United Way HandsOn Suncoast

Join the Sweetwater farm crew for a morning of working in the sun at our primary farm (6942 W Comanche Ave, Tampa, FL 33634 ). The farmers and Education Manager need lots of volunteer power to complete our Extended Learning Garden for the kid's field trips. These interactive field trips teach kids where their food comes from and helps them to be farmer's for a day. The food grown at Sweetwater (registered 501c3 nonprofit) helps to raise vital funds to teach visiting students and community members where their food comes from and about organic agriculture! All volunteers should wear closed toed shoes, clothes they don’t mind getting dirty and to bring a reusable water bottle. We also recommend a hat, sunscreen and bug repellant. We’ll meet at 9:00 am at Sweetwater Organic Community Farm, 6942 W Comanche Ave, in town n country. Please RSVP so we can plan the day to Joy at programs@sweetwater-organic.org

Tampa, FL

8/18/18 9:00 AM

When it comes to learning how to read, educators agree, the younger, the better. Reading even boosts brain power in babies who are not yet talking. But in order for this to happen, a family has to have books, which isn’t always the case. In fact, for every 300 children in low income homes, there is only one book. It’s a stark reality The Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County battles every day. Help us shatter that statistic. Make a difference by hosting a collection drive to get books in the hands of Sarasota’s littlest learners. We’re looking to collect new or gently used, colorful, multicultural books for children ages birth to five. Board books are a plus! You don’t need wings or wands to help today’s children of low income families soar to the heights of their potential tomorrow. Help us enhance their imagination and open up new worlds and new ways of learning. If you provide the books, we'll help provide the support parents need to read to their children. Together, we can empower families to break the cycle of illiteracy. This book drive is great for small and large volunteer groups. The more books, the better!

Sarasota, FL

10/12/18 9:00 AM

From bleak to bright. From cluttered to calming. From inconspicuous to inspirational. That’s the vision The Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County has for one local preschool. Join us in giving a childcare center a much-needed makeover; using the power of paint to reinvigorate the school into a warm, enriching learning space for children. Our goal is to paint the walls and ceiling in one large classroom, paint the building’s façade as well as the wooden fence surrounding the playground. Some additional creative paintwork may be needed to revamp some classroom activities. We’d also like to sand and stain two wooden bookshelves, two cubbies and two small tables as well as install new wall shelves. To match the fresh paint, we would like to see the classroom cleaned with books, toys and other materials wiped down. We’d like to organize these items with colorful new bins and boxes, creating a space for a cozy reading corner. A supply closet full of arts and crafts materials will be also cleaned out and reorganized. The need for what may seem like simple cosmetic touches cannot be overstated. This preschool sits in an old, weathered building, with the outside paint well past its expiration date. Inside, the classroom doesn’t look much better. Most of these toddlers and preschool aged children come from low income families or foster care. Despite hardships, their contagious laughter fills each classroom. Evidence of educational progress and clever, out-of-the-box thinking dangle from the ceiling on pieces of string. The school director and teachers have heart, passion and charisma. They are well-trained and run a high quality educational program under less than desirable conditions. Whatever extra dimes they scrape together, they spend on the kids. Donated materials and one day of additional manpower could truly transform this school and help ignite a new spirit and self-image for both the teachers and children. We are requesting a Saturday project date since painting is not allowed when children are on the premises.

Sarasota, FL

10/13/18 8:30 AM

Do you have a passion for helping connect kids to greatness? If so, Teaching Tools for Hillsborough Schools needs your help! A program through the Hillsborough Education Foundation provides free school supplies year-round to economically disadvantaged students attending Hillsborough County Public Schools designated as Title I. Ensure that the classrooms in Hillsborough County have the basic tools for learning. Volunteers will assist teachers in shopping for a variety of items. Minors 13+ may volunteer with an adult. Must be 15 to volunteer alone on this project. New volunteers will need to complete the online application at https://www.educationfoundation.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=forms.Volunteer-application-main&tp_preview=true

Tampa, FL

9/8/18 9:00 AM +more

Our art studio needs some sprucing up. The garden outside needs some weeding and planting. On the inside there is plenty of organizing and cleaning. We hope to have volunteers start outside in the cool morning hours then move on into the studio to work in the cool air conditioning for afternoon hours.

Safety Harbor, FL

10/12/18 9:00 AM

One of our larger group homes needs exterior painted. We will supply all that is needed for the job.

Palm Harbor, FL

10/12/18 9:00 AM

Join us for a morning of good old fashioned teamwork in a farm setting at Lincoln Middle School's Urban Farm. Together, we'll do a variety of projects to help maintain and grow the wonderful, working farm - complete with beds of produce, hydroponic plantings, greenhouse, and an ever-changing variety of animals from swine, rabbit, llamas, chickens, turkeys, tilapia, and more. We partner with this Agricultural Science magnet school's leadership and students to bolster the amazing educational experiences to be had by our beloved Palmetto Middle Schoolers. Caution: the work is dirty, fun, educational and habit-forming. Be sure to wear closed toe shoes, sunscreen and sunglasses. www.LincolnMiddleUrbanAg.theaet.com

Palmetto, FL

4/20/19 8:00 AM +more

Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation ,in partnership with the City of Tampa and City of Temple Terrace will be hosting a Billiards and Darts Tournament in conjunction with the Tampa Bay Active Life Games. This is a social and recreational for our community's active adults and seniors 50 years and older. Volunteers will assist as scorekeepers and table/board monitors.

Tampa, FL

10/18/18 8:30 AM

Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation, in partnership with City of Tampa and City of Temple Terrace will be hosting a Bowling tournament in conjunction with the Tampa Bay Active Life Games. These games provide social and recreational opportunities for our community's active adults/seniors 50 years and older. Volunteers will assist participants and serve as lane monitors.

Tampa, FL

10/17/18 12:30 PM

Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation, in partnership with City of Tampa and City of Temple Terrace will be hosting a Dominoes tournament in conjunction with the Tampa Bay Active Life Games. These games provide social and recreational opportunities for our community's active adults/seniors 50 years and older. Volunteers will assist as scorekeepers and game/table monitors.

Tampa, FL

10/16/18 12:30 PM

Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation, in partnership with City of Tampa and City of Temple Terrace will be hosting a Bag Toss (Corn Hole) tournament in conjunction with the Tampa Bay Active Life Games. These games provide social and recreational opportunities for our community's active adults/seniors 50 years and older. Volunteers will assist as scorekeepers, bag retrievers and court monitors.

Tampa, FL

10/16/18 8:30 AM

Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation, in partnership with City of Tampa and City of Temple Terrace will be hosting a Bunco tournament in conjunction with the Tampa Bay Active Life Games. These games provide social and recreational opportunities for our community's active adults/seniors 50 years and older. Volunteers will assist as scorekeepers and game/table monitors.

Tampa, FL

10/16/18 8:30 AM