Volunteering with your family and friends is a great way to spend time together while helping others. Take a look at these organizations that directly help our Madison County community. There are a variety of options that you can choose from to fit your skills, time, and passions.
Last Updated: 3/2/2022
Children's Causes:
Kellsie’s Hope Foundation in Collinsville: A Foundation formed to provide hope to families that have children suffering from cancer. Kellsie Marchbanks started this cause during own cancer treatment for Osteosarcoma. When she passed in June 2011, her family carried on her mission to provide trips and gifts to families that have children suffering from cancer. Her family and volunteers also raise awareness and funds to support childhood cancer research. The net proceeds from all fundraising events go directly to help children with cancer and their families. If you would like to volunteer, contact them via email at gail@kellsieshope.com. https://kellsieshopefoundation.com/volunteer.
Fairmont City Christian Activity Center: Fairmont City: It is a nonprofit organization that provides a safe, fun environment where children can seek help and God’s direction for a bright future. The facility has classrooms, a computer lab, and kitchen area. School tutoring and activities are offered to children grades K-12. Volunteers help with tutoring as well as head up movie nights, game nights, and crafts. If interested in volunteering, go to their website at https://fairmontcitycac.org/help/.
Food Pantries:
Glen-Ed Pantry in Edwardsville: A nonprofit organization that provides food and other assistance to persons in need within Edwardsville School District #7. They need volunteers to help with seasonal events, food drives, and every day service to clients. If interested, fill out their online form to help find the right project for you or your group. https://www.glenedpantry.org/volunteers
St. John’s Mission Garden in Edwardsville: This organization offers a wide variety of healthy, fresh vegetables to low income families in the Metro East. They have also provided vegetables to seniors affiliated with the Main Street Community Center. Volunteers are needed for planting, weeding, watering, picking, and delivering vegetables to pantries. You can call the church at (618)6561853 or email at giveseedsofblessing@gmail.com to learn more about how you can help. https://www.thenewstjohns.com/missiongarden
Soup-n-Share in Madison, IL: It is an outreach program that acquires and distributes food, clothing, and diapers to low income area residents. To find out how you can help, go to https://soupnshare.org/volunteer and fill out form.
Foster Care:
Equipping the Called in Troy: A nonprofit organization that is a foster and crisis closet. It provides new clothes and toiletries for children for licensed foster parents, and those participating in the Safe Families program. It also gives those items to drug endangered children identified by law enforcement, school administrators, medical staff or clergy in Southern Illinois. The foster closet is stocked and maintained completely by volunteers. Volunteers can sort clothes, act as a personal shopper, prepare items for pick-up, and do light housekeeping. Other more specific volunteer roles such as Social Media/Administrative Assistant are posted on their website. If interested in volunteering or having a drive, go to their website at https://www.equippingthecalled.org/volunteer-sign-up . Urgent needs will be posted on their facebook page.
Homeless Community:
The Good Samaritan House in Granite City: A nonprofit organization that is a homeless shelter for women and children in Madison County. Volunteer roles include: Shelter Desk Assistance, Educational Tutors, Child Mentors during evening activities, Donation Organizer, Cook, etc. If you or a group are interested in volunteering, call LaShonda Thomas at (618)582-0501. ext 1001. If unable to provide your time, you have the opportunity to donate clothes, food, or money. See website/facebook for details. www.goodsamhouse.org
Restoration Projects:
Watershed Nature Center in Edwardsville: Every second Saturday of the month, weather permitting, the restoration team leads volunteers on a hands-on adventure on the 46 acre nature preserve. Volunteers help remove invasive species, establish native biodiversity, tend to wooden structures, maintain the trails, and more. Dress prepared to do some dirty work. See website for details on how to sign up to help. http://www.watershednaturecenter.org/restoration
Open Gate Demonstration Garden at Drost Park in Maryville: This is a Master Gardener Project through the University of Illinois Madison County Extension. All work is done at the direction of the Master Gardeners. Contact: gardener.drost@gmail.com to discover volunteer opportunities.
Willoughby Farm in Collinsville: Every Wednesday from 8am to 3pm volunteers are needed to fix things, paint, garden, help with animal care, build things, work on the trails and more. There is something for all ages. If you want to connect with a Willoughby staff member before volunteering, call 980-2004.
Rebuilding Together Southwest Illinois in Edwardsville: A nonprofit organization that provides home repair and renovation services free of charge to those in need. To find out about volunteer opportunities, contact Rebuilding Together Southwest Illinois on their website. https://www.rebuildswi.org/hire-us
Restore Decor in Edwardsville: A nonprofit resale shop which is a ministry of Faith Coalition. Customers can purchase gently used furniture and home accessories. These items are repurposed/repainted to raise money for the community. According to their website, Restore Decor has raised and given away thousands of dollars to local nonprofits and families in need. Volunteers paint and move furniture. They also assist with sales at one of the two retail locations. To view current volunteer opportunities, go to their website or facebook page. https://www.faithcoalitionedwardsville.com/volunteer
Senior Community
Faith Coalition- Edwardsville: Community Day of Service: They do yard work and home repair for the elderly and disabled. To volunteer, contact Michelle at faithcoalitionedwardsville@gmail.com or reach out on the Faith Coalition – Edwardsville facebook page.
Faith in Action – Edwardsville/Glen Carbon: It is a volunteer based organization that provides services that support independence and well-being of seniors age 60 and above. Some of the assistance services they provide include running errands, shopping for groceries, and giving rides to medical appointments. If you are interested in volunteering, you can contact Dee Jackson at djackson@fiaegc.org, or send a message on their website. https://fiaegc.org/volunteer/
Women's Causes:
Amazing Grace at Logan Place in Edwardsville: A nonprofit organization with a mission to help young women who struggle to find significance and true self worth from and through the love of Jesus. The transformation at the 174 year old mansion at Logan Place is under way in order to provide a space to teach cooking, healthy eating, exercise, budgeting, sewing, gardening, and much more. Every Saturday volunteers come to help with renovation of the mansion. For more information, please email at AmazingGraceLoganPlace@gmail.com. http://amazinggraceatloganplace.org/volunteer/
I Support the Girls – Edwardsville: Helps provide bra and menstrual hygiene products for girls and women experiencing homelessness. Volunteers help sort products and conduct drives. If interested in volunteering, go to www.ISupportTheGirls.org.
Allison’s Angel Gowns in Hamel: A nonprofit organization that creates gowns for angel babies out of wedding dresses. The ministry was created in honor of the Founder’s daughter, Allison, who passed away at one day old. The gowns are offered free of charge to anyone who loses a child and would like one. They accept gently used wedding dresses that are no more than 20 years old and free from odor. They can clean the dresses but dresses must be in excellent condition. If interested in donating, please message them on facebook to get instructions for shipping or drop off. Also, they could use sewing materials or monetary donations. They are always looking for skilled seamstresses to help. https://allisonsangelgowns.com
Mosaic Pregnancy and Health Center in Granite City: It is a nonprofit organization that provides free pregnancy and sexual health services, education, and Christ-centered support. They accept new baby items. Those items are put in a “Welcome Home” basket full of essentials. If you are interested in volunteering, go to https://www.supportmosaic.org/volunteer-app/.