Opportunities From: United Way of Central Iowa

Spend some quality time outside with your group or organization beautifying a park, wildlife area or trail. As an Adopt-A-Park sponsor, your group will help the Polk County Conservation Board manage its more than 18,000 acres of public land. We are always in need of volunteers, and especially teams of volunteers, willing to give their time to improve our parks through trash removal, painting, seed collection, plantings, woodland and prairie restoration, trail maintenance and more. With the Adopt -a-Park program your group gets to pick its favorite park or trail, so choose one near your business, church or school and help keep Polk County beautiful. Volunteers groups are required to sign up for a one-year commitment. Responsibilities vary based on age, interest, and need, and we’ll do our best to find the opportunity that best matches the volunteer. Training will be provided as needed on the job.

Give back while horsing around at the Jester Park Equestrian Center. We need kind-hearted horse-lovers to help us with the Exceptional Riders and Freedom to Grow programs, which offer therapeutic riding opportunities to individuals with physical and mental disabilities and to children in at-risk situations. You’ll have the opportunity to assist riders on horses, help out the staff, prepare for special events, and complete horse-care related chores. Our riding programs offer riders a unique opportunity to improve the quality of their lives by creating positive experiences and success stories. Note: Check out the Freedom to Grow program highlighted on 13 Cares--link: http://www.whotv.com/news/specialreports/13cares/ Volunteers must be 18 or older to handle horses, and adolescents must be accompanied by a parent or a guardian.

Love is hard work. Fortunately, when you work at something you love, it tends to be a very rewarding experience. If you have an appreciation or love for the great outdoors, giving back through the Polk County Conservation (PCC) will be more than worth your while. Help us protect of our county’s natural heritage by cleaning up parks, restoring woodlands and prairies, monitoring the ecosystem, educating the public, leading other volunteers through activities, and helping with special events and projects at PCC-managed areas On the job training will be provided as needed.