Connecting People to Purpose
By Angie Matthiessen, Chief Executive Officer
One of the things I've learned throughout my career is that people genuinely want to help. They want to give back, meet others, support causes they care about, and make a difference in their community. Sometimes they just need a simple way to get started.
That's why United Way Charlotte County (UWCC) is excited to launch Get Connected, a new online volunteer platform designed to serve as a community-wide hub for volunteer opportunities. As we continue building the platform and inviting organizations to participate, our goal is simple: make it easier for people to find meaningful ways to serve and for nonprofits to connect with the volunteers they need.
The idea for this platform grew from conversations within our Ageless United committee, where volunteerism was identified as a way to increase community engagement and reduce senior social isolation. We also heard stories of unanswered inquiries and missed opportunities because organizations often lack the staff, time, or technology needed to effectively manage volunteers.
As a nonprofit ourselves, we understand that challenge. Volunteers expand an organization's reach and impact, yet managing volunteer engagement requires time and resources many nonprofits simply don't have. After more than a year of research, United Way selected Get Connected by Galaxy Digital as the platform that best meets our community's needs.
The platform allows volunteers to search for opportunities based on their interests, availability, and location while helping organizations manage volunteer engagement more effectively.
This project would not be possible without the generosity of Roger and Karen Klotz, who not only helped identify the software solution that best fit our community's needs, but also committed to funding the platform's costs for the next five years. As dedicated volunteers themselves, they understand the importance of creating pathways for people to get involved and stay engaged.
"Volunteering helped us meet people who became friends while supporting organizations we cared about," Roger shared. "What we found, however, was that some organizations simply didn't have the systems or capacity to respond to volunteer inquiries."
Their experience reinforced something we hear often: people want to help, but organizations don't always have the tools or capacity to connect with them. This platform is designed to make that easier for everyone.
We are also grateful to the Charlotte Community Foundation for recognizing the value of this initiative through a recent spring grant award. Technology is only one piece of the equation; building partnerships, recruiting organizations, and supporting volunteers requires dedicated work behind the scenes.
For Stephanie Lucy, United Way's Programs and Grants Manager, overseeing the Get Connected platform is personal. Her journey with UWCC began as a volunteer while earning her bachelor's degree. She later served as a volunteer coordinator for a local nonprofit before joining the United Way team.
Today, Stephanie oversees much of UWCC's volunteer engagement efforts, including the Get Connected platform and the VITA program, which relies on nearly 40 volunteers each year to help local families access free tax preparation services.
"The gift of service is incredibly valuable, and when someone chooses to give their time, talent, and heart to a cause, we have a responsibility to honor that commitment and create an experience that makes them want to stay engaged," Stephanie shared.
Volunteerism touches every area of UWCC's work, from literacy initiatives and family empowerment programs to disaster response and senior engagement. More importantly, it strengthens connections between neighbors, organizations, and causes.
My hope is that Get Connected becomes more than a volunteer platform. I hope it becomes a place where people find purpose, friendships, and opportunities to make a lasting difference in the community we all call home.
Whether you are seeking your first volunteer opportunity, looking for a new way to give back, or representing an organization in need of volunteers, we invite you to explore Get Connected and strengthen Charlotte County through service.
To learn more about visit us: unitedwayccfl.org/getconnected.
For more information about United Way Charlotte County’s mission: Mobilizing the power of our community so all can thrive, please contact Angie Matthiessen, Chief Executive Officer. She can be reached at director@unitedwayccfl.org.