If you want to help your neighbors in need

• Samaritan Ministries | Help Winston-Salem’s only soup kitchen serve food from the kitchen daily.
• Bethesda Center for the Homeless | Sign up your group to serve breakfast to our neighbors in need, or donate winter clothes.
• Winston-Salem Rescue Mission | Serve meals, donate clothes, provide medical services, or mentor men through the addiction recovery program.
• Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC | Gather your group and host food drives or fundraising events to support the food bank with providing food to neighbors experiencing hunger.
• H.O.P.E. of Winston-Salem | Gift your time to help sort food, nurture the garden or assist with meal prep and cooking.

If you’re an animal lover

• Forsyth Humane Society | Help with tasks such as cleaning, community outreach, or providing comfort to an animal in need.
• The Animal Adoption and Rescue Foundation of Winston-Salem (AARF) | Socialize with cats, design event flyers, or foster pets in need of a temporary home.

For the outdoorsy types

• Keep Winston-Salem Beautiful | Participate in clean-up events, beautification projects, and educational activities to keep our streets and neighborhoods looking fresh.
• Gateway Nature Preserve | Whether you’re looking to plan events or like getting your hands dirty weeding and watering, your help keeps trails along Salem Creek beautiful and clean.

If you’re passionate about helping families

• Family Services of Forsyth County | Read to children, support teachers, and serve as event volunteers to help build healthy families.
• The Parenting PATH | Make an impact on families through building strong bonds between parent/child relationships whether that’s through performing administrative tasks or coaching on effective parenting.

For natural-born teachers and mentors

• Dress for Success Winston-Salem | Empower women to achieve economic independence through providing resume feedback, networking skills, or donating business clothes.
• LEAD Girls of NC | Facilitate discussions to empower young middle school girls at select campuses during the school year.
• Hispanic League | Serve on the committee for initiatives like Fiesta! or facilitate educational programs for Hispanic students in Forsyth County.

If you live and breathe Winston-Salem

• Winston-Salem Ambassadors | Connect with others who are also passionate about our city and help plan big events like the WS Holiday Parade or plan city tours with those who are new to the community.

If you’re passionate about supporting local community groups

• United Way of Forsyth County | Get connected with other local non-profit through this organization and find multiple areas to give your time to.
• Mixxer Community Makerspace | From administrative to maintenance tasks, this creative space relies on volunteers to run smoothly. Trainings are provided for each post.

The artsy types

• The Arts SHAC | Use your skills to set up pop-up booths at various art events or sort through inventory to make sure the organization continues it mission of providing accessible and affordable supplies to everyone.
• Associated Artists of Winston-Salem, Inc. | Sign up to serve with the social media marketing team, grant writing team or serve as a chair board for the organization.

If you’re interested in health care

• Cancer Services, Inc. | Help fundraise, landscape office space, or write encouraging notes to patients.
• Senior Services, Inc. | Deliver hot meals to senior residents, take on administrative duties like one-on-one calls, or spend time with local seniors.
• Crisis Control Ministry | Help fill orders and assist clients as they receive their medication or serve as an advocate to help determine their needs based on information you collect.
• The Shalom Project | Teams of licensed doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and interpreters can share their skills to meet the healthcare needs of individuals and families.

For the handy individuals

• GreeNest | Take on tasks like sorting, cleaning, and organizing furniture and household goods for individuals and families transitioning to sustainable housing.
• Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County | Work on home repairs for seniors and veterans in selected neighborhoods, unload trucks, stock shelves or organize warehouse items.

• ART CRUSH | Friday, Nov. 17 | 7 p.m. | Trade St. & 6th St., Winston-Salem | Free | Check out live performances, art collections, galleries, and meet local artists — plus, get ready for Brazilian Samba dancing and Latin music.
• Family Fun Friday | Friday, Nov. 17 | 5-9 p.m. | La Pink Moon Café, 848 W. 5th St., Winston-Salem | Cost of purchase | The family-friendly event features games and activities, with craft stations and board games — and patrons can create their own wintry drink.

• Ride for H.O.P.E. | Saturday, Nov. 18 | 12-12:45 p.m. | Cycle Bar, 400 W. Fourth St., Ste. 120, Winston-Salem | $15+ | All proceeds from the rides will help the nonprofit H.O.P.E. (Help Our People Eat) provide healthy meals and produce to underserved children in Winston-Salem.
• Thanksgiving Drive-in Bingo | Saturday, Nov. 18 | 2 p.m. | Bolton Park, 1590 Bolton St., Winston-Salem | Free | Park your car or bring a chair and participate in Bingo — donations benefit Samaritan Ministries’ food pantry.

• Holiday Book Fair | Sunday, Nov. 19 | 3-6 p.m. | Walnut and Broad, 907 S. Broad St., Winston-Salem | Cost of purchase | Kick off the holiday season with books for sale featuring local vendors — the first 50 attendees who make a purchase will receive a free tote bag.

• A part of the Winston-Salem Northern Beltway will open this weekend. By Monday morning, drivers will be able to use the US 421 interchange near Kernersville to US 52 and bypass downtown Winston Salem. Traffic will also be able to move from US52 southbound starting at Westinghouse Road and connecting to I-74.

• The Housing Authority of Winston-Salem will use small area fair market rents based on zip code to determine rental costs for participants in the housing voucher program required by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The change is expected to take effect in October 2024. (WFDD)

• Hop on free carriage rides, listen to carolers, and experience the holiday decorations throughout Reynolda Village. Its holiday stroll will be open to the public tomorrow, Nov. 18 from 3 to 6 p.m.

• Local vendors will be featured during the Kimpton Cardinal Hotel’s first wedding showcase on Sunday, Nov. 19. The event will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. and RSVPs are required — email Elisabeth Catterton to reserve your spot.

• City officials will unveil a local historic marker commemorating St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church located on East 12th Street on Saturday, Nov. 18 at 10 a.m. The parish is one of four historically Black parishes in the Diocese of Charlotte. The event is open to the public.

• Second Harvest Food Bank Northwest NC won Piedmont Environmental Alliance 2023 Green Business of the Year Award. The organization addresses food insecurity while reducing food waste.

• Forest Park Elementary School’s library has been renovated after an $85,000 donation from Artcobell. The library now features new furniture, paint, bookshelves, and a mural.

• Need the perfect holiday gift for your dad, brother, husband, or boyfriend? This brand has you covered with all the gifts and stocking stuffers that men will actually use. (Plus, they’re all 25% off during the Black Friday Sale, happening now.)*

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