As a lifelong Lincoln resident, Alexandra Ball has volunteered on and off for years, but decided to make an effort to volunteer more regularly this past August. Over the course of attending several community events with family, she found herself appreciating the work that went into making the experiences enjoyable and felt a push to pass this along to othersas well.  

“I love this city and our community, but communities are not passive entities that magically happen,” she says. “Communities are created through action. Volunteerism is one way to take that action.”

Each person dreams of a world better than our present circumstances. For Alexandra, the best possible Lincoln is even more supportive and welcoming than it already is. When she volunteers, Alexandra feels empowered to turn her dreams into reality.

“Volunteering makes me feel fulfilled and connected to my community in a way that nothing else does. It is so joyful to be out in the community, interacting with people, and helping them gain access to information and resources. I am always happy after I volunteer, and I immediately start looking forward to my next volunteer opportunity.”

When seeking out volunteer opportunities, Alexandra often looks for causes related to literacy and education. Alexandra comes from a family of teachers and currently serves in the field of education herself. Reading and education add enrichment to every aspect of life. “I know that literacy and education are the greatest keys to access for all individuals to build the lives and communities they want.”

Alexandra never regrets the time she spends volunteering and suspects others will feel the same way. Since every volunteer experience is different, she encourages community members to find an opportunity that fits their personality, schedule and interests. “VolunteerLNK.org is a great resource!” she adds.

Those interested in starting or continuing their volunteering journeys are encouraged to find their next opportunity on volunteerLNK.org, which serves as a hub for volunteerism for all of Lancaster County. The platform, operated by United Way of Lincoln and Lancaster County with support from Lincoln Community Foundation, simplifies the process of finding meaningful volunteer opportunities, and is tailored to each user’s unique interests, skills, and availability. Volunteer opportunities can be filled by individuals, families, church groups, high school and college students, and retirees. The site also offers options for companies to get involved together.

National Volunteer Week starts April 19, 2026 and continues through April 25. Many Lincoln organizations are participating by posting their volunteer opportunities during the week and beyond. Readers are encouraged to visit volunteerLNK.org to find an opportunity that fits their skills and interests to help build a stronger Lincoln for everyone!

Currently available opportunities include mentoring, tutoring, food distribution, yard clean up, manicures for elders and more!

Additionally, all eligible organizations are encouraged to post their volunteer opportunities on volunteerLNK.org and start recruiting volunteers. Signing up your organization is a simple two-step process. All eligibility information can be found on volunteerLNK.org.