Stephanie Auditore Shares her Top Local Charities to Support

The capital of Ohio provides no shortage of entertainment and educational opportunities; with its rich history and incredible park system, Columbus is an excellent place to live and visit. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, Columbus also presents a plethora of options for you to give back to the community. Below are 8 charities you should consider supporting.

Star House
For youth experiencing homelessness, life can seem bleak. Star House provides shelter, stability, and resources to those individuals. Because this organization operates all day, every day, they are in constant need of volunteers.

Furniture Bank
The Furniture Bank aims to provide families in need with quality furniture. They take in old or damaged pieces, repair them, and help families choose the best items for their needs. Volunteers can assist in furniture repairs, assembly, and transportation; they can also operate in a customer service role or assist with office duties.

Ohio Wildlife Center
Individuals 18 and older are eligible to volunteer at the Wildlife Center. Volunteers can assist in answering questions and assisting visitors. They can also help with admissions to the animal hospital. The training for this volunteer opportunity is relatively intensive, but helping out this nonprofit is absolutely worth it.

Pets Without Parents
For the animal lover in you, volunteering with Pets Without Parents is a great way to support animals in need. The organization regularly needs volunteers to help bathe, feed, walk, and even foster pets. Pets Without Parents also attends a few adoption events throughout the year, and they need help transporting animals, speaking with interested parties, and overseeing the pets while at the events. Volunteers under the age of 18 must have an adult with them at all times, but children as young as 8 can participate.

The Topiary Park
This park provides beautiful scenery and lush vegetation for the community to appreciate. It is maintained by volunteers. For events like Mulch Madness and Weed Eves, the park is always in need of volunteer gardeners.

The Gardens at Gantz Farm
This organization provides a unique approach to education. Three gardens depict various gardening styles to inform visitors of the past, present, and future of gardening. In addition to maintaining the gardens themselves, volunteers can help organize workshops and operate their annual herb sale.

Fore Hope Therapeutic Golf
Living with a neurological condition can make everyday life difficult. Fore Hope Therapeutic Golf aims to improve physical, mental, and social effects of neurological conditions, and they also provide adaptive equipment for individuals with physical disabilities. Volunteers can accompany participants in the program and assist wherever needed along the course.

A Kid Again
For children with life-threatening illnesses, enjoying childhood can be a challenge. This organization aims to provide an opportunity for these children to simply have fun and be a kid again. They need volunteers to help direct programs as well as manage more logistical aspects of the organization such as accounting and social media management.