Community Service Opportunities
Community Service Opportunities
UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES
On this page you can find service opportunities that are available in the Centre County community.
These may not be school-sponsored events or activities.
CURRENT SCHEDULED OPPORTUNITIES
Check out this online resource from Volunteer Centre County to help link you to a wide variety of opportunities throughout the county.
A Walk to Remember 5K Walk/Run
DATE & TIME: Saturday, May 25th at 8 AM (with packet pick-up on Friday, May 24th between 5-6 PM)
LOCATION: Boalsburg Military Museum
DETAILS: This walk honors and acknowledges those in the military who have lost their lives serving their country. It is hosted by the museum and local non-profit, A Soldier's Hands.
NEXT STEPS: If you are interested, you can sign up HERE!
East Fairmount Park Clean-Up
DATE & TIME: Wednesday, May 29th from 5 PM - 7 PM
LOCATION: East Fairmount Park at 518 E. Fairmount Ave.
DETAILS: Work needed includes removing weeds, overgrowth, and invasive species as well as mulching.
NEXT STEPS: If you are interested, send an email to volunteer@statecollegepa.us.
Juneteenth Block Party
DATE: Friday, June 14th & Saturday, June 15th
TIME: Various times over the course of the event
LOCATION: Snider Ag Arena
DETAILS: Volunteers are needed for this community event. To sign up, go HERE.
Centre LGBT+
Volunteers are always needed to assist with community events and projects. You can apply to volunteer HERE.
A Soldier's Hands
A Soldier's Hands is a local organization that sends personalized care packages to military personnel. More information about this non-profit can be found HERE. They are looking for students to write cards and letters to accompany the packages. This DOCUMENT details what to include in a letter and what to do with completed letters.
Opportunities with Foxdale Village
If you are interested in volunteering at this local retirement community, interacting and participating in activities with residents or otherwise helping out around the facilities, contact Brook Rorar, the Life Enrichment Supervisor, at brorar@foxdalevillage.org or call (814) 272-2247.
Opportunities with The Villages at Penn State
If you are interested in volunteering at this local retirement community, interacting and participating in activities with residents or otherwise helping out around the facilities, contact Jana Henderson, the Atrium Activities Director, at jhenderson@villageatpennstate.org. Volunteers will need to get or show proof of a recent TB test. There will always be nurses around as well as support from Jana while you are there!
Opportunities with Discovery Space
Check out these volunteer opportunities with Discovery Space:
- CEEL After School Program: We are looking for high school or college students to help with our after school outreach program! This program runs Mondays-Thursdays from 3:15-5pm at 2 local elementary schools and is for kids ages 5-10. This is a great opportunity for volunteers looking to gain firsthand experience in classroom management and leading activities.
- Weekly Programs: We will have a variety of programs on Wednesday-Saturday mornings for kids ranging from 1-7 years old. Volunteers that would like to assist with these programs can contact me to sign up for shifts from 10am-12pm on those days. Visit our website for more information on our weekly programs!
Help out with the Centre County 4-H Robotics Team!
DATES: Sundays (4-5:30 pm), Mondays (5-6:30 pm) and every other Tuesday (5-6:30 pm) beginning September 10
LOCATION: Discovery Space
DETAILS: Volunteers don't need any previous experience with robotics and can commit to attending as many or as few meetings as they like. They are looking for folks who are interested in robotics (engineering, coding), Lego, and/or working with younger kids.
NEXT STEPS: Interested students can complete the volunteer form to learn more.
Faith Center Pet Pantry
DATES: Wednesdays, 8 - 10:30 AM or (since you are likely in school!) alternative times can be arranged
LOCATION: St. Andrews Episcopal Church
DETAILS: This pet food and supply pantry is looking for some help when it is open on Wednesday mornings, or otherwise helping to bag up food and supplies for pets in need at a different time.
NEXT STEPS: Interested students can email BJ Clitherow at BJ_Clitherow@comcast.com.
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES:
Advisory Council and PTSO Meetings
NOTE: Meetings are generally held the first Wednesday of the month, but not always, so please check!
Advisory Council: Wednesday, March 13th (due to Spring Break) from 5 to 7 PM
PTSO: Wednesday, March 13th (due to Spring Break) from 7 to 8 PM
Check out this DOCUMENT with different agencies, organizations, and contact information you might consider for service.
State College Bicycle Ambassador Program
The Borough of State College is recruiting enthusiastic cyclists for the launch of its Bicycle Ambassador Program.
Bicycle Ambassadors are bike-loving community members that volunteer their time to support the local cycling com
Bicycle Ambassadors are bike-loving community members that volunteer their time to support the local cycling com
Volunteer with the YMCA
Go HERE for more information about how you can get involved at the YMCA, with either one-time events or to serve as a longer-term volunteer.
State College Bicycle Ambassador Program
The Borough of State College is recruiting enthusiastic cyclists for the launch of its Bicycle Ambassador Program.
Bicycle Ambassadors are bike-loving community members that volunteer their time to support the local cycling community by assisting Borough staff with community outreach events, engaging and networking with cyclists, educating the public, and making recommendations for infrastructure improvements. For more information or to sign-up to volunteer here.
Bicycle Ambassadors are bike-loving community members that volunteer their time to support the local cycling community by assisting Borough staff with community outreach events, engaging and networking with cyclists, educating the public, and making recommendations for infrastructure improvements. For more information or to sign-up to volunteer here.
Volunteer at Harmony of State College
Volunteers are needed at Harmony of State College, a local retirement home. They are looking for folks to host bingo, painting classes, or just to come and chat with the residents. They are also looking for students to help paint a mural in their memory care unit. If any of these opportunities are of interest to you, please email Jennifer Pressler at JPressler@harmonyatstatecollege.com.
Volunteer at Discovery Space
Volunteers are needed at Discovery Space, and this could be a really fun opportunity if you enjoy science or working with kids! They are generally looking for a 2-4 hour commitment each week, but have some other new opportunities highlighted below. Go HERE for details about how to volunteer at Discovery Space or email their volunteer coordinator at gina@discoveryspace.org.
Volunteer with Taproot Kitchen!
Taproot Kitchen is always looking for volunteers to help out with their gardens and other projects. If you are interested in volunteering with them, please send an email to please contact Sharon Schafer (hello@taprootkitchen.org) and Lou Johnson (snapdat4@hotmail.com). Taproot Kitchen "is a culinary venture whose main ingredients are people and produce: adults with autism and intellectual disabilities and fresh food gleaned from local farms. We see value and worth in both, engaging and employing people with ID in the culinary arts and gleaning unharvested food. With these unique ingredients, our team creates artisan dishes that highlight the flavors of the season."
And another opportunity...
There are several organizations that distribute letters to individuals that may otherwise not receive correspondence.
Please make arrangements with Nick or Deb if you are interested in taking part in one of these (or other) service-based letter writing campaigns and would like it to count towards your service credit.
Letters to Military Personnel:
Ideas for soldiers cards letters
Letters to Children:
Cardz for kidz (making your own cards)
Letters to Senior Citizens:
For more information regarding service opportunities and to ask service related questions, or if you notice that any of these links are out of date, please contact Nick Gildow (nwg11@scasd.org) or Deborah Steinberg (djs20@scasd.org).