Many Broward County agencies offer opportunities for residents to volunteer their services to benefit their local community. Whether you are a retiree with extra time on your hands, a student looking to fulfill service hours, or an individual or group interested in being involved in your community, this Web site offers opportunities for you to consider.
Featured Volunteer Opportunities
Public Workdays Offer Volunteers a Chance to Help the Environment
Posted: Wednesday, August 25, 2010
The Parks & Recreation Division will host a series of Public Workdays to take place at the Helene Klein Pineland Preserve in Coconut Creek and the Highlands Scrub Natural Area in Pompano Beach. The workdays run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on September 22, October 20, and December 15 for Highlands Scrub and on November 17 for Helene Klein Preserve.
Participants will help the environment by clearing the natural areas of garbage and invasive plants. Volunteers are asked to bring gloves, a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, and drinking water, and dress appropriately with long pants, closed-toe shoes and long sleeve shirts. Preregistration is required, and all participants must fill out a volunteer form. For questions or to preregister, call North District Natural Areas at 954-357-8712.
Cultural Information Center Seeks Volunteer Cultural Concierges
Posted: Day, July 26, 2010
The Broward County Cultural Division’s Cultural Information Center (CIC) is seeking recruits for its Cultural Concierge program. Cultural Concierges dedicate their time and their hearts to educating residents and visitors on the cultural riches of the County.
Located on the first floor of the Broward County Main Library, in the heart of the arts and entertainment district in downtown Fort Lauderdale, the CIC offers information about current Broward County events, including ticketing prices and availability, exhibits, festivals, theater and musicals, and unique merchandise for sale from local arts organizations. Volunteers take monthly field trips to learn about and experience firsthand Broward’s cultural facilities. More…
Become an Animal Care Volunteer
Posted: Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Do you love animals and enjoy helping others? If so, Broward County Animal Care and Regulation has some great opportunities for you to help shelter animals in your community. Volunteers perform many important and vital duties that help with the day-to-day operations of the division. Volunteers can assist with bathing and grooming, be a dog walker, guide potential new owners through the adoption process, help with the selection of a new forever-friend, assist families in finding their lost pet and lending a helping hand at one of the many pet adoption special events held throughout the year. Becoming an Animal Care Volunteer is a great way for high school students to receive their community service hours before graduation. The minimum age for volunteers is 14. To learn more about volunteer opportunities or to receive an application package, contact 954-359-1311.
2010 Volunteer Projects
Volunteers Help Keep Port "Shipshape"
In recognition of National Maritime Day on May 22, Port Everglades held a very innovative volunteer outreach program to help beautify the Port. With staff’s assistance, more than 100 volunteers (children through adults) painted 87 recycled petroleum drums turning them into decorative trash and recycling bins.
Awards were given to 16 volunteers for their creative work. The program was such a success that Port staff plan to make it an annual event.
JM Families Volunteer Project at Quiet Waters Park
On February 5, 2010, a group effort by the South Florida Audubon Society and JM Family Enterprises planted nearly 450 slash pines and 350 understory plants at Quiet Waters. There were 50 volunteers, mostly from JM Families, and they quickly completed this first project.
A secondary project consisted of exotic vine and air potato removal. A total of 225 bags were accumulated, each holding 55 gallons of air potato vines and spuds and morning glory vines. The project, which took place in the park’s mountain bike trail area, was a great success, with 225 hours of service contributed to the park in support of its goal of returning the mountain bike trail to primarily a natural area of the park featuring native plants.
Volunteers Give Their All at Markham Park Nursery
More than 90 volunteers spent Saturday, February 13, 2010, at the Markham Park Nursery for a planting project that was held in conjunction with Disney’s “Give a Day, Get a Day” initiative to encourage volunteerism. The project attracted mostly families, who in turn got a free Disney day pass for their efforts.
The volunteers were busy planting 600 caladium bulbs and 500 slash pine seedlings. One enterprising volunteer did a full inventory at the end of the day and counted all the plants that were installed, a total of 2,423. Nursery staffers who worked with the group were impressed by how hard-working they were and hope to have other volunteers who are as committed for future projects.
For further information about volunteer opportunities at Broward County Parks, call the Volunteer Coordinator at 954-357-8153.
2009 Volunteer Projects
Markham Park Nature Trail Planting Project
An amazing group of 21 volunteers showed up on October 14, 2009 for the Motorola Day of Service project at Markham Park in Sunrise and here’s what they accomplished:
• 349 plants were planted, including 20 seven-gallon trees.
• 12 backpacks of weed killer were sprayed.
• More than 50 10-foot-tall invasive trees were pulled with weed wrenches and shovels.
In addition to the 21 Motorola employees, Parks and Recreation staff from Long Key Nature Center, Tree Tops Park and the Markham Park Nursery made the Markham Park Nature Trail Planting Project a success.