• 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:

    SPECIAL OLYMPICS SUMMER GAMES
    DATES: Thursday, June 8th - Saturday, June 10th
    LOCATION: PSU Campus
    DESCRIPTION: Volunteers are needed to help out with this year's summer games in a variety of capacities. Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. 
    NEXT STEPS: If you are interested in volunteering, please email Paul Dunkelbarger directly (pmd14@scasd.org) or go to https://specialolympicspa.org/get-involved/become-a-volunteer to sign up. 
     
    PRIDE WEEKEND
    DATES: Friday, June 9th - Sunday, June 11th
    LOCATION: Downtown State College
    DESCRIPTION: Volunteers are needed to help out with this year's Pride events in a variety of capacities.
    NEXT STEPS: If you are interested in volunteering, please learn more about opportunities available and sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0e49aaae22a1f8c52-pride#/
     
    MOVIES UNDER THE STARS
    DATES: Fridays - May 19, June 23, July 7, August 4
    LOCATION: Sydney Friedman Park
    DESCRIPTION: Volunteers are needed to help out for this monthly event. They need folks to help with bike valet parking, handing out popcorn, and setting up/tearing down the big movie screen.
    NEXT STEPS: If you are interested in volunteering for one or all of these dates, please SIGN UP HERE. If you have questions, please email volunteer@statecollegepa.us.
     
    Juneteenth Celebration for Kids
    DATES: June 19
    TIME: 9:45am-11:00am
    LOCATION: Schlow Memorial Library
    WHAT WILL I BE DOING: Volunteers will help young children participate in the various activities that are set up at the event.
    NEXT STEPS: If you are interested in volunteering for this event, please email Paula Bannon
     
    CENTRAL PA ARTS FEST
    DATES: Wednesday, July 12th - Sunday, July 16th
    LOCATION: Downtown State College
    DESCRIPTION: Volunteers are needed to help out with this year's Arts Fest in a variety of capacities.
    NEXT STEPS: If you are interested in volunteering, please go here to learn more about available opportunities: https://arts-festival.com/volunteer. To sign up, go here to complete the required form: https://arts-festival.com/contact.
     
    PEOPLE'S CHOICE FESTIVAL
    DATES: Thursday, July 13th - Sunday, July 16th
    LOCATION: Grange Fairgrounds
    DESCRIPTION: Volunteers are needed to help out with this year's People's Choice Festival in a variety of capacities.
    NEXT STEPS: If you are interested in volunteering, please go here to learn more about available opportunities and for contact information: https://peopleschoicefestival.com/volunteer-application/
     
     
    TAPROOT KITCHEN
    DATES: TBD throughout the spring and summer
    LOCATION: Taproot Kitchen garden at 318 S. Atherton as well as their kitchen and farmers' markets
    NEXT STEPS: What is Taproot Kitchen? Check HERE for more information. If you are interested in volunteering to help with cleaning up and planting the garden beds, helping them work in the kitchen, or helping out a local farmers' markets, please contact Sharon Schafer (hello@taprootkitchen.org) and Lou Johnson (snapdat4@hotmail.com). 
     
    2023 Summer Reading Program
    DATES: Throughout the summer - Applications due by June 1
    LOCATION: Schlow Memorial Library
    WHAT WILL I BE DOING: Volunteers will be helping the library staff to run the summer reading program for children aged 3-12. Some responsibilities include handing out reading tickets, learning to use an internet-based computer program (training will be provided), and a willingness to discuss the Summer Reading Program with families. 
    NEXT STEPS: If you are interested in being a part of this program please fill out the application.
    For more information about volunteering for the Summer Reading Program please check out this flyer: Summer Reading Program Information
     
     

    IRONMAN 70.3 HAPPY VALLEY

     
     
    DATE: Sunday, July 2nd
    TIME: All day
    LOCATION: Various stations throughout Centre County
    NEEDS: People are needed for the bike aid station, the run aid station, setup, tear down, registration, food, working with the children's event, and other activities.
    HOW TO REGISTER AS A VOLUNTEER: Go HERE to register as a volunteer and read more information about specific volunteer roles they are looking to fill.
     
     
    OTHER OPPORTUNITIES:
    Check out this DOCUMENT with different agencies, organizations, and contact information you might consider for service.
     
    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, please check out this website:  https://statecollegepa.civilspace.io/en
     
    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. Go HERE for details about how to volunteer at Discovery Space.
     

    Volunteer with Taproot Kitchen!

    Taproot Kitchen
    Taproot Kitchen will be looking for volunteers this summer to help out with their gardens along N. Atherton. If you are interested in volunteering with them, please send an email to Sharon at hello@taprootkitchen.org. 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."
     
     
     The Volunteer Centre County website lists volunteer needs for local organizations in the Centre Region and can be found here: Volunteer Centre County: Projects
     
     
    Advisory Council and PTSO Meetings
    NOTE: Meetings are generally held the first Wednesday of the month.
     
    Advisory Council: 
    PTSO: 
     
    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 Personel:
     
     
    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).
     
Last Modified on Wednesday at 9:18 AM