What is the Volunteer Action Center?

The Volunteer Action Center, a division of the United Way of Wyoming Valley, serves as a community resource, matching skills and interests of volunteers with the needs of the nonprofit agencies providing services in Luzerne County.  The Center maintains a database of volunteer opportunities listed by nonprofit agencies for individuals that would prefer to have a personal contact in lieu of using a web site.

The VAC also coordinates the Workplace Council, a group of employees from local businesses who work year round on special events to meet community needs, such as Christmas in July Food Drive, Jeans for Jumpstart and Springtime Mini Day of Caring.

In addition, the VAC coordinates "Day of Caring" a community-wide inititive that brings together businesses, organizations, high schools and individuals to do projects in nonprofits in Luzerne County.

What is Volunteering?

• making a difference in your community by getting involved;
• growing as an individula by giving of yourself;
• recognizing that the help you give makes life better for all of us.

Why Should I Volunteer?

• for a sense of well-being, and self-esteem by contributing to the well-being of your community;
• to meet new people, and learn new skills;
• to find satisfaction because you can do something to make things better in the world;
• because it's one person making a difference.

Workplace Council

The Workplace Council is a volunteer committee represented by local area businesses, and coordinated by the Volunteer Action Center.  The mission of the Council is to raise awareness of the United Way and the health and human service programs funded through the dollars raised throughout the year by participating in special year-round projects to meet community needs.  The group's enthusiasm, skill and community spirit have given the people of Luzerne County a better quality of life, and through their efforts, the Council demonstrates that they and their employees care about the community in which they live and work.

Employee volunteer programs provide positive benefits to both the company and to the employees.  Volunteering improves the company's public image; builds employee teamwork skills, and improves employee morale.

Year-round employee volunteerism is the primary focus of the Council.  Working on such projects as the "Christmas in July Food Drive", "Jeans for Jumpstart" and "Day of Caring" has given employees a deeper personal knowledge of community needs and has increased the number of volunteers in Luzerne County.

How Can I Become a Member of the Workplace Council? 

For more information on how your company can become a member of the Workplace Council contact: