Serving is one of our core values at ENCOUNTER.  Because we've been found in Christ, we want to reach out to the FORGOTTEN in our community.  Webster defines forget as "to treat with inattention or disregard."

All individuals, families, and small groups are encouraged to regularly participate in serving opportunities in the community.  Look for widows, orphans, single-moms, and others who have been overlooked in our city where you can be the hands and feet of Christ. 

If you have a ministry interest that you would like to give others an opportunity to participate in, here is the process at ENCOUNTER:

1.  Meet with the lead pastor to see if your ministry falls in line with our vision of reaching out to the FORGOTTEN in our community.

2.  Schedule a time to meet with the testimony coach, Beth Fields.   (bethfields2@yahoo.com) Prepare a 5 minute testimony to share with others in the congregation what God has laid on your heart for the purpose of giving others the opportunity to join you. 

3.  Church leaders will be available to you for equipping, referrals, net-working, prayer, etc.

4.  When you see God at work in your ministry, schedule with Beth a follow-up testimony to let the rest of the church know how Jesus is making a difference in the lives of people.

Service Ideas in the Greater Columbus Area

Mission Columbus
The Franklinton Literacy Initiative offers tutoring in reading to children at Avondale and Dana Elementary Schools through the Franklinton Tutoring Program. You don't have to be a reading specialist to tutor a child the skills you will need are simple and easy to learn.
http://www.missioncolumbus.net/avondale.htm

Project Compassion
is located in Lewis Center and is an opportunity to serve men and women with AIDS and HIV. The people who are part of this project are being rejected by family and friends and the project compassion group is providing a Christmas dinner and would like to give each of them a gift bag. The bags should be mid-sized and gender neutral; they could include mugs, tea, cocoa, a devotional book, worship CD, gloves, etc. www.projectcompassion.us

Salvation Army
has many opportunities to help spread God's love especially at Christmas. The following are projects they sponsor:
Christmas Cheer is at the Ohio State Fair Grounds. Volunteers are used to assemble boxes, decorate the center, sort food and toys, fill food boxes, register families, give out toys and food and clean up. This is a good opportunity for any size group
Christmas Kettles is a project that usually works best for smaller groups unless you are willing to divide and go to different areas or to work at different times. I'm sure you have all seen the bell ringers outside of stores. The Red Kettle effort raises thousands of dollars to support the ministries provided by the Salvation Army.
Clerical help is also needed by the Salvation Army in the months of October, November and December from 9am-4pm, Monday though Friday. Duties include answering phone calls, stuffing envelopes, making copies, and typing labels. They will take small groups or even singles for a few hours.

The rest of the Salvation Army project information can be found by going to the web site at www.beyondthebells.org. Questions and sign ups are taken care of by Erika Shemberg at 614-437-2146 or eshemberg@use.salvationarmy.org

Victory Mission
has a large food pantry and distributes food and toys at Christmas.  Ahead of time, collections of canned food (especially peanut butter, tuna and canned vegetables) and new toys for ages newborn to 12 year-olds are accepted. Help is needed the week of distribution to load and unload trucks of food (women can do this, the food is in grocery bags) and then to help distribute and carry out food for families. This works well for a group of 20 or less. The contact person is Phyllis at 614-252-2500 or the web site is www.victorymission.org

Faith Mission
serves food every day to homeless families. They need donations of food and will accept baked goods, especially for the holidays. They also need help serving the food. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner every day, along with special holiday meals. The serving part of this works for a group of 6 maximum, unless part of the group wants to provide some musical entertainment during dinner. The contact person is Matt Stevens at 614-224-6617.

Nursing Homes and Retirement Communities enjoy having volunteers come in to visit with residents and help them with writing letters, reading to them, or interacting with your children.  Some elderly people have no family around and might even like a family to adopt them for visits, celebrations, etc. Remember, before bringing any refreshments to find out if the person has any food allergies or is on a restricted diet.  

Welcome Warehouse
6500 Shier Rings Road, Unit 0
Dublin, OH 43016
E-mail: volunteers@welcomewarehouse.org
Web: www.welcomewarehouse.org
***Only open from August - April. 
Collecting and distributing clothing and household items to families who are temporarily in need in the Dublin area community.

YWCA
is a center that temporarily houses homeless families. Their new facility for homeless families offers safe, comfortable accommodations and child care for families in Franklin County who are experiencing an immediate housing  crisis. Family Center volunteers serve meals, read to children, support parents,  arrange outings, plan parties and assist in a variety of ways.  Whatever your interests, you have a place at the Family Center.

Some of the items needed every day include baby formula, diapers of all sizes, sheets, towels, blankets and more. Our full-service kitchen is in need of spices, nonperishable food items, beverages and frozen meats on a regular basis. 

Congregations, corporations and volunteers work together to provide support to families in need, prepare the evening meal for our families and offer companionship and comfort to families in housing crisis.   http://www.ywcacolumbus.org

Dublin Volunteer Services

The Green Team

This volunteer learn-and-serve team meets periodically throughout the year. Volunteers are presented with a nature education course by our staff and then go out to volunteer on a project related to the topic.
This program goes beyond picking up trash in parks or planting wildflowers; it includes a trained group of caring citizens to learn more about and nurture the environment in Dublin.
Topics and projects range from winter bird feeding to healthy water quality to bulb planting. Depending on the season, each topic will relate to an interesting environmental issue and offer the opportunity to serve. Green Team members must be at least age 16. Green Team News.
Special Events
The City of Dublin is host to many special events throughout the year.

• St. Patrick's Day/Blarney Bash
• Earth Week
• Dublin Police Bike Rodeo
• Independence Day
• The Dublin Irish Festival
• Halloween Spooktacular
• Dublin Holly Days
• Recreation Services Events

Volunteers are generally asked to offer one four-hour shift at these events and duties range from greeting, giving information, selling merchandise, helping with refreshments, working with children's activities and helping with logistics. It's a great way to meet others and add to the community spirit of these events!

Corporate & Community Service

Corporate, group and community service opportunities exist at various times throughout the year for City of Dublin programs. If you are seeking a fun and creative team building experience for your corporate team or community group, there will most likely be a service opportunity matching your interests. For students of all ages, volunteering is a great way to develop experience and/or meet service requirements for school projects and classes. Application and training processes are required for each experience, but at a convenient pace and time for all participants.