My father-in-law is a retired Marine and is a regular at this USO as he comes here every week or so…read moreto meet up with my sister-in-law's father-in-law and play pool. Usually when the husband and I are visiting Jacksonville for more than a week, we're definitely joining in on the pool meetup and always a fun time. The place itself is a bit dated (goes back to the 1940s, I think) but the volunteers working there are nice.

Okay, I am biased as a volunteer, but hopefully that can be overlooked. This is the oldest…read morecontinually serving USO Center in the world because after WW 2, local folks made a decision to keep it open when all other USO's were closing down (such as the former USO now art center in Wilmington). Incorporated as the USO-NC (USO of North Carolina), it continues serving all those in the eastern part of the state. A small paid staff supplemented by volunteers provides meals, coffee, or just a listening ear to our nation's heroes.

This Habitat Restore is extremely well organized, well lit & clean. It's easy to find what you're…read moresearching for and maybe even some treasures you didn't know your needed! The staff are friendly and helpful greeting you upon arrival and thanking you for stopping in as you leave. Their furniture is reasonably priced and just needs a little love to make it great again. Some of the pieces are even perfect the way they are! Need lighting? They have lamps, sconces, pendants and chandeliers! A little spray paint & new shade, and they'll be perfect! They even have a great hardware section. Who knew you could buy a bucket of new bolts, screws, nuts or nails at Habitat...just fill a $5 or $10 bucket! They graciously accept donations of used of anything needed for the house. I've made several drop offs, and they always thank me. This type of store is a treasure hunt. With donations being received daily, their inventory changes, so you need to visit it frequently to be rewarded!

Found this place by accident driving around down town New Bern…read more As with other Restores that have re-opened since the lock down, you can't use the restrooms here and prices are high on most items, such as on old Black and Decker battery powered drill and charger that was 20 year old technology and they wanted $50 for it?! They also had a lot of stuff out that still needed to be priced. I found a very old socket set I was interested in, but couldn't buy it because it was not priced yet. I did find a few bargains such as packs of cotter pins, hose clamps, screw extractor bits and heat shrink tubing for .25 cents a pack. The three stars for the store but five stars for the staff as they were friendliest, most helpful staff we have encountered at a Restore in a very long time.

So grateful for these people and this facility. They are doing such a great service to the animals…read moreand the community. My cat unfortunately catches a bird every year it seems and I have to make the annual trip to Possumwood. This year it was a baby dove. The animals are really happy here and are given a second chance at life. You can see how much the employees love and care for the animals, really warms the heart! Thank You Possumwood!!

Our visit to Possumwood Acres was nothing short of extraordinary! My brother really loves owls, so…read morefor Christmas I contacted multiple wildlife centers in multiple states to find a place where he could hold one. Possumwood Acres was by far the most personable and accommodating of all the centers I contacted. We reserved a private tour of the reserve and a one-on-one with Pixie, their Barn Owl. What we got was so much more! We arrived the day after Christmas, bringing two of our friends along. We were greeted by turkeys & guinea fowl along with friendly human faces! Tonya, my point of contact, introduced herself and was our guide for the day. She took us all around the reserve where we saw falcons, hawks, vultures, crows, geese, swans, ducks, goats, pigs, peacocks, guinea fowl, turkeys, bunnies, squirrels, kestrels, pigeons, opossums, screech owls, woodpecker, kite, ducklings, and a lovely wood duck named Snuggles. Tonya brought us up close to everything and let us pet or hold as much as we wanted and was safe for the animals. We learned so much about all the animals, not just the species we were meeting, but about the individual animals and their stories as well. Most of them had permanent injuries, and it was really touching to hear how Tonya and the staff cared for them, giving them a home when they weren't able to have one in the wild. Tonya's passion was infectious and we wandered the reserve with her for two hours, never feeling rushed and always looking forward to the next animal she would show us. The grand finale was a one-on-one with Pixie, their Barn Owl! My brother held Pixie on his arm as Tonya educated us on barn owls, and some of Pixie's fun peculiarities. We were all able to pet her and take as many pictures as we wanted. It. Was. Awesome. The whole experience was very personal and interactive. It never felt like a packaged show or scripted tour. We had real interactions with the animals, not just a few pets through a fence. For a place that runs entirely on donations and is dedicated to animal rehabilitation and education, we were given the star treatment. It's crazy and so impressive how much this place accomplishes with so little. A huge thank you to Possumwood Acres for making our experience unforgettable!

This is a wonderful community organization. If you have any interest in volunteering locally please…read morecheck out Cape Fear volunteer center! Growing up I was a little buddy in the big buddy program after my family did in-home house for the third and final time. Now I have the rewarding opportunity to give back and be a big buddy myself. I am still waiting to be matched with my big buddy so my wife and I decided to volunteer at the beach day event this past Saturday. We were paired with Curtis and it was an exciting day filled with face painting, hamster ball races, fishing, surf lessons, sand castle building and arts and crafts. This non-profit organization is wonderful way for kids' ages 4-18 to have positive adult remodels and get out within the community.

From the owner: Our mission at Cape Fear Volunteer Center is to match volunteers with service opportunities in the…read moreCape Fear region, through direct and indirect services: Big Buddy/Life Guide, National Days of Service, Kid's Voting, and CareNet. ​ Cape Fear Volunteer Center was modeled after the famous "1000 Points of Light" speech by President George Bush, harnessing the power of spontaneous volunteers and matching them with community needs.

This is the second Goodwill I've been into in NC. They're interesting here. No real home goods…read moresection, very limited. Definitely not a place to seek out furniture or decor. But, if clothes are what you want... clothes are what you'll find. The way they organize is interesting. It's not by size, but style and then color. So all the long dresses are together and sectioned by color. Then all the coats together, you guessed it, sectioned by color. So, you'll be in here awhile. Everyone was nice though, patrons and workers. The place didn't smell and there was room to roam around without running into folks. They do the donations at the front of the store, versus most are in the back. This makes for some crazy congestion in the parking lot. No colored tag days or community discount days. But, all in all, I'd rather shop here than TJ Maxx or Kohl's.

People there were super helpful. We had help with all the furniture we donated. Recommending this…read moreplace to donate.

I have provided volunteers to this non-profit as well as connected people in need but their…read moreservices. They are terrific. They are consistent, they are serving a large number of people, in a steadfast sturdy way. Students and volunteers of all kinds to help make the pickups and deliveries. Kind and courteous director. Definitely give them a call if you have gently used furniture that you would like to share with other wilmingtonians.

From the owner: We will pick up your donated items at no cost to you. 2SHARE then delivers (free of charge) to…read morefamilies in need in the Greater Wilmington area.

The pools are incredible. The outdoor pool in summer time is a joy. I rarely can't get a…read morelane...unless there's a swim team or meet, then forget it. The facilities overall could be a bit better maintained , but it's good enough. It's more family oriented, I'd say, than otherwise. There is an active senior element as well. The hours could be better. Opens late on Sunday. Don't walk around barefoot. Just don't.

I am a senior visiting a grandchild in New Bern I swim regularly at my YMCA in california and at…read morea public pool in california The customer service at the front desk was outstanding My daily swims there since october have been a lifesaver The locker rooms and shower are excellent and both pools have been great Planning on enjoying more swimming here every day