Give Back Connection for July 12

MedShare International needs sorters

MedShare International is a nonprofit organization focused on recovering and redistributing surplus medical supplies and equipment to those who need it most in developing countries.

Volunteers will have a rare opportunity to save lives through packing boxes of medical supplies and preparing Clean Birthing Kits for MedShare’s 2 Million Mothers campaign. The volunteer session includes a tour of the facility, an orientation on how to identify, sort, and re-box medical supplies, and a short wrap-up sharing the countries that will receive international aid. Currently, MedShare is providing humanitarian aid to hospitals and clinics in Ethiopia, Nigeria, Guatemala, Haiti, and The Philippines.

On the day of the project, volunteers should wear casual attire and closed toe shoes.

When: 9 a.m. to noon or 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays

Where: National Headquarters and Southeast Region Distribution Center, 3240 Clifton Springs Road, Decatur

Contact: Volunteer Programs Associate Katie Moran at Kmoran@medshare.org

Information: www.medshare.org or 678-399-1251

Help maintain beauty of Grant Park

The Grant Park Conservancy’s mission is to protect, enhance and preserve Grant Park. It is a regional park, so it serves all races, genders and age groups. Work days impact several areas of the fourth-largest park in Atlanta.

The city of Atlanta is only able to do the bare minimum of maintenance in the park, like mowing the grass and emptying the trash cans. The Conservancy helps augment this by enlisting volunteers to help with everything else- tree and plant maintenance, plantings, repairs and beautification projects, etc. These projects help us enhance the park and make it safer and more inviting to park users.

Led by GPC Board of Directors member Eric Schneider, the Cavalry will convene in the park monthly to tackle labor intensive projects throughout the park including invasive vines, culvert remediation and hardscape maintenance.

When: 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. on the fourth Saturday of the month. The next session is July 22. Future sessions are set for Aug. 26, Sept. 23, Oct. 28 and Nov. 25

Where: 840 Cherokee Ave. SE, Atlanta

Information: info@GPConservancy.org or 404-521-0938

Help four-legged residents

Furkids offers many opportunities. Atlanta’s largest no-kill animal shelter, Furkids is one of the only shelters in Georgia that welcomes children of all ages to volunteer at its locations in Doraville, Norcross, Alpharetta and throughout Atlanta.

Kids of all ages and their families can provide temporary homes for dogs and cats. If that’s not an option, consider fund-raising efforts, such as dog washes or lemonade stands, to raise money for the shelter. Other hands-on opportunities are available.

When: ongoing

Where: throughout Metro Atlanta

Information: furkids.org/volunteer/youth-opportunities

Contact: FurKids' volunteer manager at volunteer@furkids.org.