How are YOU getting involved?
Birmingham is known as one of the most philanthropic cities in the South—so it’s no surprise that United Way of Central Alabama and Hands on Birmingham celebrate National Volunteer Month every April. It’s important to take time to reflect on the gracious volunteers who affect change and make a difference in Birmingham.
One of the greatest aspects of volunteerism is that there’s no wrong way to do it! You can get involved in projects that matter to you, like children and education, animals, disaster and emergency services, health and wellness, and more. Using your skills and strengths to help others in need is one of the most rewarding and satisfying things you can do with your time.
Hands on Birmingham held its second annual IGNITE awards ceremony on April 17, 2018, designed to publicly recognize the many unsung and dedicated citizens who are outstanding volunteers and service-oriented leaders in Birmingham and surrounding communities. While their actions are often unrecognized, these volunteers are truly the catalysts through which real change happens.
The event, held at The Club, recognized volunteers from seven categories; Corporate/Company, Government/Community, Hands on Birmingham, Nonprofit, Student, Faith-Based and Small Business. Nominees were residents of Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair, Blount or Walker Counties, or completed their volunteer work in one of those counties. They met a minimum of 10 hours of volunteer service and received no compensation for their time.
Other volunteer opportunities through United Way and Hands on Birmingham to get involved with include:
- Meals on Wheels, delivering hot meals to homebound seniors
- Success By Six, reading aloud to a classroom
- Free Tax Prep, preparing taxes for low-income families
- Area Agency on Aging, assisting senior programs in Jefferson County
- Healthy Communities, facilitating bike rodeos and walk-to-school programs.
United Way values and honors those community volunteers who go above and beyond the call for action. Greater Birmingham’s volunteers are the hand-raisers, the go-getters and game-changers seen helping even after everyone else has gone home and the day is done. For more information on how you can get involved, visit www.uwca.org/volunteer, or www.handsonbirmingham.com