Nothing brings people together like a common cause and working together to make a difference is a powerful way to create the collaborative spirit that’s essential to a successful meeting. Tap into that power through One Beach One World, a partnership with PCMA’s Giving Good program. To help planners meeting in Virginia Beach reach their corporate social responsibility goals, One Beach One World offers meaningful experiences that delegates and attendees value, shared enrichment that strengthens bonds among collaborators and the chance to make an impact through volunteer efforts.
Environmental Volunteer Opportunities
Lynnhaven River NOW
The source of some of the world’s most coveted oysters, the Lynnhaven River is also a major watershed for Virginia Beach and surrounding areas — as well as critical habitat for wildlife above and below the waterline. Lynnhaven River NOW is dedicated to maintaining the river’s health and cleanliness through community education and engagement, including seasonal opportunities to take part in river restoration projects.
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is the only independent 501(c)(3) organization dedicated solely to restoring and protecting the Chesapeake Bay and its tributary rivers — nearly 3 million acres of varied wetland habitat. Since its founding 40 years ago, the organization’s goal has been to improve water quality by reducing pollution. Volunteers are always needed for projects ranging from tree planting to collecting litter.
Military Volunteer Opportunities
USO of Hampton Roads
The USO of Hampton Roads works to enhance quality of life for U.S. Armed Forces personnel and their families worldwide, creating a cooperative relationship between U.S. Military and civilian communities. The organization welcomes volunteers to serve as greeters at the local Service Center as well as event support for a variety of annual Quality of Life Events attended by thousands of military personnel and their families.
VetsHouse, Inc.
Vetshouse, Inc. is a private non-profit organization which has been assisting homeless Veterans in Hampton Roads since 1992. Our mission is to provide housing, food, clothing, counseling and other assistance to homeless veterans of the U. S. Armed Forces in order to facilitate their return to an independent and productive lifestyle. Volunteers assist with home repairs, groundskeeping, and the produce stand.
Social Justice Volunteer Opportunities
The Potter’s House
Potter’s House is one of several urban outreach ministries of the Virginia Beach United Methodist Church (VBUMC) The organization provides services to the Virginia Beach homeless, working poor and people in crisis situations — providing sack lunches and grocery orders; clothing, personal hygiene and haircuts; bicycles and bicycle repair; rent and utilities assistance; and help preparing and submitting government paperwork.
Care by Community
Care by Community is VBUMC’s after-school program for children from the homeless and working poor communities. This outreach focuses on the children of nearby Cooke Elementary School and runs from mid-October through May on Mondays and Wednesdays. Volunteers assist students one-on-one with homework, reading, school projects and more — snack donations and dinner sponsors are welcome as well.
Judeo-Christian Outreach Center
The Judeo-Christian Outreach Center provides a full-service recovery program providing food, shelter, clothing, medical assessments, substance abuse referral, education services and job training for homeless men, women and families. Since its founding in 1986, the JCOC has supported fresh starts by providing food, shelter, case management, life skills classes, job placement and addiction recovery assistance.
The Salvation Army, Hampton Roads Area Command
The Salvation Army began its work in Hampton Roads 110 years ago, after arriving in the U.S. from London. Today, this chapter serves its community with emergency assistance, housing, substance abuse treatment, youth enrichment opportunities and emergency disaster services. The Salvation Army is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Samaritan House
Samaritan House provides a comprehensive range of crisis hotline, residential, counseling, legal referrals, victim advocacy and outreach services to homeless families and victims of domestic violence. Volunteers are needed in all areas: hotline operator, food shopper, driver, Children’s Program volunteer, administrative office and maintenance workers, special event volunteers and education assistance.
Seton Youth Services
Seton Youth Services offers 24-hour emergency shelter and counseling for vulnerable youth through its residential program, youth and family counseling, in-school mentoring for children of prisoners and street outreach programs. Volunteers are needed at both the Boys’ and Girls’ Shelters for groundskeeping, paint and other general maintenance. Groups and/or individuals can assist as their time allows.
International Volunteer Opportunities
Plan International USA
Plan International works with communities in developing countries to end the cycle of poverty for children by developing solutions to ensure long-term sustainability. Their outreach efforts range from clean water and health care programs to education projects and child protection initiatives. The VBCVB has a dedicated URL for Plan’s Gift of Hope programs which tracks donations received through our partners.
Rise Against Hunger
Since 2005, Rise Against Hunger volunteer groups have packaged more than 540 million meals, and each year we engage hundreds of thousands of volunteers globally. We rely on groups of any size in locations across the world for packing assistance; these events provide a fun, educational way for groups to not only make a huge impact worldwide — but also to touch the lives of the volunteers in your group.
Contact
Turn good intentions into good deeds. To identify and plan the right volunteer opportunities for your event, get in touch with key partners for assistance.
Teresa Diaz
Public Relations Specialist
Phone: 757-385-6631
email: [email protected]
Jane White, CSEP
Director of Convention Services
Phone: 757-385-6665
email: [email protected]