The Most Powerful Gift You Can Give This Year: Your Time

I recently caught up with Barbara Schlitt Ford, Executive Director of the Environmental Learning Center and, as always, she’s quietly building something that brings our community closer together.

Giving Tuesday, which takes place the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, may be known for big global generosity, but Barbara is focused on something more local and just as powerful: the impact of simply giving your time.

Communities with strong volunteer networks are more resilient, more connected and even economically stronger -- contributing up to 2% of GDP in some regions, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). A few hours here and there truly add up.

That’s the spirit behind the Indian River CARES Volunteer Recruitment Fair on Tuesday, December 2, from 10 AM to 2 PM at the Gifford Youth Achievement Center. Ford founded Indian River CARES in 2020 to help nonprofits collaborate more easily, and it has grown into a countywide network linking dozens of organizations that are stronger together.

More than 30 nonprofits will be on hand, from the American Red Cross and United Way to Coastal Connections, the Environmental Learning Center and VNA of the Treasure Coast, offering plenty of opportunities to get involved across health, education, the environment, the arts and social services.

If you’ve ever wondered how to plug in or where your time could make a difference, this is your moment.

Learn more or sign up your nonprofit at IndianRiverCARES.org.