GET INVOLVED. MAKE AN IMPACT.
Your time can change our community.
Whether you have a few hours, want to volunteer regularly, are looking for a way to engage your workplace, or have skills you want to put to work, the United Way Volunteer Center can help you find a meaningful way to serve.
The United Way Volunteer Center connects individuals, businesses, nonprofits, schools, community groups, and volunteers across Muskegon, Newaygo, and Oceana Counties to opportunities that strengthen our communities.
United Way Volunteer Center
We believe everyone has something to contribute. Our job is to help turn that willingness to serve into action.
The Volunteer Center:
Connects people to meaningful service. Find one-time events, ongoing opportunities, skilled volunteer roles, community projects, and other ways to give your time.
Mobilizes volunteers around community needs. From National Days of Service and community events to disaster response and emerging needs, we bring people together when our community needs them.
Engages companies and groups. We help businesses, employee teams, schools, service clubs, and other groups find meaningful ways to serve together.
Strengthens local nonprofits. We provide tools, technology, training, volunteer recruitment, and other support to help organizations build strong volunteer programs.
Creates pathways for deeper service. Through AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP, committees, leadership opportunities, skilled volunteering, and more, volunteers can put their experience and passions to work for the Lakeshore.
Ready to get involved? Explore volunteer opportunities through GetConnected or contact our Volunteer Center team to find the right place to start.
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Looking for a deeper way to get involved? Put your experience, skills, and passion to work by helping shape what’s next for our community.
Through Lead With United Way, community members can serve on committees, help guide community investments, support workplace campaigns, lend professional expertise, and take on other leadership roles that strengthen United Way and our work across Muskegon, Newaygo, and Oceana Counties.
Opportunities may include:
Community and advisory committees
Community Investment Panels
Affinity and leadership groups
Workplace campaign leadership
Skilled and professional volunteer roles
Short- and long-term leadership opportunities
Whether you have an hour a month or are ready for a larger commitment, there are ways to use your voice, experience, and connections to make a difference.
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Put your time into action by volunteering directly with United Way of the Lakeshore. Throughout the year, we lead and coordinate a variety of opportunities that connect volunteers with our programs, initiatives, and community work across Muskegon, Newaygo, and Oceana Counties.
Opportunities may include:
Early Literacy Mentors
Help young students build foundational reading skills through United Way's Early Childhood Literacy Program. Trained volunteer mentors work one-on-one with students identified by participating schools, providing consistent reading support throughout the school year.Housing & Homelessness Initiatives
Support United Way's work alongside the local Continuum of Care to address housing instability and homelessness. Opportunities may include the annual Point-in-Time Count and other United Way-coordinated projects connected to local housing and homelessness efforts.Mobile Food Pantries
Volunteer at United Way-hosted Mobile Food Pantries in Oceana County in partnership with Feeding America West Michigan. Volunteers help with activities such as setup, food distribution, traffic flow, and cleanup.United Way Welcome Desk
Help support the day-to-day work of United Way of the Lakeshore. Welcome Desk volunteers greet visitors, answer phones, assist with mailings, and provide general office support.Special Projects
United Way coordinates additional volunteer projects throughout the year in response to programs, partnerships, and emerging community needs. Opportunities vary based on what is happening across the Lakeshore. -
Put your experience to work for your community.
AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP connects adults age 55 and older with meaningful volunteer opportunities that match their interests, experience, and availability.
Through United Way of the Lakeshore, RSVP members can serve with nonprofit organizations and community partners in Muskegon, Newaygo, and Oceana Counties while becoming part of a network of volunteers committed to making a difference.
Whether you want to serve regularly, share a special skill, meet new people, or simply find a meaningful way to give back, RSVP can help you find the right fit.
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Give a few hours. Have some fun. Help make community events happen.
Looking for a fun, flexible way to volunteer? United Way of the Lakeshore connects volunteers with opportunities to lend a hand at festivals, special events, Days of Caring, community celebrations, and other activities throughout Muskegon, Newaygo, and Oceana Counties.
Event volunteers may help with things like welcoming guests, registration and check-in, setup and cleanup, activities, information booths, parking, event logistics, and more.
These opportunities are great for individuals, families, groups, workplace teams, and anyone looking for a one-time way to get involved without making an ongoing commitment.
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Bring your team together. Make an impact together.
Looking for a meaningful way to engage your employees, coworkers, students, members, or community group? The United Way Volunteer Center can help connect groups with service opportunities that match their interests, size, availability, and goals.
We work with businesses and groups to identify opportunities such as:
One-time group volunteer projects
Days of Caring and community service events
Festival and special event volunteering
Supply drives and collection projects
Skilled and professional volunteer projects
Team-building through service
Opportunities connected to emerging community needs
Whether you have five people or fifty, a few hours or an entire day, we'll work with you to explore ways your team can put its time and talents into action.
Ready to get your team involved?
Contact Dave Elliot, Volunteer Center Coordinator, at dave@unitedwaylakeshore.org or (231) 332-4010 to get started.
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Join your neighbors. Serve together. Make the day matter.
Throughout the year, United Way of the Lakeshore brings volunteers together around National and Global Days of Service, turning moments of recognition into opportunities for action across Muskegon, Newaygo, and Oceana Counties.
Service opportunities may include:
Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service – Honor Dr. King's legacy by coming together in service to our community.
Global Youth Service Day & Day of Caring – Mobilize volunteers, including young people, schools, workplaces, and community groups, to take action through hands-on projects that strengthen our communities.
9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance – Honor those we lost and those who served by giving back through meaningful acts of service.
Veterans Day – Honor and serve local veterans through projects that preserve their stories, recognize their service, and strengthen connections with veterans in our community.
Projects and opportunities vary each year based on community needs, partnerships, and where volunteers can make the greatest impact.
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Be ready to help when our community needs it most.
When emergencies and disasters impact Muskegon, Newaygo, or Oceana Counties, United Way of the Lakeshore helps connect people who want to help with the needs identified by our community's response partners.
When emergencies call for it, we are proud to work alongside our County Emergency Management Departments, the American Red Cross, local nonprofit organizations, and other response partners to help mobilize volunteers and resources where they are needed most.
Join the United Way Emergency Response Team
You don't have to wait for an emergency to raise your hand.
Join our Emergency Response Team contact list and let us know that you may be willing to volunteer when our community faces a disaster, emergency, or other significant need.
When volunteers are needed, United Way may contact members of the list with information about available opportunities, locations, schedules, qualifications, and instructions for safely getting involved. Depending on the situation, volunteers may be needed to assist with:
Community cleanup and recovery
Sorting and organizing donated supplies
Food, water, or essential-needs distribution
Volunteer reception and coordination
Community outreach and information
Other response and recovery needs identified by our partners
Joining the list does not obligate you to serve. It simply means we can reach out when help is needed, and you can decide whether the opportunity is right for you.
During an emergency, please do not self-deploy to an affected area. United Way will share verified volunteer opportunities and instructions as needs are identified by emergency management and response partners.
JOIN THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM →
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Need volunteer hours? We can help you find a place to serve.
Whether you're completing service for school, National Honor Society, a court requirement, a public benefit program, or another organization, the United Way Volunteer Center can help connect you with volunteer opportunities across Muskegon, Newaygo, and Oceana Counties.
School & National Honor Society Service Hours
Need volunteer hours for National Honor Society, graduation, a class, scholarship, club, or other school requirement? GetConnected makes it easy to explore volunteer opportunities and keep track of your service.
Students should confirm their school's requirements, including which activities qualify and what documentation or signatures may be required.
FIND STUDENT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES →
Court-Ordered Community Service
The Volunteer Center can help individuals explore opportunities that may accept court-ordered community service.
Not every organization or volunteer opportunity is able to accept court-ordered volunteers, and eligibility may depend on the requirements of your court order. Please confirm that an organization and opportunity will meet your requirements before beginning your service.
FIND COURT-ORDERED SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES →
Public Benefits & Participation Requirements
If you have been asked to complete volunteer or community service hours as part of a work, eligibility, or participation requirement for a public benefit or assistance program, the Volunteer Center can help you explore available opportunities.
Requirements vary by program and individual circumstances. Before beginning service, please confirm with your caseworker or administering agency that the volunteer activity you select will meet your specific requirements.
FIND A VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY →
Other Volunteer Hour Requirements
Need hours for another program, organization, certification, or requirement? Start with GetConnected or contact us. We'll help you explore available opportunities and determine your next step.
Questions or need help finding the right opportunity?
Contact Dave Elliot, Volunteer Center Coordinator, at dave@unitedwaylakeshore.org or (231) 332-4010.
GET CONNECTED
Volunteer Opportunity Search Engine & Volunteer Management Tool
Volunteers:
One community. Hundreds of ways to make a difference.
GetConnected is the United Way Volunteer Center's online hub for volunteer opportunities across Muskegon, Newaygo, and Oceana Counties.
Explore opportunities posted by local nonprofits, schools, community organizations, and United Way of the Lakeshore. Search for opportunities that match your interests, availability, location, and the way you want to serve.
With GetConnected, you can:
Find one-time and ongoing volunteer opportunities
Sign up for volunteer shifts and events
Explore opportunities for individuals, families, teams, and groups
Track your volunteer hours and service history
Discover new organizations and causes in your community
Stay connected to upcoming ways to serve
Whether you have one hour, one day, or want to make volunteering part of your regular routine, there's a place for you to get involved.
For Nonprofits, Schools & Community Organizations
NEED VOLUNTEERS? GET CONNECTED.
GetConnected is FREE for nonprofit organizations, schools, clubs, churches, and community organizations serving Muskegon, Newaygo, and Oceana Counties.
Organizations can use GetConnected to recruit volunteers, manage opportunities and shifts, communicate with volunteers, track service hours, and better understand the impact volunteers make.
Why Use GetConnected?
Recruit Volunteers: Share your needs with people looking for ways to serve throughout the Lakeshore.
Manage Opportunities & Shifts: Create one-time or ongoing opportunities and organize volunteers around specific dates and times.
Track Hours & Impact: Capture volunteer participation and service hours for reporting and recognition.
Manage Groups & Teams: Coordinate group volunteer participation more easily.
Simplify Check-In: Use available tools to help manage volunteer attendance and participation.
Communicate With Volunteers: Keep registered volunteers informed about the opportunities they've joined.
Build Your Volunteer Program: Use GetConnected as a central tool for managing and growing volunteer engagement.
Need Help Getting Started?
The United Way Volunteer Center can help your organization get established on GetConnected, learn how to use the platform, and think through ways to strengthen volunteer engagement.
Questions? Contact Dave Elliot, Volunteer Center Coordinator, at dave@unitedwaylakeshore.org or (231) 332-4010.
OMMUNITY CLEANUP TRAILERS
Have a project? We have the tools to help.
Ready to roll up your sleeves and make a difference in your neighborhood or community? United Way of the Lakeshore's Community Cleanup Trailers are available to help groups turn an idea for service into action.
The trailers provide tools and supplies to support volunteer-led cleanup and beautification projects throughout Muskegon, Newaygo, and Oceana Counties.
Community Cleanup Trailers can be a great resource for:
Neighborhood and community cleanups
Parks and public spaces
Schools and community organizations
Cemetery and memorial cleanups
Beautification projects
Employee and group service days
Other approved community service projects
Whether you're a neighborhood group, nonprofit, school, business, service club, or group of community members ready to lend a hand, the Volunteer Center can help you determine whether a Community Cleanup Trailer is a good fit for your project.
Reserve a Community Cleanup Trailer
Trailers are available by reservation and are subject to availability. Contact the United Way Volunteer Center to tell us about your project, anticipated number of volunteers, location, and preferred date.
REQUEST A COMMUNITY CLEANUP TRAILER →
Questions? Contact Dave Elliot, Volunteer Center Coordinator, at dave@unitedwaylakeshore.org or (231) 332-4010.