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Give Back With These Volunteer Opportunities: Columbia, SC

You’d like to help out and give back to your community, but you’re not sure where to find volunteer opportunities. Columbia, SC is full of places where you can lend a hand and give back. We pulled together this list of ideas to get you started volunteering in Columbia, SC. Here are some places around Columbia that are happy for contributions of both supplies and time!

Volunteer: Columbia, South Carolina

Soldiers Angels

Soldiers Angels is focused on supporting veterans through a variety of programs and has both in-person opportunities as well as virtual opportunities. Writing letters and making care packages for the deployed is one way in which even the youngest family members can contribute to this organization though they have other opportunities for almost everyone.

Youth Volunteer Corps

Youth Volunteer Corps welcomes children ages 11-18 and encourages parents to volunteer with their kids. Some recent past events include a fall clean up and community clean up.

This season there is an upcoming Shoe Drive opportunity taking place November 30, 2023 – December 1, 2024 and a Back in Stock event taking place on December 16, 2023, which offers an opportunity to help a family in need. Find more information on both of these Youth Volunteer Corps Projects on their website.

Local Animal Shelters

Pawmetto Lifeline helps homeless cats and dogs in the Midlands area and strives to reduce the overpopulation of pets by providing discounted spay and neuter appointments. Their Boots in Service program was created to help veterans’ pets receive medical care while their owner is away from home or receiving care themselves. Pawmetto Lifeline requires volunteers to be at least 16 years of age but younger family members are encouraged to help through donation drives or raise money through kid friendly fundraisers, lemonade stands or selling baked goods.
Final Victory Animal Rescue is a non-profit cat and dog rescue that focuses on providing a loving and positive experience for animals while working towards the ultimate goal of finding a forever home. They offer a wide variety of volunteer opportunities including building structures, on-site assistance, special events, photography, transportation, and dog socialization. Please contact them for questions regarding the age requirements for each category.
City of Columbia Animal Services has animals available for adoption/foster and welcomes volunteers of all ages. Opportunities include hands on help such as enrichment for the animals, dog walking and cat socialization and helping behind the scenes to enhance services and programs at the shelter. Those under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian while volunteering.

Harvest Hope

Harvest Hope is the largest food bank in South Carolina and strives to eliminate hunger across our communities. In addition to accepting food donations, they also rescue food from stores and spread it across the state’s shelters, soup kitchens and pantries. They have volunteer opportunities which are critical to the success of their organization. Volunteers must be 11 years of age and accompanied by an adult if ages 11-15.

Junior League of Columbia

Junior League of Columbia focuses on teaching youth, specifically girls in 7th-12th grade, the importance of volunteering. They offer a formal program and will be awarded a certificate upon completion.

Kids That Do Good

Kids That Do Good is a great resource to check frequently as they have volunteer opportunities in Columbia available for all ages. and The opportunities are searchable by location which is great if you’re looking to take a day trip or add a charitable component to your next family trip!

Families Helping Families

Families Helping Families helps provide services around the holidays including Christmas gifts, food, and clothing. Opportunities include food preparation, warehouse help, answering calls, and donations among others.

Marine Corps Reserve Toys For Tots

Toys For Tots is another program that welcomes both volunteers and donations around the holidays.

Toy and Supply Drives

Toy Drive @ Airport High School: New, unwrapped toys can be dropped off at the main office of Airport High School from now until November 17, 2023.
Drive n’ Drop Supply Drive: Come together as a community and make a positive impact in the drive n’ drop senior resources supply drive. Things needs are soup cans, cereal, peanut butter, toiletries, and more. All donations will be benefiting Senior Resources and Meals on Wheels.

More Volunteer and Charitable Events

More Ideas for the Whole Family: Volunteering

Deliver cards to Nursing Home residents
Contact Local church to find events or opportunities
Donate Clothing for Newborns in the NICU
Volunteer at a local zoo, farm, or nature center
Make bird feeders to place in your yard
Deliver meals or treats to your local firehouse
Distribute holiday cards or gifts to children in the hospital
Make and distribute care packages for the homeless or keep in your car to hand out when the opportunity arises
Help your child create a collection box for their birthday (or any time of year) and select a cause they care about then ask classmates, neighbors, and party invitees for items to donate
Make a DIY dog or cat toy and deliver to a local animal shelter
Read to an animal at your local ASPCA or Humane Society
Visit WorldWildlife.org and let your child select their favorite endangered animal, give a craft or drawing of the animal to friends and family in exchange for donations and then “adopt” the animal and receive a matching plush
Build and fill a “free book library” outside your home where neighbors can take one or leave one!
Gather and deposit food to a local food bank (or shop your pantry if it is unopened and within date)

Guess What? Chickenbutt Donuts Are Amazing

What’s a Chickenbutt Donut? If you are looking for a quick breakfast treat in the Columbia area, whether that’s a place to sit and enjoy the atmosphere or grab and go, we have the perfect place for you! Chickenbutt Donuts is the local donut destination that attracts both local residents and travelers alike, guaranteeing a fresh and fun experience with each visit!

Donuts from Chickenbutt Donuts in Chapin, SC

Welcome to Chickenbutt Donuts

Located in Chapin, South Carolina, Chickenbutt Donuts is truly a gem of the area. You know you’re in for a good time even before opening the front door when you see the sign posted Grumpy People Not Allowed, This Is A Happy Place Where Donuts Are Made. Upon entry, you will be joyfully greeted by owners Tre and Sue and their team who make the donut shopping experience unlike any other.

The Chickenbutt Story

Tre and Sue worked for 25 years in the service industry before moving on to work at Amazon in West Columbia. After 6 years of working “real jobs” they realized that wasn’t the life for them and they began brainstorming what business venture to begin that wasn’t already saturated.

They eventually landed on making donuts, purchased a donut machine on eBay and taught themselves how to make them in their garage! They conducted about 6 months of “market research” taking 50 dozen donuts to employees at the very same Amazon Facility for free in exchange for their opinions and feedback.

They eventually opened a storefront and thus Chickenbutt Donuts was born. “How did they come up with that name though,” you may ask. Well, we were curious too, so we asked! Originally, the theme was set to be centered around Tiki Décor like palm trees and tiki masks.

One afternoon, while literally in the middle of designing some of the décor, their children came running in announcing they had an idea and yelling “Guess what!? Guess what!?” What was their idea?

Yes, that’s right, you guessed it!

Chickenbutt!

Their kindergartener and first grader named their donut shop and it has been growing ever since.

Chickenbutt is all about fun

The same humor with which it was created is the same humor that greets you at the door with each and every visit. Tre, Sue and their team are a happy group of people who love what they do and you truly feel it while you’re there. The only thing that may be more fun than your visit is witnessing the smiles and laughter of those who receive the fun assortment of donuts.

Our Favorite Chickenbutt Donuts

Chickenbutt Donuts is a great stop before heading out for a day on Lake Murray, a quick breakfast on the run, or a fun stop for the kids. It is also a great place to take friends or family from out of town or sit and relax while enjoying some coffee.

Their donuts are uniquely all cake donuts and the vanilla base flavor is always available. The cake consistency is very light and airy, not what you may traditionally think a cake donut to be, a taste you truly have to experience to understand!

There are a variety of specialty flavors that rotate daily including Blueberry, Chocolate, Carrot Cake, Pumpkin Spice, and the locally legendary Apple Cider Cake Donut!

Every donut is made to order and you can quite literally create any combination imaginable from simple to fancy or beyond.

Some of the existing donuts you’ll already find on the menu are the Banana Cream, Blueberry Pancake with Walnuts, Cannoli, Dirt and Worms, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Reese’s, S’mores, or my personal favorite, The Maple Bacon Donut!

The one you really need to see to believe is the signature Chickenbutt Donut which, oddly enough, perfectly resembles its name!

Picking your donuts

Building your dream donut can be a bit overwhelming your first time, especially with the endless variety
of toppings and combinations so we recommend visiting the website ahead of time to peruse your
options, especially if the kids are already hungry. Donut boxes are also available for pre-order on their
user-friendly website.

The Chicken’s Choice Boxes provide a good variety if you’re in a hurry or indecisive and The Kids Party Box is sure to impress the littles!

You’ll love Chickenbutt, too!

Chickenbutt Donuts will be your kids’ most requested breakfast spot once they experience the endless
options and fun creations like the Chickenbutt Donut and the Lake Murray Monster Donut.

They also serve both hot and iced coffee and have a wide variety of coffee flavorings. Their available blends are Loveland’s Chickenbutt Blend and Bart’s Crazy Good O.M.G. Blend, both are local and are available bagged to take home as well.

They offer seasonal donut boxes and kits for major holidays which include donuts, icing, and decorations. These make a great family activity or gift!

Be sure to follow them on Facebook as their page is always entertaining.

Chickenbutt Donuts
2130B Dutch Fork Road, Chapin

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Great Things to Do at Beautiful Irmo Community Park

Have you visited Irmo Community Park yet? This hidden park is tucked away, but it’s still very popular with locals. Beautifully landscaped and full of things to do, including trails and playgrounds, Irmo Community Park is also home to many community events including the famous Okra Strut Festival!

About Irmo Community Park

Irmo Community Park is gorgeous. The park is well landscaped and full of mature trees with a pretty pond, walking trails, picnic shelters, multiple playgrounds, and an amphitheater.

Stop by to let the kids burn off some energy, get in some extra steps on the shady trails, or catch an upcoming event in the amphitheater!

The Playgrounds

Shaded and unique, the playgrounds at Irmo Community Park offer space for both the little ones and the big kids to climb, slide, and have some fun. The ground cover under the climbers is solid rubber, but there’s still mulch and sandy dirt between each area. There are several climbing walls and climbing structures, a saucer swing, plus spinning features that will get the kids dizzy. The smaller play area is covered with a sun canopy and nearby there is a large log mounted for kids to practice their balancing skills!

The spaces are open and not fenced.

What to Know Before You Go

Spring and Summer are beautiful times of year to visit Irmo Community Park as the landscaping is very
colorful and hosts a variety of photo-worthy backdrops! The tall mature trees and stream line a
portion of the walking path adding to the natural beauty of this park.

There are restrooms on-site located near the pond and only a short walk from the playground and amphitheater.

There are 2 picnic shelters with BBQ grills which can be reserved for parties and special events. The park is free for public use and is open from 7 am to 10 pm daily.

Irmo Community Park
7507 Eastview Drive

What is your favorite community event to attend at Irmo Community Park?

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