Harris County Precinct 4’s Legacy Trees Project is committed to promoting the benefits of trees, supporting Texas cultural heritage, and engaging the public through volunteerism and planting opportunities. (Courtesy of the Legacy Trees Project)
For those looking to help the Lake Houston community, there are several local nonprofit groups that offer volunteer opportunities and accept donations. This list is not exhaustive.
Empower children
Humble ISD Community Development
There are many volunteer opportunities available, such as attending a school book fair, setting up district events, and being a student’s reading buddy. Volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Examples of activities: serve lunch in school cafeterias, supervise students, become a student’s reading buddy, help with the Junior Achievement program
10203 Birchridge Drive, humble
281-641-8142 • www.humbleisd.net/volunteer
Volunteer needs: application, referral, background check, under 18 allowed
Humble ISD Educational Foundation
Volunteers participate in special events such as the golf tournament, the gala, the Humble Rodeo and the BBQ Cook-off. Volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Examples of activities: sit on event committees; provide assistance on the day of the event; pro bono services including grant writing, legal assistance, newsletter writing / copy writing and office administrative assistance
10203 Birchridge Drive, humble
281-641-8140 • www.humbleisdfoundation.org
Volunteer needs: request, under 18 allowed
Family YMCA of Lake Houston
This local YMCA serves the Lake Houston community through social programs and services designed to help individuals and families learn, grow and thrive.
Examples of activities: coach of youth sports teams, help with adjustment programs for youth and adults with disabilities, participate in community events, fundraising, mentor youth, serve on the board of directors
2402 W. Lake Houston Parkway, Kingwood
281-360-2500 • www.ymcahouston.org
Volunteer needs: application, background check, under 18 allowed
Take care of the environment
Jesse H. Jones Park and Nature Center
The mission of this 312-acre nature park is to promote wildlife conservation, outdoor recreation, and the education of environmental and Texas pioneers. Weekday and weekend volunteer opportunities are available for those who prefer to work indoors, outdoors, in teams or independently. Parental consent is required for volunteers aged 18 and under; volunteers aged 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Examples of activities: habitat management, greenhouse work, environmental education, Texas pioneer history programs, event assistance
20634 Kenswick Drive, Humble
281-446-8588 • www.jjpv.org
Volunteer needs: application, background check, under 18 allowed
Legacy Trees Project
Harris County Precinct 4’s Legacy Trees Project is committed to promoting the benefits of trees, supporting Texas cultural heritage, and engaging the public through volunteerism and planting opportunities. Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult, and volunteers are encouraged to bring a refillable water bottle, gloves, and closed-toe shoes.
Examples of activities: take care of nursery trees, remove invasive species, plant trees
281-353-8100 • www.hcp4.net/legacytrees
Volunteer needs: under 18 allowed
Mercer Botanical Gardens
Mercer Botanic Gardens has a variety of opportunities both indoor and outdoor, most of which are available to volunteers aged 16 and over. Participation in the orientation is recommended but not compulsory for volunteers and will take place on January 19 and February 16 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. The annual March Market Plant Sale will take place on March 25-26.
Examples of activities: assist in gardens and greenhouses and during plant sales and other special events; member of the March Mart and Holiday in the Gardens committee, Mercer Botanical Center assistant or garden tour guide
22306 Aldine Westfield Road, Humble
713-274-4160 • www.hcp4.net/parks/mercer
Volunteer needs: request, under 18 allowed
Serve seniors
Program Encore from district 4
As part of the programming that Fun4Seniors staff provide to residents 50 and over, Precinct 4 Encore runs regular bus trips to local nonprofits including the Houston Food Bank, Kids Meals, Project CURE and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints’ Peanut Butter Cannery — for volunteer opportunities. Volunteers must be 50 years of age or older and must wear closed-toe shoes, long pants, and no jewelry.
Examples of activities: inspect / sort food at the Houston Food Bank; prepare snacks and sandwiches at the Kids Meals warehouse; assist in sorting and packing medical supplies for shipping, stock storage, shipping preparation and container loading at Project CURE; sort nuts, check jar lids, operate the labeller, and pack jars in peanut butter cannery boxes
Donations accepted: Houston Food Bank accepts food donations; Kids Meals accepts decorated brown lunch bags; Project CURE accepts donations of lightly used medical equipment and supplies.
713-274-4050 • www.hcp4.net/encore/volunteer
Support families
Lake Houston Family Promise
Family Promise of Lake Houston serves low-income families who have become homeless due to an unfortunate circumstance, such as fire, flood, death of a spouse, loss of job, eviction or foreclosure of a house. The association offers daily support and education programs for 90 to 120 days which lead each family to permanent autonomy. Volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Examples of activities: tutoring / mentoring, hosting dinner or evening, help with curriculum vitae or job search, supplying the day center with necessities, maintenance / repair of facilities
Donations accepted: monetary donations and household items for the day center
111 avenue G S., humble
281-441-3754 • www.fplh.org
Volunteer needs: under 18 allowed
FamilyTime Crisis and Counseling Center
FamilyTime Crisis & Counseling Center offers volunteer opportunities at its thrift store in Porter and office in Humble, as well as at special events. Volunteer orientation sessions are held quarterly.
Examples of activities: Organize and sort donations, respond to the crisis hotline, assist the Thrift Shop sales area, provide administrative assistance, provide professional services
Donations accepted: The shelter’s most common needs can be found online and include household items, clothing, medical supplies, and hygiene items. Donations from the thrift store can be dropped off Monday through Friday. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
23874 Boucle 494, Porter (thrift store); 1203 S. Houston Ave., Humble (Crisis and Counseling Center)
281-446-2615 • www.familytimeccc.org
Volunteer needs: application, orientation
Ministries of assistance to small areas
Humble Area Assistance Ministries is an interfaith organization that helps community residents in crisis by providing essential resources to move towards self-reliance. Volunteers under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Examples of activities: provide assistance in pantry, retail stores, customer services, meals on wheels, fundraising, education and employment services
Donations accepted: pantry donations are accepted Monday through Thursday. 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. donations from resale stores are accepted from Thu through Saturday. from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
1204 First St., Humble (HAAM resale store); 1302 First St., Humble (HAAM Social Services); 22310 Loop 494, Kingwood (Black Cat Junction resale store)
281-446-3663 • www.haamministries.org
Volunteer needs: request, under 18 allowed
Heaven’s Army – Home of Incredible Grace
The religious nonprofit organization, which helps those affected by human trafficking, is looking for volunteers for Home of Amazing Grace, its discipleship training program for women. In addition, Heaven’s Army is looking for volunteers to fill four vacant positions on its Board of Directors; three additional places will open in 2022.
Examples of activities: education; organization; exterior maintenance; administrative tasks; cosmetology services; home repairs; professional services such as legal aid, website design, and accounting
Donations accepted: lightly used items with the greatest current need being event decoration for birthdays, weddings, business and church events
PO Box 197, Cleveland
832-401-7965 • www.heavensarmy-tx.org
Volunteer needs: application, referral, background check, under 18 allowed
Better the city
Friends of Kingwood Library
The non-profit organization supports the Kingwood Branch Library by operating an in-library bookstore as well as an off-site online hub, from which books are indexed, sold and shipped. Proceeds from donated books and other media support the Kingwood Branch Library and volunteers are needed to run both the bookstore and the online center.
Examples of activities: assist customers, tidy up books, manage inventory, list books online, ship books
Donations accepted: Books, DVDs, CDs and puzzles can be donated at the Kingwood Branch Library.
4400 Bens View Lane, Kingwood
281-793-5430 • www.kingwoodfolk.org
Volunteer needs: application, orientation, under 18 allowed
