The National FFA Organization embraces the idea of giving back to our communities. The last line of the FFA motto “Living to Serve”, signifies the vital role service plays in our organization.

Community Service

Community service is the engagement of individuals or groups in an organized activity that contributes to the local, national or world community. It is also known as volunteering which is defined as the practice of people working on behalf of others or a particular cause, without payment, for their time and services. Potential community service projects include adopt-a-highway, canned food or clothing drive, or tutoring other students.

Service-Learning

A common misconception is that service-learning is the same as community service, but there are distinct differences. For example, service-learning occurs over the course of a semester or year, makes learning more hands-on, includes intentional and structured reflection and creates reciprocal partnerships. Service-learning projects provide a meaningful way of applying the leadership and educational skills learned in school and through FFA to meet an identified community issue. Simply put, the value of service-learning is in learning by doing. One example of a service-learning project is creating a community garden to harvest produce throughout the year to donate to local food pantries.

Volunteer Opportunities/Websites/Ideas

• Collierville Animal Shelter - In order to volunteer you must: 1) be at least 14 years of age, 2) complete a volunteer training class, 3) be accompanied by an adult if 14-15 years in age, 4) bring a valid photo ID if 16 years or older, and 5) donate $20 for you Volunteer Start-up Kit. Call the shelter at 901-457-2670 to get more information about training classes.
• Blues City Animal Rescue - Blues City Animal Rescue is an organization based out of Memphis, TN. Our mission is to help foster, nurture and care for unwanted dogs and puppies until they can find their chance at a new, wonderful life.
• SRVS - exists to enhance the lives of people with disabilities in a way that brings peace of mind to families and unmatched stewardship for our benefactors.
• Shelby Farms Park - Whether you're looking for an ongoing commitment or a one-time service project, you can get involved. When you sign up to volunteer, you can select your areas of interest. We'll call on you when a need arises!
• Best Buddies - Best Buddies is the world’s largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). For individuals within this community, Best Buddies helps them form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure successful jobs, live independently, improve public speaking, self-advocacy and communications skills, and feel valued by society.
• Asha's Refuge - Asha's Refuge has a heart to help fill the gaps experienced by the most disadvantaged or vulnerable refugees in their resettlement process. Many of the refugees we serve have a disability, an illness, are elderly, are parents with multiple children, are preschoolers in need of an educational head start, are uneducated, have no job skills, do not speak English, are young adults at risk for human trafficking or other crimes, are single parents and/or are widows.
• Page Robbins Adult Day Care - There are ample opportunities for you to get involved through client activities, office assistance, and fundraising events. Check out the full list of Volunteer Opportunities. If you have a special skill set that you don’t see represented on this list, let us know. We would be happy to work with you to find the best way to use your talents in volunteering.
• Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis - Habitat works in partnership with families in need of adequate shelter to build decent, affordable homes. Volunteers provide most of the house-building labor, and faith-based, corporate and individual donors provide the money, materials and labor necessary to build Habitat homes.
• Special Olympics Greater Memphis - Special Olympics Greater Memphis' mission is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.
• Collierville Burch Library - Volunteers at the Collierville Burch Library participate in a range of tasks from shelving books to working on special projects. Most Library volunteers are scheduled to work for two hours on a weekly basis, and must be at least 14 years old; an age exception is made for summer reading volunteers who may be as young as 12.
• Harrell Performing Arts Theater - Prefer to be “behind the scenes?” Volunteering at the Harrell Theatre includes set construction, painting, sewing costumes, prop design, and more to help prepare for various productions. Theatre volunteers need to be at least 14 years old and are typically needed on a production-by-production basis. To volunteer with the Harrell Theatre, email Charlotte Davis, with the Collierville Arts Council, harrelltheatre@yahoo.com, or call the Theatre at 901-457-2780.
• Morton Museum of Collierville History - Volunteers at the Morton Museum are ambassadors of Collierville History and all ages are welcome to apply! Opportunities include education, docent, living history docent, special events, and collections. From children’s activities to in-depth tours or impersonating a historical figure, there are many ways to volunteer at the Morton Museum.
• Collierville Food Pantry - Call (901) 853-3235 to find out volunteer needs. Go to the food pantry at 180 N Rowlett St, Collierville.
• Mid-South Food Bank - Our Mission is to change lives by eliminating hunger in the Mid-South. By providing food for families, children and seniors, we impact their lives by solving one of the biggest struggles they face: getting enough nutritious food to eat to live a healthy life.