Many local organizations need help finding volunteers to fulfill needs. Oftentimes, people who want to volunteer are unsure how. Now there’s an app and website to fix that challenge locally. JustServe provides organizations with another resource for recruiting volunteers and allows volunteers to easily identify needs in their local community.
After registering at JustServe.org, volunteers can view local opportunities that meet their interests and schedules. There are over 115 projects available in Loudoun County alone, with hundreds more in surrounding areas. New opportunities are continually being added, according to a provided press release.
Partnering organizations include Loudoun Hunger Relief, Mobile Hope, Loudoun County Medical Reserve Corps, Head Start, Sprout Therapeutic Riding and Education Center, Dulles South Food Pantry, Loudoun Volunteer Caregivers, and many others.
With projects such as voice recordings, letter writing, photography, meal delivery, and pet care there are opportunities suitable for everyone. One partnering organization, the TSJ Foundation, takes Star Wars entertainment to children with illnesses or special needs, providing both toys and joy.
There’s also an option for remote opportunities.
A high school student needing volunteer hours might choose a short-term opportunity with an organization like Operation Gratitude. This organization serves deployed troops and first responders. A book lover could label boxes of books with the Loudoun Literacy Council from home. A retired person could choose a project like taking care of handyman projects at LAWS Women’s Shelter. A family might volunteer to pack backpacks for Loudoun County Public Schools Backpack Coalition program. The program provides meals to food-insecure students and families.
Finding the goodness in humanity
Mishay Whitsitt, an Ashburn resident, has volunteered for several JustServe.org projects since its launch. Along with her children, she put together hygiene kits for Loudoun Hunger Relief, which provides emergency food assistance. Her family helped Women Giving Back by writing notes of encouragement for Mother’s Day, and provided school supplies in the fall for single moms living in shelters with their children who are trying to get back on their feet.
Whitsitt has also helped with food distribution through Mobile Hope. The organization provides support for at-risk and homeless youth and young adults, handing out bread, milk, and other basic necessities. She delivered food and supplies at Ampersand Pantry Project, an organization that provided free lunches, diapers, and pet food to those in need during the pandemic.
Additionally, she’s teamed up with her church congregation. Whitsitt has collected supplies for Mobile Hope, and harvested vegetables at A Farm Less Ordinary, which helps adults with developmental disabilities.
“Through my personal experience and leading my congregation in outreach efforts from JustServe, I have witnessed the goodness of humanity,” Whitsitt said. “Despite the countless challenges that individuals and families are facing, there are many who generously give of their time and resources to provide relief for those who are suffering.”
This month, the Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area named JustServe.org as their Hero of the Month for kicking off their donation storage and distribution for the influx of Afghan refugees.
LSSNCA CEO Kristyn Peck expressed in a recent Facebook post, “Without JustServe sending a team of professional volunteers to our offices 7 hours a day, six days a week, … we would not have been able to accept the level of donations we’ve received, which allow Afghan Allies who are arriving with nothing but the clothes on their back the items they need to set up their new homes. Thanks to partnerships like this, we are able to serve a record-number of Afghan Allies who are safely resettling in our communities.”
Get started
Signing up to volunteer is easy through justserve.org or the free app for Android and Apple devices. Choose a username and password, confirm your email, and start searching for volunteer opportunities. When you find a project that interests you, select it and you’re signed up. You can manage your own profile to receive notices when projects in your area are posted and can manage the search criteria to filter or increase the radius of listings in your area.
For more information or to submit a project, contact Betsy Henry at Betsy.Henry@JustServe.org.
