Stories

"Volunteers are the only human beings on the face of the earth who reflect this nation’s compassion, unselfish caring, patience, and just plain loving one another." ~Erma Bombeck

SHARE Charlotte partners with more than 400 nonprofits that all serve Mecklenburg County. While they all serve different people and causes in our community, they all have one thing in common: slim operating budgets necessitating a need for volunteers to help.

(CHARLOTTE, N.C.) – SHARE Charlotte’s second annual DO GOOD Week, powered by Duke Energy, is underway in the Queen City. DO GOOD Week is a celebration of volunteerism during National Volunteer Week (April 15-21) and a call to action for community engagement with local nonprofit organizations through volunteer work.

Ever wonder what it would be like to work for a Charlotte-area nonprofit? There is no better way to gain valuable hands-on experience and gain and understanding into the mission of an organization than by serving as an intern.

If you are an organized individual who is ready to jump right into any task at hand, taking on an administrative/clerical volunteer position may be for you!

There is not a nonprofit office in the world that couldn’t use another set of hands on any given day - there is ALWAYS something to be done in the world of philanthropy.

Who said volunteering was all work, no play? Galas, 5Ks, and auctions are all key events for some of our local area nonprofits, and if you are good at throwing a party, then you just may be the detail-oriented and creative minded volunteer that an organization needs!

If you love being outdoors, getting your hands dirty, or serving others, there are plenty of volunteer opportunities for you! Grab your tools and get out in your community, there is never a lack of need for hands-on people like you.

Volunteering is not all serving meals and building homes (though those are very generous activities that we will never advise against) but with technology forever evolving, all aspects of our community are following suit which means that nonprofit organizations are finding a need to keep up just as much as any other business.

If you are someone who truly believes you can make an impact on someone’s life simply by lending a little guidance, you may want to consider becoming a mentor.

There will always be a need for mentors in the community, whether it is for a child who needs tutoring, or an adult who needs support. If you desire to help others directly, mentoring someone in need is a valuable use of your time.

If you possess leadership abilities and are able to commit to a longer-term position, becoming a Board Member for a local nonprofit might be a great way for you to get involved in your community.

Not only would you be building your resume by sitting on the board of a nonprofit, but your existing resume and relevant life experience may be just what an organization needs to drive them forward.

By Melissa Anderson, Executive Vice President, Administration, and Chief Human Resources Officer, Duke Energy