Volunteer Opportunities

Opportunities to Volunteer within the City of Burlington


Kernodle Senior Center
1535 S. Mebane Street
P: (336) 222-5135

The Kernodle Senior Activities Center offers several volunteer opportunities, such as:

  • Receptionists: Answer phone, give information, refer calls, help with light paper work.
  • Assist with Mailings: Assemble mail accordingly, and put on labels.
  • SHIIP Volunteers: Assist people with Medicare plan supplements and other insurance needs. Will be trained by the NC Department of Insurance.
  • Senior Center Representative: Attends fairs to promote the senior center and give out information. 
  • Volunteer Instructors: Able to instruct specific subject or activity.
Animal Services
221 Stone Quarry Rd.
P: (336)578-0343
Email: animalservices@burlingtonnc.gov
Animal Services offers a wide array of volunteer opportunities. Visit Animal Services Volunteer Page to fill out an application.

  • Pet Pal - This involves walking, talking to, and playing with adoptable dogs and cats. These animals need exercise and attention. Volunteers can play with them in special areas at BAS and shower them with love and affection. A socialized cat or dog will become someone's pet much faster.
  • Dog Obedience Training - Most BAS dogs are eager to learn their manners and would benefit from learning the basics of sit, stay, down, etc. Well-mannered dogs get adopted faster. If volunteers have any experience in obedience training, BAS welcomes them to help train BAS dogs.
  • Grooming - Many BAS animals have not been cared for before coming to BAS. Their fur may be dirty, matted or shaggy from seasonal shedding. Their chance for adoption increases greatly if they have been groomed.
  • Photography - BAS posts pictures of all adoptable pets on different websites and can always use volunteer help in getting good photographs of animals.  
  • Special Events - BAS takes animals to special events such as adoption fairs, the Carousel Festival, Christmas parades, etc., and can use extra hands and helpers. 
  • Dog Play Groups- Volunteers assist with facilitating playtime for compatible groups of 3-4 dogs in one of BAS' outdoor dog play yards.
  • Laundry - BAS staff need help washing, drying, and folding linens used for cleaning and in animal kennels.
  • Fostering - Check out BAS' foster page for information on how you can become a volunteer foster home for shelter pets. Both short term and longer term fostering opportunities are available.


Burlington Youth Council
1331 Overbrook Road
P: (336)222-5134
The Burlington Youth Council offers volunteer opportunities for Middle School and High School teens such as:
  • Special Population Events: Organizing activities and handing out snacks or prizes
  • Thataways Dances: Organizing and assisting with activities for preteens
  • Events: Volunteering at other community events with Burlington Recreation and Parks, Alamance Arts, and other organizations

Police Department
267 W Front St. 
(336) 229-3503
The Burlington Police Department has many volunteer opportunities for recent Citizens Academy graduates. Contact the department for more information.


Opportunities to Volunteer with Local Non-Profit Organization


Volunteer Alamance
The website, www.VolunteerAlamance.org, will allow for Alamance County nonprofit organizations to post any volunteer needs, promote fundraisers and/or events, and collection drive such as food or supplies. Community members and businesses then can search for opportunities and respond to the needs/events if they are interested.The website will not only connect volunteers with opportunities, but it will also track individual volunteer hours and impact value on a user-friendly dashboard.VolunteerAlamance.org is sponsored by United Way of Alamance County and was funded in part by a grant from Impact Alamance which helped to launch the site

Alamance County Meals on Wheels
411 West 5th Street, Suite A, Burlington, NC 27215
336-228-8815
E-mail

“Each day, between 17 and 36 volunteers deliver approximately 250 meals to home bound senior citizens of Alamance County and surrounding areas… You can make many seniors happy in just 60 minutes with just a little gas and a warm heart," (http://www.alamancemow.org).

Alamance County Community YMCA
1346 South Main Street, Burlington, NC 27215
336-395-9622
E-mail

In terms of volunteer opportunities, we have year-round opportunities in customer service (greeting members, folding towels, giving tours, etc.) and facilities maintenance (cleaning machines, etc.).  We also have Special Events that occur throughout the year that we use volunteers to help with.   

Allied Churches of Alamance County
206 North Fisher Street, Burlington, NC 27216
336-229-0881
E-mail

Allied Churches depends on the generous service of approximately twenty volunteer each day.There are volunteer opportunities for individuals, school groups, churches, clubs and civic organizations. During the week, Allied Churches needs volunteers to help prepare and serve lunch and dinner; assist the homeless in finding jobs and benefits; or perform light office work in our administrative officers. On the weekend, the organizations could use help managing the emergency shelter. For those who like to work outside, Allied Churches always welcomes volunteers to spruce up the buildings and grounds. Additionally, Allied Churches is more than happy to provide guidance for groups thinking about conducting volunteers food drives or collecting items for homeless. For more information, please visit call the organization or visit their website.

American Red Cross
604 S. Worth Street, Burlington, NC 27215
336-646-4047
E-mail

Volunteers carry out 90% of the humanitarian work of the Red Cross. Whether helping displaced families, providing care and comfort to an ill or injured service member or veteran, or teaching others how to respond in emergencies, it’s through the efforts of ordinary people that we can do extraordinary things. Volunteers can choose to be involved in Blood Services, Disaster Services, Service to the Armed Forces and more.(http://www.redcross.org/nc/burlington).

Burlington Housing Authority
133 North Ireland Street, Burlington, NC 27216
336-226-8421
E-mail

You will have the opportunity to volunteer with several after-school enrichment programs such as Dream Girls, Training for Manhood, Whiz Kids, or the Gold program. BHA also has an adult leadership training program, an entrepreneurship training program, and a family sufficiency program  For more information, please call or visit their website.

Creative Directions
427 Maple Avenue, Burlington, NC 27215
336-539-1015
www.creativedirectionsinc.org 

Creative Directions, Inc is need of volunteers ages 16 and up to help make phone calls, pass out flyers, assist with newsletter and work with local businesses regarding donations.  They are a nonprofit organization that serves the socially and economically disadvantaged in the community.  For a few hours a week, volunteers can bridge the gap between local businesses and the community in support of those in need and at risk. NO SOLICITATION is involved.  Think you can help out?  Call John or Alisa at 336.539.1015 or stop by our office at 427 Maple Ave (beside the post office) between 10am - 5pm.  Check out the website at www.creativedirectionsinc.org.

CrossRoads Sexual Assault Response & Resource Center
1206 Vaughn Road, Burlington, NC 27216
336-228-0813

CrossRoads has been helping sexual assault victims in Alamance and the surrounding counties for over 30 years, providing prevention and community education, inter-agency coordination, and services to persons concerned with or experiencing sexual assault. There are several different ways you can help CrossRoads. Volunteer with the crisis intervention program, and you'll help provide the center with 24 hour crisis line coverage, or even accompany individuals to emergency medical exams. Spent time with their community education program, and help promote awareness and prevention education in Alamance County. Both of the aforementioned programs require completion of CrossRoads 20 hour training and a year-long commitment. Other opportunities include assisting in our office, helping with fundraisers by becoming an ad hoc committee member, becoming a board member, or helping with special projects. If you are interested in any of these opportunities please contact the center by phone or email.

Young Musicians of Alamance County
513 West Front St., Burlington NC 27215
336-524-6764
Email

Young Musicians of Alamance is a music instruction program that offers ensemble instrumental and general music instruction to at-risk elementary, middle and high school students.  Most of these students attend schools where 50% or more students qualify for free lunch.  Qualified music teachers provide after school and Saturday lessons.  Instruments are loaned to students so they may practice at home.  These benefits are offered free, to children who otherwise would have little opportunity for this kind of instruction. Students receive six hours of instruction during the week.  They receive healthy after school snacks and a hot lunch on Saturdays. 

In addition to music instruction, Young Musicians of Alamance focuses on important social values such as respect for self and others, sharing of assistance and resources, mutual support and caring, self-discipline, and hard work.

Volunteer Opportunities with Young Musicians of Alamance include:

Music Program Assistance – assist Teaching Artists in class with breakout groups, individual help for students.  Must have a musical background, preferably with stringed instruments.

Food Program Assistant – Cooking Saturday meals for students, kitchen prep work, serving students lunch.

Office Assistant – Assist YMA office with general administrative tasks such as filing, mailings, etc.

For specific/additional information, please see the Young Musicians of Alamance website at www.ymofa.org/volunteers, or contact the office at:  336-524-6764, ymofa1@gmail.com.

American Cancer Society's Road to Recovery Program
336-675-8260
Email

Can you drive a cancer patient to Alamance Regional Medical Center once a month?  Please help give free rides to cancer patients in Alamance County!  Our Road to Recovery volunteer drivers train at home and have access to our cancer patient requests online.  Volunteer drivers decide for themselves when and how far they want to drive.  Most patient requests are Monday-Friday 8 am to 4 pm.

Questions?  Please contact Volunteer Coordinator Deanne Huber at alamance.caswell.road@gmail.com or 336-675-8260. 


If you would like your non-profit organization listed here, please contact us via email.

  1. Internship Opportunities
Several departments offer seasonal internships for students. Please contact the department that interests you for more information on available positions. These departments include: