For students, volunteering is much more than resume or application filler; it’s learning that develops and improves work-related and educational skills. The satisfaction and reward of volunteering all depends on choosing the right opportunity.
The TRIO Top Community Service page on Umpqua Community College’s website encourages students to, “choose an opportunity that is related to your future profession.” Volunteering for something that strikes a chord in interests or passions will enhance the experience.
Tackling school along with working or raising a family is already quite stressful, so before students add volunteering to their schedule, they should assess what they have time for and what they want to accomplish with that time. Finding the perfect opportunity to invest one’s time in may be tricky; however, tools and resources exist to help shorten the search for the right opening.
Resources such as Just Serve, a national website, allows people to search for volunteer opportunities by simply typing in a zip code or city and state. According to Just Serve’s website, “It is simply a service to help link community volunteer needs with volunteers.”


The City of Roseburg website also offers information regarding volunteering in Douglas County. Their website states, “It is important to the City to offer volunteer experiences that benefit both the volunteer and the community.”

Greater Douglas United Way gives students the ability to see what organizations need volunteers in their area. By clicking on the Get Connected tab, students are able to sign up and utilize the tools and resources this website offers. “This is like a one-stop shop for volunteering,” Leslie Rogers, Transfer Opportunity Program Advising Specialist, said.

“On campus volunteering mostly centers around events that we or ASUCC put on,” Rogers said. Students can keep track of school events by viewing the student announcements in their emails titled, “A Week in Campus Life.”

Nursing or other medical students may want to consider a few of these other popular places to consider volunteering:

  • American Red Cross
  • CHI Mercy Health Mercy Medical Center
    • To volunteer go to www.mercyrose.org and search for volunteer opportunities by selecting the menu tab or call (541) 677-4465.
  • Community Cancer Center

Human services or other students may enjoy the following volunteer opportunities:

  • Fish Food Pantry
    • To volunteer call 541-673-9804 or email thefishrbg@gmail.com
  • Foster Grandparent Program
    • To volunteer call (541) 672-3241, x3520 or
      email Karen Scavuzzo at karen.scavuzzo@ucancap.org or Seth Kirby at seth.kirby@ucancap.org
  • The Friendly Kitchen and Meals on Wheels
  • Safe Haven Maternity Home

Veterinary students or animal lovers might enjoy volunteering at these sites:

  • Saving Grace Pet Adoption Center
  • Wildlife Safari
    • To volunteer call (541) 679-6761, x210.