Opportunities From: PATH Volunteer Hub

This year, in partnership with a local business, we're hoping to brighten the holidays for our local seniors with 50 cheer-filled gift mugs, and we need your help.  We are collecting small items to fill festive mugs that will be gifted during the holiday season.

Ideas for Items we are looking for:

-Hot cocoa or cider packets

-Tea bags or coffee singles

-Candy, chocolate mints.

-Warm socks or lip balm

-Mini lotions or hand sanitizers

-Small puzzles, pens, notepads (Any small thoughtful items that fit inside a mug)

Your donations will bring comfort, joy and a reminder that our seniors are appreciated and remembered.  If you'd like to contribute, please click on the respond key so we can connect with you to arrange a convenient drop off time.  You may also reach out to Lynn Lauritzen at 540-680-4148 or email llauritzen@pathforyou.org who will be receiving items at the PATH Resource Center at 321 Walker Drive, 2nd floor, on behalf of the Senior Center and their local community partner.

Are you skilled at sewing? Would you like an opportunity to provide comfort through your craft by serving as a hospice volunteer? Capital Caring Health is seeking skilled sewers, quilters, knitters (and more), to help make things like fidget blankets for elderly and pediatric patients, memory bears for the families and so much more. We would love for you to share your talent with us by becoming a Capital Caring Health volunteer.

To learn more, please contact Volunteer Manager, Shannon White, at swhite1@capitalcaring.org

Summer Announcement: Donated firewood is cut, split, stacked, and delivered to struggling Fauquier County residents every Saturday morning at the Warrenton Baptist Church property, The Gathering Place, behind Brumfield Elementary on Alwington Boulevard in Warrenton, VA.  No special skills are needed.  If you have an axe or maul, please bring them.  Gloves are strongly encouraged.  Social distancing is available as we work outside in a large area.  Pickup trucks with willing drivers are especially needed.  We hope to see you any Saturday morning between 8:00 and 10:00 am!

Memory Bears are made for grieving family members from clothing of their loved one. For a grieving person to be able to hug the bear made by a shirt/pajamas of their loved one is deeply healing.  Some bears might wear a special pin, earring or other item which was meaningful to the loved one who has passed.   These bears are made to honor the memory of the loved one and provide a deep comfort to the grieving family members. We know how devastating the loss of a loved one is, the bears help in the grieving process. Capital Caring Health provides end of life care to all ages, from pediatrics to geriatrics. We are a non profit who never turns anyone away based on ability to pay. 

Do you enjoy sewing?  Do you want to help a grieving person?  If so, please consider joining our CARE BEAR VOLUNTEER TEAM. We will provide volunteers with the materials and the pattern.  We will support you along the way.  You will meet the most amazing volunteers who share your desire to help others. 

Please contact kknoble@capitalcaring.org     

A Comfort Blanket is a handmade blanket we like to give to children who have a need emotionally and physically. The kids LOVE these and call them "covers"! We also like to give special needs children these blankets as well as children going through some tough emotional situations. 

The blankets are handmade and prayed over. When we give them to a child, we are giving them something covered in prayers, we hope and pray if finds them comfort in the situation they may be in. It is also something that they can call their own. 

For more information about our ministry and how to make a comfort blanket, please visit our website: https://hfavateam.com/comfort-blanket-ministry

We collect these items year-round and take them on the Spring Trips. Items can be dropped off at New Salem Baptist Church in Culpeper anytime (8233 Sperryville Pike, Culpeper VA 22701). There is a deliveries door, and the items can be left in the foyer. 

If you would like to mail items, you can send them to:  Hope for Appalachia, C/o Mike & Liesa Dodson, 7356 Beech Hill Lane, Boston VA 22713

The Rappahannock Pantry needs help every Saturday from 9 am - 2:30 pm to help stock shelves,assist clients with shopping, and carrying groceries to their car.  Please call Laura Lucas or Shauna Volmrich at 540.987.5090 to confirm your time.

Do you enjoy spending time with older adults and want to make a positive impact? 

Become a Friendly Visitor with Rapp at Home!

Your Impact

You'll be directly supporting Rapp at Home's mission to help seniors in Rappahannock County feel safe and well. Did you know that social isolation is a serious health concern for older adults? By becoming a friendly visitor, you can help combat this!

What You'll Do

Visit aging adults in their homes

Call them regularly

Send them cards or letters

Be a Listening Ear

As a friendly visitor, you'll be a source of companionship and support for your new friend. Share meals, watch movies, play games, or simply chat – find activities you both enjoy!

Here are some tips for your volunteer experience:

It's okay to be nervous! Let your friend know if you're feeling apprehensive. It can help you both relax.

Focus on your friend. Remember, the goal is to build a friendship.

Just be yourself! There's no script for being a good friend. Just show genuine interest and listen.

Encourage conversation. Let your friend talk about their life, even if it's difficult.

Most importantly, have fun! Enjoy getting to know your new friend.

Ready to Make a Real Difference?

Here's what you can expect

After you respond to this opportunity,our volunteer coordinator will be in touch to provide more details and a brief phone interview.

After that, if it is decided this is a good match for you, we will conduct a background check.

Once the background check is completed and cleared, position orientation and training will be provided

We encourage monthly in-person visits with additional check-ins in between.

You'll have regular communication with the volunteer coordinator.  

Goals of Position:

As a Hero Driver, you will ensure that older Veterans maintain access to essential services, social connection, and quality of life by providing transportation to medical appointments, grocery stores, social outings, and other destinations. Your contribution will reduce isolation, improve access to healthcare, and help aging Veterans live more independently.

Hero Drivers have helped hundreds of aging Veterans regain access to vital care, reconnect with friends and fellow Veterans, and maintain their independence. Your commitment ensures that no Veteran is left behind simply because they cannot drive.

Training and ongoing support provided. 

Locations Served by Hero Drivers: Primary service areas: Fauquier, Culpeper, Rappahannock, Madison, and Orange counties. Occasional trips to VA hospitals in West Virginia or other locations

To Apply: Click here MyImpactPage - Hero's Bridge

Goals of Position:
Friendly Callers play a vital role in combating isolation and supporting the mental wellness of veterans through compassionate outreach. By offering a listening ear, they provide emotional support, companionship, and a powerful reminder that someone cares.

Friendly Callers have made meaningful connections that brighten lives and ease loneliness. By being a consistent, caring presence, they help veterans feel seen, valued, and supported one conversation at a time.

Each call is unique, some may last just a couple of minutes, while others turn into rich, heartfelt conversations about anything and everything. No matter the length, every call matters and contributes to building a stronger, more connected community.

Locations Served: Nationwide

To Apply: Click here MyImpactPage - Hero's Bridge

Help usher in the Warrenton holiday season by volunteering for the Holiday Parade! As a route monitor, you’ll help keep spectators safely behind designated lines and watch out for children reaching for parade candy. Bring your holiday spirit and be part of the fun!

Do you have a kind heart and a desire to connect with others? Become a Rapp at the Door volunteer with Rapp at Home and make a real difference in the lives of isolated seniors in Rappahannock County!

Here's How You'll Shine:

Conduct brief check-in visits (typically under 30 minutes) with isolated aging adults in their homes.

Offer a small token of kindness provided by Rapp at Home to spark a connection and open a dialogue about well-being.

Fight social isolation by building genuine connections through friendly conversation.

Report any concerns about the senior's well-being to the Rapp at Home staff, ensuring they receive appropriate support.

Track your hours and miles driven (your contribution matters!)

More Than Just a Visit, You're a Lifeline!

By offering companionship and a listening ear, even in short visits, you can make a world of difference for a senior struggling with loneliness.

Ready to Make a Friend and Make a Difference?

Here is what you need to know:

Be 18 or older and complete volunteer training and a background check.

Possess your own transportation

Our staff will contact all participants ahead of scheduled event 

Our staff is always available to answer questions and support your volunteer efforts. 

Contact Rapp at Home Today!

Call: 540-937-4663 or Email: info@rappathome.org

The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank receives nourishing food from more than 1,100 food drives each year.

Hosting a food drive is a fun and engaging way to fill the shelves with nutritious food to distribute to families experiencing hunger. Food drives are also a way to educate the public about the need in our community. We’re proud to partner with you, and thank you.

More information on our website: https://www.brafb.org/get-involved/be-a-hunger-hero/host-food-drive/

Questions or concerns? Please contact us at fooddrives@brafb.org.

Encompass Community Supports your Area Agency on Aging, is seeking volunteers for “Two’s Company,” our new Friendly Visitor/Support Service! Volunteers Needed During your visits, you can: Play cards or board games Get to know each other Listen to music Share a meal Write letters to friends & family As a vetted volunteer, you will receive training before meeting the older adults you’ll be visiting/calling. You will also have access to ongoing support and supervision from the Two’s Company team during your time providing services. TWO’S COMPANY FRIENDLY VISITOR / CALLER SUPPORT Questions? Lola Walker, lwalker@ecsva.org, (540) 825-3100 x3358 or Christine Wilson, cwilson@ecsva.org, (540) 825-3100 x3013 Encompass Community Supports does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law, in employment matters and in its programs and services Are you interested? We would love to speak with you! Make someone’s day and make your day, too! As a Friendly Visitor, you will be paired with an older adult in your area for weekly visits in their home or through a phone call. Many of the participating older adults may not have friends or family nearby and have trouble leaving the house on their own, so they end up spending most of their time alone. By volunteering with Two’s Company, you can brighten your older neighbor’s day and give them something to look forward to.

During your visits, you can: Play cards or board games Get to know each other Listen to music Share a meal Write letters to friends & family As a vetted volunteer, you will receive training before meeting the older adults you’ll be visiting/calling. You will also have access to ongoing support and supervision from the Two’s Company team during your time providing services. TWO’S COMPANY FRIENDLY VISITOR / CALLER SUPPORT Questions? Lola Walker, lwalker@ecsva.org, (540) 825-3100 x3358 or Christine Wilson, cwilson@ecsva.org, (540) 825-3100 x3013

We love offering home made cat toys at our various events as a fundraiser. If you love to sew, crochet, or knit, we can use your talent! 

Sharing food is a powerful act of community. Family Shelter Services depends on volunteers and community support to donate and prepare meals for our families. Several ways to help with food:

- Community can prepare a potluck style meal for breakfast, lunch or dinner and drop off/serve. (Youth groups, Adult Ministries, Clubs, Families, Sororities, School groups, Local businesses)

- Providing a "sack" meal like breakfast or lunch and drop off.

- Cook a meal onsite.

- Sponsor a shelter dinner with a local restaurant, like pizza!

Respond according to the date that you wish to donate a meal, and our Program & Volunteer Coordinator, Tracy Forloines will reach out with additional details. 

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with The Fig Leaf! During this shift, you'll help open the store at 9:00 AM by unlocking the doors, turning on lights, and making sure the space is tidy and ready for guests. Throughout your time, you’ll assist with sorting and processing donations, checking items for cleanliness and quality before placing them out for shoppers. As guests arrive, our volunteers greet them warmly, help them find what they need, and offer assistance with bags if needed. During slower moments, volunteers fold, organize, and restock as needed. Before closing, you will straighten up displays, return items to their proper places, and take out any trash or clothing that still needs to be sorted. Your help will ensure a smooth, welcoming, and respectful experience for all who walk through our doors.

We’re seeking volunteers to help with removing old furniture, cleaning outdoor play areas, and reorganizing storage spaces at our shelters.

Access to a truck for hauling large items is a plus, but not required. Location cannot be shared due to confidentiality purposes, please respond to this posting or email us at coc@safejourneys.org for more information.

Our Free Clinic gets a once-a-month Friday delivery from the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank (usually the third Friday) that volunteers will unload and restock the shelves in our patient food pantry. It usually takes less than 2 hours, depending upon the number of volunteers we have. You can work inside opening boxes of food and restocking the shelves, or if you don't mind a bit of heavier lifting, you can move boxes of food from the pallet onto a cart.  

We are a fun bunch at the clinic and would love a few more volunteers!

Would you like to assist our patients in selecting healthy food from our Food Pantry?  Find recipes using food from our garden and from the pantry? Are you into composting? 

This position is a bit of this and that - It may involve bagging produce, helping us start small-scale recycling, organizing the pantry - along with tasks that we haven't even thought of yet.

You will never have a dull moment here!

The hours are flexible - you could come in one day a week, or two mornings, two afternoons, etc.  Currently, we have a need for afternoons if possible.

Spanish would be helpful when working with our patients - if not, we have a computer service that you can learn to use to translate a live conversation.

**Pantry Volunteers:** Help clients during our free-choice pantry hours on Saturdays from 9:30 AM to Noon. Before we open, volunteers will help set up by bringing out bakery items, fruits, and vegetables. After closing, volunteers assist with tasks such as taking out the trash, sweeping if necessary, and putting away any leftover bakery items, fruits, and vegetables.  Initial training and shadowing opportunities will be provided before you volunteer independantly.  While it is not necessary to do so, you may find your volunteer experience enriched if you elect to become regularly scheduled serving multiple times a month.  Click the respond key above and someone will be in touch with you to discuss the level of commitment you are comfortable providing.  We look forward to having you join us in this worthwhile community service effort!  

Food Givers at Culpeper Food Closet  interact with clients and custom pack food for them.  Working with a client starts with a review of  the Master Grocery List and specialty items available. Each client has marked  items on the list and you, the Food Giver, will look over this with them. Then  Food Givers move from our lobby/office to custom pack the food available in our 2000 sq. foot warehouse.  It's an opportunity for transformation as both the giver and receiver are uplifted by the connection and sharing of good healthy food.   This position is open to people age 18 and up. 

Be a part of the uplifting team of volunteers at Culpeper Food Closet even if you have some mobility issues.  Repackers move food  from large bags/packs, to individual servings in ziplock bags.  This can be done from a standing or seated position.  

Being a part of the Procurement team means to help load food onto and off of trucks as food is picked up from grocery stores and unloaded and shelved at Culpeper Food Closet.  This opportunity requires lifting up to 40 pound boxes for short periods of time and standing for up to 2 hours.  Be part of this vital team that gets food into the Culpeper Food Closet and on the shelves for clients to receive. 

Meet us at the LOVE sign downtown! We will be taking the morning to stroll around Culpeper, pick up litter, connect with community members, and learn about future ways to engage! This is a great way to get your steps in while making a difference locally. Litter grabbers, gloves and trash bags will be provided. Volunteers should wear comfortable shoes and clothes they don’t mind potentially getting dirty. Please fill out THIS waiver prior and sign up HERE to participate.

Come birding with us! The experts say it’s great for your physical and mental health (check out THIS article) AND what better way to kick off the winter than possibly spotting woodpeckers, sparrows, hawks, and more?! You will be guided by FOR bird experts and educators, April Harper and Sofie Marino. Binoculars will be available to use on site for those who need them. Please dress for the weather and bring water. The walk will last up to two hours but may end earlier depending on bird activity. All ages are welcome. Be sure to SIGN UP if you’re interested in attending! Each ticket represents one person, so please register additional family members or group participants separately. It is free to participate but we encourage a minimum donation of $5 at check out! Please fill out THIS WAIVER before attending. For questions contact: headwatersfieldtrips@riverfriends.org

Every child deserves to experience the joy of Christmas morning. The Salvation Army Angel Tree program helps provide Christmas gifts for hundreds of thousands of children around the country each year. Once a child or senior adult has been registered and accepted as an Angel their Christmas wish list is shared with donors in your community who purchase gifts of new clothing and toys. The gifts are distributed to the family to place under their family Christmas tree.

There are many children in need of your help to have gifts under the tree.  If you are looking for Angel Tree locations around the community, you can find them at the following locations.  All you need to do is pull an angel off the tree, purchase Christmas gifts for the person listed, and return them to the designated location by the time listed on the paper angel ornament!  Here are some below, or click here to enter your zipcode to find more locations.

The Arc of North Central Virginia (NCV) will host its 2nd annual Pictures with Santa on Saturday, December 6, 2025, from 10 am - 1 pm at 98 Alexandria Pike, Fourth Floor, Warrenton. This in-person event gives local families an opportunity to visit with Santa on 1 on 1 basis, providing a sensory friendly and accessible experience.

Volunteer duties include set up, breakdown, escorting families to and from Santa, and helping with crafts.

Hope For Appalachia Virginia Inc ministers to “the least of these” in the

Appalachian of Kentucky. Our ministry provides much needed school supplies and hygiene products through the gift of a Hope Box to children living in some of the most impoverished counties in the United States. 

Join other missionaries and volunteers, and serve together for one purpose! On these packing nights, we will be preparing Hope Boxes for the missionaries to take on our Christmas trip. Everyone welcome! There is something for everyone to do so sign up for whichever shift/day works best for you!  

We need volunteers to help our winter funderland run smoothly. Volunteer opportunities includes museum attendant, directing people through the space, and running a kids station.

CASA CIS is thrilled to kick off our 5th Annual Give the Joy of Toys campaign! It is an opportunity to bring holiday cheer and hope to the children we serve. You can help make this season brighter by purchasing a gift from our Amazon wish list. Your generosity helps our advocates continue strengthening their relationships with the children they serve -- relationships that are essential to effective advocacy. It also gives these children the chance to experience some joy and normalcy during what can be a confusing and difficult time in their lives.

All toys purchased through Amazon will be delivered directly to the CASA CIS office. 

Additionally, if gifts are purchased elsewhere and you would like to drop them off in person, please coordinate with the office staff by either calling (703) 330-8145 or emailing info@casacis.org. 

The first 3 weekends in December!

Be a part of the magic of Santa and at Gumdrop Square in the magical setting of the historic John Barton Payne Building.

Santa will be meeting with children of all ages! Once the children feel comfortable with Santa, they will have the opportunity to take photos with him and tell him what they would like for Christmas. Parents are welcome to take as many photos as they'd like. As in years past, children will be able to shop for their friends and family at Santa's Secret Shop.

Your job will be to create a fun environment, hand out cookies, wrap gifts, and bring the cheer as Santa's Elves!

The first 3 weekends in December!

Be a part of the magic of Santa and at Gumdrop Square in the magical setting of the historic John Barton Payne Building. Santa will be meeting with children of all ages! Once the children feel comfortable with Santa, they will have the opportunity to take photos with him and tell him what they would like for Christmas. Parents are welcome to take as many photos as they'd like. As in years past, children will be able to shop for their friends and family at Santa's Secret Shop.

Your job will be to create a fun environment, hand out cookies, wrap gifts, and bring the cheer as Santa's Elves!

The first 3 weekends in December!

Be a part of the magic of Santa and at Gumdrop Square in the magical setting of the historic John Barton Payne Building. Santa will be meeting with children of all ages! Once the children feel comfortable with Santa, they will have the opportunity to take photos with him and tell him what they would like for Christmas. Parents are welcome to take as many photos as they'd like. As in years past, children will be able to shop for their friends and family at Santa's Secret Shop.

Your job will be to create a fun environment, hand out cookies, wrap gifts, and bring the cheer as Santa's Elves!