As we near 2022, many people decide to make resolutions. Maybe you want to lose or gain weight? Or give up a bad habit? Perhaps you want to have better luck with money. While these are good aspirations, why not decide to make a difference in your local community?
Volunteering changes lives! Let us all unite and help each other in our community! Here are some ways to step up your community involvement in Oakland Park, Fl.
Holiday Village
The 5th Annual Oakland Park Holiday Village will be held on December 3rd and 4th at Jaco Pastorius Park. This fun-filled event will have music, entertainment, and fun activities for the whole family, including ice-skating, a snow mountain, and visits from Santa.
Sadly, this event didn’t take place last year due to the pandemic. Help people feel joy in their hearts and have fun while doing it! The City of Oakland Park needs volunteers to greet visitors, clean tables, and help set up the holiday village. For more information contact Bruce Garrison at 954-630-4502.
Operation Our Neighbor
This is a curb appeal/home make-over program for houses that have fallen below community standards. The program assists those in need, including our beloved seniors and veterans. Operation Our Neighbor helps homeowners who may not be able to tend to their property. Homeowners in need of help may be struggling due to age, health issues, financial burden, or other unforeseen circumstances.
Adopt a Piece of Oakland Park!
Volunteer residents and businesses can adopt a piece of Oakland Park by helping keep our city clean! Here are some ways to care for our city!
Adopt a Storm Drain
Help the flow of rainwater, and keep our storm drains clean. This could involve clearing leaves or picking up litter or trash. All you need are gloves, a broom and rake, and trash bags.
Adopt-A-Street
Volunteer Groups help beautify our neighborhoods in Adopt-A-Street program. Let’s help save our environment and keep our streets litter-free. Our future generations shouldn’t have to walk on garbage.
Keep Our Parks Beautiful
We want to keep our parks beautiful. Unfortunately, we need help to pick up litter in our parks. Oakland Park needs volunteers for this matter. You can sign-up and be part of the Park Cleanup Crew or volunteer as a Park Inspector.
Help Our Animals
Whether you love dogs, cats, or both, there are many opportunities to help our furry friends. Oakland Park’s Bark Park provides a place for residents to take their dogs for socialization and exercise. The City of Oakland Park has volunteer opportunities for people to help assist in Bark Park’s maintenance.
Feral Friends Program helps cats using the trap, neuter, and return approach. This “TNR” method helps reduce the number of feral cat colonies. They need volunteers to help the cats!
National Make a Difference Day
National Make a Difference Day is an annual event that is held on the fourth Saturday in October. Millions of people unite across the globe to help improve other people’s lives. Community events simultaneously take place, and different locations have unique volunteer opportunities. The City of Oakland Park is proud to be part of this national event. There are opportunities to volunteer throughout the year, but this is an event that you don’t want to miss!
Everyone Can Help!
By now, we know you want to make a difference in your community! You may be wondering what are the requirements for becoming a volunteer. I chatted with Bruce Garrison who is the Volunteer Services Manager for the City of Oakland Park and he had some encouraging words! “All you need is a first and a last name,” Bruce responded with a smile.
Anyone over 18 is always welcome. There are also opportunities for all ages, and parental signature is required for those younger ones. Another criterion according to Bruce, is that you have to have fun at volunteer events! Volunteering is fun, and creates meaningful and lasting interactions with other people!
If you need more information on how to help others in our community, please visit Oakland Park Volunteer Corps.
The best way to sign up to volunteer is to fill out information on Helper/Helper. Click here to fill out their sign-up form.
About Bruce Garrison
Bruce Garrison is an experienced volunteer coordinator, and is the current services manager for Oakland Park, Fl. He got his start by being involved with healthcare organizations up in Citrus County, Florida. He was involved in many different committees, such as those to help with Cancer, Alzheimer’s and Relay for Life.
Bruce was also a volunteer and chair member for art events and other non-profits. When he came to Oakland Park, he decided in 2012 that he wanted to organize and start volunteer programs here to help our community. We are glad to have him encourage others to see the fun and value of volunteer work!
Be sure to have in your heart the desire to help others for the rest of this year and next. Volunteering helps relieve stress, and there is no greater joy than helping other people! There are opportunities for everyone, no matter your age or current situation. Most importantly, volunteering is fun, and we wish your hearts to be filled with joy. Every person has the power to make a difference!
