By Scott Ferguson | August 2024

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Americans love to volunteer in their communities, and baby boomers (born 1946 to 1964) have one of the highest rates of volunteering, surpassed only by Generation X (born 1965 to 1980). 

Surprisingly, given its large number of retirees, Florida has the lowest overall rate of volunteering of all 50 states (according to state rankings by AmeriCorps’ Volunteering in America). But in Sarasota County, leadersof nonprofit organizations and their volunteers tell a different story. 

Whether they choose to help children and adults learn to read; prepare, serve or deliver meals to the homebound; help the homeless rebuild their lives; preserve the natural environment; care for animals; or support the arts, our community is known for pitching in and helping out. 

The generosity often takes the form of financial donations. In April, the 24-hour Giving Challenge, hosted by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, raised over $17 million for local nonprofits from more than 53,000 individual donors, with giving strengthened by The Patterson Foundation.

But local residents aren’t just known for their philanthropy. Many of them give freely of their time and energy to help in almost every sector of the nonprofit world. And as it turns out, even volunteering has monetary value. In 2024, the national value of a volunteer hour is estimated by the Independent Sector and the Do Good Institute to be $33.49 an hour — but like the old Mastercard tagline, it’s priceless. 

While many boomers discover the joy of volunteering after retiring, for others, like Donna Mateer, the spark starts much earlier. 

“I’ve been volunteering since I was 15,” says Mateer, who had a career in the fashion industry before she retired in 2005. “I started as a candy striper (volunteers named for their red-and-white striped uniforms) at Bryn Mawr Hospital outside Philadelphia.”

Mateer credits her mother with suggesting that she volunteer as a teenager, and later as a member of the Junior League of Philadelphia — part of an international organization that trains women to become effective volunteers and make a positive impact on their community throughout their lives.

“The Junior League is a great launching pad,” Mateer says. The projects and connections she made through her League work led to her serving on the board of a summer camp program for inner-city children, teaching English as a second language to middle school students, and helping to produce and market a Junior League fund-raising cookbook. 

When Mateer and her husband, Drew, moved to Florida, she transferred to the Junior League of Sarasota, serving as president of the organization in 2012-13. 

Now she and Drew help raise foster puppies for Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue in Lakewood Ranch, training and preparing the dogs for permanent adoption. They serve as ‘foster parents’ of puppies who come to Nate’s Honor for various reasons, often after the demands of raising a new litter becomes overwhelming to dog owners. The Mateers care for as many as four puppies at a time for two to three weeks, until they get their inoculations and are ready to be permanently adopted.

Mateer also volunteers at The Ringling, giving tours of the Museum of Art; Ca’ D’Zan, the historic home of John and Mable Ringling; and the Bayfront Gardens to adults and schoolchildren. 

In her 55 years of volunteering, Mateer says, “I’ve met incredible people and formed lifelong friendships. At this stage in my life I can really pick and choose what I enjoy, and what fills my heart and makes me happy. Being at The Ringling does that, because I enjoy art. And we’re dog people in our house, so that also fills me with happiness.”

Like Mateer, Jeff Hayes chose a volunteer activity that aligns with his interests. A 28-year veteran of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, Hayes retired as a deputy in 2023. As an avid reader, he was drawn to a program called Rockin’ Reader, the primary initiative of the TeamUP Volunteer & Partnership Council. 

Each week, Hayes reads to three kindergarten students who have been identified by their teachers as struggling readers.  

“Anyone who enjoys reading would find this mission very rewarding,” says Hayes. “It may even give the volunteer a new appreciation for being able to read—and for all the people who work to make that happen for young children.”

The TeamUP Council is an independent nonprofit affiliated with the public school district, Sarasota County Schools. TeamUP has no paid staff and an all-volunteer board of directors, including current and former elementary school principals and specialists in reading, data, communications and other skills. 

Each school year at elementary schools throughout the district, TeamUP reading experts train volunteer Rockin’ Readers to maximize the effects of adults reading aloud to kindergarten and first-grade students. The goal is to foster a lasting love of reading and the tools to succeed.

“The Rockin’ Reader program is a great way to help kids, because everything starts with reading,” Hayes emphasizes. “When you learn how to read and appreciate books, it really makes a difference in your life.”

In 2004, retired travel agent Georgia Anderson and her husband Terry moved from Indiana to downtown Sarasota. In their frequent walks around the city, they couldn’t help noticing a community of homeless people. Georgia asked friends how she could help this vulnerable population, and they directed her to Resurrection House. She has been volunteering there ever since.

Founded in 1989 by six downtown churches, Resurrection House is now supported by more than 30 organizations. It ministers to the poorest of the poor, helping them get back on their feet. 

“Resurrection House holds a special place in my heart,” says Anderson. “It provides tangible ways to support the homeless population. From assisting with laundry and sorting mail to providing new clothes and lending an ear to their captivating life stories, each visit allows me to brighten someone’s day.”

Over the years, Anderson has formed deep friendships at Resurrection House. Living in the same neighborhood, she sees many homeless individuals daily. She notes that, during the challenging times of Covid-19, they often became her only social connection. When one friend died of a heart attack on the street, she helped his mother and sister organize a memorial service in Five Points Park.

“His sudden passing deeply saddened me,” Anderson says, noting that the man’s relatives and friends helped her realize that he, like many homeless people, had a much fuller life than she imagined.

“Working at Resurrection House has been more than a volunteer commitment,” she says. “It has been a journey of compassion, friendship and sometimes heartbreak. Through it all, I’ve learned invaluable lessons about humanity and the enduring power of connection, even in the face of adversity.”

Impacting lives is the overarching theme people cite when they talk about why they choose to volunteer. And they almost always say they personally get as much or more out of volunteering as the people they help. 

“If we watch the news,” says Donna Mateer, “we can become overwhelmed with everything going on in the world. How will we ever solve all these big problems? Well, we can’t, but we can all do a little something to make the world a better place.”

Find Your Passion!

No matter your interests or your schedule, there’s a volunteer activity that’s a perfect fit for you. 

Organizations mentioned in this article include:

Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue, NatesHonorAnimalRescue.org/get-involved

The Ringling, Ringling.org/join-give/volunteer

TeamUP Volunteer & Partnership Council, TeamUpVPCouncil.org/volunteer

Resurrection House, ResurrectionHouseSarasota.org

Hundreds of other local organizations welcome volunteers. Here’s information on a few of them, and what people are saying about helping their favorite nonprofits. 

Animal Care

Dogs Inc (formerly Southeastern Guide Dogs), trains guide dogs, service dogs and skilled companion dogs, at no cost to recipients. DogsInc.org/get-involved 

“Dogs Inc is my happy place! I love working and cuddling with the puppies, introducing them to new experiences as they grow and prepare to become future superheroes.” ~Ann Talbot, volunteer 

The Arts

Asolo Repertory Theatre stages classic and world-premiere plays and musicals.AsoloRep.org/about/work-with-us/volunteer

“We’re lucky to be part of the FSU Center for the Performing Arts on the grounds of The Ringling. When they’re not volunteering for Asolo Rep, approximately 80 of our ushers also volunteer at The Ringling, and/or for The Sarasota Ballet when it performs here in the Mertz Theatre.” ~Karen Collins, House Services Manager/Volunteer Coordinator 

The Sarasota Ballet enriches lives and captivates emotions through the art of dance. The company recently performed to rave reviews at The Royal Ballet in London. SarasotaBallet.org/volunteer-opportunities 

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe produces professional theater that celebrates African American history and experience. WestcoastBlackTheatre.org

To inquire about volunteering as an usher, please email House Manager Myllanna McKinnon at mmckinnon@WestcoastBlackTheatre.org 

The Environment

Sarasota County Government’s parks, libraries and other departments offer several volunteer opportunities: SCgov.net/government/human-resources/volunteer

Many libraries and parks are also supported by “Friends” organizations, such as the Friends of Carlton Reserve, which helps care for 24,500 acres of protected wilderness and nature-based recreational areas in the T. Mabry Carlton Jr. Memorial Reserve. CarltonReserve.org/volunteers

“There is nothing like Florida wilderness to soothe our souls. After retiring, we wanted to continue our work helping to protect these lands. Volunteering is our way of giving back, of honoring the legacy of the families who made it possible for this land to be enjoyed in perpetuity, while enhancing the quality of all of our lives.” ~Linda Lovallo, President and Sherm Stratton, Webmaster — volunteers at Carlton Reserve

The Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast works to protect the land and water in Southwest Florida for the benefit of people and nature. Through strategic collaborations with individuals, groups, organizations, and government, the Foundation has permanently protected more than 19,000 acres across 58 properties in five counties. ConservationFoundation.com/volunteer/volunteer

Social Services

All Faiths Food Bank is the only food bank and the largest hunger relief organization in Sarasota and DeSoto counties. It provides millions of meals in collaboration with more than 300 agencies and programs throughout the community. Volunteers are known as Hunger Heroes! AllFaithsFoodBank.org/volunteer

“No person should go hungry when we can do something about it.” 

~ Wendy Lachaunce, volunteer

Literacy Council of Sarasota. An estimated one in five adults in Sarasota County lacks basic English communication or basic education/literacy skills. The Literacy Council of Sarasota offers one-on-one tutoring and small group instruction to help adults function better in society and develop their knowledge and potential. SarasotaLiteracy.org/get-involved/become-a-tutor

“When I started working with Demetrio, he was probably at a fourth- or fifth-grade reading level. But he was determined to succeed. We continued to work on his literacy skills as his self-confidence improved. I think his change was brought about primarily because he had someone who believed in him. As volunteers, we want to see people achieve and grow. Money can’t buy that.” 

~Bob Kenel, volunteer

Meals on Wheels of Sarasota provides daily nutritious food, social interaction and wellness checks for the homebound and elderly. MealsOnWheelsofSarasota.org/volunteer 

“Volunteering at Meals on Wheels keeps me strong physically and mentally. Once you are out there delivering meals and you see what it’s like for those people, you want to help. I develop relationships that benefit me just as much as it does them.” ~Mark Knebel, volunteer

The mission of The Salvation Army of Sarasota County is to preach the Gospel and to meet human needs without discrimination.The organizationpromotes adult rehabilitation,fights human trafficking, and provides disaster relief and emergency financial assistance. https://southernusa.salvationarmy.org/sarasota/volunteering

“The Salvation Army supports our community; all donations stay in the local community and help our neighbors and friends. Our volunteer bell ringers are special because they have a willingness to help.” 

~Suzie Hatatah, Covenant Life Presbyterian Church 

 Happy volunteering!