Friday Feature: The State of Volunteerism in Barrow

It's now been more than two years in a nation knee-deep in recession and unemployment surges coming and going. Still, some Barrow County residents find the time to help out others even when it often proves difficult to even help themselves.

With numerous volunteer opportunities around the county, many organizers say they’ve seen changes in the number of volunteers wanting to donate their time. Below is a list of some opportunities around Barrow County and how some organizers have noticed a change.

Reducing the impact and occurrence of child abuse across Barrow, Jackson and Banks Counties is The Tree House.

Debra Shreve is the volunteer coordinator and also a counselor at The Tree House. She said the organization downsized six months ago, cutting the staff in half. Within the last two to three months, she’s noticed a surge in those wishing to volunteer.

“We’ve had a lot of requests, let me say that,” Shreve said. “Definitely an increase.”

The Tree House tries to use everyone with an interest in volunteering.

“It depends on if they’re willing to do everything there is,” Shreve said.

There’s a need for volunteers to help clean and file, however, most want to be more hands-on with the children. These spots fill up the quickest, and it’s sometimes difficult to find those who will do the dirtier work.

The Tree House is holding an auction beginning at 9 a.m. April 8 at the . Shreve said volunteers will be needed for this event to help set up the area.

The nonprofit organization is headquartered in Winder on North Broad Street. For more information on getting involved with The Tree House, call Shreve at 770-868-1900.

Located on West Athens Street is the crux of the county — its the historical society.

Carmen Hall has been volunteering about once a month since about 2000, and said she hadn’t noticed more volunteers coming in since the recession. However, she noted that some days are busier than others and require more than one volunteer.

“(We) always can use somebody,” Hall said. “Some people like to have more than one person working at a time.”

Duties include answering phones, telling guests about the different historical hot spots around the county and giving tours of the old jail, where the society is located.

Volunteers begin their day at 1 p.m. and work until 4, and Hall said most work one day a month. For more information on helping out, call 770-307-1183.

Promoting the community’s quality of life through various programs is Keep Barrow Beautiful. Most volunteer opportunities are available for residents to adopt roads, streams or spots, according to Shannon Navarre, the director for streamwater management.

She said overall, there’s not been an increase in those wishing to volunteer, however, there is a great need, especially within the Adopt a Stream program.

“That’s truly what we need right now in Barrow County,” she said. “To keep waste and trash out of our streams.”

Navarre added that the organization will need help with the Great American Cleanup, which is an annual event. This year’s cleanup will be held April 16 at Oak Grove Landfill.

To get involved with Keep Barrow Beautiful, call 770-307-3020 or visit www.barrowga.org/kbb.

Barrow County CERT

Barrow County’s Certified Emergency Response Team works to train residents to protect themselves and their community during emergencies.

Team Communications Officer Bob Richardson said that since 2009, in the midst of the recession, he’s noticed a definite increase in the number of people interested in receiving training.

“We’re taking everyday people and we’re training them for what we need them to do,” Richardson said.

The organization is also working toward reaching out to businesses that can make in-kind or monetary donations so CERT may purchase needed equipment.

The group is looking for those wishing to take the CERT certification class so they might become part of the Barrow County team.

For more information on CERT, e-mail info@barrowcert.org or visit the organization's website.

The Barrow County Senior Center is a place where active seniors visit to do crafts and go on group trips.

Director Karen Townley said the center appreciates volunteers who specialize in a craft to come in and demonstrate it to the seniors.

“We have people volunteer crafts,” Townley said. “If they want to come in and share it with the (seniors) we have here, all they have to do is call me.”

The recession has had little effect on the amount of those volunteering their craft, but Townley said more are always welcome.

She may be reached at 770-307-3025.

Other volunteer opportunities

Habitat for Humanity — 770-277-7997

• Locally funded through donations
• Builds and renovates homes at no-profit and sells through zero-interest mortgages to in-need Barrow County residents
• Individual and corporate volunteer opportunities available

Red Cross — 706-353-1645

• Not federally funded — all funds come from individual contributions, corporate donations, the United Way and fundraising events
• Those interested may volunteer in the following areas: disaster services, health and safety services and fundraising, while internships and clerical positions are also available

Piedmont CASA— 706-387-6375

• Needs advocates for foster children
• Advocates visit a child monthly and gather information about them and their family to provide a detailed report to juvenile court

Food Bank of Northeast Georgia — 706-354-8191

• Works to feed ill, needy, seniors and children in the area
• Services more than 125,000 people in the 14-county area
• Needs volunteers to help with food drives and organization and individual opportunities available

Barrow County Animal Control — 770-307-3012

• Promotes responsible pet ownership, enforces state and local animal control laws and provides temporary shelters for strays
• In need of volunteers to adopt and rescue animals