Get Involved by Volunteering
Volunteer: verb - To choose to act in recognition of need, with an attitude of social responsibility and without concern for monetary profit, going beyond one's basic obligations.
By volunteering with United Way of Rock River Valley, you become part of the collective power of the Winnebago County community. We need the heads, hands, and hearts of committed individuals and groups to help us tackle the things we can't do on our own. When we all come together, anything is possible! Read testimonials from some of our volunteers to see just how impactful it can be.
Are you an agency in need of volunteers? Register on WeVolunteer today!
Ways to Volunteer
Whether you want to get involved through work, as an individual, or with your friends and family, we have plenty of opportunities to volunteer, with more on the way!
Workplace Volunteer Opportunities
We can help you connect your workplace to meaningful volunteer experiences that impact local lives. Volunteering together is proven to make coworking groups more productive, more engaged, and create an atmosphere of teamwork that lasts.
Annual Day of Caring
Each year, workplaces that run a fundraising campaign with us come together in a BIG WAY by volunteering with a variety of local agencies. This special day in September is our largest mobilization of volunteers out of the whole year, with hundreds of participants from dozens of companies coming together to do good. Email cherice@unitedwayrrv.org to inquire about becoming a participating workplace.
More details to come about Day of Caring 2025!
Volunteering at Work
No travel is necessary to volunteer - we can come to you! There are many ways to get involved at your office/place of work including:
- Hosting a collection/donation drive
- Book distribution program: help us prepare our books for distribution to daycares, preschools, and families by stickering, sorting, and counting them.
- You tell us! Have an idea you think would benefit your team and ours? Reach out!
Individual & Group Volunteer Opportunities
Becoming a volunteer is a great way to connect with your community and gain a sense of fulfillment in your life. Oftentimes we feel powerless to affect the world around us, but volunteership provides tangible ways to impact the people closest to home. Whether you'd like an individual experience or a chance to work together with a group of your friends/family, United Way of Rock River Valley has opportunities for you!
I READ Classroom Volunteering (Individual)
Work with children K-3rd grade in the Harlem School District to providing classroom literacy support. Volunteers lead literacy activities in rotating small groups with children in the same classroom and see their growth in literacy skills throughout the school year. No preparation needed; everything is provided by the classroom teacher. The program begins in October and concludes in May. Commitment is once a week for 30-60 minutes; day and time is flexible to fit both the volunteer and teacher's schedules.
United Way Office Volunteering (Individual, Group)
Be part of our team of volunteers that assists with our book distribution program as we aim to distribute over 100,000 books this year into our community! Put stickers on books, count and organize book inventory and donations, pack boxes, and help with other various office related tasks. Volunteer with a group or as an individual and get to know someone new!
Strong Neighborhood Houses (Group)
Assist with various tasks to beautify and maintain the interior and exteriors of our Strong Neighborhood Houses so they can continue to be places of welcome for neighborhood residents.
House locations
- 8th Avenue Strong Neighborhood House — 908 8th Avenue, Rockford
- Irving Avenue Strong Neighborhood House — 312 Irving Avenue, Rockford
- Marie Avenue Strong Neighborhood House — 825 Marie Avenue, Machesney Park
Additional Volunteer Opportunities: WeVolunteer
United Way of Rock River Valley is proud to provide Winnebago County with an incredible tool: WeVolunteer.org. On this site you can view all the volunteer needs for various organizations in the community and register with them directly. This platform allows for any agency to create a profile and post their needs, and for any individual to find and fulfill them.
Are you an agency in need of volunteers? Register on WeVolunteer today!
From our
volunteers:
Volunteering with I READ at Parker Elementary has been an absolute joy and incredibly fulfilling. Watching the students' knowledge grow and their excitement for learning light up the room each week is truly inspiring. I always look forward to my time with them—it's fun, rewarding, and a meaningful way to make a real impact!
- Rachel, IREAD Classroom Volunteer
Our staff had an incredible experience volunteering during the United Way's Day of Caring and beyond. We were thrilled to contribute to the United for Literacy campaign by supporting various projects that advance this important initiative. This opportunity perfectly aligns with our mission to enhance literacy within our community. We truly enjoyed our time working with United Way and look forward to continuing our efforts in the future.
- Ann Kossman, Rock Valley Credit Union