Michigan Towns Launch Free Portal to Connect Volunteers

Finding the right volunteer opportunity used to mean endless emails and phone calls, but five Michigan towns just made giving back as simple as browsing online.

The 5 Healthy Towns Foundation partnered with One Big Thing to launch a free volunteer portal connecting nonprofits with eager volunteers across Chelsea, Dexter, Grass Lake, Manchester, and Stockbridge. Organizations can now post opportunities at no cost, while potential volunteers can filter options by community and work type.

The portal grew from Volunteer Chelsea, an earlier project that proved how much easier community service becomes when everyone can see what help is needed. Now that success is spreading across five towns, opening doors for thousands more residents to plug in where they're most needed.

Nonprofits, schools, and local government groups within these school district boundaries can post everything from fundraising help to event support to paperwork assistance. Volunteers simply browse listings, find what fits their schedule and interests, and reach out directly to organizations through contact information provided in each post.

The Ripple Effect

Steve Petty, Executive Director of 5 Healthy Towns Foundation, sees the portal as more than just a matching service. "Volunteering is one of the most practical ways to strengthen your own sense of purpose while making a meaningful difference for others," he said.

The platform builds on One Big Thing's broader mission to strengthen social connections and collective wellbeing across communities. By making it easier for residents to contribute their time and talents, the portal helps both volunteers find meaning and organizations meet real community needs.

Organizations handle their own volunteer vetting and selection, keeping the process personal while the technology does the heavy lifting of connection. Anyone interested can visit onebigconnection.org/volunteer-opportunities or contact Matt Pegouskie at 5 Healthy Towns Foundation for a tutorial on posting opportunities.

When giving back gets easier, everyone wins.