Give Back Connection for Jan. 7

Smith-Gilbert Gardens is a new public botanical garden owned by the City of Kennesaw.

Smith-Gilbert Gardens is a new public botanical garden owned by the City of Kennesaw.

Lead visitors through botanical garden

Smith-Gilbert Gardens, a 16-acre botanical garden with over 3,000 species of plants, is seeking volunteers to become docents (guides) to lead tour groups of interested visitors.

“Spring is a busy time at the garden and it will be here sooner than we think,” said Stefanie Haerynck, the Garden’s education coordinator. “Docents get to experience the wonder on children’s faces as they admire the koi or see the bonsai trees.” Haerynck originally started working with the Gardens as a volunteer docent and now she helps to schedule docent classes and tours for children and adults.

When: ongoing (training sessions begin in February)

Where: Smith-Gilbert Gardens, 2382 Pine Mountain Road, Kennesaw

Contact: 770-919-0248

Information: info@smithgilbertgardens.com

Make a positive impact on your community

The Atlanta Children’s Shelter has volunteer opportunities within the shelter and with events throughout the year:

— Assist teachers in the classroom (i.e. arts and crafts, story time, field trips, small group activities, etc.) 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday - Friday.

— Hire Up employment program. Host employment and career based workshops, conduct mock interviews, and assist with resume development. (Human resources background required)

— Development department. Create donor packets, assist with donor research, and/or help market signature events.

— Assist with front desk and administrative duties. Greet visitors, answer phones, file documents and sort donations.

When: ongoing

Where: The Atlanta Children's Shelter, 607 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta

Contact: jmartin@acsatl.org