Important tasks and initiatives in our community seem to be rapidly getting done. Nonprofits continue to serve the community and the world continues turning. You may not know, however, that volunteers are a big part of what keeps things going for many projects in Greater Nashua. You can be a part of our community’s forward momentum by volunteering for the projects listed below or by checking out Volunteer Greater Nashua, a web portal hosted by United Way of Greater Nashua and The Telegraph. Those interested in making a difference in our community can find a wide variety of tasks that nonprofits need help with. Projects as diverse as offering business counseling to new business owners to supporting a blood drive are frequently listed on the site. Volunteer opportunities can be found by searching by zip code, interest area and more. We’ve included several new listings featured on the site in this article. You can always find more on Volunteer Greater Nashua at http://www.volunteergreaternashua.org.

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THE SALVATION ARMY

The Salvation Army has been serving people in Greater Nashua for more than 100 years. They meet people where they are, providing help with immediate needs. Many families only need short-term assistance. Others need ongoing help due to health issues and other challenges. The Salvation Army offers a food pantry, a clothing room, basic household items, an after-school program, a senior’s luncheon program, a women’s fellowship, an Emergency Disaster Service program that supports emergency responders, Christmas for Children & Teens, the Pathway of Hope program, Day Camp, Camp Sebago and Youth Programs. Most importantly, they offer a place for people to build relationships. Working together they address significant economic and social needs in neighborhoods throughout Greater Nashua.

If you want to serve your neighbors and build our community, there are many ways to get involved with The Salvation Army. They are seeking help in all their programs, especially the food pantry and clothing room. Could you provide a welcoming smile to people as they enter the building?

For more information, visit www.volunteergreaternashua.org and search for “The Salvation Army.”

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TEACHERS AND PAWS PROJECT (TAPP)

TAPP promotes earth-friendly and humane education and ensures that students/classrooms across southern New Hampshire and surrounding areas have the necessary supplies/materials needed for learning, regardless of students’ economic status through our TAPP Teacher Resource Center. Their goal is to use education to nurture compassion and respect for living things to create a better world for people, animals and the environment.

The TAPPestry Thrift Store, co-located in the same space as the TAPP Resource Center, provides a small, dependable source of funding for TAPP. Everything in the store has been donated by program supporters. TAPP receives donations and deliveries weekly in both the TAPPestry Thrift and the TAPP Resource Center. Deliveries range from classroom supplies, storage containers, books and office supplies for the Resource Center to clothing, furniture, shoes and other items for the thrift store. Currently, all materials are loaded, unloaded, placed, priced and moved by a small group of volunteers who need help. TAPP needs sorters, stockers, “pricers,” movers and transporters to assist in both the TAPP Resource Center and the TAPPestry Thrift.

For more information, visit www.volunteergreaternashua.org and search for “Teachers and Paws Project.”

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UPREACH THERAPEUTIC EQUESTRIAN CENTER

UpReach is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, offering equine assisted programming individuals with and without disabilities. Through providing high-quality therapeutic riding and driving lessons, UpReach strives toward excellence it its field. With the help of their equine friends, they are dedicated to enhancing quality of life for those they serve, by providing challenge, promoting independence and celebrating success. Each week, UpReach serves 80-90 students with the valued assistance of more than 130 volunteers.

UpReach Therapeutic Equestrian Center Inc. seeks volunteers, ages 14 and older, to help evaluate rider goals from Feb. 10-14. Hour-long time spots are available, no horse experience or riding skill knowledge is necessary, and no training is required.

For more information, visit www.volunteergreaternashua.org and search for “Upreach Therapeutic Equestrian Center.”

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CENTER FOR WOMEN AND ENTERPRISE

Center for Women & Enterprise New Hampshire is a nonprofit working with the Small Business Administration to provide a Women’s Business Center for New Hampshire. Their mission is to provide opportunities for women entrepreneurs and women in business – particularly marginalized women – to increase professional success, personal growth and financial Independence. They do this through no- to low-cost seminars and no-cost one-on-one business advising as needed throughout the lifecycle of your business.

Because they cover the whole state, they always are interested in creating connections with industry leaders interested in giving back to the community through providing one-on-one business advising in their area of expertise. And don’t think you have to be woman-identified to lend your time and expertise to our clients – experts of all genders are welcome! Typically, advising clients entails meeting for one hour either in-person or via phone/video conference with one or two clients per month. To recognize the incredible value their community experts bring to their clients, they provide a small stipend for your time.

For more information, visit www.volunteergreaternashua.org and search for “Center for Women and Enterprise.”

Sara Ceaser is the director of volunteer and community engagement for the United Way of Greater Nashua.

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