GRTM Blog

Volunteer Gwinnett News
Posted on December 30, 2024 by GRTM Communications
 
 

Winter 2024

Greetings L. David!

Welcome to Volunteer Gwinnett News, a quarterly newsletter to help you stay informed about volunteer opportunities, how to become a volunteer, and the work volunteers are doing in our community. Volunteers are an essential part of Gwinnett County; their selfless contributions ensure projects get done, improve the community’s quality of life, build partnership bonds, save tax dollars, and keep us all vibrantly connected.

AROUND THE COMMUNITY

 

Community spirit shines during Great Days of Service

Thanks to the hard work of 796 dedicated individuals, Gwinnett Great Days of Service made a tremendous community impact in October. From creating vibrant public spaces to helping families in need, volunteers logged 2,978 hours of service, worked 225 shifts, and supported 33 nonprofits across the county. Over 13,000 items were generously donated through 10 nonprofit collection drives, showcasing the community’s spirit of giving.

 

Mark your calendars for the 2025 Gwinnett Great Days of Service taking place Friday, October 17 through Sunday, October 19! Sign up for our email list at VolunteerGwinnett.net.

Community partners honored on Volunteer Managers Day

The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners honored Great Days of Service community partners and project leaders with a special proclamation on Tuesday, November 5, which is International Volunteer Managers Day! This year, 33 nonprofits partnered with Volunteer Gwinnett, including 19 groups who became part of the Gwinnett Serves program. Interested in partnership opportunities? Visit VolunteerGwinnett.net to learn more.

94,000 pounds of food shared at annual giveaway

Volunteer Gwinnett partnered with the Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office to host the 4th Annual Thanksgiving Food Giveaway at the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds. With the support of 240 volunteers and 37 event sponsors, including the Atlanta Community Food Bank, 94,000 pounds of food was distributed to approximately 3,000 cars, ensuring families in need had food for the holiday season. For more opportunities to help end food security in Gwinnett, visit GwinnettCounty.com/FoodResources.

America Recycles Day reaches new heights

The County hosted a record-breaking America Recycles Day in November at the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds, serving an impressive 1,535 cars — the highest number ever for this annual event! Volunteers worked tirelessly to manage traffic flow, unload vehicles, break down cardboard, and assist residents with recycling 23 tons of electronics, 10,779 gallons of paint, and 14 tons of paper. This collective effort made a significant impact on sustainability and environmental stewardship in Gwinnett. Get involved at VolunteerGwinnett.net.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Become a community partner with Gwinnett Serves

Gwinnett Serves, powered by Volunteer Gwinnett, connects community organizations with qualified volunteers for service projects and offer volunteer opportunities for residents. The Gwinnett Serves network is open to 501(c)(3) nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and civic groups, providing a platform to strengthen community impact.

 

Interested in partnering with Volunteer Gwinnett for initiatives like the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service? Submit your project requests today at VolunteerGwinnett@GwinnettCounty.com.

Assist at a Warming Station

When temperatures drop to 35 degrees or below, Gwinnett County’s five warming stations open from 6:00pm to 7:00am to provide temporary, overnight relief from the cold. Residents in need can warm up, enjoy a meal, and get some rest. On-call volunteers are needed to organize check-in materials, greet participants, monitor program areas, and help with setup and breakdown. To lend a hand, visit VolunteerGwinnett.net.

Celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Lend a helping hand during Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service weekend beginning Friday, January 17 through Monday, January 20. From outdoor cleanups to preparing home-delivered meals and more, various volunteer opportunities are available to sign up today! Learn more at VolunteerGwinnett.net.

Help chip holiday trees

Ever wondered what happens to all those live Christmas trees after the holidays? Come out to Bethesda Park on Saturday, January 25 from 7:15am to 11:00am to turn trees into holly jolly mulch to beautify the park and keep trees out of landfills. Volunteers must be ages 14 and older. To learn more and sign up, visit VolunteerGwinnett.net.

Collect Household Hazardous Waste

Help ensure hazardous materials are properly disposed of or recycled on Saturday, February 8 from 7:00am to 1:30pm at the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds! Volunteers are needed to direct traffic, unload cars, break down boxes and more. Please be sure to dress appropriately for the weather and conditions. Interested? Visit VolunteerGwinnett.net.

Protect and cleanup our wetlands

Did you know wetlands are vital to the environment, acting like natural sponges to absorb excess water and prevent flooding in local streams, rivers, and lakes? They also support wildlife and maintain water quality. Join us in protecting our ecosystems from threats such as littering and pollution on Saturday, March 1, at select locations across the county. Volunteers are encouraged to wear closed-toe shoes and long pants. Groups of all sizes are welcome. Learn more at VolunteerGwinnett.net

Make a difference in the lives of animals

Gwinnett’s Dog Day Out program provides tail-wagging fun for shelter dogs and animal lovers. Local organizations, businesses, and service clubs can help socialize adoptable dogs by taking them on an outdoor adventure at Rhodes Jordan Park in Lawrenceville, improving their chances of finding a forever home. To bring some sunshine into a shelter dog’s day, email AWEVolunteers@GwinnettCounty.com.

 

The Bill Atkinson Animal Welfare Center is also seeking volunteer foster homes to provide temporary care for shelter animals in need. If you’re unable to foster, consider volunteering onsite to help exercise and socialize adoptable animals and support the center’s mission. Learn more at VolunteerGwinnett.net.

EMPLOYEES IN ACTION

CASA program transforms young lives

The incredible work of Gwinnett’s Child Advocacy and Juvenile Services Division is featured in an article in the Gwinnett Daily Post’s Generations Magazine highlighting Gwinnett’s Court Appointed Special Advocates program. Michelle Vereen, director of the Juvenile Services Division, and Ericka McClam, CASA program director, shared insights into their work, including the transformative role of CASA volunteers in the lives of children navigating the foster care system. For anyone passionate about child welfare, juvenile justice, or community service, find out how to become a CASA volunteer at GwinnettCounty.com/CASAVolunteer or call 770.619.6015.

Comments
No Comments