Live & Play the Sarasota Way! How Volunteering Helps You Maintain Good Health While on Vacation

For many locals, volunteerism is as enjoyable as walking along the white sands of Siesta Key or Longboat Key beaches at sunset. Volunteering in Sarasota can fit into anyone’s vacation plans, whether you want to spend a sunny morning beautifying a beach or a rainy afternoon by sorting food donations.

Outdoor Volunteer Opportunities

Soaking up the sunshine doesn’t have to be limited to a day lying on the beach. You can give back while breathing in our fresh, salty air.

Three times a year, Keep Sarasota County Beautiful hosts cleanups that anyone can attend. These spring, summer and fall initiatives are held in various locations, often on beaches. As a reminder, you can help with these efforts any time of the year by cleaning up after yourselves. Make sure you don’t leave any of your trash behind whenever you visit one of our beaches or parks.

Big Waters Land Trust in Osprey often has land stewardship activities and related events that are perfect for visitors who want to help conserve the natural landscape in this part of Florida.

Health and Fitness Volunteer Opportunities

Do you have flair for cooking foods that are rich with nutrients? If so, then volunteering for All Faiths Food Bank’s Cooking Matters program is an excellent choice for you. The Cooking Matters program is your chance to positively influence the lives of several others by teaching live cooking demonstrations about healthy eating. You can engage with individuals and families that are struggling with eating whole foods or who may not have healthy foods readily available to them. In addition to the Cooking Matters program, All Faiths Food Bank has a need for volunteers for its pantries that are located in areas throughout the community such as churches, schools and the Boys & Girls Clubs. Learn about all the volunteer positions on All Faiths Food Bank’s website.

If you’ll be in our area for an extended period, the Sarasota YMCA offers volunteer positions that are both on and off the court and field. You’ll definitely reach your daily goal of 10,000 steps while you are refereeing or coaching youth and adult sports, serving as a junior lifeguard, or helping at one of the three fitness branches. You can also participate in a social club such as bridge, mahjong, running, books, or weightlifting. Internships are available to those who are wanting to gain experience and knowledge in their chosen career field. Be among more than 1,000 individuals who volunteer for Sarasota YMCA each year by learning more about local opportunities.

Animal-related Volunteer Opportunities

If you’re a feline-loving family who had to leave your kitties at home, get some pets and purrs at Cat Depot, a local rescue. Contact the volunteer office before your trip here to set up a group volunteer session. You’ll likely interact with the cats and kittens to socialize them, and you might be asked to help with laundry and other tasks. Note: Your group must consist of at least five people. Alternatively, for a small fee, your child can participate in the Reading to Rescues program, held on most Sundays.

Being a volunteer will allow you to create fond and long-lasting memories of all the enjoyable times you have experienced here in Sarasota for years to come. Learn more about more organizations that might need volunteers.