Activate Good is encouraging families to do some good this weekend.

The nonprofit’s Family Volunteer Day, an annual service event on Saturday, Nov. 17, is part of a nationwide initiative to tap into the power of families to do good for others.

The nonprofit matches volunteers with dozens of Triangle-area causes, presenting opportunities to help throughout Wake County. Amber Smith, executive director, founded the organization in 2005 with the goal of inspiring people to get involved in their community.

“There are thousands of nonprofits who rely on volunteers to do the good work that they’re doing. But they don’t have the help they need,” she said.

The day of service was first organized nearly two decades ago by the Points of Light Foundation to demonstrate the benefits of family volunteering and provide opportunities for families to volunteer in their local communities.

The foundation was inspired by President George H.W. Bush’s inaugural address invoking the image of “a thousand points of light,’ an invitation to take action through community service. The group offers these easy ways the whole family can make a difference.

Locally, Activate Good has several nonprofit partners that could use help:

• Run and Litter Cleanup with Keep Durham Beautiful: Come out for an easy run or walk while picking up litter. This event is all about keeping the environment healthy while also keeping your body healthy.
• Build Homes for the Holidays. Working with Chatham Habitat for Humanity, volunteers will help construct three homes in Pittsboro. No experience required, but workers must be 16 or older.
• ReStore Holiday Prep: Volunteers will help prepare and decorate the Pittsboro ReStore, part of Chatham Habitat for Humanity, for its annual Holiday Sale. Tasks may include stocking products, organizing merchandise, cleaning, donation processing or customer service.

Read more about Activate Good in our June 2018 Nonprofit Spotlight.