St. Petersburg Free Clinic has a place for everyone: those who need of care and those who care. For more than 40 years the Free Clinic has provided temporary assistance to those in need in St. Petersburg and Pinellas County. The help is not just in the form of health care, as the name suggests. But anyone who has trouble meeting basic needs and needs immediate help can turn to the clinic for such necessities as food, shelter, limitied financial help and medical care for people who lack insurance but do not qualify for government supports like Medicare and Medicaid. St. Petersburg Free Clinic …

Many will agree that family is the most important part about the holidays. Being with loved ones is paramount. But there are kids in the Tampa Bay area who miss out on that simple and most basic joy about growing up. The Heart Gallery of Pinellas and Pasco is an organization that helps children find loving homes around the country. The Heart Gallery is a nationwide service that has professional photographers take photos of children available for adoption and puts them in galleries, so the children are seen by others. Perhaps a family looking for a child to adopt will see a kid who captures …

The best thing about volunteering for the Tampa Bay Estuary Program is that folks can choose their level of involvement. The organization, which is dedicated to restoring the health of Tampa Bay, makes it easy for folks to volunteer and make a difference in keeping pollution out of Florida's largest open-water estuary. Just what is an estuary? It is a natural environment where salt and fresh water mix to create an ecosystem that supports a wide variety of wildlife, from young shrimp and crabs to roseate spoonbills and pelicans. How can volunteers help preserve this natural resource? The folks…

Are you an animal lover? Volunteers have many important jobs at the Pinellas County Humane Society. Sure, it makes a difference to adopt a homeless animal. But the volunteers keep the dogs and cats and rabbits and other critters healthy and safe at the shelter. They feed, socialize and tend to these orphaned, abandoned and sometimes abused pets. They are their friends. Volunteers can help by spending a day once a week, once a month or once a year helping out. There are numerous ways to get involved to suit all types of schedules and personalities. Below is a list of opportunities from the …

If you're looking for a volunteer opportunity that will allow you to make a profound difference in people's lives, CASA may be the right choice for you. The nonprofit is dedicated to ending domestic violence and works with victims, offering everything from advocacy to a safe haven. The mission of CASA is to “raise our voices against violence through advocacy, empowerment and social change,” according to the website. Due to the nature of the work involved, volunteers are required, depending on their positions, to complete trainings. Background check through a local law enforcement agency; …

Celebrate, Remember, and Fight Back Are you a survivor? Do you know someone battling cancer? Do you want to aid in the fight for the cure? This spring, you have a chance to join a national movement and relay for life. Beginning in March and April 2012, several Relay for Life events will take place across Pinellas County and across the country. You can join in the effort to raise money for research and spread awareness and education about the disease. What is Relay for Life? Teams come together at a local high school, park or fairground and take turns walking or running around a path or track…

Do you want to volunteer, but you're not sure where to start? Are you unsure whether you have the skill sets that charities need in volunteers? There is no need to worry. The YMCA of the Suncoast offers a number of volunteer opportunities that should appeal to a broad range of people. The YMCA says its volunteers give all walks of life a chance to get healthier physically and mentally. "With a focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, Y volunteers give men, women and children of all ages and from all walks of life the resources and support they need to be healthy, …

Humans are not the only ones who need help and can benefit from the kindness and hard work of volunteers. Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary is dedicated to helping the native species of seabirds in Pinellas County and always accepts volunteers. This amazing place is the largest wild bird hospital and sanctuary in the U.S., with over 10,000 birds coming through every year. Workers at the sanctuary has made it their mission to help rescue and rehabilitate wild birds from across Pinellas County, but they need help to do so. There are many areas of expertise that need volunteers, with the greatest need …

ST. PETERSBURG – The New Year is the time when a lot of folks make promises to do better and try harder. So it's not surprising that many people make resolutions to give back to their communities by volunteering – if only they can find the time to do it! Here's an easy – and fun – way to get involved without waiting for 2012 to roll around. It only requires a one-night commitment, too. And it will make a big difference at one of the city's signature events. First Night St. Petersburg is seeking some selfless souls willing to give up the annual night of revelry – Dec. 31 – to help others have …

Do you want to give back to your community, but are not sure where or how to start? Patch will make it easy for you to connect with organizations in need. This is Day 1 of our special end-of-year series: "The 12 Days of Volunteering." We are sure you will be able to find a volunteer effort from our series of articles, which run through Dec. 30. Meals on Wheels is a prime example of a charity that does a lot, thanks to the help of some dedicated volunteers. No special expertise is required either. Can you donate two hours one day a week? Meals on Wheels may be the organization for you. …