MADISON – With fall festivals and workdays quickly approaching, all ages can volunteer to experience the satisfaction of giving back to the community. The Just Serve organization accepts requests for help and places people at events.

“JustServe helps link community needs with volunteers and does not discriminate in posting projects or encouraging volunteers to serve,” Cathy Larsen said. Larsen is Assistant Director for JustServe in the greater Madison area.

The JustServe.org website compiles volunteer needs from organizations. Volunteers can search for places to serve and thus enhance the community’s quality of life.

The following events are examples:

* Kids Kingdom at Dublin Park, Sept. 8 – JustServe quarterly workday. “We need 29 people to freshen up the playground by spreading mulch, cleaning and touch-up painting the equipment from 8 a.m. to noon,” Larsen said. “Dress appropriately for the weather, and wear clothing and shoes that could get dirt or paint on them.”

Larsen asks volunteers to bring wheelbarrows, flat shovels, mulching forks and work gloves. JustServe will provide water bottles and light snacks. Location contact is Gayle Milam, 256-772-2557, gayle.milam@madisonal.gov. Milam works as City Event and Volunteer Coordinator.

* Madison Street Festival, Oct. 6 — Slots are open all day and range from parade lineup to traffic control on downtown streets. “We need people to distribute Danishes and water to vendors. This job is possibly suitable for families or Boys Scouts or Girls Scouts with at least one parent,” Larsen said. Contact Larsen at 256-714-4488 or email msfvolunteering@gmail.com.

* Trick or Treat at Insanity Complex, Oct. 31 — Volunteers will distribute treats at tables for the recreation department and assist with games.

“Trick or Treat is great for volunteers interested in children/youth and community/people,” Larsen said. Event hours will be 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Contact Milam.

* Special Needs Trunk-or-Treat and Picnic, Dublin Park — “This fantastic event will bring a smile to your face,” Larsen said. From 2 to 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 28, volunteers will hand out candy, lead activities in the gymnasium and set up picnics in meeting rooms. Contact Milam.

Recently, JustServe supplied needed labor to Kids to Love to help pack 6,000 backpacks for children in the foster care system. In 2019, JustServe will be active with the Madison150/Alabama200 celebration. 

For more information, email cathy.larsen@justserve.org or visit JustServe.org.