Volunteering can be one of the most rewarding experiences. Not only are you taking the time to make someone else’s life better or help an organization thrive, you can also reap the benefits of knowing you are helping others. Toledo is home to many nonprofits and beneficial organizations that keep the community thriving and uplifting everyone in it.
Check out 20 local organizations you can volunteer with, below.
The Ability Center
5605 Monroe St.
419-885-5733
Abilitycenter.org
The Ability Center works to make the community the most disability friendly in the nation by increasing independence for people with disabilities, discovering true passions and changing the community’s perception of disability. You can get involved by puppy raising or sitting with the service dogs, building ramps throughout the community, or adopting pets that do not complete service training.
Area Office on Aging
2155 Arlington Ave.
419-382-0624
Areaofficeonaging.com
The Area Office on Aging promotes the health, well-being and safety of older adults, persons with disabilities and family caregivers to foster independence. There are numerous ways to volunteer, such as delivering meals, assisting with workshops, helping with disaster preparedness and more.
The Arts Commission
1838 Parkwood Ave. #120
419-254-2787
theartscommission.org
The Arts Commission works to strengthen the community through art programming and events that unite people from all walks of life. Through programming like the Art Loop, Momentum and Haunted Harvest, there are many ways for you to volunteer to keep these events and the mission of the organization thriving.
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
1801 Spielbusch Ave.
419-213-6753
Casakids.net
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)/Guardians ad Litem (GAL) are volunteers who serve as a voice for abused and neglected children. Volunteers are trained by the Juvenile Court to investigate a child’s social and emotional background and current circumstances and make recommendations to the court regarding what is in the child’s best interest. The CASA/GAL then monitors the child’s progress ensuring that the child’s voice, needs and wishes are heard by the court and that the child’s right to a safe, permanent home is acted on sensitively and expediently.
Cherry Street Mission Ministries
1501 Monroe St.
419-214-3007
Cherrystreetmission.org
Cherry Street’s vision is to provide access to every opportunity that an individual may need to move toward a life of health and wholeness. The group’s core focus is to eradicate poverty within the body, mind and spirit. Volunteers can serve and prepare meals, provide house hospitality, office support and more. All volunteer opportunities are listed on the Cherry Street website.
Connecting Kids to Meals
1501 Monroe St.
419-720-1106
connectingkidstomeals.org
Connecting Kids to Meals serves free meals to kids ages 18 and under all around the community. Each day, the organization provides thousands of healthy meals at no cost to kids in low-income and underserved areas in Northwest Ohio. Businesses and individuals alike come to our downtown facility monthly to volunteer. Volunteers package plates, utensils, condiments, snacks and other items making distribution of complete meals to our sites very efficient.
Food For Thought
3350 Hill Ave.
419-654-0235
feedtoledo.org
Food For Thought is a Toledo-based and Toledo-focused organization dedicated to feeding and nourishing our community. One in four families in Toledo experiences hunger. Food For Thought programs and partnerships strive to create a community where the hunger for food, respect and belonging is met for all people. Volunteers can donate money, as well as participate in packing lunches, engage with the community on food stop routes, assist with mobile food pantries and more.
Lucas County Cemetery Historical Association
4902 Rudgate Boulevard
419-601-8084
charles_w.tripod.com/lucascountycemeterieshistoricalassociationlccha/index.html
The LCCHA improves the records of burials in Lucas County, Ohio, so that anyone can easily locate a burial of interest to them. They are non-paid, non-profit, archival, and educational; a class A82 organization that interprets, collects and preserves the historical heritage of this specific geographic location. Anyone interested in getting involved can help with the research and paperwork involved in this organization.
Lucas County Pit Crew
855 N McCord Road
lucascountypitcrew.com
The Lucas County Pit Crew supports responsible guardians of companion animals in our community, with an emphasis on Pit Bull Terrier type dogs and community cats, through education, advocacy, training assistance, spay/neuter promotion, foster care and adoption. People can foster pets, donate money or volunteer by mowing the grass or walking the dogs.
Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity
1310 Conant St.
419-382-1658
Maumee Valley Habitat is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI). The organization rehabilitates homes, provides the ReStore for home improvement products and more. Volunteers can work on construction sites, help operate ReStore, handle administrative work and more.
Mobile Meals Toledo
2200 Jefferson Ave.
419-255-7806
Mobilemeals.org
Mobile Meals helps those needing assistance with diet and meal preparation, regardless of income, so they can remain in their homes and retain the dignity and independence they cherish. These meal deliveries are exactly what volunteers will be helping out with, delivering meals to various neighborhoods a few times each month.
NAMI Greater Toledo
4334 Secor Road
419-243-1119
namitoledo.org
NAMI of Greater Toledo has been supporting thousands of families and individuals impacted by mental health. As a local affiliate of NAMI National, they promote community wellness, break down barriers to mental health care and provide support and expertise in Toledo and beyond. Volunteers can reach out in the community by spreading the word about mental health, helping with outreach events, attending NAMIWalks and passing out snacks, helping with data entry and more.
Nature’s Nursery
7790 Co Road 152
419-877-0060
natures-nursery.org
Nature’s Nursery Center for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation Education provides medical care to injured, orphaned or ailing wild animals, and conducts conservation educational outreach programs for children and adults. Volunteers help the staff with day-to-day animal care, facilities maintenance, answering the hotline, transportation, education programming and advocacy.
Partners in Education
709 Madison Ave. #310
419-242-2122
partnerstoledo.org
Partners in Education is a non-profit organization that develops programming for area K-12 schools and fosters partnerships with schools by engaging businesses, higher education institutions, nonprofit agencies and communities of faith in service to students. They have opportunities to tutor an elementary student, be a career mentor for a middle schooler, register participants at events, be a career speaker, take part in hands-on teaching opportunities and more.
Salvation Army Northwest Ohio
620 N Erie St.
419-241-1138
easternusa.salvationarmy.org/northeast-ohio/northwest-ohio
The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination. The organization works to cure hunger, helps disaster survivors, fights for social justice and more. Volunteers can help with many things, particularly revolving around poverty and hunger in the area.
Toledo GROWs
827 Oneida St.
419-720-8714
toledogrows.org
Toledo GROWs is a grassroots effort dedicated to the continued growth and success of community-based gardens in the City of Toledo and the surrounding area. Volunteers are always welcome to assist with tending to the gardens, and can volunteer individually or with groups.
Toledo Humane Society
827 Illinois Ave.
419-891-0705
Toledohumane.org
The Toledo Humane Society is committed to the welfare of animals and to promoting a healthy bond between animals and their human companions. The group saves animals from cruelty, provides temporary shelter and care, advocates for animals and educates the community regarding animal issues. Volunteers must be 16 years and older, complete training and do preliminary chores. They can work in the thrift store, directly with the animals and more.
Toledo Pride
toledopride.com
The Toledo Pride Festival is a large-scale, outdoor event showcasing the best local entertainment. The festival also boasts a parade, food, merchandise vendors, and networking with numerous community organizations, including social groups, churches and health and wellness groups. Volunteers are always welcome and encouraged, and there are a wide variety of shifts available before, during and after Pride.
Toledo Zoo
2 Hippo Way
419-385-5721
toledozoo.org
The Toledo Zoo is the premier destination for seeing all sorts of animals you wouldn’t find in the Toledo area. Through various programming and community outreach, the Toledo Zoo has solidified its spot as a staple in the community. Volunteers are crucial to the zoo’s mission, with opportunities like ushering concerts, working with horticulture, helping as exhibit guides and more.
YWCA of Northwest Ohio
1018 Jefferson Ave.
419-241-3235
ywcanwo.org
The YWCA of Northwest Ohio is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. Volunteers can donate money or time by participating in clean-up and beautification projects, domestic violence support, sexual assault survivor support and more.
