North Florida Sewing Center runs on the power of its volunteers.  We have a saying that “None of us can do what we do without the others doing what they do.”  We try to engage each person based on what they like to do and what they are good at.  In fact, you may hear us say, “Do what you like.  Do what you are good at.  Do what gives you joy.  And do as much good as you can.” 

Hearts & Hands Service Days are offered once a month on a Saturday for anyone to come in and volunteer.  You will be using your hands because your care about others from your heart.  We will have multiple stations set up with various activities.  When you arrive, we ask you if you have any preference in jobs or any skills you already have so we match you with an appropriate task.  On H&H days we are typically assembling sets of pads for local or international distribution, tracing and cutting fabrics, stacking or folding inserts, adding snaps to the holders, and other non-sewing jobs in the Fellowship Hall.  Sewing, serging, and rotary cutting for those that know how to do those activities will be taking place inside our sewing center.   We offer two shifts for volunteers:  10-12 or 12:30-2:30.  Pack a lunch and stay all day if you like.  Minimum age for participation is 8 years old and minors must be accompanied by an adult chaperone.  

North Florida Sewing Center is all about collaborative endeavors in a supportive environment.  Rarely does anyone do anything start to finish.  One person may excel in one step of the process and another enjoys another step.  We have volunteers that piece quilts, others that run the quilting machine, and someone else to do the binding. 

Anyone can come and volunteer with us whenever we are open.  The minimum age to help is 8 and all minors need to be accompanied by an adult chaperone.  We welcome people of various abilities and all races, religions, ethnicities, genders, and sexual orientation.  There are a wide variety of jobs to do including sewing and non-sewing tasks.  Our staff volunteers or interns will show you how to do various jobs and often you can choose the task you prefer. 

You can come with up to 3 other people without an appointment but we do ask you to let us know if wish to bring a larger group.  nfsewingcenter@gmail.com    To book groups of 5-40 people, please see the information on the Groups tab under Volunteers.

Here are our safety guidelines:

·        Wear ask you to wear a face mask to protect vulnerable seniors

·        Wear closed toe shoes for your safety

·        Tie back long hair

·        Wash your hands when you arrive

·        Don’t come if you are sick or have been exposed to a communicable disease

·        We recommend short fingernails

Don’t be shy!  Come on in and volunteer!  Working to help others is a great way to boost your mood, and of course you are making someone else happy with the finished product.   You may make some new friends and learn new skills in the process while being productive with your busy hands. 

Please note:

 We are an authorized site for people to do community service hours to pay for tickets.  We are a great place for high school students to accrue Bright Futures scholarship hours.  We are a fantastic place for university students to get credits for internships (see internship tab under Volunteers).