit 12810 USF Magnolia Drive Tampa, FL 33629 Contact: 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 patients and their families. They do not provide any medical advice. Rather, they can answer questions and register patients and families for resources …

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Volunteer Opportunity: St. Joseph's Hospital Auxiliary

If you are an energetic adult with good people skills and perhaps some retail experience, consider joining the St. Joseph's Hospital Auxiliary.

St. Joseph's Hospital Auxiliary 3001 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: All hospital volunteers receive an orientation, free parking in designated areas, discounted meal tickets and a discount at the gift shop. Volunteers must purchase a special hospital uniform, but they also receive free flu shots and a free TB test, as well as invitations to …

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Volunteer Opportunity: Trinity Cafe

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.

Trinity Café 1603 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 glasses while serving the meals a five-star chef has prepared. The café serves lunch Monday through Friday from 11am to 1:15pm to roughly 200 guests. …

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