Volunteer Spotlights
Millions of people just like you have found
meaningful ways to give back on
VolunteerMatch. Read their stories and
discover how you can make a difference and
feed your passions through volunteering.
Kajal Patil
Volunteering in a New Home
When Kajal moved to the United States early in 2017, she volunteered with Meridian International. Volunteering allowed her to refresh her existing skills, build new ones, and helped her settle into a new country.
More Volunteer Stories
Cameron Beck
Fighting Hunger at Its Core
With 16 years of volunteering under his belt, Cameron Beck spends his Saturday afternoons volunteering at Project Open Hand — a nonprofit focused on ending hunger in San Francisco’s most vulnerable communities.
Susan Miller
How I Found Purpose in Retirement
After I decided on an early retirement, I quickly realized I had plenty more to do (and give) — time, energy, and a desire to help others. I searched for volunteer opportunities online and found VolunteerMatch. After completing my profile, I was matched with CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Jackson County.
Sharon Reasonover
Do-Gooder, Listener, Healer
At age 16, Sharon Reasonover was nervous the first time she volunteered. Ever since, she’s spent countless hours at the Ronald McDonald House, where she makes sick kids and their families laugh, hears life-changing stories and continues to grow into the person she’s always wanted to be.
Noah McNair
All-Around Volunteer
Noah first experienced volunteering at the age of 7, when he helped with the soccer program at his summer camp. Now in high school, Noah's already volunteered more than most people do in a lifetime.
Stephanie Hong
Animal Welfare Volunteer
Volunteering has been a part of Stephanie's life since she was 7 years old. Now, she uses her professional skills to help animals in her community.
Becky Lininger
JourneyCare
Due to shifting life events, Becky recently found herself with time on her hands. What did she do? Turned to Google, of course! This led her to VolunteerMatch, which in turn led her to JourneyCare.
Rajan Taylor
Fighting Child Hunger One Voice at a Time
After hearing about his company's, ConAgra Foods'. commitment to take action against child hunger, Rajan Taylor sparked the largest, single-day, citywide food drive in history to benefit the St. Louis Area Foodbank.
What One VolunteerMatch Employee Learned in Chile
Habitat for Humanity
Shannon David, Senior Assoicate of Community Support with VolunteerMatch, used her volunteer time off (VTO) to remodel a house in Chile with Habitat for Humanity's Global Village Program.
The Cloud's Silver Lining
Appirio's Silver Lining
Appirio's Silver Lining volunteers are reaching for the sky with their company's employee volunteer program.
Raising the Pro Bono Bar: The U.S. Bank Law Division
The U.S. Bank Law Division
The U.S. Bank Law Division cites pro bono work as a priority for both their employees and their company as a whole.
Pro Bono Week 2014: Celebrating Work for the Public Good
It's Pro Bono Week 2014!
Celebrate pro bono volunteering with VolunteerMatch.
Mercer's Incredible Accomplishment
Mercer's Colleagues Make a Difference in a Big Way
In 2013 Mercer employees tracked over 26,000 volunteer hours - over 5 times what they recorded in 2012. How did they do it?
CMT One Country
CMT One Country
When someone says, "country music," usually volunteering does not come to mind. But the two have more in common than it would initially seem...
Morgan Stanley Strategy Challenge: Pro Bono Strategic Consulting for Nonprofits
What can five employees from different divisions at Morgan Stanley do for a nonprofit in two months? They can have a profound impact through the Morgan Stanley Strategy Challenge, a program that provides pro bono strategic consulting to select nonprofits.
Dr. John Ness
Love Without Boundaries
The winner of our #WhyIVolunteer Photo Contest, Dr. John Ness spends his vacation time offering free surgery to impoverished and orphaned children.
Allstate Employees
Putting Good Hands to Work
Allstate's Week of Service this year brought thousands of employees, agency owners, friends and families together to give back to local communities.
Jenna Whittingham
American Cancer Society
Through VolunteerMatch, Jenna found a unique volunteer opportunity that fit her schedule and enabled her to use her skills to help thousands of people.
Sean McCarthy
Open Heart Magic
Why was Sean McCarthy fighting tears on his very first day as a volunteer "Hospital Magician?"
Joy Dingley
Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center
Joy spends her free time sharing her life-long love of nature and teaching children to respect the wildlife around them.
Sasha Daucus
TechSoup
Sasha combines her love of technology and passion for volunteering to help nonprofits navigate the confusing online world.
Do Good Lab Executive Team
An All-Volunteer Force for Change
Molly, Shannon and Aezed use their passion and free time to run an all-volunteer international development organization that improves lives across the world.
Ellie Roozdar
American Cancer Society
Ellie's desire to help others motivated her to find her own strength, and pass that power on to others.
Wendy
LIFE ElderCare
Wendy found a way to turn the loss of her job into a positive thing – by giving her time to others.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Employees
Creating a Company-Wide Volunteer Culture
The first annual global Volunteer Week at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt was a resounding success – in more ways than one.
Zurich North America Employees
Finding '100 Ways' to Make a Difference
How one company and its dedicated employees made a difference in the fight against hunger.
Kevin Johnson
Services Now for Adult Persons
Kevin found a way to fit volunteering into his busy schedule - by helping homebound seniors, one bingo call at a time.
Michael DeLong
Emerging Arts Professionals/SFBA
Michael's volunteer work in the arts community lets him follow his passion while also developing his professional communications skills.
UnitedHealth Group Employees
A Proud Milestone
Over the past six years, employees at UnitedHealth Group have volunteered over 1 million hours, setting a dedicated example for the rest of us.
Rachel Keith
Odyssey Hospice
An active member of the National Guard, a criminal investigator, a mother and a pageant queen, Rachel Keith is a busy woman - and a lifelong volunteer.
Sandra Baker-Hinton
Fort Clinch State Park
The story of Sandra, artist and nature-lover, and how she became the "Turtle Lady," driving conservation awareness for an entire community.
Lisa Nordin
VITAS
When she began volunteering at a hospice providing end-of-life care, Lisa Nordin found both a way to comfort patients and a sense of purpose for herself.
Meredith Snyder
Paws and Prayers
To save animals and fight overpopulation and euthanization in animal shelters, Meredith Snyder serves as a foster parent for unwanted cats and dogs.
Debbie Francis
National MS Society
When lifelong volunteer and youth advocate Debbie Francis was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2007, she was able to continue volunteering with the help of technology.
David Depallo
Salvation Army
David Depallo is an ex-drug addict who turned his life around and now dedicates himself to helping at-risk youth.
Julie Krenzer
Johns Hopkins Healthcare
Julie Krenzer uses her creativity to help her community through her employer's volunteer program.
Vivian Littlefield
American Red Cross
From the challenges of 9/11 to threats of a shutdown, Vivian has dedicated her time to leading and strengthening Red Cross Nursing.
Michael Halpern
YES!Atlanta
Michael was inspired by one late-night experience to dedicate his time to helping inner-city youth succeed.
Patricia Brown
American Cancer Society
After getting help and support from the same nonprofit she volunteers for, Patricia decided to spend the rest of her life helping others.
Diny Huang
East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation
With her work helping low-income families obtain their tax refunds, Diny Huang is certain she’s benefited just as much as the community she’s helped.
Tom Feulner
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
When Tom’s friend died of leukemia, he gave his time and talent and found a special way to honor her memory.
The Merry Band of Schemers
Love Drop
The Merry Band of Schemers volunteers their time, connections and money to change one family's life each month.
Alisha Beth Griswold
Medical Reserve Corps
Alisha Beth Griswold was inspired by her mother to dedicate her time to help others, and now she prepares her community for disasters.
Pat Hairston
Carolina Canines for Service
When Pat Hairston's dog provided comfort to her friend with cancer, she found a new way to make a difference to people struggling with illness.
Willie and Brenda Buchanan
4Results Mentoring Program
Willie and Brenda Buchanan started mentoring to help kids in need and stumbled into a life-long friendship.
Regina Jones
Volunteer
Inspired by an employee volunteering program at The Gap, Regina has turned service into a guiding aspect of her life.
The Family: Kordenbrocks
Welcome House of Northern KY
The Kordenbrock-Riders have learned that the family that volunteers together, stays together, learns together, and grows together.
The Ross Family of Minnesota
Global Volunteers
The Ross Family loves spending their family vacations building houses in Costa Rica.
Donald Sanders
Volunteer
As a Vietnam veteran, Donald wanted to give back and was determined to overcome a 12 year old felony charge and find a place that would accept his help.
David de Souza
International Professors Project
SEO expert David de Souza is used to getting small websites noticed by big search engines. Now he's putting his skills to work for the International Professors Project to spur third-world education.
The Benedicts of Pennsylvania
Infinite Family
The Benedict family uses the power of the Internet to connect with an orphaned teen half a world away in South Africa.
Anthony Palmeri
Tribute WTC Visitor Center
Anthony Palmeri lived a life of service even before 9/11. Now, after spending nine months volunteering at Ground Zero, he uses his story as part of the healing process.
Sara Hooker
Volunteer
Growing up in Swaziland, where one in four adults has HIV, Sara Hooker was aware from a young age how some communities face extraordinary challenges.
Gayatri Mahesh
In2Books
While many people have multiple interests and varied talents, most of them have nothing on Gayatri Mahesh.
Chris Hartridge
Global Vision International
You can't choose your family, your natural hair color, or your personality. According to Chris Hartridge, you can't choose your volunteer work either.
Jessica Brenner
Sunrise Assisted Living
Sure, extra-curricular activities look fabulous on college applications. But high school senior Jessica Brenner volunteers at Sunrise Assisted Living for one simple reason: she loves doing it!
Genna Duplisea
Community Housing Network
While for many college students, a semester abroad is a nonstop vacation in a distant land, for Genna Duplisea it was a chance to get involved.
Taryn Adams
International Rescue Committee
A fast food restaurant is an unlikely spot for cultural exchange, yet for Taryn Adams and her Bhutanese visitors, it was a moment of real connection.
Lady and Mary Cope
Paws for Smiles
Mary Cope, a dedicated volunteer at several hospitals and nursing homes throughout South Florida, admits it's her partner who often steals the show.
Christine French
The George Washington University
You can't really major in volunteering, but if you could your schedule might look a lot like Christine French's.
Mimi Schaefer
The Year of the Volunteer
In late 2008, Mimi Schaefer made an ambitious New Years Resolution: she vowed to volunteer for a different nonprofit organization each month in 2009.
Jerry Mattimore
Easter Seals
Easter Seals board chair Jerry Mattimore has been a volunteer leader with the organization for more than 30 years. "My involvement was very personal from the start," he says.
Pam Tardy
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities
Pam Tardy was inspired by the work her mother and sister were doing as volunteers. Wanting to become a positive influence too, she chose to be a Big Sister.
Brett Dennen
Love Speaks, and CLIF BAR GreenNotes
Following his passion for social change, musician and CLIF® BAR GreenNotes artist Brett Dennen created his Love Speaks initiative to use his nightly platform to bridge music, people and work.
Joan Gaudet
Maine Troop Greeters
After retiring, and with her children grown and out of the house, Joan Gaudet was looking for somebody new to take care of.
Pam Farr
American Red Cross
When it comes to planning, Pam Farr is a hero. As national chair of volunteers for the American Red Cross, she is both a key executive leader and a spokesperson for emergency planning.
Connie Lindsey
Girl Scouts of the USA
For Girl Scouts national president and chief volunteer Connie Lindsey, no challenge is too big and no one is too powerless to make an impact.
Weyman Johnson
National MS Society
Growing up in a family with MS, Weyman Johnson feels lucky to be born at the "right time" to get treatment. Today he's on the national board of the National MS Society, helping lead the fight against the disease.
Gloria Osoba
Our 4-Millionth Volunteer Referral
Becoming an overnight celebrity wasn't exactly what Gloria Osoba had in mind when she visited VolunteerMatch.org on March 13. With just one click, she became the 4-millionth person to refer themselves to an opportunity.
Nancy Pfeffer
Operation Jump Start
As an environmental activist and policy advisor, Nancy Pfeffer is used to fighting for the underdog. As a volunteer, she's putting her skills to use helping underprivileged teens go above and beyond their expectations.
Emily Friedman
Stepping Stones Children's Museum
Inspiring others to reach for their potential is no easy task, but middle-schooler Emily Friedman – no stranger to excellence herself – has made it her mission to teach other kids that they can exceed their own expectations.
Gene Ehlers
Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center
Accountant Gene Ehlers knows that a day on the slopes means more than just exercise for individuals with disabilities -- it means the chance to break through personal boundaries.
Nancy Peyton
Cheerful Givers
Nancy Peyton found the perfect virtual opportunity with Cheerful Givers. Now she's providing birthday gifts to thousands of kids in need -- at her own pace and from the comfort of home!
Michael Nicklin
National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship
Inspired by a movie trailer to make volunteering a priority in his life, a search at VolunteerMatch led business consultant Michael Nicklin to a life-changing opportunity.
Michelle Sullivan
In2Books
As an In2Books mentor, volunteer Michelle Sullivan discovered that being a pen pal can be more than just fun and games. Today she’s helping a student in a school in an under-resourced neighborhood.
Toni & JD Smith
IMPACT Ministries
A mission to help suffering led Toni and JD Smith to start IMPACT Ministries. Today, from the Gulf Coast to Myanmar, IMPACT volunteers are reaching out to help when it is most needed.
Laurie Scott
EF Foundation for Foreign Study
There are good stories to be found in nearly every volunteer experience, but Laurie Scott is positive that hosting a foreign exchange student produces some of the greatest.
Lynnette Letsky Piombo
United Way of Greater Waterbury
Thanks to Lynnette Letsky Piombo, brains, beauty, and a commitment to family won’t be the only things on stage during this year's Mrs. United States contest – so will the ideal of giving back.
Kate So
Voices for Children
As an early educator and former lawyer, Kate So certainly has the background to be a Voices for Children volunteer. But what makes her perfect for it is her empathy, openness and even wonder.
Joe Alcodray
RandomKindActs.com
Joe Alcodray is paying it forward with his new Web site RandomKindActs.com, and now he wants others to share their personal encounters with random acts of kindness.
Amanda McGlothlin
Heart House Austin
Be careful! Volunteering may be good for the heart, according to Amanda McGlothlin and Heart House of Austin.
Doug Long
Trips for Kids Marin
Life-long bicycle fanatic Doug Long was smart about volunteering and took his passion for the sport to his volunteer work with kids.
Laura Schmitz
Corazon de Vida Foundation
For Laura Schmitz, volunteering provides a language of its own allowing her to build friendships with the children of Baja California.
Jeannie Whyte
Common Ground Relief
Jeannie Whyte knows firsthand about the resilience of people and their desire to improve their lives even in the face of a disaster like Hurricane Katrina.
Karen Tourney
American Indian Center in Chicago
Karen Tourney is a proud American Indian who knows that promoting and protecting your native culture and history can be also be rewarding way to volunteer your time.
Gary Helton
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County
Longtime volunteer Gary Helton (pictured, at right) has been making a difference abroad as a retired Peace Corps volunteer and in his own community as a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Darlene Grieger
Cross-Cultural Solutions
Want to leave the country, learn something new, and immerse yourself into a new culture? Meet Darlene Grieger and learn about what "voluntourism" and Cross-Cultural Solutions is all about.
Peter Yedidia
Taproot Foundation
Peter Yedidia and Taproot Foundation are working to get nonprofits in touch with top notch marketing, technical and executive-level expertise one volunteer at a time.
Stephanie Allen
Starlight, Starbright Children's Foundation
To one person, you can mean the world, which is why Stephanie Allen believes volunteering with Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation could make all the difference to the life of a child.
Flora Mortell
National MS Society of Greater Illinois
Flora Mortell believes knowledge about MS is power and has partnered with the National MS Society of Greater Illinois to share that knowledge with the world.
Melanie Washington
Mentoring a Touch From Above
Melanie Washington works hard to make sure people don't forget our incarcerated youth because they are still children and they need our help.
Patsy Wilcher
Domestic Abuse Helpline for Men and Women
Patsy Wilcher volunteers because even if "you may never know the difference you've made, the impact is there."
Jilladair Carlson
Multiple Sclerosis Association of America
Talented producer Jilladair Carlson doesn't let anything get in the way of her creativity, and she's using her music to let the world know that, sometimes, "Everybody Falls".
Katie Lee
Hope4KidZ, Inc.
Volunteer Coordinator Katie Lee and Hope4KidZ, Inc. want people to know that foster kids are one of the most vulnerable and forgotten groups in our society.
Bob Gregory
Myelin Repair Foundation
Chased from Corporate America by his MS, Bob Gregory now uses his drive and ambition to help the Myelin Repair Foundation.
Joy Perryman
Media Volunteer
Joy Perryman thinks becoming part of the media is a great way to volunteer virtually.
Lesley Stewart
American Red Cross in Greater New York
Busy New Yorker Lesley Stewart used VolunteerMatch to find the perfect volunteer opportunity.
Chris O'Brien
Arlington County Chapter of the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross welcomes all kinds of skills, as graphic designer Chris O'Brien is discovering.
Molly Morris
American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles
Molly Morris is one of a score of volunteers who have found opportunities to give back through the VolunteerMatch's recruitment partnership with the American Red Cross.
Nicole Hancock
City of Dreams
City of Dreams' Nicole Hancock knows just how powerful mentoring is for a young person and what a positive influence a great volunteer can be.