Recurring Volunteer Opportunities

Recurring annual offerings with United Way partners

January-May: Income tax preparation assistance

• Lend your time and professional skills to one of UWRI’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites around the state during tax season. Assist with this key initiative that helps Rhode Islanders file their tax returns on time and receive Federal and State Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
• To be a volunteer tax preparer, you must attend an evening class, sponsored by the IRS, twice-a-week for five weeks.
• Once completing the training and passing the test, VITA volunteers are required to make a commitment of three-to-four hours per week from mid-January through April 15. To become involved, e-mail here or call 528-1856.

February: United Way 2-1-1 in Rhode Island Day

• On February 11, volunteers pan out across the state to hand out literature about United Way 2-1-1 in Rhode Island , a 24/7 health and human services help line.
• This is a one-day commitment. You decide how many hours you want to give and where. Click here to learn more about United Way 2-1-1 in Rhode Island. Check back in early 2011 for details about how you can lend a helping hand on 2-1-1 Day.

May: National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Food Drive

• Now nearing two decades, the NALC annual food drive is the largest single-day collection of non-perishable items in the nation. Letter carriers throughout the United States deliver the mail and then collect donations as they go along their routes.

• The food drive is usually held the second Saturday in May.

• Many hands are needed on that day to pack and sort food items. Click here to learn more about the National Association of Letter Carriers drive to Stamp out Hunger.

June: National Summer Learning Day

• We partnered with RI Afterschool Plus Alliance to help collect supplies for summer learning programs as part of United Way's National Day of Action in late June. We ran collection drives at companies as well as asked the general public to drop off needed items. Check back in early spring for opportunities to support this annual initiative. Learn more about RIASPA by clicking here.

January-December: Other volunteer opportunities

• United Way of Rhode Island Young Leaders Circle (YLC) provides opportunities for young professionals to learn about critical social service issues. Periodically, UW YLC offers activities where young leaders can become actively involved in addressing those issues and network with others across the region. Click here for more information on UW YLC or visit UWRI Young Leaders Circle page on Facebook.

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Volunteering is a great way to become involved in the work of United Way of Rhode Island. There is no better way to support the LIVE UNITED message than to roll up your sleeves and give of your unique talents to improve the quality of life in your community.  Give an hour. Give a Saturday. Give your best. Everyone has something special to offer.

Remember, when we reach out a hand to one, we influence the condition of all. Whether it’s volunteering at a United Way income tax return preparation site, or serving as a United Way Campaign Coordinator during your employer’s annual campaign or volunteering on a United Way steering committee, you have the power to make a difference when you LIVE UNITED.