Volunteer Services

Volunteer Services offers a wide variety of volunteer opportunities with flexible availability. No matter the amount of time you wish to donate, your services are always welcomed here. The areas below highlight some of our volunteer opportunities. For a complete list or to match with your perfect volunteer experience visit:

Polk County Volunteer Registration

Polk County Volunteer Opportunities

Disaster Volunteers and Donations Coordination

Volunteers can play a key role in the recovery from a natural disaster. Volunteer Polk, at the direction of Polk County Emergency Management, becomes the clearinghouse for volunteers in times of disaster. This program registers all volunteers and makes referrals to partner agencies who confirm certifications and credentials.

Non-Profit/Faith-based Partnerships
Non-Profit and faith-based agencies may partner with Volunteer Polk for many benefits to their organization for free. Partnered agencies will have their opportunities listed on Volunteer Polk’s opportunity page, receive prospective volunteer referrals, and be given updates on volunteer management and best practices or notices of available grants Volunteer Polk is made aware of.

Business and Corporate Citizenship
Volunteer Polk can connect businesses that want to make a difference in the community through employee volunteering and social responsibility projects. This program also may accept donations of surplus goods from businesses for disaster and recovery efforts. If you would like to donate, please contact Volunteer Polk for current donation needs.

Court-Ordered Service Opportunities
For the latest list of agencies accepting court-ordered service, email [email protected]

RSVP Polk

Resource for Senior Volunteer Placement (RSVP) Polk connects residents ages 55 and older with volunteer opportunities throughout the community. Sponsored by the Polk County Government, the program helps seniors use their skills, talents and life experience to make a lasting impact.

RSVP Polk volunteers

Put Your Experience to Work

A lifetime of knowledge can now be used to support local schools, nonprofits and government agencies. Volunteer a few hours a month or up to 40 hours a week, RSVP Polk offers flexible opportunities that fit your schedule and interests.

Make a Difference in Your Community

RSVP volunteers help meet critical community needs by serving in roles that match their strengths. From mentoring students to supporting public programs, each assignment is designed to be both meaningful and rewarding.

Find the Right Fit

No matter your background, there’s an RSVP Polk opportunity that aligns with your passions. The program works to identify placements that make the most of your abilities while offering new experiences and connections.

Search Opportunities
Apply Now
Report Hours

RSVP Polk Bone Builders
RSVP Bone Builders is a low-impact chair exercise program for individuals 55+ years of age developed to build bone density and help combat the effects of osteoporosis.

What is Osteoporosis?
Bone is living tissue that is constantly being broken down and replaced. Osteoporosis occurs when the creation of new bone doesn’t keep up with the removal of old bone. Bones lose their density and the risk of fractures increases.

You can help slow the process of osteoporosis by increasing bone density through target exercise. If you have questions about the program email [email protected].

Our classes:

RSVP Bone Builders is a low-impact weight training class.
Classes meet twice weekly for an hour.
Professionally designed exercises that target bone density building and strengthening.
Led by trained RSVP volunteers and open to participants aged 55 and older.
Start out slow and go at your own pace.

RSVP Polk Bone Builders Class Schedule
Location	Address	Class Leaders	Days and Times
Sun Ray United Methodist Church	316 Raymond Ave., Frostproof 33843	Carol Gillings, Roma Bennett, Richard Freed	10 to 11 a.m. on Monday and Thursday
Colonnades Clubhouse	4800 Colonnades Club Blvd., Lakeland 33813	Deb Spiwak, Sharon Zines	10 to 11 a.m. on Tuesday and Thursday
First Presbyterian Church	175 Lake Hollingsworth Dr., Lakeland 33801	Kathy Shufflebarger	10 to 11 a.m. on Tuesday and Thursday

Parks and Natural Resources

Do you want to be a part of a team that likes to make a difference in a big way? There are an array of opportunities to give back to nature, extending from the visitor’s desk at Circle B Bar Reserve, to invasive plant removal at one of the other great environmental lands.

Examples of some great volunteer jobs that are available:

Citizen Science Program
Trail maintenance
Tram tour guides and drivers
Visitors desk
Site steward
Boy/Girl Scout troop workdays
School projects

Fire Rescue

Polk County Fire Rescue has several different engaging volunteer opportunities. Each opportunity listed below allow participants to use a variety of abilities and skill sets.

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
Fire Rescue Cadets Program

Young adults who are 14 years old and have completed the eighth grade or are 15 years of age and not yet 19.

IFAS/UF Extension Polk County

Wondering “how do I volunteer?” or looking for volunteer opportunities with IFAS Extension Office? Volunteers are an important component of the Extension Service’s educational outreach programs. Each year, more than 400 Polk County adults and youth volunteer as: