Ways to Volunteer
How You Can Help Fort Myers
All throughout Fort Myers and its surrounding islands, beaches and neighborhoods, we’ve seen our communities rally together in the most inspirational ways. Read about some of the recent bright spots around town, like how a local photographer is salvaging damaged pictures, how fundraisers saved businesses and how 300 people helped clean up Fort Myers Beach.
Learn how you can come and lend a hand during your stay. Get started with these local organizations and keep checking back as more opportunities open up. Please be aware that some volunteer programs require longer-term commitments or have other specifications, so reach out directly to the contacts below for more information.
To assist in the restoration efforts after Hurricane Ian, the United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades Counties has a variety of long- and short-term opportunities. For example, you can:
- Help unload and sort food and relief supplies on Fort Myers Beach with slots available every Tuesday through Thursday until the end of March
- Provide ongoing support for elderly and disabled residents with home repair, debris cleanup, food delivery, and more
- Help with warehouse moving and sorting for large donations that come in as part of the United Way Gifts-in-Kind program
Red Cross volunteers are needed throughout the county to aid in disaster action, shelter teams and other support. If you sign up through the volunteer link, your application process will be expedited so you can sign up for shifts throughout Lee County. For more information, contact Colleen Ranier at Colleen.Ranier@redcross.org or call 1-561-718-4489.
Keep Lee County Beautiful offers a rotating variety of beautification and clean-up projects throughout the greater Fort Myers area. Check their website calendar for current volunteer opportunites!
In the neighborhood of Cape Coral, the Rotary Park Environmental Center is inviting volunteers to help clean up nature trails and assist with other local environmental projects.
Explore your passion for seashells and mollusks at Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum. A new citizen scientist project called Snail Search of Lee County is designed to collect information about the biodiversity of these area land critters.
Calusa Land Trust is a volunteer-run organization that helps protect local landscapes. Sign up to learn how to join work groups at local preserves to clear invasive plants, maintain grounds and help create new trails.
Join the Coastal Watch cleanup crew to remove debris from the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation’s conservation areas. These events take place Thursday and Friday mornings, and all supplies are provided on site. For more information, contact Conservation Initiative Coordinator Kealy McNeal at kmcneal@sccf.org.
Keep watching this space for more information on upcoming volunteer programs, beach cleanups and more throughout Fort Myers and surrounding areas.
