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Volunteers help at the Georgetown Animal Shelter.
Georgetown residents are known for giving back to the community and supporting local causes. Because of this, a wide variety of nonprofit organizations have formed over the years, which aim to enrich the quality of life for residents and serve the needs of the community as a whole.
Nonprofits in the Georgetown area provide services to young children as well as our older population. They provide food for the hungry, services to young mothers, shelter for lost and future pets and offer life-changing experiences to some of our most vulnerable individuals.
This list is not comprehensive, but includes many of the organizations that serve Georgetown and Williamson County daily. Most are volunteer driven and offer opportunities for interested residents looking to get involved.
A GIFT OF TIME
410 East 19th Street, 512-489-0610, https://agiftoftimegeorgetown.org
A Gift of Time offers education, community support and social interaction for those with memory loss and their caregivers.
ANNUNCIATION MATERNITY HOME
3610 Shell Road, 512-866-7755, www.thematernityhome.org
Annunciation Maternity Home provides housing, education and access to health services to young mothers facing an unplanned pregnancy. Volunteer opportunities include fundraising, tutoring, administrative support, event planning and being a life skills instructor.
ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF THE GEORGETOWN AREA
900 North Austin Avenue ,512-864-2542, www.algeorgetownarea.org
Assistance League of Georgetown Area is dedicated to empowering local students, families and educators for a brighter future. Through the provision of clothing assistance, scholarships and literacy programs, the organization enriches the lives of at-risk students, graduating seniors and elementary school children, fostering a stronger community.
BACKPACK BUDDIES
512-818-5123 www.georgetownbackpackbuddies.org
Backpack Buddies volunteers put together and deliver packaged food each Friday to food-insecure children to stash in their backpacks and take home for weekend meals. The goal is that the students will come to school on Monday mornings nourished and ready to learn. A typical meal pack includes two breakfasts and two lunches for the weekend — milk, cereal, oatmeal, an entree, canned vegetables, fruit and a snack.
BLUE MOON ANIMAL SANCTUARY
300 Havelka Road, bluemoonanimalsanctuary@gmail.com, www.facebook.com/BlueMoonEquineRescue
Blue Moon is a nonprofit organization that rescues and rehabilitates horses, donkeys, miniature horses, pigs, cats and dogs. Most animals were rescued from slaughter. Blue Moon has a fondness for special-needs animals. Volunteers help with animal care and a variety of barnyard chores.
BOOK AND BLANKET
bookandblanket@fastmail.com
Book and Blanket is a grassroots group of community volunteers who encourage children and families to read together. The group’s mission is to provide new books and new hand-crafted blankets to area nonprofit agencies and schools for children in need. The program was started in Georgetown in December 2021, modeled after a similar one that Georgetown resident Pat Cooper participated in while living in College Station. Donations of new children’s books and new hand-crafted blankets are welcome, especially books for teenage readers. Contact Pat Cooper, bookandblanket@fastmail.com for more information about the program, volunteer and donation opportunities.
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF GEORGETOWN
1100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard, 512-868-3700, www.bgctx.org/Georgetown/ Georgetown1bgca
The Boys & Girls Club works to enable young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens. It is committed to providing a safe place for youth to learn and grow, offer on-going relationships with caring, adult professionals, and engage in life-enhancing programs and character development experiences. Volunteers can assist in fine arts, crafts, dance, music, computer technology and other childcare and kids’ activities. Homework helpers, tutors and sports enthusiasts are also needed. The times of greatest need are between 3-6 p.m., weekdays. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old.
BRIDGES TO GROWTH PARENT CENTER
Carver Center for Families ,1200 West 17th Street, 512-864-3008, https://georgetownproject.org/bridges-togrowth-parent-center
Bridges to Growth Parent Center is an initiative that builds skills and confidence in parents and childcare providers to create nurturing early environments important to the social, emotional and cognitive development of young children, including training, teaching aids, ESL classes, support groups and more.
BROOKWOOD IN GEORGETOWN (BIG)
905 North Church Street, 512-943-8430, https://brookwoodingeorgetown.org
BIG is a nonprofit vocational community for adults with special needs. It provides meaningful work, a sense of belonging, dignity and respect for adults with functional disabilities. BIG Citizens are empowered to become artisans, bakers, gardeners, cardmakers and more. As a nonprofit, 100 percent of proceeds return to help create a bright future for adults with special needs. Volunteers can work in the BIG shop or cafe, or do clerical or grounds work.
THE CARING PLACE
2000 Railroad Avenue, 512-943-0700, www.caringplacetx.org
The Caring Place provides for basic human needs in the community — food programs; rent, mortgage and utility assistance; clothing, housewares and furniture; medical and transportation assistance; and case management help. The Caring Place offers volunteers over 30 different service options, spread over morning and afternoon shifts Monday through Saturday and a late shift on Thursday night in its store. Volunteer jobs include receptionist, switchboard operator, intake, client advocate, quality assurance, pantry client helper, donation area worker, cashier, merchandisers, pricers and security.
CARVER CENTER FOR FAMILIES
1200 West 17th Street, https://carvercenterforfamilies.org
The Carver Center for Families is a family resource center that nurtures the health and well-being of children, youth, and families; and builds on the strengths of our community’s parents, caregivers and residents, as well as the organizations that support them. The center helps families with basic needs, children/family services, education/job readiness/out-of-school programs, Mental Health providers, healthcare, housing/utility services and senior assistance.
CASA OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY
2100 Scenic Drive, Ste. 110, 512-868-2822, www.casawilco.org
CASA — Court Appointed Special Advocates — work for the welfare of children in the foster care system. CASA volunteers are screened, trained and then appointed by judges to represent and advocate for a child’s best interests. CASA volunteers are the “eyes and ears” for the judge in child welfare cases. This includes researching each child’s situation and making objective recommendations to help them reclaim their childhoods from abuse and neglect. CASA volunteers are frequently the only stable presence in these children’s lives as they navigate the foster care system. Volunteers must be at least 21 years old.
FAITH IN ACTION GEORGETOWN
512-868-9544, www.faithinactiongt.org
Faith in Action helps seniors live independently, even if they are unable to drive. Services offer support through one-on-one rides, the Go-Van-Go program, medical equipment closet or Buddy Program. Volunteer opportunities include transporting seniors to and from appointments, care calling and other assistance throughout the year.
FRIENDS OF THE GEORGETOWN PUBLIC LIBRARY
402 West Eighth Street, 512-930-3551, www.folgeorgetown.org
Friends of the Georgetown Public Library advocate, raise funds and provide critical support for the library’s educational programs and enrichment activities. Friends also offers the Hill Country Author Series. Volunteers are needed to staff its bookstore, Second Hand Prose, and for fundraising, communications, art/design and technology efforts.
GEORGETOWN ANIMAL SHELTER
110 W L Walden Drive. 512-930-3592. www.pets.georgetown.org
The Georgetown Animal Shelter cares for dogs and cats awaiting adoption by a loving family. Volunteers help as adoption guides, with cat chores and socialization, dog kennel chores, dog walking, fostering, grounds work, offsite adoption events and office help. Volunteers must be 16 or older and pass a background check.
GEORGETOWN AREA JUNIOR FORUM
GAJFWebmaster@gmail.com, www.gajf.org
The Georgetown Area Junior Forum is a nonprofit organization of women who share the goal of improving the lives of others in the community through service and philanthropy. Members volunteer through service projects, community partnerships, special events and more.
GEORGETOWN ISD MENTORS AND VOLUNTEERS
www.georgetownisd.org/Page/16905
Mentors, volunteers, partners and supporters help Georgetown students be successful. Criminal background checks are required.
GEORGETOWN PARKS & RECREATION
512-930-3510 Courtney.Butler@georgetown.org
Opportunities to volunteer with Georgetown Parks & Recreation are almost unlimited. Individuals and groups can help on a one-day project or special event or assist on an ongoing basis.
GEORGETOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT BLUE SANTA
3500 D.B. Wood Road 512-930-2747 www.bluesanta.georgetown.org
Georgetown Police Department’s Blue Santa program provides toys to more than 1,500 children during its annual toy drive and distribution. Each year, the Georgetown Police Department volunteers and businesses hold special events or set up donation barrels to collect toys. Toys are sorted into age-appropriate categories and special Christmas boxes are filled for families who apply for assistance. Volunteers can help by conducting fundraising or toy drives.
THE GEORGETOWN PROJECT
2308 Old Airport Road, 512-943-0074, www.georgetownproject.org
The Georgetown Project identifies needs and develops resources, relationships and services so that area youth become caring, capable and resilient individuals. The 35-plus agencies and organizations involved with The Georgetown Project Collaborative for Children and Youth represent a strong, interconnected service community that maps local resources, identifies needs and gaps in services and networks to fill the gaps for families. Information about volunteer opportunities is available at www.georgetownproject.org/ welcome/volunteer.
GEORGETOWN TRAILS FOUNDATION
The Georgetown Trails Foundation works to promote, create and maintain a natural surface trail system in Georgetown for outdoor recreation, public health and well-being, economic development and community enrichment. Volunteers help to maintain existing trails and create new trails for hiking and biking.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY
2108 North Austin Avenue, 512-863-4344, www.williamsonhabitat.org
Habitat for Humanity partners with people in the community to help them build or improve a place they can call home. Volunteers can work individually or as a group. Construction experience is not required. Volunteers can also work at Habitat’s Georgetown ReStore.
HANDCRAFTS UNLIMITED
104 West Eighth Street, 512-869-1812, www.handcraftsunlimited.com
Handcrafts Unlimited is an all-volunteer, nonprofit retail store located on the Courthouse Square, featuring handcrafts and stitchery items made by local artists who are 50 years old and older. The store offers needlework items which include quilts, knitted and crocheted pieces; wood creations; ceramics and pottery, jewelry, artistic cards, toys and gifts. Volunteer opportunities — which “feed the creative spirit” according to store manager Kate Challingworth — include sales, consignments, display, hospitality, special events, publicity, bookkeeping and computer work.
HELPING HANDS OF GEORGETOWN
107 Halmar Cove, Ste. 232, 512-688-3593, www.helpinghandsgtx.org
Helping Hands works to provide food security and additional social services. In 2020, it launched a mobile food pantry. The organization distributes about 600 brown bag meals and water each week. Volunteers are needed to work both in the office and at the food pantry van.
HOLIDAY MEALS DELIVERED
512-869-1759, https://holidaymealsdeliveredinc.com
Since the 1990s, Holiday Meals Delivered has been providing the Georgetown and Williamson County community with holiday meals during Christmas. Volunteers are needed to help with the delivery of meals. For those who cannot volunteer, monetary donations to help pay for the food can be made at the website listed.
HOPE ALLIANCE
1011 Gattis School Road, Ste. 110, Round Rock 512-255-1212, www.hopealliancetx.org
Hope Alliance is Williamson County's only resource center and emergency shelter for those affected by family and sexual violence. All services are free and confidential.
ISAIAH 117 HOUSE WILLIAMSON COUNTY TX
www.facebook.com/ isaiah117housewilliamsoncotx
When children are removed from their homes out of concern for their safety, they are usually brought to a child welfare services office to await placement. This wait can be a few hours to several days. Isaiah 117 provides a comforting home instead, a place that is safe and friendly with loving volunteers, smiles, toys and clean clothes. This space allows children to receive care and comfort while child welfare staff identify a longer-term placement. Fundraising is on-going to construct a future Isaiah 117 home in Williamson County.
LAUNDRY LOVE
www.laundrylovegeorgetown.org.
Laundry Love provides free laundry services including money and detergent for the community’s low-income, unemployed and elderly population, or to anyone needing help to wash and dry clothes and bedding at a laundromat. Service is available at Washatopia, 1910 South Austin Avenue, twice monthly — from 4-8 p.m. on the second Tuesday and last Thursday of every month. Volunteers help families load, unload and fold laundry, and start up machines with Laundry Love’s payment cards.
LITERACY COUNCIL OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY
805 West University Avenue, 512-869-0497, www.literacycouncilwilco.org,
Literacy Council WILCO is a nonprofit organization serving adults through literacy education. The council provides GED, English as a second language, adult basic education and vocational training. The Literacy Council relies on 80 to 100 volunteers to help fulfill its mission. Volunteer tutors are needed to teach adults to read, write and speak English. Tutors are also needed to help adults who did not finish high school earn a GED to expand their work options. Volunteers also help in the office, plan special events, write grants, create publicity and serve on the council’s board of directors.
LONE STAR CIRCLE OF CARE
205 East University Avenue, Ste. 200, 877-800-5722, www.lscctx.org
Lone Star Circle of Care provides primary health care services for uninsured and underserved patients in Central Texas. Volunteers help with administrative tasks and other assignments.
MEALS ON WHEELS
604 High Tech Drive, 512-763-1400, www.owbc-tx.org/meals-on-wheels
Coordinated by Opportunities for Williamson and Burnet Counties, the local Meals on Wheels program offers meals at select Opportunities for Williamson and Burnet Counties centers, as well as home-delivered meals to those whose mobility is limited. Individuals, groups and businesses are invited to volunteer for meal deliveries.
MINIWONDERS EQUINE THERAPY
2811 County Road 152, www.miniwonderstexas.org
Miniwonders is a nonprofit organization that provides group or one-on-one therapy-trained miniature horses at nursing homes and assisted living centers, hospitals, hospice facilities or to anyone in need of comfort or company. Volunteers help with barn work, visits and marketing.
RIDE ON CENTER FOR KIDS
2050 Rockride Lane, 512-930-7625, www.rockride.org
ROCK provides equine-assisted services to children, adults and veterans with physical, cognitive and emotional challenges. Its mission is to improve independence and life skills in partnership with the horse. ROCK is a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International Premier Accredited Center. Volunteer opportunities include sidewalkers, horse handlers, barn maintenance, special events, office assistance and work groups. Volunteer training courses are offered throughout the year and, while horse experience is valued, it is not required.
SALVATION ARMY
1930 South Austin Avenue, Ste. 101, 512-943-8421, www.salvationarmyaustin.org/ williamson-county-service-center
The Williamson County Service Center offers urgently-needed services to adults and children facing the possibility of homelessness in Williamson County. It offers intake and assessment of the needs of men, women and children to provide direct services (e.g., food, rent and utility assistance) and refers qualified individuals to other important social services in the county. It also supports the community through a nursing home ministry, a youth music program, summer day camps and outreach to disadvantaged neighborhoods. Volunteers can assist with Salvation Army events or by ringing a bell at a Salvation Army Red Kettle during the holidays.
SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PEACE
https://shpbeds.org
Wilco’s Sleep in Heavenly Peace chapter is a volunteer-driven nonprofit founded in 2019 by Ron Shelley after he saw an episode of “Returning the Favor.” The reality television program features people giving back to their communities. Since then, the Wilco chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace has built and provided beds to hundreds of children needing a cozy place to sleep.
ST. DAVID’S HOSPITAL GEORGETOWN
2000 Scenic Drive, 512-943-3000, https://stdavids.com/locations/stdavids-georgetown-hospital/about/ volunteering/index.dot
Volunteers at St. David’s Hospital Georgetown are asked to commit to a weekly schedule of 3-4 hours per week. Volunteer opportunities for teens and college students are available during summer months. Applications for adult volunteers (30+) are accepted year-round. Volunteer areas include: administrative/ clerical, chaplain services, emergency department, laboratory, lobby piano player, medical/surgical units, outpatient day surgery, rehab, welcome greeter team, women’s services.
STARRY
1520 Leander Road, Ste. 102, 512-675-4144, www.starry.org
STARRY provides free professional counseling and family support services in over 30 Texas counties for families with children ages birth to 17. Information about volunteering can be found at www.starry.org/volunteer
STONEHAVEN SENIOR CENTER
1704 Hart Street, 512-863-5141, www.thecarecenters.com, stonehavencenter@verizon.net
Stonehaven is open to those aged 50 and older, and volunteers provide companionship and entertainment to residents as well as assist with activities hosted by the center.
UNITED WAY OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY
1111 North Interstate 35 Frontage Road, Ste. 220, Round Rock, 512-255-6719, www.unitedway-wc.org/volunteer
United Way’s focus is on education, health and financial stability — the building blocks of quality of life. United Way has a wide variety of volunteer opportunities — virtual, individual and small group, and corporate. Check them out online.
WILLIAMSON COUNTY BROWN SANTA
508 South Rock Street, 512-943-1300, www.wilco.org/brownsanta brownsantawilco@gmail.com
Williamson County Sheriff ’s Brown Santa supports children through a general distribution of toys, books and stuffed animals for Christmas. Volunteers help provide a more personal Christmas experience through Adopt-A-Family. AAF reviews situations and assigns families in need to sponsors. The sponsor then engages the family directly to understand the specific needs (toys, clothing, food, etc.), shops for the gifts, wraps gifts (based on family preference) and delivers the gifts to the parents.
WILLIAMSON COUNTY MEDICAL RESERVE CORPS
355 Texas Avenue, Round Rock, 512-248-3215, www.wcchd.org/about/human_ resources/volunteer.php
Volunteering with the WilcoMRC helps support the Williamson County and Cities Health District by becoming part of a trained team who prepare for and respond to public health emergencies. In times of non-emergency, WilcoMRC volunteers can help with other efforts geared toward promoting the importance of good health, nutrition, safety and personal preparedness.
WILLIAMSON COUNTY PARKS DEPARTMENT
512-943-1920, www.wilco.org/parks
The Williamson County Parks Department offers a variety of volunteer and park host opportunities at most County parks. Opportunities are abundant and can vary from onetime service type projects to larger more long term endeavors. Opportunities include visitor services and administrative support; landscaping, tree and other vegetation control and maintenance; erosion control projects; facility cleaning and litter collection; guided hikes; light carpentry projects; and trail maintenance. Contact Parksvolunteer@wilco.org.
WILLIAMSON COUNTY REGIONAL ANIMAL SHELTER
1855 SE Inner Loop, 512-943-3322, www.pets.wilco.org
The Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter cares for dogs and cats awaiting adoption by a loving family. Its mission is to provide a safe haven, with compassionate and humane treatment, for the lost and unwanted pets in Williamson County. Volunteers are needed to foster animals, walk/socialize dogs, socialize cats, clean, work offsite events, do laundry and/or administrative tasks, help with photography and video of shelter animals and much more. One-time volunteer opportunities for community, school, church and other groups are also available.