DELAWARE — Looking for ways to make a difference in Delaware County? Whether you can offer a few hours a week or dedicate a full day, local nonprofits are always in need of volunteers.
From supporting seniors to protecting the environment, there’s a meaningful role waiting for you. Here’s a guide to some of the organizations actively shaping the community – and how you can contribute.
Connections Volunteer Center
If you’re unsure where to start, Connections Volunteer Center is the perfect first stop. Partnering with over 60 local nonprofits, they match volunteers with opportunities fitting your interests.
Since 1996, Connections has connected more than 19,000 volunteers and invested over $8 million back into the community. Helping with events, mentoring or community programs and finding the right fit for you.
📍Location: 118 Stover Drive
Website: https://connectionsvolunteercenter.org/volunteer/
Sourcepoint Thrive After 55
Focusing on Delaware County’s senior population, Sourcepoint Thrive After 55 helps older adults live safely at home and avoid premature nursing home care. Since 1992, they’ve provided in-home care, Meals on Wheels and personal support services for adults over 55.
Volunteers play a crucial role by offering companionship, delivering meals and assisting with other essential support, directly enhancing seniors’ quality of life.
📍Location: 800 Cheshire Road
Website: https://mysourcepoint.org/volunteer/
Preservation Parks of Delaware County
Preservation Parks aims to protect Delaware County’s natural and historical features while encouraging outdoor exploration and learning.
Volunteers – known as VIPs – can engage in litter cleanups, invasive plant removal, program assistance and special events like Movie Under the Stars.
These opportunities are flexible making them ideal for individuals, families, students or community groups who want to help protect and celebrate the county’s environment.
📍Location: 2656 Hogback Road
Website: https://preservationparks.com/volunteer/
People in Need, Inc. (PIN)
Founded in 19954, People in Need, Inc. provides critical emergency assistance to Delaware County residents facing financial or food insecurity. PIN served over 823,000 meals and provided nearly $1.8 million in assistance in 2024.
Volunteers help to make an impact by filling food orders, maintaining pantry inventory, assisting at produce markets, performing clerical work or supporting community awareness events – ensuring those in need receive timely and compassionate assistance.
📍Location: 138 Johnson Drive
Website: https://www.delawarepeopleinneed.org/get-involved
Stratford Ecological Center
At Stratford Ecological Center, volunteers engage directly with the land while learning about the intricate connections between living things and their environment.
Hands-on opportunities include invasive species removal, cemetery restoration, maple sugaring, beekeeping, bird box monitoring and farm camp support.
These experiences offer volunteers the chance to develop new skills, deepen their environmental knowledge, and actively contribute to ecological management in Delaware County.
📍Location: 3083 Liberty Road
Website: https://stratfordecologicalcenter.org/volunteer-2/
Common Ground Free Store Ministries
Common Ground Free Store Ministries operates entirely on community donations, providing essentials like clothing, shoes, toys, household goods, diapers and personal care items to anyone in need at no cost.
Supported by more than 1,800 volunteers, the organization’s mission is to serve freely until no one is left without basic necessities.
Each shift typically involves 15–20 volunteers working together to prepare and serve food, operate the store and manage donations—creating a highly rewarding experience for community members looking to make a difference.
📍Location: 193 East Central Avenue
Website: https://commongroundfreestore.org/how-to-help/volunteering.html
Shale Hollow Park volunteer opportunities
Outdoor enthusiasts can complete an application to become a volunteer with Preservation Parks of Delaware County and serve at Shale Hollow Park. Volunteers can do things based on their skills and interests, such as leading learning opportunities, monitor a bird box trail, pull invasive plants and more.
Highbanks Metro Park
Higbanks Metro Park is right in Lewis Center’s backyard and those interested in consistent outdoor volunteer work involving work with school groups programs, trail monitoring and monitoring bluebird boxes will want to attend a volunteer information session and complete a volunteer application. If a one-time or occasional volunteer session is more your speed, contact info@metroparks.net for litter clean ups and invasive species removals.
Alum Creek State Park
There are multiple ways to get involved with volunteering at Alum Creek State Park. The Friends of Alum Creek organize multiple park cleanups, sapling plantings, invasive species removal and other events each month. Volunteers can also help with regular water monitoring, recreational events, research and more by filling out a volunteer interest form. The organization also regularly shares other clean ups hosted by different entities on its Facebook page.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources also accepts volunteers to help with similar projects. To find ODNR-hosted volunteer events, contact the park and ask to be connected to the staff that coordinates volunteers on-site, or this link will take you to a list of volunteer projects at Alum Creek State Park. Some projects, such as monthly shoreline cleanups, require you to organize a group of volunteers.
Delaware Arts Castle
Arts Castle volunteers assist with helping prepare special events, working at local events, serving as docents for school groups and assisting with exhibit preparations. Call the office at 740-369-2787 or email office.artscastle@gmail.com if you are interested in volunteering.
Delaware Arts festival
The 2026 Delaware Arts Festival is set for May 16-17. The not-for-profit festival provides $20,000 in scholarships each year for three county-wide senior high school art students to further their visual arts studies. The Delaware Arts Festival Association calls for volunteers to help set up and run the event through various jobs, which interested volunteers can sign up for here.
Arts Council of Westerville
The Arts Council is a volunteer-heavy group that coordinates public murals, art grants, and popular monthly community events. Upcoming events include the Arts Alley at fouth Fridays where volunteers assist with youth art activities, tent set-up, or greeting visitors during Westerville’s massive street festival, which begins in May.
At the Farmers Market Art Tent, volunteers help lead a free monthly “make-and-take” art project for families during the Saturday morning markets. Fill out a volunteer form if you are interested to get involved.
Orange Township volunteering
Orange Township residents can pick up litter, mulching, festival help and more through township projects. Sign up here.
Boardman Arts Park
Boardman Arts Park is a volunteer-run organization with over 350 community members assisting with events, garden and maintenance. To find a full list of opportunities look on the Connections Volunteer Center.
User submissions:
I can suggest (three) additional places to volunteer in Delaware County:
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
The Ohio Wildlife Center
The Delaware County Historical Society
I volunteer at both the Zoo and the Historical Society. – Bev Larson
Did we miss anything else?
Feel free to reach out at news@delawaresource.com to suggest places to add to this guide!
