A Work of Heart STORY BY BRITTANY SMITH
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lexander City offers a variety of opportunities to get involved and give back to the community. Its organizations rely heavily on volunteers to adequately achieve their missions. Whether it’s a one-time event or time committed on a regular basis, community members are always needed at local nonprofits and chambers of commerce. “Main Street is a non-profit organization that depends on donations and volunteers. Projects such as lighting, flowers, events and the mural all benefit our downtown and community. Beautification projects such as these help recruit businesses and bring customers to our shops and restaurants. Downtown is the heartbeat of our community,” Main Street Director Stacey Jeffcoat said. Whether interested in volunteering during events, assisting with design and beautification plans or simply aiding with organizational efforts in the office, there are plentiful options. “We always need help with our events, during the Farmers Market, help getting ready for board meetings, design projects, volunteers to be on our committees and more,” Jeffcoat said. “Whatever you might be interested in, I can guarantee we can find the perfect spot for you within Main Street’s program.” With Main Street invested in the betterment of the community, Jeffcoat said, it’s also a great way for residents to give back to their hometown. Lake Martin Area United Way is another great option for someone looking to volunteer as much or as little time as they can to help with local nonprofits. LMAUW serves 27 partnering agencies in the area, all who rely heavily on input from the community to function and serve residents. “We can help everyone get connected to volunteer,” United Way director Sharon Fuller said. “There are so many opportunities to give back to the community, and we try to match people up with a cause that they have an interest in.” Fuller said that the volunteer pool took a blow last year, dropping from 689 volunteers in 2019 to just 114 in 2020 due to COVID-19. LMAUW is now, more than ever, looking for volunteers, whether it is for a United Way project, a Main Street event or a local animal shelter. “We work closely with other businesses around town, and we are happy to be the conduit of information,” Fuller said. “Our whole area is very giving. If there is a need and we push it out there, someone will pick it right up.” The LMAUW has a plethora of events planned for the remainder of the year, and they hope to regain volunteer numbers and even surpass those from years past. “Our annual fashion show is coming up. We love this event because it promotes the local shops and encourages people to shop small. We also host a silent auction and an annual quail fry and bake sale auction, which believe it or not is one event. We can use volunteers for all of them. We could not do fundraisers without volunteers.” Fuller said. 38 | 2021-2022 THE SOUTH'S BEST KEPT SECRET
Other great events that the LMAUW hosts each year are the Annual Wedding and Event Expo at the Mitchell House in Dadeville every February, as well as the 100 Homes Golf Marathons and Bingos. But events are not the only way to get involved with LMAUW. For those who are more numbers oriented, they work hand in hand with a group who processes tax returns for people in the community free of charge. The LMAUW will train any volunteer who is interested in this venture. They also offer an opportunity to get involved with search and rescue with the rescue squad. This group of volunteers is among the first on scene when someone or something goes awry on the water in Tallapoosa and Coosa counties. This is one of the more popular volunteer options for retired law enforcement and military personel, Fuller said. Fuller invites all who can and will to get involved at LMAUW. The Alexander City Chamber of Commerce also relies on volunteers for their annual functions. “There is an opportunity for everyone in the community to get involved somehow,” Chamber Vice President of Marketing and Special Events Kim Dunn said. “One of our more popular programs is the ambassador program.” As a member of the ambassador program, participants provide extra hands at chamber events and work synergistically with the board to ensure that all events have ambassadors present. “We invite them to ribbon cuttings, groundbreakings, Business After Hours and we typically meet the first Friday of each month to talk about what’s going on, what’s coming up and where we need help,” Dunn said. “It’s really just a volunteer opportunity to meet new people, learn and grow themselves and their business.” The ambassador program is a great networking opportunity for everyone in the community, and there is always something for everyone. Some ambassadors volunteer to lend a hand and others use it as a stepping-stone toward other areas of leadership. “I always say, ‘If everyone does what they can do, then it all gets done,’” Dunn said. “Some ambassadors are perfectly content being an ambassador and others enjoy the leadership-type roles. We have all different personalities and opportunities. “Another way to get involved is by volunteering to help with Sun Festival or Jazz Fest. These particular events are especially popular among students who need community service hours for school, but anyone can volunteer. We recruit on our Facebook and other social media outlets when we are looking for volunteers for these events, and if someone is interested, we would definitely put them to work.”
