Help out Cedar Park and Leander communities in a number of ways throughout the year by volunteering with local nonprofit groups.


Here are 26 ways to give back.




Key: A, application required; U, under age 18 allowed; BC, background check; O, orientation.



BETTER THE CITIES

1. Habitat for Humanity of Williamson County


Teams build homes for local low-income families. Volunteers assist in construction, office administration and customer service. They also handle donations at the thrift store for building materials called ReStore. Volunteers should contact [email protected].

Sample activities: various construction and renovation projects, landscaping, administrative work

2108 N. Austin Ave., Georgetown

512-863-4344

www.williamsonhabitat.org

[<18, O]

2. Hill Country Community Ministries

The nonprofit that provides food and clothing for people in crisis or poverty in southwest Williamson and northwest Travis counties. More volunteers are needed to sort food during the holidays.

Sample activities: sort food, sort clothes, pick up food at stores, serve
as caseworkers

1005 Lacy Drive, Leander

512-259-0360

www.hccm.org

[A, BC, <18]
3. Hope Alliance


Hope Alliance assists victims of family and sexual violence by providing support through services, shelter, healing, prevention and a variety of programs.


Sample activities: administrative help, work with survivors, join a committee, answer hotlines, help at the shelter

1011 Gattis School Road, Ste. 110, Round Rock

512-255-1212

www.hopealliancetx.org

[A, BC, O]
4. Meals on Wheels Central Texas


Volunteers deliver meals and offer safety checks, home repair, pet care and other services to older adults and people with disabilities in the community. Volunteers are in great demand for deliveries during the holiday season. Volunteers
under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.


Sample activities: delivering meals, preparing meals, provide technology training to seniors, pet food delivery

3227 E. Fifth St., Austin

512-476-6325

www.mealsonwheelscentraltexas.org

[A, BC, O]
5. Operation Liberty Hill


Operation Liberty Hill is a nonprofit that operates out of Leander and serves Leander, Liberty Hill, Bertram and Briggs. It provides food, clothing and essential household items free of charge to those in need and operates a food pantry and thrift store. OLH is in need of volunteers to help sort and stock food items. Volunteers need to be over 17 or have an accompanying parent. They must pass a background check. Ema
il [email protected] or call for more information.

Sample activities: donation sorting, electronics testing, thrift store help, assembling food orders, front desk check-in, garden/yard work.

1401 N. Hwy 183, Leander

512-778-4175 (thrift store),

512-778-5077 (food pantry)

https://operationlh.org

[A, <18, BC, O]
6. Opportunities for Williamson & Burnet Counties


The nonprofit serves Leander, Cedar Park and Liberty Hill. The organization offers Meals on Wheels, community services and Head Start programs to members of the community, and volunteers are needed for various programs year-round.

Sample activities: drive meals to homebound residents, prepare meals, Head Start classroom volunteers

351 N. Bagdad Road, Leander

512-259-0288

www.owbc-tx.org

[A, BC, O]
7. Reveal Resource Center


Reveal Resource Center is a nonprofit dedicated to feeding families. The organization accepts canned food, clothing, monetary donations and volunteers to work on Mondays and Tuesdays. Donations can be made from 9 a.m.-noon on Mondays and Tuesdays and from 6:30-8 p.m. on Mondays. Those are the times that volunteers are needed as well.

Sample activities: sorting and distribution of food and clothing, bilingual speakers, prayer part

1150 S. Bell Blvd., Cedar Park

512-981-7721

www.revealresourcecenter.com

[A, <18]
8. The Salvation Army in Williamson County


The Salvation Army trains volunteers in disaster aid and other classes. The volunteers travel across Texas and around the country during times of disaster to provide food, hydration and comfort to victims and first responders. Volunteers may also ring red kettle bells as needed. Volunteers for non-disaster situations are asked to use the website.

Equipment is located in Georgetown and Liberty Hill.

Sample activities: first aid, distribute food and aid, endure difficult situations to help victims

512-818-4661

http://salvationarmyaustin.org/williamson-county-service-center

[A, BC, O]
9. United Way of Williamson County


The United Way focuses on improving individuals’ education, income, health and basic needs in Georgetown, Hutto, Leander and Taylor through a variety of endeavors.

Sample activities: training, MLK Day volunteers, service projects, tax preparation assistance

1111 N. I-35, Ste. 220, Round Rock

512-255-6799

www.unitedway-wc.org
[A, <18, BC, O]



HELP ANIMALS

10. The Dog Alliance


The nonprofit provides service dog placements for adults with challenges; Bow Wow Reading Dogs for at-risk readers; and therapy dog teams for hospitals, nursing homes and those dealing with post-traumatic stress. Volunteers can train to work with their own dog in a therapy setting or work with service dogs. Volunteers should be age 16 and older. Anyone wishing to volunteer should visit the website.

Sample activities: volunteer with dogs at hundreds of locations, raise service dog puppies, join Garden Club

1321 W. New Hope Drive, Cedar Park

512-335-7100

www.thedogalliance.org

[A, <18, BC, O]
11. Equine Rehabilitation Central Texas


The center provides opportunities for volunteers to participate in its therapeutic horseback riding program, Hopeful Hearts Therapeutic Riding. Hopeful Hearts serves individuals with disabilities as well as veterans and their families. New volunteer orientation is provided monthly to teach horse-handling and side-walking. For more information on how to volunteer, email [email protected] or call the number below.

Sample activities: help care for horses, maintain property, assist children with riding

17000 Trails End Cove, Leander

512-484-8480

www.horseserct.org

[A, <18, BC, O]
12. Texas Humane Heroes


The nonprofit's mission is to eliminate pet homelessness. The organization travels across Texas to rescue at-risk animals from overcrowded municipal shelters. Texas Humane Heroes brings animals for adoption to PetSmart locations on the weekends and needs volunteers to help. Volunteers under age 16 must come with a registered adult volunteer that is at least 18. Volunteers pay a $20 registration fee and complete orientation.

Sample activities: dog and cat care, help in the clinic, administrative duties

10930 E. Crystal Falls Parkway, Leander

512-260-3602

www.humaneheroes.org

[A, <18, O]
13. Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter


The shelter provides care for homeless animals and helps community members find pets for adoption. Volunteers are needed to support the staff. Volunteers must be age 12 or older. Those ages 12-15 must be accompanied by a guardian age 21 or older who is also a volunteer. Those interested must complete an application, orientation and training to join the team.

Sample activities: socializing animals, assisting with cleaning, working at fundraising and off-site events, office work, assisting customers at the shelter

1855 SE Inner Loop, Georgetown

512-943-3322

http://pets.wilco.org

[A, <18, BC, O]

CARE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

14. Baker Sanctuary


The 715-acre preserve operated by Travis Audubon Society offers volunteer opportunities. People interested in volunteering can email [email protected] or call. Work days are scheduled every month.

Sample activities: bird survey and assessments, mulching plants, hauling brush, building trails, installing new plants

12308 Lime Creek Road, Leander

512-219-8425

https://travisaudubon.org/sanctuaries/baker-sanctuary
[A, <18, O]




Empower Children

15. Bags of Hope Ministry

Volunteers create handmade bags filled with toiletries and other items for girls ages 12-17 entering New Life Children’s Center, a rehabilitation center for girls who have been abused.

Sample activities: volunteers help by sewing bags, decorating notebooks, donating toiletries and making monetary donations

[email protected]

P.O. Box 140767, Austin

www.bagsofhopeministry.com


16. CASA of Travis County

The organization encourages people to volunteer as advocates in the court system for children who have been abused or neglected.

Sample activities: volunteers spend time with the children they serve, participate in case meetings, review documents, write court reports and present to the judge in a child’s best interest

7600 Chevy Chase Drive, Ste. 200,

Austin

512-459-2272

www.casatravis.org/volunteer

[A, BC, O]

17. CASA of Williamson County

The organization provides trained, court-appointed volunteers who advocate for abused or neglected children on their journey through the foster care system. Volunteers serve an 18-month commitment.

Sample activities: volunteers advocate for the best interest of the children they serve, prepare court reports, coordinate with people on the child welfare team and attend court

2100 Scenic Drive, Ste. 110,

Georgetown

512-868-2822

www.casawilco.org

[A, BC, O]

18. Leander ISD Educational Excellence Foundation

The organization funds innovative teaching projects and professional development opportunities in LISD.

Sample activities: volunteers serve the community as board members or as volunteers in any of its events such as the MUDstacle & Family Fun Run and programs that support early childhood literacy and building a college- and career-ready culture among LISD students

P.O. Box 218, Leander

512-570-0027

www.leeftx.org

[A, <18, BC]

19. Reset Mentoring

The organization provides services to at-risk youth in and out of the juvenile justice system. The organization’s programs are shown to reduce recidivism rates and include mentoring, Bible studies, life skills classes and teen center activities.

Sample activities: volunteers can mentor, cook meals, assist with yearly outreach programs,

provide rides or teach life skills classes

P.O. Box 914, Leander

512-761-7217

www.resetmentoring.org

20. Williamson County Children’s Advocacy Center

The organization provides assistance to abused children; non-offending family members; and the professionals dedicated to the intervention, investigation, prosecution and treatment options related to child abuse cases.

Sample activities: volunteers are needed for a variety of tasks; volunteers must be age 21 and older

1811 SE Inner Loop, Georgetown

512-943-3701

www.wilcocac.org

Serve seniors

21. AGE of Central Texas

The organization aids older adults living with dementia and other early memory-loss conditions in the Greater Round Rock community.

Sample activities: volunteers provide care and assist in programs

475 Round Rock West Drive, Ste. 120, Round Rock

512-255-4865

www.ageofcentraltx.org

[A, U]

22. Drive a Senior-Northwest

The organization serves Northwest Austin, Cedar Park and Leander. The program assists older adults in maintaining their quality of life and independence.

Sample activities: volunteers drive older adults where they need to go, do home repairs and provide companionship to the elderly

10633 Lake Creek Parkway, Austin

512-250-5021

www.driveaseniornorthwest.org

[O]

23. Family Eldercare

Family Eldercare provides in-home care for elderly citizens who are in need of assistance.

Sample activities: volunteer opportunities include administrative tasks, helping clients to manage bills and finances, advocacy and more

805 W. University Ave., Georgetown

512-450-0844

www.familyeldercare.org

[O]




Support health and wellness


24. Kindred Hospice

The organization works with end-of-life patients in Burnet, Llano and Williamson counties.

Sample activities: volunteers work with patients and fill administrative needs

2913 Williams Drive, Ste. 320, Georgetown

512-868-0505

www.kindredhospice.com

25. Lone Star Circle of Care

The organization provides primary health care services throughout five counties in Central Texas.

Sample activities: volunteers do administrative tasks and other assignments

205 E. University Ave., Ste. 200, Georgetown

512-686-0207

www.lonestarcares.org

26. Samaritan Health Ministries

The clinic serves uninsured families.

Sample activities: volunteer opportunities are available inside and outside of the clinic; examples include administrative and office support, Spanish interpreters, medical volunteers, physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, medical assistants, pharmacists, registered nurses and licensed vocational nurses

700 W. Whitestone Blvd., Ste. A, Cedar Park

512-331-5828

www.theshm.org