Volunteer Opportunities in South Walton

We are blessed with a caring and giving community. We have many locals (and visitors) who are eager to lend a hand and donate time and money to local organizations who welcome participation. The SoWal List below has up-to-date info about our local groups and organizations, check with them directly for current needs and events.

Alaqua Animal Refuge
Mission - Providing protection, shelter and care to animals in need through educational outreach and community programs.
Opportunities include: Hands-on animal care, tours, volunteer coordination, fundraising, grant writing, phone/office and events.
Located at 914 Whitfield Road, Freeport
850-880-6399
Complete application and submit here.

Alys Foundation
Mission - Provide funding for the purpose of sustaining the long-term values of Alys Beach to enhance the experiences of our families and preserve the quality of life for our community.
Located at 9581 East County Highway 30A, Alys Beach
850-213-5500
Visit the website for information and opportunities.

Boys & Girls Club of the Emerald Coast, South Walton
Mission - To enable all young people, especially those that need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens.
Opportunities Include: Club volunteers; hands-on experience to enhance programs and activities including field trips, mentoring and programs. Corporate group volunteers; companies, organizations and schools participate in special activities including small renovation projects and Adopt-A-Club that includes sponsoring events.
Located at 427 Greenway Trail, Santa Rosa Beach
850-622-0602
Complete application and submit here.

Caring & Sharing of South Walton
Mission - Provide food and financial assistance to our neighbors in need.
Opportunities include:  Thrift Shop Cashier and Boutique Coordinator
Shifts are from 9:00 - 12:30 and 12:30 - 4:00 Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
Located at 112 Lynn Drive, Santa Rosa Beach
850-267-1547
www.caringandsharingsowal.org

Children’s Volunteer Health Network
Mission - Provide children in need the opportunity to flourish by facilitating health and wellness services.
Opportunities include:  Events & festivals, assisting with the Mobile Dental Clinic and performing administrative duties or leading a committee.
Located at 82 Lynn Drive, Santa Rosa Beach
850-622-3200
Sign up here and view requirements.

Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County
Mission - Support the arts through leadership, advocacy, funding, programs and education.
Opportunities include:  Signature events, Art in Public Spaces, fundraising, publicity and art workshops.
Located at 105 Hogtown Bayou Lane, Santa Rosa Beach
850-622-5970
View opportunities and code of conduct here.

Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation
Mission - Connecting wine enthusiasts to raise money benefitting children in need.
Located at 195 Grand Boulevard, Suite 200, Miramar Beach
850-650-3732
Visit their www.dcwaf.org to view charities.

Dog-Harmony
Mission - Reduce the number of unwanted dogs at shelters through humane education and fear free training for both people and dogs.
Opportunities include:  Fundraising events, working in the kiosk and helping maintain the building.
Located at 237 Market Street, Santa Rosa Beach
850-376-4190
Email - hello@dog-harmony.org

Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center
Mission - Prevent child abuse and neglect, protect children and restore the lives and futures of impacted children.
Opportunities include:  Front Desk, Speaker’s Bureau, Events & Groups.
Located at 336 College Avenue, DeFuniak Springs
850-892-0286
Fill out the volunteer form here .

EO Wilson Biophilia Center
Mission - Educate on the importance of biodiversity, to promote sustainability, and to encourage conservation, preservation, and restoration of ecosystems.
Opportunities include:  Working with students, helping with events, working outdoors or office work.
Located at 4956 State Highway 20 East, Freeport
850-835-1824
Download application here .

Food For Thought
Mission - Support a child’s development and educational experience by bridging the gap between school meals during weekends and holiday breaks.
Opportunities include:  Packing backpacks, delivering and picking up backpacks, stocking the pantry and helping with events.
Located at 132 Market Street, Santa Rosa Beach
850-290-4056
Check the website for volunteer openings.

Fore Her
Mission - Raise funds for breast cancer patients undergoing treatment and in financial need and offer resources, hope, compassion and education for all who are affected.
Opportunities include:  Events, outreach, care & support.
Located in Santa Rosa Beach
Submit application here.

Friends of Eden Gardens State Park
Mission - Assist the Florida Park Service in the preservation, restoration and improvement of the park and maintain and preserve the grounds and house for the enjoyment of area residents and visitors.
Opportunities include:  Daily maintenance tasks, fundraising, assisting with events.
Located at 181 Eden Gardens Drive, Santa Rosa Beach
850-267-8300
Click here for information.

Friends of Grayton Beach State Park
The Friends of Grayton Beach and Deer Lake State Parks Citizen Support Organization (CSO) is a non-profit group that supports the parks mission of educating the public and preserving the parks for future generations.
Located at 357 Main Park Rd, Grayton Beach
850-267-8320
Click here for information and code of ethics.

Friends of South Walton Sea Turtles
Mission - Dedicated to promoting sea turtle conservation through awareness and education for residents and visitors.
Opportunities include:  Special events, fundraising, grant writing, education, community outreach management.
Located in Santa Rosa Beach
Fill out volunteer information here .

Friends of Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
Mission - Conservation, education and recreation of this beautiful resource.
Opportunities include: Help and join a group who want to support this valuable resource.
Located at 7525 West County Highway 30A, Santa Rosa Beach
To become a friend of the park click here.

Gulf World Marine Institute
Mission - Long-term rescue, rehabilitation and release of marine mammals and sea turtles across the Panhandle.
Opportunities include: Sea turtle rehabilitation, stranded animal response, marine mammal necropsy and educational outreach.
Minimum one on-call shift per week
Located at 15412 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach
Download application and view requirements.

Habitat for Humanity of Walton County
Mission - Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.
Opportunities include:  Build homes, work events, fundraise or volunteer at the ReStore.
Located in Santa Rosa Beach
850-660-1681
Click here for information.

Junior League of the Emerald Coast
Mission - An organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women as civic and community leaders and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.
Located at 982 Airport Road, Destin
850-460-8980
To join click here.

Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation
Mission - Build the foundation of Arts and Culture in the community by cultivating and nurturing a deep appreciation of the arts.
Opportunities include:  Assist at events, serve on a committee, share your expertise or services, or serve as an artist mentor.
Located at 4323 Commons Drive West, Destin, FL
850-650-2226
Fill out volunteer form here.

Rosemary Beach Foundation
Mission - Offers and supports community, educational and charitable activities for local organizations, schools and hurricane relief/recovery efforts.
Opportunities include:  Assisting with events and programs.
Located in Rosemary Beach
850-231-7382
For information and to fill out volunteer form click here.

Seaside Institute             
Mission – Inspiring livable communities. Offers strategically designed educational programs and symposia that bring together residents, visitors, architects, scholars, scientists, students and community leaders to share ideas for how to build and support livable communities.
Opportunities include:  Assisting with events and programs.
Located in Seaside
850-231-2421
For information and to fill out volunteer form click here.

Shelter House Domestic Violence Center
Mission - Support victims of domestic and sexual violence by providing shelter, intervention and primary prevention programs through education, awareness and advocating for social change.
For volunteer information and to sign up click here.

Sinfonia Gulf Coast
Mission - Entertain, educate and inspire the community through imaginative and innovative musical programming and to foster education, development and creativity of young musicians through orchestral ensemble performances.
Opportunities include:  Membership, donations and assisting at events.
Located at 36468 Emerald Coast Parkway, Suite 11102, Destin
850-460-8800
To learn more click here.

South Walton Community Council
The South Walton Community Council (SWCC) is dedicated to preserving, protecting and enhancing the quality of life and unique natural environment in SoWal.  Founded in 1995, SWCC is a nonpartisan coalition of residents, property owners, area employees, neighborhood associations, business owners and community leaders working together toward shared goals.
Opportunities include: educational programs, community outreach, capacity building, and issue advocacy.
Located in Santa Rosa Beach
850-387-0246
To learn more click here.

The Matrix Community Outreach
Mission - Through advocacy, education, partnerships and financial assistance we strive to bridge the gaps between needs and resources, while implementing a holistic approach to our charitable efforts, serving the physical, mental and spiritual needs for the homeless, veterans, senior citizens and economically disadvantaged youth.
Located at 37 North 9th Street, DeFuniak Springs
850-892-1090
View opportunities and submit application here.

It takes all of us to create a great community! For even more opportunities to volunteer, see our Guide to South Walton Groups & Organizations.