United Way has reached 97.7 percent of its campaign goal of $6.5 million.  There are still a few companies working to complete their employee campaigns and individual donors who have not yet given.  We need everyone's participation to reach goal.

United Way improves lives and builds a stronger community by bringing people and resources together from across the Chattahoochee Valley region.  United Way supports 49 programs and 26 agencies in Chattahoochee, Harris, Marion, Muscogee, Stewart, Talbot and Taylor counties in Georgia and Russell County in Alabama. If you would like to support this year's campaign, please call 706.327.3255.

 
Happy New Year!  We hope that one of your resolutions for 2011 will be to make an effort to be involved in our community and help others through volunteer service.  There are numerous opportunities where you can make an impact.  If you have not already done so, sign up for an orientation and take the first step to getting involved! Click here to see upcoming orientation dates and to sign up.

The Chattahoochee Valley VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Coalition is preparing to help hundreds of individuals and families with their 2010 tax preparation.  As part of this initiative, volunteers are needed Jan. 14 - April 15, 2011 to provide free tax preparation for those people earning less than $49,000 annually. 

Volunteers will need to attend an 8-hour IRS training and certification class, a pre-requisite to becoming a VITA volunteer.  Free classes for both new and returning volunteers will be held January 8, 9, 16 and 23.  For more information and to sign up for a class, please click here.

Hosted by the Columbus Roadrunners Club, the Red Nose Half Marathon is a free event in Uptown Columbus.  Volunteers are needed to assist with registration from 5:30 - 7:30 P.M., Friday, Jan. 7, and  from 6:30 A.M. - 12 noon Saturday, Jan. 8, volunteers will assist with registration, distributing items to participants, staffing water stations and course management. Shifts are available.  To volunteer, please click here.

At this project, formerly called Inspection Station, Safe Kids Columbus educates parents and caregivers on the proper use and installation of a car seat. Car seats are also inspected for safety. Volunteers are needed to assist from 11:30 A.M. - 1:30 P.M. Thursday, Jan. 13 and Thursday, Feb. 3. For more information and to volunteer, please click here.

Keep Columbus Beautiful and Trees Columbus will partner to plant about 40 trees in the park as part of their MLK Serve-a-Thon. Volunteers are needed to assist from 9:00 A.M. - 12 noon Friday, Jan. 14. For more information and to volunteer, please click here.

To honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Chattahoochee Valley MLK Steering Committee will host the 15th Annual MLK Memorial Parade in Phenix City and Uptown Columbus.  Volunteers are needed from 11 A.M. - 3:30 P.M. Saturday, January 15, for a variety of tasks.  There will be a 30 minute volunteer orientation prior to the start of the parade. For more information and to volunteer, please click here.

Volunteers are needed for this family event primarily to help set up the studio and distribute supplies while participants create a Civil War Drum.  Volunteers are needed from 1:45 - 4:45 P.M. Sunday, January 16.  For more information and to volunteer, please click here.

The Renovation Station Store sells surplus or unused items and materials donated by contractors, homeowners, and builders, with proceeds benefitting Habitat for Humanity. Volunteers help with a variety of tasks to include inventory, restocking shelves,   organizing and displaying donated items. Adult and student volunteers are needed Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.  Two-hour shifts are available. For more information and to volunteer, please click here.