Ways to Give Back in and Around Perrysburg

When people talk about giving back, they often use the word volunteering. I used that word in episodes 84 and 88 when I talked about volunteer opportunities in Perrysburg. Not everything that helps our community fits neatly under the "volunteering." Rather than have a third episode with volunteering in the title, I titled this episode, "Ways to Give Back in and Around Perrysburg." People give back in lots of ways here in Perrysburg: by volunteering their time, by donating resources, and by serving in leadership roles. Today, I'll walk through some practical ways to give back in and around Perrysburg, which may help you figure out what might be a good fit for you. Topics covered: SafetyChurchCity, Community, and EventsLocal AttractionsEnvironmentalInclusion and the Ability CommunityPeople experiencing medical challengesVeteransOlder AdultsHospiceClothingHelp ChildrenFood AnimalsRunningGeneral Service Safety Be a designated driver Church Committee or CouncilVolunteer at your church's nurseryDecorate for seasons or do yard workHelp with a funeral luncheon or other event City, Community, and Events General: Pick up trash at local parks, participate in Buy Nothing Perrysburg FB GroupsVolunteer with the City of Perrysburg's Commissions and Boards. https://www.perrysburgoh.gov/165/Commissions-Boards Click on "Application for Public Volunteer," and create an account to apply. Perrysburg Great American Clean-Up – Seasonal volunteer clean-up of parks and neighborhoods. https://www.perrysburgpodcast.com/38Downtown Perrysburg, Inc. - DPI - Winterfest, Rock the Docks, Boots in the Burg, Zip the Burg, and more https://www.downtownperrysburg.orgWay Public Library Volunteer Programs https://waylibrary.info/index.php/24x7-service/volunteer-application-formHelp Tim Ansted (Perrysburg Chamber of Commerce) with the Homecoming Parade Local Attractions 577 Foundation https://www.577foundation.orgFort Meigs Historic Site https://fortmeigs.org/volunteer Environmental General: weeding gardens (at an older adult's house, 577 Foundation, or a Garden Club)Partners For Clean Streams https://partnersforcleanstreams.orgGrass Roots Recycling to Reuse Network, LLC https://grassrootsrecyclingtoreuse.com/ The Wood County Park District https://wcparks.org/volunteer/ Metroparks Toledo https://metroparkstoledo.com/get-involved/volunteer/ Inclusion and the Ability Community The Ability Center of Greater Toledo (Assistance Dogs) https://abilitycenter.org/ County Board of Developmental Disabilities (Special Olympics) https://www.woodcountydd.org/volunteer People experiencing medical challenges Ronald McDonald House of Northwest Ohio https://rmhctoledo.org/American Cancer Society: Fundraisers, like Relay For Life https://secure.acsevents.org/site/STR?pg=entry&fr_id=111511American Red Cross - donate blood, deliver blood products to hospitals https://www.redcross.org/volunteer/become-a-volunteer.html Veterans Volunteer with the City or Township's Cemetery Board and partner with American Legion Post 28 to place flags at Veteran's graves (~Memorial Day and Veterans Day) If you're a Veteran, join the American Legion, and help with various projects https://www.facebook.com/pbpost28 Older Adults General: Mow grass, rake leaves, shovel snow, wash windows or dishes, take out trash, etcSet up a Knox box for neighbors, in case the Fire Department or Rescue Squad needs access. (Township and City both have this.)Deliver meals with the Perrysburg Senior Nutrition Program (Meals on Wheels). Contact the Wood County Committee on Aging wccoa.netVisit shut-ins. Have a conversation or read to them (PMJ Newspaper, buzz book, Perrysburg Living Magazine, their church's newsletter, Way Public Library's newsletter, a novel of their choosing, etc). Hospice Hospice of Northwest Ohio – Provide companionship, support and help with events or administrative tasks. https://www.hospicenwo.org/landing-pages/main/volunteers/Care360 Hospice (Toledo, OH) - provide companionship https://www.care360hospice.com/ Clothing Timothy's Perrysburg Foundation (at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church on East Boundary St): accepts clothing donations and provides clothing to those in need https://www.timothysperrysburg.org/Operation Clean Duds provides free laundry services to individuals and families facing challenges. https://operationcleanduds.org/ Help Children Elementary School Parent-Teacher groups (or PTOs), HPI, Jr. High, and High School Parents Organizations (ex: Cookie Jar around Christmastime) Contact schools for details.Perrysburg Schools Foundation – Assist with school-related events, fundraisers, and support for students & teachers. https://perrysburgschoolsfoundation.org/volunteer/Help with sports teams or band - transport tents and band equipmentCoach a sport, like PABSC (baseball and softball) https://www.pabsc.org/, PYSA (soccer) https://perrysburgyouthsoccer.com/, or YMCA sports (flag football, basketball, ...