GOTR is a national non profit that designs programming for girls in grades 3-8, focusing on…read morestrengthening emotional, physical and social skills to help them be successful in life. The life skills curriculum is taught by volunteer coaches and the lessons incorporate running and other physical activity. I really enjoyed volunteering for the Central Ohio chapter. The program director made us feel welcome and gave us clear guidance on our volunteer jobs. We got a lot accomplished and had the opportunity to learn more about this great organization. They sent us all home with cute swag bags which was much appreciated!

LifeCare Alliance is a nationally recognized nonprofit human services organization serving nearly…read more30,000 Ohioans each year. Our mission is to provide Nutrition, Health, and Support services that help restore the stability and self-reliance of people facing challenges stemming from medical conditions, disabilities, or aging in place. They provide pet food and vet service for the seniors pets who receive Meals on wheels

So very lucky to have had their services when I was ill. Very professional I must say, and the…read moreaides are top notch.

I highly praise this organization. I have noticed that…read morethere are millions of dollars raised for the Race for the Cure and Cancer Research projects. This is going on while families and survivors are out there starving, using up their savings and having to almost beg for health care, meds, or such and just day to day rent, mortgage, utilities, and food. This is the only organization in central Ohio trying to help families survive daily expenses. This organization is in need of funding because right now they have a waiting list of families in need of help. If a fraction of the funds given to the American Cancer Foundation, Race for the Cure, the Stephanie Spelman or Susan G. Komen foundations were given, the organization would be able to help and take care of those in need on the waiting list. They also would be able to hire people to go do outreach and home care. This organization needs continued funding and help to help others. So if you can, give into this excellent reputable organization then please do.

My first experience with Columbus Gives Back was working with the group as a nonprofit partner. I…read morewas in need of volunteers for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, a 5K walk. The leadership was great at communicating throughout the recruitment process. At the event, all staff members who worked with the volunteers loved doing so and the volunteers had great feed back too. I've also had the pleasure of volunteering myself. I love that the group offers a variety of organizations to become involved with. The flexibility has provided me a volunteer experience that works with my schedule. The other volunteers have always been wonderful and I know I'll continue to volunteer and recommend to friends. Thanks to Columbus Gives Back!

I can't even begin to describe how much volunteering with Columbus Gives Back has changed my…read moreinvolvement in Central Ohio. I have made legitimate friendships and had meaningful volunteering experiences. Sometimes, you just need to do something for someone else and CGB is an easy way to connect to volunteering events in the Columbus area. My favorite events locations include Meals on Wheels with LifeCare Alliance and the YWCA Family Center. Not only has CGB helped me help out the community, but I've had a chance to try some amazing restaurants with the volunteers after the events. I would highly recommend volunteering with this group if you're looking to meet people and do something good in the Columbus area.

I've been a Red Cross donor for a while now and have been visiting this location for the past five…read moreyears. The facility is well-maintained, and the staff are always professional and courteous. I always schedule an appointment in advance, and most of the time, the donation process starts on time. Overall, it's a smooth and efficient experience every time.

Today was the first time I did a plasma/platelet donation. I needed an appt at this Red Cross…read morelocation . It was easy to find off of Sawmill Rd. I was greeted nicely, temp taken, given hand sanitizer and then taken to a room for my health check. I had done the Red Cross rapid pass so it went quickly. I had an iv in both arms for this two hour appt. zero problems getting that going . I had to stop after I was about 60% done. I just did not feel well all of a sudden. Other folks around me did just fine with the same procedure so don't let that discourage or scare you off. The staff reacted quickly and kindly . I had some water and smart popcorn in their snack area. Great facility and staff. Thank you !( but I think I'll stick with whole blood donation )

Easy to schedule, easy to find, quick and easy donation…read more In the mall by the movie theater, with plenty of parking. Great staff, from check-in to blood draw. I got there early and they were able to get me started. Use their app to update your info ahead of time (I did it while standing there, just took a few minutes, but could save you time.) I hadn't donated in awhile, so they filled me in on changes (the app, some exercises, etc.) Everything went smoothly. Hang out for snacks afterwards.

I am an emergency physician in Ohio. And last night the Red Cross helped us save a life. We had a…read more40 year old man come in with esophageal bleeding after a liver transplant. We used 48 blood products from the Red Cross including blood, platelets and FFP. The man survived to get to a transplant center and is doing well. We had to go on trauma diversion because we had no blood products we used everything in the Red Cross was able to get us blood products within five hours so we could then help save traumas again. Donating really does save lives. This man can now possibly live a full life.

I've held off on writing a review for ECDI until I got to go through their whole process and see…read morewhat they had to offer and how they offered it. That being said, I wish I knew about this place two years ago. They are one of the best, if not the best, utilities you can use if you are trying to start your own business. If you are unfamiliar with what these guys do, they focus on helping people start up their own business from the ground up. Their specialty is working with people starting a micro-business (less than 10 employees) but they do work with small business owners too. Their process starts with a 6 week class on how to write a business plan, where to get financing, how to pitch your business idea to investors, how to get up and running, how to manage through your first few years in business, and so much more. The class is quite worthwhile and you make a lot of good connections with others who are going through the same process as you. Some of them may even be beneficial for your own business. After you go through that class they help setting you up with needed faculties like CPAs, HR reps, marketing people, etc. Then they sit down one-on-one and work on how to go about getting financing. They offer some micro-loans up to $100K and some other grants as well. If you choose to go down that path then they review your request, set you up with actually talking to a loan officer and helping you with other items like a location for you store. Everyone I've worked with at ECDI has been very helpful and professional. They definitely are a great place to go to if you find yourself getting stuck on your business planning and don't know were to turn to next.

There are 2 distinct views I hold of United Way. They are the before I volunteered with them - and…read moreafter. aka the ignorant one and the knowledgeable one. Before - I thought they were useless and likely highly overstaffed and paid. But then, I heard a recipient of one of their programs and services speak to how her life had been changed. She spoke of her prior life consumed with addition, homelessness and unemployability. Through the services of the United Way - and specifically a program called E3 - she had turned her life around. She had earned a degree, got clean, and would find out later that day - she was hired by our company. I saw so moved that I joined that United Way affinity group that runs the E3 program that very day. Around the same time, I heard that VITA was looking for volunteers - Volunteer Income Tax Assistance - a program I had volunteered with while in Law School. I agreed to give it a try and catch up with the tax changes that had evolved in the 20+ years since I last did VITA. Soonafter getting trained, I learned VITA was another United Way program. Through my ongoing membership and leadership roles, as well as my volunteerism, I've come to learn about the mission of United Way to eliminate poverty. This sparked an interest in me to learn more - so I've intentionally listened to, read, and attended all kinds of programs providing information on poverty - causes, effects, proliferation within our systems, efforts to reduce and eliminate, etc. And in the center of it all is the United Way and its funded partners. At one time, United Way was just a way to donate to charitable causes through workplace payroll withholding. Now it's the connector of so many organizations which serve our community and strive to reduce and eliminate poverty. If you want to do more than just give - they have all kinds of volunteer opportunities. I highly recommend you check them out and learn all about their programs and successes!

I've been doing a lot of volunteer work with United Way of Central Ohio for the past 2 years, so I…read morefind myself there about twice a month. Since my first visit to the facility, what I find really helpful is the easy on and off expressway access and the off the street parking. Those two aspects make it so easy to get to the building and be on my way. When you get in the building, you'll immediately notice that it's very colorful and there are plenty of diverse faces that decorate the halls and walls. I appreciate that as well because it demonstrates to me how important diversity is to the organization. Since it's a secure building in downtown Columbus, there's no ability to wonder in and roam around, but the staff are always very helpful and ensure you find the right person to assist you in what you're searching for. Since I'm there fairly often, I would love it if the added an unsecure or public wireless network so that I can use my laptop online during meeting -- which would be really helpful in some instances. Other than that, I encourage you to check out United Way of Central Ohio and see some of the awesome ways you can get involved in your community.