Recurring Volunteer Opportunities

Recurring annual offerings with United Way partners

January-May: Income tax preparation assistance

• Lend your time and professional skills to one of our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites around the state during tax season. Assist with this key initiative that helps Rhode Islanders file their tax returns on time and access the federal and state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). To see a full listing of VITA sites, click here.
• To be a volunteer tax preparer, you must attend an evening class, sponsored by the IRS, twice-a-week for five weeks. Click here for more information.
• Once completing the training and passing the test, VITA volunteers are required to make a commitment of three-to-four hours per week from mid-January through April 15.
• If you have questions or would like to register for a class, please contact Meg Chevalier at miguelina.y.chevalier@ irs.gov or by phone at (401) 528-1856 or Michael Manning at michael.c.manning@irs.gov or by phone at (401) 528-1884.

February: United Way 2-1-1 in Rhode Island Day

• February 11 is National 2-1-1 Day and each year we raise awareness of the importance of this vital service through community engagement events. Check back in early 2012 to see what we have planned and how you can get involved.
  

• Click here to learn more about United Way 2-1-1 in Rhode Island.

May: National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Food Drive

• The NALC annual food drive is the largest single-day collection of non-perishable items in the nation. Letter carriers throughout the United States deliver the mail and then collect donations that people set out at their mailboxes. This huge collection drive helps area food banks ready themselves for summer, when emergency food requests increase dramatically.

• The "Stamp out Hunger" food drive was held Saturday, May 14, 2011. Thank you to everyone who made a donation!
  

• Click here to learn more about the National Association of Letter Carriers drive to Stamp out Hunger.

June: United Way National Day of Action/National Summer Learning Day

• United Way of RI, RI Afterschool Plus Alliance (RIASPA) and the Pawtucket Red Sox team up to collect supplies for summer learning programs as part of United Way's National Day of Action in late June.
  
• Programs supported include: Chillin' & Skillin' Making Waves Summer Learning Camp, Woonsocket; Cool Summer Program, Central Falls; Camp XL, Cranston; Camp Sun 'n' Fun and Pawtucket Boys & Girls Club; and Pawtucket COZ Summer Learning Programs.
• Please contact Carolyn Watkinson for more information.
  

January-December: Other volunteer opportunities

• United Way of Rhode Island Young Leaders Circle (YLC) provides opportunities for young professionals to make an impact in our community. Click here for more information about the YLC or visit the UWRI Young Leaders Circle page on Facebook.

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Volunteering is a great way to become involved in the work of United Way of Rhode Island. There is no better way to support the LIVE UNITED message than to roll up your sleeves and give of your unique talents to improve the quality of life in your community.  Give an hour. Give a Saturday. Give your best. Everyone has something special to offer.

Remember, when we reach out a hand to one, we influence the condition of all. Whether it’s volunteering at a United Way income tax return preparation site, or serving as a United Way Campaign Coordinator during your employer’s annual campaign or volunteering on a United Way steering committee, you have the power to make a difference when you LIVE UNITED.