United Way connects volunteers, local organizations

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United Way of Douglas and Pope Counties is expanding its volunteer center that serves communities in Douglas and Pope counties.

The goal is to be a centralized “one-stop shop” for organizations needing help and people looking to share their time and talent.

Volunteers play an increasingly critical role throughout the country, especially given today’s economic conditions, according to local United Way leaders.

This point was emphasized recently at Major League Baseball’s All-Star game, where the central theme for 2009 was community service. Prior to the first pitch, President Barack Obama joined the four living past-presidents in calling for all Americans to step up and serve those in need in their local communities.

United Way says it is on board.

The impact of volunteerism has also been recognized by the Alex Stewards Project by establishing a destiny driver to increase volunteerism by 20 percent by the year 2012.

This volunteer center will make it easier for Douglas and Pope County residents to find out about volunteer opportunities and for non-profits to promote volunteer positions.

To make it easier and more efficient for volunteers to find opportunities, the local United Way now offers “Volunteer Solutions” – a software program open to anyone with Internet access.

As a volunteer center, United Way of Douglas and Pope Counties provides local organizations the ability to market their volunteer needs in a format that is easy to use.

Volunteers can search for opportunities from the comfort of their homes, 24-hours a day, by simply entering their zip code and the Volunteer Solutions program does the rest.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to offer this program,” said Corliss Stark, volunteer coordinator for the local United Way. “The needs in our communities continue to grow and providing a centralized resource for volunteers and organizations can, and will, address this challenge.”

To post or find volunteer opportunities visit www.uwdp.org or contact United Way of Douglas and Pope Counties at (320) 763-4840.

Tags: local news, united way, pope county, douglas county, news, volunteers