Maybe you have some extra time on your hands, or maybe you’re just in the giving spirit. All we know is there are more than enough great causes in Lexington to give your time to.
Whether you’re an animal lover, an artsy type, a natural mentor, or a healthcare enthusiast — there’s a nearby volunteer opportunity for you. Here are 35 ways to get involved in the Bluegrass.
For the outdoorsy types
Lexington Parks and Recreation | Our city’s parks department maintains the quality of our beautiful parks + regularly hosts community events. Whether you’re looking to get your hands dirty by trimming weeds or want to help organize a fun event — there’s a job for you.
Boy Scouts of America | Become an adult role model for youth scouts, lead group hikes, and facilitate instructional outdoor skill-learning sessions to help scouts earn their badges.
Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill | Lend a hand for a variety of outdoor beautification projects this weekend (or at any of the organization’s Volunteer Work Days). You can also apply to be a volunteer where you’ll be tapped for projects throughout the year.
Natural-born teachers and mentors
Family Care Center | If teaching has always come naturally to you + you want to share your passion for lifelong learning, consider reading to young children ages 2-4 or mentoring a high school student.
Girls on the Run Central Kentucky | Help young girls build confidence + learn decision-making skills by coaching a team at this after-school running program, or lend a hand at its biannual 5K by handing out medals or working a cheer station.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass | For just a few hours each month, you can give a child the gift of friendship. As a mentor, you can play a board game, go out to lunch, or take your little to a park they’ve never been to before.
Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning | Help inspire students to find a true love for learning. Become a classroom assistant to facilitate hands-on educational classes, or help out with events to create memorable educational experiences for kids across Lexington.
Common Good | Make a difference in the lives of local youth by mentoring after school, during the summer, or helping prepare a warm meal for them in the Common Good Kitchen.
If you want to help out your fellow Lexingtonians
The Hope Center | The Hope Center’s volunteer team helps to rebuild lives on a daily basis — from serving 38,000+ hot meals a month to teaching career skills to its Recovery Clients.
Legal Aid of the Bluegrass | You don’t have to be a lawyer to advocate for your neighbor. Show support by volunteering as a medicare counselor or a long-term care ombudsman.
Step by Step | This organization provides support and assistance to young single mothers. As a volunteer, you can help plan fun events, assist with childcare, or coordinate meals.
Welcoming new folks to the Bluegrass
Kentucky Refugee Ministries | Show refugees what southern hospitality is all about — welcoming them to their new home with a one-time activity or a three-month commitment program.
Supporters of veterans
Lexington VA Health Care System | You can help improve the livelihood of Lexington’s American heroes in a variety of different ways. Explore the program’s recreational, clinical + operational opportunities to decide which is the best fit for you.
V.R.U.C.K | Your support with social media content creation, mail blasts, and creating fliers can help bring awareness to events hosted by the Veterans Resources United of Central/Southeastern Kentucky.
For the handy individuals
Lexington Habitat for Humanity | Get hands-on by working on-site at one of this organization’s local construction projects. No experience is needed because you’ll be provided with the training + tools to make a difference.
Broke Spoke | This organization aims to empower adults with the tools, space, skills, and community with better access to bicycles. You don’t need to have bike mechanic skills to help out — you can greet folks at events or help out around the shop.
Self-proclaimed bibliophiles
Lexington Public Library | Lexington’s libraries offer a unique volunteering opportunity with its Book Buddies program — a free home delivery service for permanently homebound adults. Get matched up one-on-one and deliver books on a regular basis.
International Book Project | Thanks to its volunteers, this organization is able to send ~400,000 books to 70+ developing countries across the world. Volunteer duties include warehouse organization, packing + shipping, and organizing local book drive events.
The artsy types
LexArts | Help grow Lexington’s art scene in several different ways — greet guests + distribute brochures at the LexArts Gallery Hop or assist in administrative office tasks for a few hours a week.
Lexington Art League | This local arts organization always needs help planning its biggest and most popular event of the year — The Woodland Art Fair.
Lexington Opera House | This historic downtown concert hall utilizes volunteers to serve as ushers and ticket-takers for almost all of its major events.
The Lyric Theatre | Volunteers are needed for will-call, ushers, concessions, and educational programming. Volunteering here also gives you a special opportunity to see all of the plays and concerts at this historic venue.
If you love animals
Paws 4 the Cause | Become a foster parent to a dog or cat in need of a home. This organization also offers volunteer opportunities for fundraisers + events.
Lexington Humane Society | Help make a difference in an animal’s life by lending a hand with exercise, socialization, and grooming. Volunteers can also support with special events, outreach programs, and various office duties.
Friends of the environment
Bluegrass Greensource | Become Green Force certified by attending free sessions about sustainability topics including waste management, sustainable business practices, and more. After course completion, you can lead volunteer sessions + advocate for a greener Bluegrass.
Seedleaf | If you’ve got a green thumb, this is the spot for you. All are welcome to come volunteer at several different community gardens around town.
Trees Lexington | Help make the Bluegrass greener by planting and cultivating trees across the city. This organization has different projects suitable for all types of skills and interests.
Help fight hunger
God’s Pantry Food Bank | Volunteer your time to fight hunger in the Bluegrass by organizing the warehouse, managing collections, or stocking the pantry.
FoodChain | From community outreach to preparing after-school snacks for Lexington’s kiddos, this nonprofit relies on its volunteers to connect citizens to fresh local foods.
Glean Kentucky | This organization serves as the link between food waste + food insecurity. Volunteers gather produce from grocery stores and farms and immediately make deliveries to food pantries around town.
Moveable Feast | Join this organization to help improve the quality of life for individuals living with HIV/AIDS and those in hospice care. Volunteers and staff work together to provide clients with fresh meals and groceries.
Unity in the Community | Reach out to the organization’s founder, Jonathan Richardson, to see how you can help support his efforts in feeding + getting clothes to those in need.
For the social butterfly
Crave Food Festival | As one of Lexington’s biggest food and music festivals, it relies on volunteers to make each year bigger and better than the last.
RadioLex | This is a fun way to put your social skills to work. On-air talent, fundraising, and community outreach are a few ways you can help this local radio outlet achieve its goal of amplifying underrepresented local voices.
Pride in the Bluegrass
Lexington Pride Center | Volunteers here help build community while working towards the goal of making Lexington a more inclusive city for all of its citizens.
