Whether you have some spare time in your schedule, need to log community service hours for school, or just want to lend a helping hand, consider volunteering in Chattanooga! With so many great causes in the Scenic City, there are a plethora of volunteer opportunities, from caring for animals at a shelter to mentoring local kids and more. Below, we’ve compiled a list of just a few of the local organizations that welcome (and depend on!) volunteers.
Chattanooga Area Food Bank
The Chattanooga Area Food Bank, with the help of their network partners, provides enough groceries for 14 million meals across 20 different counties. Whether as an individual or as a group, Chattanooga Food Bank volunteers can assist with sorting donations, making food boxes, distributing food at the warehouse and mobile food pantries, and much more. Interested individuals can find a full list of volunteer opportunities on their website.
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross offers many volunteer opportunities in the Tennessee Region. Red Cross volunteers can assist with disaster services, biomedical services, fundraising and development, and services to the armed forces. Currently, Red Cross’ highest-priority positions include blood collection support, registering and engaging with donors and transporting materials, as well as the disaster services team.
Humane Educational Society
For animal lovers, the Humane Educational Society offers two volunteer opportunities: adoption ambassadors and shelter support. Adoption ambassadors will assist both in the shelters and at adoption events by helping visitors meet the animals. As for shelter support, volunteers will help keep the shelter running smoothly, including cleaning and other tasks. When needed, volunteers can also assist the shelter with humane education, canine enrichment, animal socialization, and much more.
Chattanooga Zoo
If larger animals are more your speed, consider volunteering at the Chattanooga Zoo. The zoo offers two different options for volunteers: the Education Track or the Animal Care Track. Volunteers in the Education Track will educate guests about the zoo’s animals, conduct private zoo tours, help with school field trips, and more. After completing the required hours, volunteers in this track will handle Animal Ambassadors, like turtles, chinchillas, rabbits, and more.
As for the Animal Care Track, volunteers will begin in the Nutrition Center where they will prepare food for the zoo’s animals. After completing the required hours, Chattanooga Zoo volunteers in this track will aid zookeepers in the petting zoo and eventually work with the Animal Ambassadors as well as other small mammals and reptiles.
Creative Discovery Museum
Whether you want to volunteer for special events or on a regular basis, the Creative Discovery Museum is a great option for those looking to inspire children to explore, learn, and play. At special events, such as holiday-themed events and Drink & Discover, volunteers will lead activities, help with setup and breakdown, and answer guest questions. For those looking to help more frequently, CDM’s walk-up facilitators come in on a regular schedule to assist guests with the museum’s activities.
Crabtree Farms
Crabtree Farms is a 22-acre urban farm just outside of downtown Chattanooga that emphasizes sustainable farming and community development. Crabtree Farms welcomes individuals, groups, and families to volunteer on the farm for a variety of projects, including harvesting produce, working in the greenhouse, assisting with field trips, and much more. Interested individuals can find a full list of volunteer opportunities on their website.
Northside Neighborhood House
Founded in 1924, Northside Neighborhood House offers education and assistance to Chattanooga residents north of the Tennessee River. Interested individuals can support NNH’s mission in a variety of ways, including mentoring students, administrative duties, assisting at Coffee Community Collective, helping in their thrift stores, and more.
Chattanooga Library
With five branches across the Chattanooga area, the Chattanooga Public Library has plenty of volunteer opportunities for book lovers, both teenagers and adults. Volunteer duties may include shelving books, reading shelves, light cleaning, and gardening at the South Chattanooga Branch, in St. Elmo. Volunteers may also assist with the library’s children and teen programs.
Scenic City Clay Arts
For the artists among us, consider volunteering as a “studio bee” at Scenic City Clay Arts. This volunteer position helps with daily operations to ensure a safe, clean space for members and visitors. Volunteer duties include general studio tasks like loading kilns, mixing glazes, and recycling clay; glazing students’ work; and assisting staff during classes. Volunteers can also help with fundraising and special events at the studio.
Lula Lake Land Trust
Lula Lake Land Trust is a nonprofit dedicated to the preservation of lands located within the Rock Creek watershed on Lookout Mountain. Volunteers may direct parking and manage check-ins on Lula Lake’s open gate days, perform trail work, assist with any special events, or educate visitors. Volunteers will receive incentives, such as an afternoon of hiking on a non-open gate day, a night of camping, and an annual pass to the Core Preserve, based on logged volunteer hours.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Chattanooga
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Chattanooga seeks to create and support mentoring relationships between adult volunteers and youth ages six to 14 in the surrounding counties. Featuring many different programs, volunteers can choose to meet with their Little in the community, at the Little’s school, or at the Big’s place of work. Activities can include playing a sport, helping with homework, or just hanging out and talking.
Tennessee Aquarium
The Tennessee Aquarium offers plenty of unique, educational, and fun volunteer opportunities, both inside and outside of the tank. Volunteers looking to interact with guests can assist the aquarium as a guest ambassador, asking questions and giving directions, or as an education volunteer, running cart stations and giving information about exhibits. Volunteers looking to work with animals can help prepare food, maintain exhibits, care for plants, clean the inside of the tanks, and much more.
No matter your passion, Chattanooga has a plethora of organizations to volunteer with, from working outdoors to mentoring children in the area and more. If you’re looking to volunteer in Chattanooga, visit your preferred organization’s website and start making a difference today!
