Background

The mission of the United Way is to increase the organized capacity of people to care for one another. In 1989, United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County recognized that volunteerism is a key component of in connecting people to caring and subsequently merged with the community's volunteer center. Since that time, The Volunteer Center at United Way has served as the community's central clearinghouse for volunteer opportunities. The Center connects people who want to help with nonprofit organizations that need their help.

Programs

The Volunteer Center also spreads the word about the value of volunteerism and supports individuals and agencies with programs and events to make volunteering easier and more satisfying:

• Co-sponsored by local businesses, the Center coordinates Days of Caring. This yearly event mobilizes over 2,300 volunteers in citywide projects.

• An annual gala, , is the largest volunteer recognition event in this community.

•    Feast of Sharing is an annual event sponsored by H-E-B, in which the Volunteer Center takes a leadership role by recruiting, training and managing over 1,000 community volunteers who help serve a holiday dinner to those who are hungry or lonely.

   

• The Volunteer Center provides consultation to companies seeking to develop their own corporate volunteer programs.

• The Center coordinates youth volunteer opportunities and coordinates projects for national programs such as

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• The Center utilizes local media to publicize volunteer opportunities, coordinating with the San Antonio Express-News to run a weekly column and with the Community Calendar on cable TV. We also post opportunities on United Way's web site.

The inclusion of any organization or person in this database does not constitute a representation, warranty, or endorsement with respect to the competence, suitability, or reliability of such organization or person by United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County; nor does United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County sponsor or endorse any third-party web site. Legal Notices