connecting North River families and friends with serving opportunities
in our community that encourage and support our neighbors in need
North River Atlanta Chapter
Volunteer Opportunities
YOUTH VILLAGES BIRTHDAY HEROES
Join us for an afternoon of celebration with children residing at Youth Villages, a highly respected, comprehensive treatment program for 120+ children and youth with emotional and behavioral challenges due to childhood trauma. Celebrating birthdays together at these events is the highlight of the month for every child!
Currently our Birthday Heroes host four parties for approximately 40 children, one for younger elementary-age boys, one for upper elementary-age boys and two for the girls at Janie’s House on the campus of Youth Villages -- so please join the team! Youth Village requires all Birthday Hero volunteers to be at least 18 years old and attend a 2-hour orientation session.
Location: 4685 Dorsett Shoals Road, Douglasville, GA.
BASEBALL BUDDIES
This program pairs volunteers 1:1 with children with disabilities as they play a game of baseball, while the players' parents get to sit in the stands and enjoy watching their children play. All North River volunteers together will be paired with one team and join them for their games. Games will take place between the hours of 9:30-12:30 (times will vary) and last approximately one hour. This is a wonderful serving opportunity that is fun for everyone!
MISSION 1:27
ADVENTURE CENTERS
Mission 1:27 is a Bible-based after-school program for elementary school children located within five Walton apartment complexes throughout the Marietta area. Share fun devotionals, games, and activities every month at two Marietta locations (Walton Ridge Center on Cobb Parkway and Ridenour Center on Barrett Parkway). Volunteer time is about 1.5 hours, usually starting at about 3 pm. Times can vary. There are also limited “in-person“ volunteer opportunities for reading and math help and sharing skills like sports, music, and arts and crafts. Monthly Care cards and specific donations are often needed!
BOOKS FOR AFRICA
Click here to sign up for a sort-and-pack shift!
Books For Africa collects, organizes, and regularly ships hundreds of thousands of high-quality books to countries throughout the continent of Africa every year!
Volunteers are needed to help sort and pack books for 2-hour time shifts:
Monday - Friday: 9-11 am or 1-3 pm
Volunteers must pre-register via the website and participate in a brief orientation at the beginning of the shift. (No walk-in volunteers). Groups of 16 can serve together. The minimum age is 14 years.
READ WITH HOPE!
The Read with HOPE! “mobile library” book lending program is for children living in local apartment communities who lack access to books during the summer months. There are three to four 1-hour opps (June or July) to read & share stories with local children to grow literacy skills and encourage a lifelong love of reading. Alternately, help organize and label books within the HOPE Depot so that we can lend and gift books locally and internationally. Many weekly opportunities are available!
PUBLIX BREAD SORT
Two local Publix supermarkets generously provide approximately $700 of bakery item donations each week to serve families in need. Help with pickup on Sundays and Wednesdays, come to the Lighthouse to help sort donations on Monday mornings, and/or help deliver to trusted community partners who serve local youth and families!
DEPOT DAYS
Come to the HOPE Depot in the Lighthouse every Monday from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm to help sort Publix breads and other recent donations and help deliver to local apartment complexes and trusted community partners!
FOOD PANTRY
RESTOCK
Occasionally help stock food pantries at two Marietta schools, Marietta Middle School and Dunleith Elementary School.
CARE CLOSET
LITTLE FREE LIBRARY
Regularly check and restock (if needed) the Little Free Library once per week with the best selection of Spanish and English children's books from the HOPE Depot. Remove any adult or soliciting materials and bring to Depot.
CARE PACK
SUNDAY SETUP
Pick up completed Care Packs from the Lighthouse, set up outdoors outside the building doors, then return un-picked-up Care Packs to the Lighthouse after the service. Our goal is to get Care Packs in the hands of every visitor who wants them so that they can distribute them to our unhoused neighbors whenever a need arises!
YES! PROGRAM NEIGHBORHOOD PANTRY NIGHT
Come to Marietta Sixth Grade Academy and join a team of volunteers from all over Marietta to help load food items into vehicles, assembly-line style!
JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION
IN DOWNTOWN MARIETTA
In the month of June, help man the HOPE table in Marietta Square where we will be sharing free black history books that have been generously donated. Volunteer opportunities throughout the day!
MLK DAY OF SERVICE
Meet a team of volunteers at the HOPE Depot in the Lighthouse to organize donated items, sort books and clothing, create Care Cards of all kinds, and help distribute donations to trusted community partners all over the Marietta area.
MISSION 1:27 CHRISTMAS MARKET
Each year, there are numerous service opportunities over the course of several days before and during the event: help stock shelves, check people out, wrap purchased gifts, and much more! You can also donate toys or contribute financially to support the Christmas Market. At the Mission 1:27 Christmas Market families can find the latest and greatest toys and gifts at greatly reduced prices. All items are priced at 75-80% off retail, thus allowing families in challenging times to afford Christmas gifts for their children.
MUST MINISTRY
WINTER GEAR DRIVE
Donate winter clothing items (hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, and coats are most often requested), or help organize and deliver donations to trusted community partners.
CARE MINISTRY
Visit the Care Ministry page to learn more about Gratitude Packs (veterans), Care Packs (for our unhoused neighbors), and POPP Packs (for young men leaving local juvenile detention centers). All are ongoing opportunities that you can participate in individually or with your family group at any time. Packs are always being collected and distributed to those who need them.
Click here for detailed instructions on how to make a Care Pack, Gratitude Pack, and POPP pack.
The Care Ministry also encompasses writing encouraging notes, including:
- Care Care Cards (for Care Packs)
- Cards for Veterans (Gratitude Packs)
- Youth Villages Birthday Cards (for children with significant childhood trauma)
- Tarjetas de Amistad (Spanish care cards for children visiting HOPE clinics).
Some sample cards can be found on the Care Ministry page.
