United Way 211 launches volunteer center

Finding help and giving help in our community is easier than ever before. In order to better serve the community, United Way 211, the comprehensive information and referral program for human service needs, announced the launch of the United Way Volunteer Center for Lee, Hendry and Glades counties. The United Way Volunteer Center will serve our community by connecting individuals and companies to volunteer activities. This will be an invaluable resource to those that recruit volunteers as well as people and companies looking for volunteer opportunities. The United Way Volunteer Center is designed to serve as a focal point for mobilizing and connecting both new and established volunteers and leaders and to engage them in activities that strengthen and unite our community. The launch of the United Way Volunteer Center coincides with National Volunteer Week.

By simply dialing 2-1-1, Lee, Hendry and Glades residents can reach a caring, trained specialist, who will match their needs with local human services or volunteer opportunities. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, United Way 211 is also an integral component of our community's disasterresponse infrastructure. The launch of the United Way Volunteer Center will enable United Way 211 to mobilize more volunteers during these times.

"Today's announcement of the United Way Volunteer Center launch is an important enhancement to the United Way 211 program that will allow us to help even more people in our community," said Cliff Smith, President of United Way.

The program kicked off on April 29 with Target Days of Caring. Twenty Target employees volunteered at United Way Partner, Community Cooperative Ministries, by preparing and serving meals, beautifying the area, and reading to children at the Montessori Center.

"Whether it's one person or a group of people, one hour or one day, volunteers make a difference in our agency and in our community," said Sarah Owen, Director of Community Cooperative Ministries. "We are so thrilled to have Target employees at our agency for the inaugural Volunteer Center project. It's clear to see that Target employees truly care about our community."

Comcast employees will be finished this first week of operation for the United Way Volunteer Center by completing a project at United Way Partner, Special Equestrians.

If you know anyone who needs help or would like to give help please have them call United Way 211 by simply dialing 211 from a land line phone. Some pay phones, cell phones and hotel/motel-room phones cannot access United Way 211 directly. The service can always be reached by dialing 239-433-3900, in Lee County and 1-863-675-8383 in Hendry and Glades counties.

The United Way Volunteer Center is program of United Way 211. The United Way 211 program is a partnership between United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades Counties, Lee County Department of Human Services, Southwest Florida Community Foundation, Abuse Counseling and Treatment (ACT), Lee County Emergency Medical Services, Lee County Emergency Management and Publix Super Markets.