OXFORD, Miss. (WTVA) -- Organizers in Lafayette County say through recruiting volunteers, a positive difference can be made and seen throughout Oxford and Lafayette County.
Through a collaborative effort between Ole Miss's Volunteer Service office, Volunteer Oxford and the United Way of Oxford/Lafayette County, a new campaign was launched entitled "The Lafayette Oxford University Holiday Gift Guide."
With a recent high demand for volunteers, several groups are now spearheading an effort to get people on board.
"It's to engage people people in community service by volunteering their time, either giving through monetary donations to a charity close to their heart or donating items that are really needed at this time of the year," said Kelly Graeber, director of Volunteer Oxford.
It is hoped through the Holiday Gift Guide that once people volunteer through the months of November and December, they will see the benefits of it and continue volunteering their time and services throughout 2013.
"We hope that through the holidays people will really reflect on what they're doing not just one time, but throughout the year," Graeber said. "[They might even] make it maybe a New Year's resolution."
With tough economic times, more and more nonprofits are turning to volunteers as the lifeblood of their organization.
"As many people know, nonprofits struggle with their funding," said Kathryn Dilworth, Corinth resident. "They really rely on volunteers -- especially professional volunteers -- from the community to come in and offer their services pro bono."
Those who do donate their time and service to helping out an organization said the best way to have fun volunteering is to do something that relates to your interest.
"I used to be a runner and I always have so much fun volunteering at 5K's," said Hayden Malone, Corinth resident. "You think it's going to be miserable because you have to wake up so early, but being around your friends [and] getting to see all the runners [makes] it really rewarding to do because you just know you're helping out your community."
With such a wide variety of volunteer positions available through over 30 non-profit and for-profit organizations, its members say there is something for everyone.
If interested in volunteering, you can call (662) 236-6662.
