Volunteer Directory

Seniors, families & animals opportunities

THRIFT STORES:

SGI UNITED METHODIST CHURCH THRIFT STORE operates from its tiny location behind the island’s Methodist Church. It relies on donated goods and features slightly used household items and clothing. Volunteers haul items to create an open air shopping venue and organize displays during this popular Thrift Store’s one morning of operation: Tuesdays between 9 am and 1 pm. Donated items must be in working condition, needing no repair, and worthy of purchase. Volunteers and customers must wear masks. To drop off items, contact Kelley Carrell 850-653-6020 or [email protected]
Twice Blessed Thrift Shop is found behind the First United Methodist Church at 14 David Street Eastpoint. Volunteers are sought to work in the Thrift Store on Thursdays & Fridays, 9 am – 1 pm. Contact Dottye Thornburg, 678-576-1738.

ELDER CARE COMMUNITY COUNCIL (ECCC) – This not-for-proit serves the county to bridge the gaps in services for residents over age 55. Operating out of the beautiful, historic Holy Family Senior Center in Apalachicola, the organization prepares and serves lunch “to-go” Monday through Friday, delivering meals to home bound seniors. ECCC offers a variety of other volunteer opportunities, including “Neighbor Helping Neighbor,” a program that matches needs with volunteers who can provide handyman services, respite care or wellness checks and “Monarch Butterfly Buddies” that seeks amateur gardeners to tend plants at the Holy Family pollinator garden. In January, ECCC assembles New Year’s Baskets with household goods, books, and blankets for distribution. Although fundraisers were cancelled last year, ECCC plans to host one fundraiser, the “Sizzler 5K Race & One Mile Fun Run” on St George Island, during the first week in August 2021. Call 850-370-0116 or visit www.ecccfranklin.org.

PRISON MINISTRY – Franklin County Sheriff A.J. Smith - The department supports Faith & Character-based Jail Ministries and seeks volunteers for a variety of programs that help ex-offenders in their rehabilitation and return to society as law abiding citizens. Volunteer leaders can support programs related to Fresh Start Visions Substance Abuse Program, GED Preparation, Sexual Abuse, Domestic Violence, Alcohol Abuse, Anger Management, Nutrition, Celebrate Recovery Substance Abuse, etc. Volunteers and participants currently meet by ZOOM and training is provided. “In-person visits” are expected to resume when appropriate. Contact James Donald, FCSO Faith-based Coordinator, [email protected], 404-405-7262. See also: www.FranklinSheriff.com.

FOOD PANTRIES – Franklin’s Promise Coalition This organization collects food and household items from state and federal sources, along with local contributions, and coordinates with other individual pantries, in Port St Joe, Eastpoint, and Carrabelle, to see that local families do not go hungry. Like many small rural counties in Florida, the need is great. Since the Covid pandemic, the food pantries have moved from their permanent locations to supply drive-through “mobile pantries.” Conservation Corps “Opportunity Youth” helpers have often replaced senior volunteers during this time. Time required for volunteers is greatest on Mondays, often up to three hours, when

the food supply arrives and must be “bagged” for drive-through or delivery. Safety precautions must be maintained inside buildings. Contact: Lori Switzer 850-323-0515. More info at the website, Franklin’s Promise Coalition - Hunger and Nutrition (wildapricot.org)

FRIENDS OF THE FRANKLIN COUNTY LIBRARY – The mission of the “Friends of the Franklin County Public Libraries,” a non-profit library support organization, is to assist the Franklin County Public Libraries’ goal to provide informational, educational, and cultural

materials for the benefit of persons of all ages in the community. Branches include both Carrabelle and Eastpoint. The Friends welcome volunteer help of all kinds and skills from cooking to carpentry, from landscaping to legal expertise, from reading to carpentry, from working at fundraisers to being a board member. Time requirement depends on role: fundraiser, board member, library volunteer, or program volunteer.

Use website friendsfcpl.com.

FRANKLIN COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY – The Humane Society is a non-profit whose mission is to provide a safe haven, medical care, food and loving attention until animals are adopted. The Humane Society is not utilizing in-facility volunteers at this time due to Covid-19; however, the organization is allowing part time and full time residents (this would include snowbirds who are here for several months) to participate in the “Adopt a Dog for a Day” program. This allows the volunteer to come to the shelter and choose a dog to take out to the beach or into town for several hours. The animal wears an “Adopt Me” vest or bandana so that people know the dog is available for adoption. This has been a fun experience for many people and has resulted in wonderful adoptions.

Contact Karen at 850-670-8417 or [email protected]. Check out www.forgottenpets.org

AUDUBON FLORIDA – St George Island is home to many shorebirds, including the rare Snowy Plover. The Coastal Stewardship program of Audubon Florida seeks volunteers to

assist in the protection of all species, as they nest along the Gulf. Periodic bird counts are critical to the tracking of birds’ reactions to changing natural climate.

Opportunities to engage in conservation as a citizen scientist or a volunteer can be found at fl.audubon.org/get-involved