Triangle Area Real Estate News & Information

A great way to meet new people while engaging and learning about your community is to volunteer. There are many volunteer opportunities available in the Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill area. Triangle residents are immensely proud of the wide variety of interests and passions that make up the different communities. Keeping Durham Beautiful, a nonprofit that works with Durham County to conserve and the appearance of Durham, notes that properties average a nine percent to 10% increase in value when there is an added presence of landscaping, trees, and green space. Volunteering is one way to contribute to the value of your neighborhood and participate in acts of service.

It can be difficult to figure out where to start or select from the list of options. We have identified volunteer opportunities that fit different schedules. These opportunities are a great way to participate in community development and help organizations serving the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area.

Volunteering in the Town of Cary

Opportunities to volunteer in the town of Cary are plentiful. The municipality of Cary has a list of opportunities and ways to serve the community located here.

You will find ways to serve on boards, commissions, or town committees. There are also opportunities for involvement in sports and annual events, such as the Cary Road Race or Summerfest Concert Series.

Volunteering in Chapel Hill

The town of Chapel Hill lists four main focus areas that include:

• Advisory boards and commissions
• Parks and recreation to assist with annual events and community centers
• Project Connect an annual event that connects those experiencing or at risk of homelessness access to short and long-term services, and
• Stormwater management to mark storm drains, assist with stream watch and stream cleanup.

Browse all of the current volunteer opportunities in Chapel Hill now.

Volunteering in Durham

Durham has a comprehensive list of volunteer opportunities that cover a range from Diaper Banks to Bike Co-ops to helping families in crisis. Highlighted on the volunteer search page is a great opportunity to get to know and see the city through Durham Wayfinders. As a Durham Wayfinder your volunteer efforts will help visitors and residents looking to enjoy Durham's cultural facilities, events, festivals, convention information desks, and visitor center.

Helping Pets in Need

Love Mutts Rescue offers local opportunities to assist with pet adoption and fostering. Your participation could be as simple as walking dogs to assisting in their adoption events. Supplies are always needed and bathing dogs to help show off their furry qualities. You will find Love Mutts Rescue at your neighborhood PetSmart in Cary and Wake Forest on Saturday or Sunday afternoons.

If you want to go directly to the animal shelter to get involved the following sites are a good place to start:

• Cary Society for the Prevention of Animal Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) of Wake County
• Chapel Hill Orange County Animal Shelter
• Durham Animal Protection Society of Durham

Assisting at the Local Library

Your local library is an important resource for the community. Offering more than books on hand, the local library offers services to community members of all ages. Beyond books, periodicals, and access to the Internet, the library offers activities and events for children, teens, adults, and seniors. Many of these events and services are developed with the assistance of volunteers. Services range from assistance with job searching to Tai Chi classes. Check out your local library for volunteer opportunities that meet the needs of those looking for a quiet way to participate or to lead a class.

• Cary / Wake County Public Library with 22 libraries and the Bookmobile, Wake County has a variety of location and opportunities to share your expertise and energy.
• Chapel Hill Public Library is located off of Library Drive in Chapel Hill. There are great walking paths and ample parking for library guests.
• Durham Public Library has a main library and five regional libraries. Additional Durham Public Library resources includes
• Literacy Center
• Collection Center offering available materials about the history of the City of Durham and county and those interested in North Carolina information
• Digital Access Center for those needing access and use computers, WIFI, or print materials
• MakerLab that allows patrons to make use of 3D printing, Cubelets, BeeBots, watercolor bot, and so much more. During MakerDays, patrons may bring in digital files to print on the 3D printer.

Volunteering as a Family

The Triangle is known for being family friendly. This extends to volunteer and civic engagement. Getting involved with the whole family is a positive way to spend time together and strengthen the community. Children of all ages can be involved:

• All age ranges may want to look at YMCA of the Triangle
• Ages 5 and above may seek out the local 4-H chapter
• Teens and parents have more options, such as Girls on the Run or the Ronald McDonald House
• Seniors can be Foster Grandparents offering guidance and friendship 

Offering Service or Support to Food Banks

My NC Homes has a great love for food. As a former-executive chef and known foodie, I greatly appreciate the benefits and blessings a meal can bring. Supporting the local food bank offers children and families struggling when displaced from hurricanes or floods. North Carolina has a well organized Food Bank for Central and Eastern North Carolina. They are always accepting donations and can use help with truck driving, the warehouse, or special events.

There are many food pantries in Cary, Chapel Hill, and Durham that can be found through FoodPantries.org and may have an volunteer or need to assist with in your own neighborhood. The Triangle area takes immense pride in the farm to table movement and supports small farms. There are nearby opportunities, such as Food Shuttle enabling participation in this agriculture initiative, whether your interest is in the garden or food distribution.

The abundance of volunteer opportunities in the Triangle give options for the amount of time, effort, or resources you have available. Whether you have just a few minutes to leave a canned-good on your front steps for Porch to pick up or you select from the offerings we’ve found, community service is a way neighbors and communities build relationships. Great places to live are often a result of homeownership and civic engagement.