Here's how—and where—you can give back this holiday season

Blue Santa brings Christmas items to families who might not otherwise have gifts and food. The organization was started by the Austin Police Department in 1972 and includes the Texas National Guard, the Austin Fire Department, Austin Water and Austin Energy. It has served more than 4,500 families. Visit the website for volunteer opportunity information.

4101 S. Industrial Drive, Ste. 260, Austin 512-974-2583 www.bluesanta.org

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area offers programs and services to promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence. Volunteers assist with daily tutoring, homework help and general after-school activities, such as fine arts; sports; and science, technology, engineering and math education.

5407 N. I-35, Ste. 400, Austin 512-444-7199 www.bgcaustin.org [email protected] Twitter: @bgcaustin

Brown Santa is a community service nonprofit organization of the Travis County Sheriff’s Office. Many sponsors and volunteers help each year to make the Brown Santa drive successful. The goal is to provide assistance to families in need in the unincorporated areas of Travis County. Volunteers help sort and wrap gifts and serve food for holiday meals at the warehouse at 305 S. Congress Ave., Austin.

P.O. Box 207, Austin 512-247-2682 www.brownsanta.org

CASA of Travis County speaks up for children who have been abused or neglected by empowering the community to volunteer as advocates for them in the court system.

7701 N. Lamar Blvd., Ste. 301, Austin 512-459-2272 www.casatravis.org Twitter: @casatravis

CASA of Williamson County provides trained, court-appointed volunteers who advocate for the best interest of abused or neglected children on their journey to a safe, permanent home.

805 W. University Ave., Ste. 111, Georgetown 512-868-2822 www.casawilco.org www.facebook.com/casawctx Twitter: @casawctx

Cedar Park Public Library Foundation volunteers work mainly with fundraising, but they can also assist with other library needs. Volunteers must be age 14 or older, and adults must pass a background check.

550 Discovery Blvd., Cedar Park 512-401-5630 www.cedarparktexas.gov/libraryfoundation Twitter: @fablefeft

Central Texas SPCA is a no-kill shelter that provides care for homeless animals. Volunteers assist with direct animal care, fundraisers and adoption. Opportunities are also available for children who are accompanied by an adult.

909 S. Bagdad Road, Leander 512-260-7722 www.centraltexasspca.org snapchat@spcaadopt

Charity Craft Volunteer Network and its volunteers create comfort items for breast cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and child patients in the Austin area.

512-653-4646 www.craftingcomfort.org

Drive a Senior—Northwest Austin serves Northwest Austin, Cedar Park and Leander. The program assists older adults in maintaining their quality of life and independence. Volunteers provide transportation, home repairs and companionship to the elderly. To volunteer, fill out an application on the website.

10633 Lake Creek Parkway, Austin 512-250-5021 www.driveaseniornorthwest.org

[caption id="attachment_206358" align="alignright" width="205"] Equine Rehabilitation Central Texas[/caption]

Equine Rehabilitation Central Texas provides opportunities for volunteers to participate in its therapeutic horseback riding program, Hopeful Hearts. ERCT serves individuals with disabilities and veterans and their families. New volunteer orientation is provided monthly to teach horse handling and side-walking. For more information, email [email protected].

17000 Trails End Cove, Leander 512-484-8480 www.horseserct.org

[caption id="attachment_206359" align="alignright" width="205"] Friends of the Cedar Park Public Library[/caption]

Friends of the Cedar Park Public Library is a nonprofit group of volunteers established in September 1980 to promote the library within the community. Its purpose is to support and strengthen the library’s resources and services to the public. Members may volunteer at the two annual used book sales that provide funding for the library.

550 Discovery Blvd., Cedar Park 512-401-5600 www.cedarparktexas.gov/libraryfriends

Goodwill Central Texas provides numerous volunteer opportunities, including rebuilding computers and tutoring in high school and GED classrooms.

1015 Norwood Park Blvd., Austin 512-637-7100 www.goodwillcentraltexas.org Twitter: @austingoodwill

Habitat for Humanity of Williamson County teams build quality houses for local low-income families. Volunteers assist in construction, office administration and customer service, and they also handle donations and provide customer service at ReStore thrift stores for building materials.

2108 N. Austin Ave., Georgetown 3916 Gattis School Road, Ste. 104, Round Rock 512-863-4344 www.williamsonhabitat.org Twitter: @habitatwilco

Hill Country Community Ministries is a nonprofit corporation that provides food and clothing for people in crisis or poverty in Southwest Williamson and Northwest Travis counties. Volunteers help in the food pantry and clothes closet, pick up food at retail stores and serve as caseworkers.

1005 Lacy Drive, Leander 512-259-0360 www.hccm.org

Just Because Christmas Project is a nonprofit program established in 1987 in association with St. William’s Parish of Round Rock. The purpose of this project is to serve underprivileged families who live outside the city limits of Round Rock or those who do not get help from other agencies. Volunteers are needed from 5:30-9:30 p.m. on Dec. 16 and from 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on Dec. 17 at Hernandez Middle School, 1901 Sunrise Road, Round Rock, to help sort goods, wrap presents and distribute items to families.

2800 E. Whitestone Blvd., Ste. 120, Cedar Park 512-748-1763 www.jbmhope.com

Leander Educational Excellence Foundation funds innovative teaching projects and professional development opportunities. LEEF needs individuals interested in serving the community as board members or as a volunteer in any of its programs, which include early childhood literacy and building a college and career-ready culture among Leander ISD students. To volunteer, email [email protected].

P.O. Box 358, Cedar Park 512-570-0027 www.leanderedfound.org

Lifelong Friends Pet Adoptions is a no-kill, privately run animal shelter located in Lago Vista. Dogs and cats looking for forever homes are housed at the shelter. Volunteers are needed to assist with dog and cat caretaking, fundraising, adoption counseling and off-site events.

20803 FM 1431, Lago Vista 512-267-6876 www.lifelongfriends.org

Literacy Council of Williamson County improves adult literacy in the county and offers English as a second language courses. Volunteers tutor individuals to read, write and speak English or earn a GED certificate.

2411 Williams Drive, Ste. 1, Georgetown 512-869-0497 www.literacycouncil-wc.org

Lone Star Circle of Care provides primary health care services for uninsured and underserved patients in Central Texas. Volunteers help with administrative tasks and other assignments.

205 E. University Ave., Ste. 200, Georgetown 512-686-0207 www.lscctx.org Twitter: @LSCCHealthCtr

[caption id="attachment_206360" align="alignright" width="205"] Meals on Wheels[/caption]

Meals on Wheels of Williamson and Burnet County serves Leander, Cedar Park and Liberty Hill. The program makes and delivers meals to homebound members of the community, including those age 60 and older. Volunteers deliver meals by car.

Bagdad Activity Center, 351 N. Bagdad Road, Leander 512-259-0288 www.opportunitiesforwbc.org

Open My World Therapeutic Riding Center serves individuals with disabilities using horses for therapy. Volunteers age 15 and older are needed Tuesday-Saturday to work directly with individuals, horses or in other capacities, such as landscaping. Younger volunteers can work directly with students in sessions. Volunteers receive training before starting and do not need prior experience with horses.

1020 CR 270, Leander 512-259-6665 www.openmyworld.org

Project Linus Williamson/Travis/Hays/Bastrop County Chapter provides handmade blankets for children going through a difficult time in their lives. The nonprofit works with about 40 organizations, including police departments, hospitals and children’s shelters. Volunteers are needed to make homemade blankets and gather monthly to process them.

512-448-1851 www.orgsites.com/tx/austinlinus

Reset Mentoring is a charitable organization that benefits at-risk youth by providing services both 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. Volunteers can mentor, cook meals, assist with yearly outreach programs, provide rides or teach life skills classes for juveniles.

P.O. Box 914, Leander 512-761-7217 www.resetmentoring.org [email protected]

Restore Transform is a faith-based holistic wellness center has been in operation since 2011. The organization recently expanded its services to offer low-cost chiropractic, acupuncture, massage, fitness and nutrition services and counseling. Volunteers are needed for grant writing, fundraising, marketing and housekeeping.

1003 Adventure Lane, Cedar Park 512-221-1939 www.restoretransformaustin.org

The Reveal Resource Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to feeding families through both physical and spiritual resources. Churches, schools, businesses, agencies and families can support the ministry by providing canned food, clothing, monetary donations and volunteer work. Donations can be dropped off from 9 a.m.-noon Monday and Tuesday.

1150 S. Bell Blvd., Cedar Park 512-981-7721 www.revealresourcecenter.com

RRISD Partners in Education Foundation generates and distributes resources to Round Rock ISD. Volunteers distribute school supplies, mentor students, and serve on scholarship and grant committees.

595 Round Rock West Drive, Ste. 404, Round Rock 512-464-5600 www.rrisdeducationfoundation.org Twitter: @RRISD_PIEF

Run Free Texas offers two different 12-week running and walking programs working with at-risk youth in the community and with select students in fourth and fifth grades at Round Rock ISD. Both programs are designed to positively impact youths by promoting physical and mental wellness. Volunteers run alongside youth participants and provide support throughout the duration of the program. Training is provided, and no prior running experience is required.

14900 Avery Ranch Blvd., Ste. 278, Austin 512-788-4762 www.runfreetexas.org Twitter: @runfreetexas

Samaritan Health Ministries is a clinic serving uninsured families that has multiple, flexible volunteer opportunities inside and outside of the clinic. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old. Administrative and office support, Spanish interpreters, medical volunteers, physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered nurses and licensed vocational nurses are needed.

700 W. Whitestone Blvd., Cedar Park 512-331-5828 www.theshm.org

Texas Humane Heroes’ mission is to eliminate pet homelessness. The organization travels across Texas to rescue at-risk animals from overcrowded municipal shelters, some with save rates as low as 5 percent. Volunteers can help in a variety of areas, including dog and cat care, clinic help and administrative duties. The minimum volunteer age is 14 years old.

10930 E. Crystal Falls Parkway, Leander 512-260-3602 www.texashumaneheroes.org Twitter: @HumaneHeroes

Thirst No More is a Christian aid organization whose mission is to transform communities through the power of compassion. Its projects are typically in regions where people have been ravaged by war, tyranny or natural disaster. Thirst No More recruits volunteers of all ages for church projects, disaster relief and humanitarian projects.

P.O. Box 2290, Cedar Park 512-382-4318 www.thirstnomore.org Twitter: @tnmtweets

Twin Lakes Family YMCA volunteers assist in programs that aim to help build stronger families and communities. Most available volunteer opportunities are for youth coaches and special events.

204 E. Little Elm Trail, Cedar Park 512-250-9622 www.ymcagwc.org Twitter: @cedarparkymca

United Way of Williamson County focuses on improving education, income, health and helping people meet their basic needs. Volunteers are needed for four free tax-preparation sites—in Hutto, Georgetown, Leander and Taylor—from January-April. Free training is provided. Volunteers are also needed for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service and Fall Day of Caring projects.

1111 N. I-35, Ste. 220, Round Rock 512-255-6799 www.unitedway-wc.org www.facebook.com/unitedwayofwilliamsoncounty Twitter: @unitedwaywilco

Williamson County Brown Santa provides assistance to families in Williamson County living outside the city limits of any town or city within the county that does not already provide a similar service. Brown Santa purchases toys, books and other Christmas items for children. Volunteers help with special events, packing boxes and wrapping gifts.

508 S. Rock St., Georgetown 512-943-1300 www.wilcobrownsanta.com

Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter provides care for homeless animals. Volunteers support the staff by socializing animals; assisting with cleaning, fundraising, off-site events and office work; and helping customers.

1855 S.E. Inner Loop, Georgetown 512-943-3322 www.pets.wilco.org Twitter: @wilcopets

YMCA of Cedar Park’s Twin Lakes Family location puts Christian principles into practice through programs that aim to build a healthy spirit, mind and body. YMCA’s purpose is to enhance the lives of people in the community by providing programs, activities and facilities that develop and maintain opportunities. Volunteers help with special events, coaching, maintenance, mentoring and policy.

204 E. Little Elm Trail, Cedar Park, TX 78613 512-250-9622 www.ymcagwc.org/cedar-park

This guide is not a comprehensive list of all area organizations that need volunteers. If your organization is not included, please email us at [email protected], and we will add it to our online list.