Volunteer across the South Sound

February 19, 2019 8:11 am
Sometimes those completely unnecessary - and occasionally frivolous - and often anonymous acts are what make a community interesting and welcoming. Photo: Morf Morford
Sometimes those completely unnecessary - and occasionally frivolous - and often anonymous acts are what make a community interesting and welcoming. Photo: Morf Morford

By Morf Morford
Tacoma Daily Index

Know anyone who deserves to be recognized for their contribution to the larger community?

We all know people who, mostly outside of their work, do remarkable things or are that one crucial piece of the community puzzle that gets things done and makes things happen.

As we all know, local government does not have the means or the will – or sometimes even the comprehension and knowledge to address every issue, problem or crisis in any neighborhood or community.

Most of us have a sense of what needs to be done, but not very many of us know the process, the mechanism of getting things done.

Some of us are involved in local politics, like neighborhood councils or local political party membership. Others act through local schools, faith organizations or local businesses.

Either way, government can’t do everything – and most of us don’t want them to.

Spring and summer is the time to volunteer – or investigate volunteer opportunities.

Sometimes those completely unnecessary - and occasionally frivolous - and often anonymous acts are what make a community interesting and welcoming. Photo: Morf Morford
Sometimes those completely unnecessary – and occasionally frivolous – and often anonymous acts are what make a community interesting and welcoming. Photo: Morf Morford

Here are just a few of the nexus points of volunteering in the greater Tacoma area;

On Saturday, March 2nd from 10am – 3pm, the 12th annual South Sound Sustainability Expo will take place at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center. This is a phenomenal networking opportunity which will give you a sense of who is doing what around the South Sound.

The Tacoma Tool Library is celebrating its third anniversary Saturday, March 16, 2019 at 5 PM – 7 PM at the 7 Seas Brewing Co. (2101 Jefferson Avenue, Tacoma).

If you’d like to participate in Tacoma’s changing recycling process, you could take part in a survey and let your voice be heard here.

If you have an idea or a vision for a more sustainable or more productive use of our local unique watershed here in Pierce County, take a look at the small grants available here.

In Tacoma, the 33rd Annual City of Destiny Awards Ceremony recognizing Tacoma area volunteers will be held on Friday, June 14, 2019, at the STAR Center in South Tacoma.

If you want to look into volunteer opportunities across Pierce County, you could start here.

The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation has an directory of non-profit groups and agencies.

I am sure you can find some who shares your passion, rage or vision there.

As always, our community is what we make it.

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Got a local hero? 

To nominate anyone for their willingness to step up to do what needs to be done  – or do what no one else wants to do, anywhere across – or connected to the greater Puget Sound region, you could nominate them for a Crosscut Courage Award here.