W&J College students connect with their community by participating in a number of volunteer opportunities throughout Washington and the surrounding area.

Below are some great ways to get involved with programs that promote sustainability throughout the community.

W&J Sustainability Community Connection

Produce to People with the Greater Washington County Food Bank

Produce to People is the Food Bank’s large-scale produce distribution program. Each family receives 30-50 pounds of food, mostly fresh produce. Produce to People is an additional resource to the local pantry, and community members can come to as many distributions as is needed and still attend the local pantry, in order to receive the appropriate amount of food which is needed to support their family. There is one distribution per month throughout the year. The program takes place at the Washington County Fairgrounds.

https://www.pittsburghfoodbank.org/programs/produce-to-people/

Interested in volunteering for this program? Email volunteer@washjeff.edu.

Highland Ridge Community Development Corporation Community Garden

The mission of this organization is to improve the educational, academic, social and economic climate of the community, and to become a safer, cleaner, more beautiful and prosperous place to live, work, worship and play. HRCDC is always looking for volunteers to support their projects! Some of their programs include a Community Garden as well as Neighborhood Appearance projects such as planter boxes and clean up days.

Visit http://www.highlandridgecdc.org/ or the HRCDC Facebook Page

To volunteer with HRCDC, contact W&J Community Outreach Team Leader, Sydney Bynum.

The Montour Trail Maintenance

The Montour Trail can always use assistance from willing persons who want to share their talent for the betterment of the trail. From time to time, there are special volunteer events benefiting the trail.  For more information or to sign up:

Montour Trail Volunteer Page

Washington County Parks & Recreation

From time to time, Washington County Parks & Recreation calls on local volunteers to help support clean up and construction efforts, such as the Volunteer Day at Mingo Creek Park.  For more information on Washington County Parks & Recreation, go to:

Washington County Parks & Recreation Webpage

Interested in volunteering with sustainability related issues?  

Contact the W&J Community Outreach Team, and the Sustainability Programs Coordinator, Naomi Bick.

To see a list of all current community and volunteer opportunities, see the Current Opportunities available through the Office of Community Engagement.

Pittsburgh Wheels for Wishes

Make-A-Wish grants the wishes of children facing life-threatening medical conditions. When you make a car donation, proceeds from the sale of your vehicle donation through the Wheels For Wishes 501(c)(3) charity benefits your local Make-A-Wish®. Since 1980, Make-A-Wish as a whole has granted the wishes of more than 250,000 children around the world.

Find out more here: Pittsburgh Wheels for Wishes

How To Reduce Your Water Footprint

Each year, 35 billion plastic water bottles are thrown in the trash in the United States alone, and they are 100 percent recyclable. 90 percent of the trash that covers the ocean’s surface is plastic. Plastic bottles break down in the oceans and become ingested by birds and other marine life. Plus, the total carbon footprint of one 500 ml (16.9 oz) bottle of water is 828g of carbon dioxide. Water transported from overseas can have an even higher footprint!  Since an estimated 50 to 80 percent of all life on earth is found under the ocean’s surface, it’s up to humans to do something that will keep trash out or our oceans. Check out our infographic to learn how you can reduce your water footprint by drinking local.

Vehicles For Veterans

Vehicles For Veterans is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit vehicle donation program benefiting disabled veterans. Our program offers a simple alternative to selling or trading in your unwanted vehicle and provides you with free towing and a tax deduction. You can help disabled veterans by donating a car, truck, boat, RV, ATV, or motorcycle, whether the vehicle runs or not. For more information, go to  www.vehiclesforveterans.org.