AWARE (Always Wanted A Riding Experience) Inc. provides therapeutic horseback riding for children and adults with special needs. Therapeutic riding benefits the body, mind and spirit. Volunteers are needed to help groom and care for horses. Volunteers are also sought to lead horses during sessions.

1708 Centerpoint Road, San Marcos | 512-754-6773 | www.awaresmtx.org

Bobcat Build is a service event created as a way to better the relationship between Texas State University and its surrounding communities through volunteerism and service. Thousands of students volunteer at more than 250 job sites every spring. This year’s event takes place April 2. The organization begins accepting work requests in January.

601 University Drive, San Marcos | 512-245-4245 www.bobcatbuild.txstate.edu | Twitter: @bobcatbuild

CASA of Central Texas advocates for abused and neglected children in the court system by recruiting, training and supporting community volunteers. A CASA volunteer is appointed by a judge to be an independent voice for a child both inside and outside the courtroom.

111 E. San Antonio St., San Marcos | 512-392-3578 www.casacentex.org | Twitter: @casacentex

Volunteer opportunities abound for individuals of all ages at Central Texas Medical Center. From the auxiliary and hospice to junior volunteers, internships and residencies, volunteerism extends CTMC’s healing ministry every day.

1301 Wonder World Drive,San Marcos | 512-753-3685 (volunteer coordinator) 512-754-6159 (hospice) | www.ctmc.org  | Twitter: @ctmc_sanmarcos

The Central Texas Wing of the Commemorative Air Force is dedicated to educating the public about World War II through the display of restored aircraft and vehicles from the era. The wing houses 12 aircraft, a museum and library with historic artifacts. Volunteers receive training in restoration and maintenance and can fly in historic aircraft.

1841 Airport Drive, Bldg. #2249, San Marcos 512-396-1943 | www.cafcentex.com

Circle of Living Hope is a child- placing agency in Central Texas that is licensed by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. The organization recruits, trains and verifies foster families to provide family-based therapeutic care to abused and neglected children ranging in age from birth to 21 years of age. The organization is seeking volunteers to perform light clerical and filing work and provide childcare during training sessions.

1216 Estival Drive, Kyle | 512-216-9615 www.colh.org | Twitter: @colh_inc

Daughters of the Republic of Texas is a statewide nonprofit organization whose members descend from those living in Texas prior to 1846. The local Moon-McGehee Chapter promotes the education and preservation of Texas history. The organization is looking for new volunteers who qualify for membership to help with the research involved with finding ancestors’ graves.

512-667-7778 | 512-353-8734 www.sanmarcosdrt.org

Dick’s Classic Garage is dedicated to the preservation and display of classic cars. Volunteers are needed to dust cars on the showroom floor and to walk the floor answering guests’ questions.

120 Stagecoach Trail, San Marcos| 512-878-2406 | www.dicksclassicgarage.com

Dream of Hopes Ranch provides job and life skills training, after-school care and respite care for children and adults with special needs. Program Manager Laura Stock said the organization is seeking volunteers to help organize and staff camps and fundraisers, maintain landscaping at the nonprofit’s facility, care for animals and assist with adult care during the day.

16250 Oak Grove Road, Buda | 512-791-0160 www.dreamofhopesranch.org

Habitat for Humanity San Marcos is an all-volunteer affiliate of Habitat International. The organization is looking for those with experience in construction to help at worksites. Volunteers with book-keeping and loan management experience are also needed to serve on the board of directors.

P.O. Box 1594, San Marcos 512-754-8142 | www.habitatforhumanitysanmarcos.org

Hands of Hope provides education in subjects including math, English and Bible study as well as career-readiness training for women of all ages in Hays County. Volunteers can help teach classes, provide child care and serve meals.

325 W. McCarty Lane, San Marcos | 512-618-0723 www.handsofhopesanmarcos.org

The purpose of the Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center is to create an environment in which violence and abuse are not tolerated in the communities we serve. The center will provide emergency shelter, education, violence-prevention services and crisis intervention to victims of family violence, dating violence, sexual assault and child abuse.

P.O. Box 234, San Marcos | 512-396-3404 www.hcwc.org | [email protected]

Hays County 4-H focuses on developing youth to reach their fullest potential. Hays County 4-H includes nine 4-H clubs and a variety of school and community programs. Volunteers serve as project leaders, activity coordinators and judges.

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service-Hays County, 1253 Civic Center Loop, San Marcos 512-393-2120 | www.hays4-h.blogspot.com

The Hays County Food Bank is a nonprofit organization committed to providing food to underprivileged families and individuals in the Greater Hays County area. Volunteer opportunities include warehouse, distribution and front office/client services as well as special projects and events.

220 Herndon St., San Marcos | 512-392-8300 www.haysfoodbank.org | Twitter: @haysfoodbank

The Hays YMCA Branch is part of the YMCA of Austin family. Hays YMCA is committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all members and guests. The Y builds programs for youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Volunteer opportunities include coaching and officiating youth sports as well as planning programs and events.

465 Buda Sportsplex Drive, Buda | 512-523-0099 www.austinymca.org | Twitter: @ymcaaustinhays

Keep San Marcos Beautiful strives to educate and engage San Marcos residents and visitors to take responsibility for improving the community environment. The organization focuses on litter prevention, waste reduction and beautification. Volunteer programs include adopt-a-spot, community beautification events and educational outreach.

630 E. Hopkins St., San Marcos 512-393-8407 | www.sanmarcostx.gov

Kyle Fire Department is composed of volunteer and paid firefighters. The department responds to more than 3,600 calls for service per year in Hays County Emergency Services District No. 5. KFD recruits new volunteers several times each year.

210 W. Moore St., Kyle | 512-268-3131 www.kylefire.com | Twitter: @kylefd

PALS (Prevent a Litter) has been helping people and their pets for more than 20 years in Hays County. Volunteer opportunities include fostering kittens and nursing mother cats for four- to eight-week assignments, feeding feral colonies, grant writing, bookkeeping and information technology assistance.

P.O. Box 401, San Marcos www.preventalitter.com | [email protected]

PAWS Shelter of Central Texas is a nonprofit, no-kill animal shelter that has been saving homeless pets since 1986. The organization is dependent on donations, fostering and volunteerism from the community to give pets the chance to live a great life. Volunteer work can include walking dogs, data entry, event assistance or cleaning.

500 E. FM 150, Kyle | www.pawsshelter.org [email protected] | Twitter: @pawsshelter

The Salvation Army of San Marcos serves Hays County through donations of clothing, furniture, housewares and school supplies as well as emergency response. Volunteer opportunities include ringing the red kettle bell during the holidays, phone reception and working at the San Marcos service center.

300 CM Allen Parkway, Ste. 100, San Marcos | 512-754-8541 www.salvationarmytexas.org | Twitter: @salarmytexas

San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance is creating an interconnected system of parks and natural areas in and around San Marcos. The organization needs help with trail work, restoration, natural area monitoring, outreach efforts and hikes, working with community leaders and landowners, and administrative activities.

107 E. Hopkins St., Ste. 123 A, San Marcos 512-392-7457 | www.smgreenbelt.org

Volunteers with The San Marcos River Foundation protect public access and preserve the flow, purity, and natural beauty of the San Marcos River, its watershed and estuaries.

222 W. San Antonio St., San Marcos | P.O. Box 1393, San Marcos, 78667-1393 512-787-6392 | www.sanmarcosriver.org

The Texas Youth Hotline provides 24/7 crisis intervention and information and referral to at-risk youth, runaways and parents via phone, text and chat. Volunteers train to become advocates through a combination of classroom training and monitoring sessions. The hotline is in need of new volunteers to work three-hour weekend shifts.

512-929-6877 www.texasyouth.org

United Way of Hays County, along with community partners, advances the common good by investing in and developing programs that address Hays County’s critical needs in education, income/financial stability and health. Each year, UWHC and its partners serve more than 50,000 residents. Volunteer opportunities include reading to children, leading financial literacy classes and delivering meals to seniors.

P.O. Box 1728, San Marcos | 512-353-1420 www.unitedwayhaysco.org | Twitter: @uwhaysco

Flood Relief

The Blanco River Regional Recovery Team (BR3T) is a non-profit 501(C)(3) organization that emerged after the Memorial Day weekend floods to aid in the long-term recovery of survivors with unmet needs. Volunteers help rebuild and repair homes, offer emotional support and coordinate long-term relief efforts.

801 W. Martin Luther King Drive, San Marcos 512-677-9701 | www.blancoriverregionalrecovery.com

Pastor Matt Behrens and members of Buda church The Well started #FloodHaysWithHope as a way of raising money for families and individuals affected by the floods of Oct. 30 and 31 in Travis and Hays counties. #FloodHaysWithHope has grown to include nine churches and businesses. The organization is selling shirts and wristbands to raise money for those affected by the floods. Those interested in volunteer opportunities can contact the Austin Disaster Relief Network.

512-428-6322 | www.adrntx.org www.floodhayswithhope.org