Opportunities From: United Way of the Mid-South

You can volunteer and make a dramatic difference for people in the community. Help individuals in need to drive their dreams of financial freedom and peace of mind with United Way’s Free Tax Prep program through one of the following volunteer positions:

GREETERS - Welcome customers and assist with sign-ins, scheduling, and surveys. SCREENERS - Help taxpayers complete our short interview process and assist people with the paperwork they need to meet with a tax preparer. TAX PREPARERS - Connect people with tax credits and refunds by preparing federal and state tax returns. SITE COORDINATORS- Open and manage a Free Tax Prep site, oversee volunteer personnel, capture results, review returns for accuracy, work alongside United Way team members and IRS staff.

 

WHY VOLUNTEER?
• Make a positive impact for local families
• Build new, positive relationships
• Find more purpose and meaning
• Experience higher levels of happiness, life satisfaction and self-esteem

VOLUNTEER EXPECTATIONS
Volunteers must possess a friendly attitude and adhere to the privacy and confidentiality of taxpayer’s information. All volunteers must commit to 30 hours of service during the tax season.

 

NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED | COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING PROVIDED

 

Questions? Email janet.haas@uwmidsouth.org 

We all have seen the tremendous strain our healthcare professionals and first responders have been under as they continue to respond to the global COVID-19 pandemic.  Your gift of a meal at a local precinct, fire house, or hospital is an easy way to show that you care.  Choose to purchase the meal from a locally owned restaurant and you will be doubling your impact by supporting local business owners who also need our support during these unprecedented times.

Here is what you should do.

1.  Select a local precinct, fire house or hospital in your area. 

2.  Once selected, contact them and let them know what you would like to do.  Be sure to ask them how many meals to prepare.

3.  Let them know when you plan to arrive and include a thank you note or a note of encouragement to let the first responders know how much their work means to you. 

4.  Be sure to capture the moment with a photo or video and share by post to social media and tag us @UWMIDSOUTH using the hashtag #VolunteerUnited. 

 

 

Let a teacher know how much we appreciate their dedication to our kids.  Put together a little gift box for your favorite education professional.  Things to include: a nice note of thanks or encouragement, snacks, cleaning wipes, hand sanitizer, teacher tools.  Take a picture of yourself with your beautiful Teacher Thank You Box before you deliver it to the classroom and post to social media with the hashtag #BetheChange901.  Be sure to respect all local social distancing guidelines, of course! 

 

 

Are you a talented musician?  Would you like to spread the joy of your musical talent with seniors and other isolated vulnerable populations?  Consider playing music outside the hospital, retirement home, or care home for vulnerable populations.  Reach out to a residential center that you know, or reach out to United Way for a list of organizations that would love to hear you play.  Be sure to capture the moment with a photo or video and share by posting to social media using the hashtag #BetheChange901.  

 

Do you love to bake?  Do your kids love to try to help you bake?  Put their energy to work and bake some cookies or make a sweet treat.  Then drop the treats at the door as a nice surprise for an elderly neighbor or a local first responders.  Be sure to capture the moment with a photo or video and share by posting to social media using the hashtag #BetheChange901. 

 

Do you want to make your neighbors smile while beautifying your neighborhood?  There are so many easy ways to make a difference right where you live.  Plant some flowers or a tree.  Pick up trash around your neighborhood or at a local park.  Mow a neighbors lawn.  Whatever you do to prettify your neighborhood, be sure to capture the moment with a photo or video and share by posting to social media using the hashtag #BetheChange901. 

 

Everyone loves getting flowers!  Make someone’s day by sending them flowers.  You can cut fresh flowers from your own garden or support a local flower business or Farmer’s Market.  Send the flowers with a note of appreciation to a special someone in your life.  Be sure to capture the moment with a photo or video and share by posting to social media using the hashtag #BetheChange901.

In this time of great need, your junk could be another person’s treasure.  Shelters are in need of small appliances, household items, cleaning supplies, and so much more.  Animal shelters are in need of animal care supplies.  Homeless outreach operations are in need of socks, casual wear and outerwear once the season’s change.  Diaper ministries are in need of diapers and baby care supplies.  While you are cleaning out your closet, stop to consider if your unwanted items could be donated to a local charity.  United Way would be happy to help connect you with a local agency that would appreciate your donations.  When dropping off your donations, be sure to capture the moment with a photo or video and share by posting to social media using the hashtag #BetheChange901. 

 

Most of us know someone that has been in isolation either in a nursing home, hospital or other residential setting that has restricted visitation due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.  Reach out to someone you care about to let them know that you are thinking about them.  A few kind words and a pretty card will be a reminder to them that they are not alone and that we are all in this together.  Engage your children in coloring a picture or crafting a card to make this activity a family affair.  Be sure to capture the moment with a photo or video and share by posting to social media using the hashtag #BetheChange901.