A season of giving: How you can volunteer ahead of the holidays in the Myrtle Beach area
During the season of giving, Grand Strand area organizations are in need of volunteers and folks who are willing to give back during the holidays, as well as other times throughout the year.
Food pantries across Horry County are in need of canned food for holiday meals, while other community groups are collecting clothing and toys for children.
In Conway, the city just wrapped up a food drive for Churches Assisting People, but the organization is still looking for canned food donations to provide meals before the holidays.
The city has collected more than 9,400 items to donate this year, doubling last year’s collection, the city reported.
The Salvation Army of Horry County also needs food pantry donations. The organization is searching for angel tree volunteers. Those interested may visit https://tsahorryangeltree.setmore.com/ for more information.
Local resident Pat Eisenschmidt, who with a group of others has volunteered together for the last 10 years, collecting clothing for area homeless high schoolers, said the group will have events from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Garden City and Surfside area Walmart locations. The group will collect warm, new clothing for students at St. James High and Socastee High schools.
“We are trying to fulfill their Christmas wish lists, as well as stock the schools’ clothing closets,” she said. “We need new clothing, especially sweatpants, sweatshirts, hoodies, long sleeve shirts and pants for the winter.”
Any Myrtle Beach-area bikers up for a toy run ride? Myrtle Beach Harley-Davidson will have a toy run ride, which costs a $10 donation or a new unwrapped toy that will be donated to the Horry County American Red Cross, according to the store’s Facebook. The ride starts at the store, at 4701 S. Kings Highway, and an after party will be hosted at The Sneaky Beagle. The first 250 riders will get a free T-shirt.
Here are additional places to volunteer and give back during the holidays and throughout the year:
- Community Kitchen of Myrtle Beach
- Freedom Readers in Myrtle Beach
- Easter Carolina Homeless Organization in Myrtle Beach
- Helping Hand of Myrtle Beach
- Habitat for Humanity of Horry County
- Friendship Place in Georgetown
- Baskervill Food Pantry in Pawleys Island
- Sea Haven for Youth in North Myrtle Beach
- Shepherd’s Table in Conway
If you are hosting or organizing an event that includes volunteers, email hstrong@thesunnews.com with details.
