Whether you’re an animal lover, an outdoorsy type, a Veteran supporter, or a holiday enthusiast, there’s a nearby volunteer opportunity for you. Here are 30+ local organizations to show a little love to this holiday season:

🦃 If the holidays are your favorite time of the year:

The United Way I Donate a book to local students during the org’s Holiday Book Drive by purchasing online or in store at Barnes + Noble (3 S. Tunnel Rd.)
The Salvation Army | Adopt an Angel and a local child or senior will have a gift to open on Christmas morning.
Toys For Tots I Bring the joy of the holidays to children by donating gifts virtually or in person at a local toy drop location.
MANNA FoodBank I Donate or volunteer to help feed local families in need.

🇺🇲 Supporters of Veterans `

ABCCM | Support its Veterans Restoration Quarters.
Aura Home Women Veterans | Deliver goods, mentor, fundraise, and more at this home for female veterans.
Warrior Canine Connection I Volunteer to work in the kennel — or as a puppy parent, sitter, whelper, or washer — for this org that trains pups to become service dogs for veterans.

🌳 The outdoorsy types

Asheville Greenworks I Remove litter from creeks + roadsides, help with recycling events, and build bee habitats.
Appalachian Trail Conservancy I Help maintain the iconic footpath.
RiverLink I Promote the environmental + economic vitality of the French Broad River.
Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy I Assist with area cleanups and more.
Bountiful Cities | Volunteer in a local community garden to help provide more long term food access to everyone in our community. No experience necessary.

🍎 Natural-born teachers + mentors

Asheville City Schools | Offer tutorial help, staff libraries, assist teachers and the clerical staff
Literacy Council of Buncombe Co. | Help teach adult literacy, youth literacy, + English for Speakers of Other Languages.
Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Western North Carolina I Become a “big” to a “little” to help empower local youth.

💙 If you want to be there for abuse victims

Our VOICE I Donate clothing, toiletries + other materials for victims of sexual violence (volunteering is currently suspended due to COVID-19).
My Sister’s Attic I Assist in its thrift shop, sponsor a child or client, help with seasonal chores + more.

♿ If you have a passion for disabled community members

DisAbility Partners, opportunities coming soon.
FIRST of WNC I Support its mission for supportive programs + advocacy for persons with disabilities + their families.

💚 Advocates of mental illness + health awareness

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Western North Carolina I Support the org with administrative assistance, the helpline + more.
Vaya Health I Take a class so you can be a better advocate.
Take a class from Vaya Health so you can be a better mental health advocate.

🎨 The artsy types

Arts for Life I Be a volunteer teacher (additional volunteer opps currently suspended due to COVID-19)
Asheville Art Museum I Greet visitors, assist docents, work in the gift shop + more.

💉 If you’re interested in healthcare

Mission Hospital’s Junior Volunteer Program I Students 14-18 can develop career skills.
Paws on a Mission, Pet Therapy I Bring joy to the floors of Mission Hospital.

🐶 If you’re an animal lover

Help shelter animals feel loved through Asheville Humane Society, Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, Charlie’s Angels Animal Rescue or Mountain Pet Rescue
Support the WNC Nature Center’s mission to connect people with the animals + plants of our region
Help love + care for the 50+ rescued farm animals at Wild Heart Farm Sanctuary.
Find more animal orgs to support here.

If you’re passionate about supporting local minority groups

Color of Asheville, a network celebrating Asheville’s African American community
Campaign for Southern Equality + create equality for LGBTQ+ southerners
DIFFERENT WRLD I Support this BIPOC-owned business focused on providing space and tools for amplifying marginalized voices within the arts community.

🍍 If you live + breathe Asheville

Preservation Society of Asheville + Buncombe Co. I Help out with everything from writing and editing to photography and event planning.
Asheville Strong I Support this nonprofit that helps local independent businesses in crisis by providing resources + relief programs.

📚 Self-proclaimed bibliophiles

Buncombe Co. library I Help out at your local branch.
POP Project I Drop off gently-used books at area drop locations.

🦋 The social butterflies

Junior League of Asheville I Become a civic leader.
Hands-On Asheville-Buncombe I Support the local nonprofit community.

🔨 The handymen + women

Habitat for Humanity I Help build homes for the community.
Western Carolina Rescue Ministry Rescue Mission Thrift Store I Donate furniture.