Ways to Help
How Can I Help?
SELF offers a variety of volunteer opportunities in Butler County, both seasonally and year-round:
Annual Awards Dinner —Annually
SELF’s Annual Awards Dinner & Auction is the agency’s largest fundraising event of the year. The event has a different themes each year and highlights the accomplishments of SELF clients, SELF staffers and community members who help low-income people. Last year more than 200 people were in attendance and helped raise crucial funds to support SELF’s various self-sufficiency programs.
Volunteers are needed to assist SELF staff with securing corporate sponsorship and donations for the live and silent auctions or raffle baskets. Volunteers may also help with invites, decorations, setup, production and cleanup. Any interested individuals and group representatives with some fundraising experience or an interest in fundraising are encouraged to join.
Resource Development Committee — Monthly, Second Thursdays at 12pm at SELF’s Hamilton office.
The Resource Development Committee is always looking for new members who are passionate about philanthropy, dedicated to making a difference locally and who like fundraising! This committee is responsible for planning fundraising and “friend-raising” events throughout the year such as the donor & volunteer appreciation reception and annual awards dinner & auction. The committee also assists SELF in securing donations and sponsorships for events, recruiting volunteers and brainstorming new ways to spread agency awareness and raise funds.
Group Workcamps & Home Repair Planning — Ongoing
SELF is a co-sponsor for a home repair camp through the Group Workcamps Foundation. The camp rotates between Hamilton and Middletown each year. The repair project’s success depends on its volunteers. There are many opportunities for involvement in different committees including: site identification, fundraising, volunteer & hospitality and materials.
Office Help: Direct Mailings —Summer, Fall and Winter
SELF sends three direct mail pieces a year to generate funding for the agency. Volunteers assist staff with affixing address and return labels and stuffing the envelopes with a personal letter and other mail pieces.
Welcome Home Kits —Year Round
Welcome Home Kits are created for our clients who are in the process of obtaining permanent housing or given as raffle door prizes to low-income families at social service fairs. Volunteers create these kits by filling a laundry basket with household items. This kit could include basic household items such as kitchen towels, dish soap, bath towels and face cloths, toothpaste, laundry detergent, dryer sheets, cleaning supplies, toilet paper, etc.
Adopt-A-Family Holiday Program — Annually (October – December)
In conjunction with the Butler County Holiday Collaborative Project, SELF hosts an Adopt-a-Family program for its clients who are enrolled in a self-sufficiency program. SELF relies on businesses, groups and volunteers to
- Sponsor a low-income individual, child(ren) or family.
- Donate a meal box for Thanksgiving and Holiday Meal.
- Assist SELF staff in purchasing items on wish lists with funds donated from the community for this program.
- Wrap, label and distribute gifts.
HR & Financial Professionals — Year Round
There are guest speaker opportunities for professionals to help educate SELF clients in areas of financial literacy, starting a business and employment. We also need volunteers when our JOBS NOW! employment classes are in session to help with resumes and mock-interview practice. These sessions take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM.
If you are interested in participating in one or more of our volunteer opportunities or you have new ideas of how you’d like to help, please fill out the form below, or contact Sarah at info@selfhelps.org or 513-820-5019.
