At New Park, community isn’t just about the homes you live in – it’s about the connections you make, the ways you support one another, and the positive impact you create together. With Thanksgiving and the season of gratitude approaching, it’s the perfect time to carry that spirit beyond our neighborhood and give back to the wider Montgomery community.
Here are some of the best volunteer opportunities in Montgomery, Alabama, to help you make a meaningful difference this season.
Why Volunteer in Montgomery?
Volunteering strengthens the fabric of our entire community. Giving your time supports local families, makes a real impact in the River Region, and connects you with people who share your values.
Benefits of volunteering:
- Meet new neighbors and build friendships
- Teach kids the importance of compassion and service
- Choose from flexible options that fit any schedule
- Support local families and causes that directly impact the River Region
Montgomery has many organizations ready for your help, with opportunities that fit any schedule, from a single afternoon to a regular commitment.
Heart of Alabama Food Bank: Fighting Hunger Together
Location: 521 Trade Center St, Montgomery, AL 36108
Best For: Individuals, families, and groups
Volunteer Work: Sorting and packing food, assisting with distributions, hosting food drives
Website: hafb.org
Food insecurity affects thousands of families right here in the River Region, and the Heart of Alabama Food Bank (formerly the Montgomery Area Food Bank) works tirelessly to make sure no one goes hungry.
Volunteers are the backbone of the Heart of Alabama Food Bank, helping sort and pack donations, assist families, and run community food drives. During the holiday season, demand rises, and extra hands are needed. Whether you volunteer individually or with a group, for a regular shift or a one-time event, your time makes a real difference for local families.
How to Get Involved: Visit their website to learn about current volunteer opportunities or orientation schedules.
Brantwood Children’s Home: A Place for Hearts to Heal
Location: 1309 Upper Wetumpka Rd, Montgomery, AL 36107
Volunteer Activities: Special events, fundraising support, donation drives
Needed Items: Toiletries, paper products, movie tickets, fast-food gift cards, and more
Website: brantwoodchildrenshome.org
For more than a century, Brantwood Children’s Home has provided a safe, structured environment for abused, neglected, and at-risk children in Montgomery.
Volunteers at Brantwood can help in numerous ways, from organizing special events and activities to supporting fundraising efforts and donating supplies. While the specific needs vary throughout the year, there’s always an opportunity to make a difference in a child’s life. Even donating items can brighten a child’s day and show them the community cares.
How to Get Involved: Visit Brantwood’s website or call (334) 265-0784 to learn about current volunteer opportunities and donation needs.
River Region United Way: Mobilizing Montgomery’s Volunteers
Location: 624 S Perry St, Montgomery, AL 36104
Volunteer Work: Meal packing, Reading Buddy programs, Kindness Calls, Sunshine Kits
Partner Network: 40+ local agencies
Website: rruw.org/volunteer or handsonriverregion.org
If you’re looking for a wide variety of volunteer opportunities under one roof, River Region United Way is your go-to resource. They coordinate volunteer efforts across more than 40 community partner agencies, connecting people with causes that match their interests and skills.
Through their partnership with HandsOn River Region, the River Region United Way connects volunteers with a wide variety of meaningful opportunities. You can pack meals for families in need, mentor students through tutoring and reading programs, or call isolated seniors to brighten their day.
How to Get Involved: Explore their volunteer portal to find events near you, or reach out to United Way about leadership or community service roles.
Montgomery Humane Society: Helping Our Four-Legged Friends
Location: 1150 John Overton Dr, Montgomery, AL 36110
Volunteer Work: Dog walking, cat socialization, adoption events
Special Programs: Holiday gift-wrapping fundraiser
Website: montgomeryhumane.com
Animal lovers, this one’s for you! The Montgomery Humane Society is an open-admission shelter dedicated to caring for animals of all ages and breeds. Volunteers are accepted on an as-needed basis, helping with tasks like dog walking, cat socialization, adoption events, and administrative support.
During the holidays, the Montgomery Humane Society also offers gift-wrapping services at Christmas to raise money for animals in need, giving you another creative way to support their mission during the holidays!
How to Get Involved: Follow Montgomery Humane Society on social media for volunteer recruitment announcements, or call (334) 409-0622 to inquire about current needs.
YMCA of Greater Montgomery: Building Stronger Communities
Location: Multiple locations, including James W. Wilson Jr. YMCA near New Park
Volunteer Work: Youth sports coaching, tutoring, summer camps, meal programs
Special Program: Brown Bag Bus Program
Website: ymcamontgomery.org
The YMCA of Greater Montgomery believes in strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. From coaching youth sports to tutoring students after school, there are countless ways to serve year-round.
From coaching youth sports leagues to helping with after-school tutoring programs, summer camps, and the Brown Bag Bus program that delivers meals to food-insecure children, there’s a volunteer opportunity for everyone.
How to Get Involved: Contact the YMCA at info@ymcamontgomery.org to receive their monthly volunteer newsletter highlighting the latest service opportunities, or visit their volunteer page to learn more about specific programs.
Montgomery Area Non-Traditional Equestrians (MANE): Where Horses Heal
Location: 3699 Wallahatchie Rd, Pike Road, AL 36064
Volunteer Work: Assisting during lessons, grooming horses, cleaning stalls, special events
Experience Required: None – full training provided
Website: maneweb.org
Located in nearby Pike Road, MANE uses therapeutic horseback riding to help children and adults with physical, emotional, and developmental challenges. This unique organization uses the healing power of horses to help riders build strength, confidence, and joy.
No horse experience? No problem. MANE will teach you everything you need to know! Whether you’re helping during lessons by ensuring rider safety, grooming horses, cleaning stalls, or assisting with special events, every hour you give makes the program work.
How to Get Involved: Visit their website or call (334) 213-0909 to learn more about volunteer opportunities and open positions.
Getting Started: Tips for New Volunteers
If you’re new to volunteering or just getting started in Montgomery, here are a few tips to make the most of your experience:
- Start small: You don’t need to commit to a year-long schedule right away. Try a one-time event first to see what fits your interests and availability.
- Involve the whole family: Many organizations welcome family volunteers, making service a wonderful bonding experience that teaches children valuable life lessons.
- Plan ahead for the holidays: Thanksgiving and Christmas are popular times to volunteer, so organizations often fill up quickly. Contact them a few weeks in advance to secure your spot.
- Be consistent: If you find an organization you love, regular volunteering (even just once a month) creates more impact than occasional one-off visits.
- Spread the word: Invite your neighbors and friends to join you! Volunteering is always more fun with familiar faces, and it strengthens your community bonds.
The New Park Difference: Community Matters
Living in one of Montgomery’s best new home communities means being part of something bigger. At New Park, residents show their pride through supporting local schools and volunteering throughout the River Region, helping community spirit thrive.
Conveniently located in East Montgomery, New Park puts you minutes from countless volunteer opportunities. After a day of serving others, you’ll return home to a community that lives out those same values of kindness, connection, and purpose.
Make This Season Count
As we gather around tables filled with gratitude this Thanksgiving, let’s remember that home isn’t just about the walls that shelter us – it’s about the community we build together.
Whether you already call East Montgomery home or are just beginning your search, now is the perfect time to get involved and make a difference. You’ll meet new friends, discover new passions, and create memories that last long after the holiday season ends.
Ready to find a neighborhood where community matters? Explore New Park’s available homes and discover what it means to live in a place where giving back is part of who we are.
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