How families volunteering side by side can strengthen relationships, support neighbors, and make a lasting community impact

Finding an activity that brings your family together while helping others is not always easy. Family Fun Night at The Sharing Center gives parents, grandparents, and children ages 5 and older the opportunity to serve their community as a team.

Held each month, this hands-on volunteer experience makes giving back approachable, engaging, and meaningful for every generation.

What happens at Family Fun Night?

Families arrive at approximately 5:00 p.m. and receive name badges and volunteer passports. Each passport guides the group through several tasks to complete throughout the evening.

Activities may include:

• Sorting and hanging clothing
• Organizing donated items
• Sorting hangers
• Stocking and merchandising thrift store shelves
• Tidying different areas of the store
• Preparing departments for the next day’s shoppers

The specific assignments may change depending on The Sharing Center’s current needs, allowing your family to help where support is needed most.

Between activities, volunteers enjoy pizza and a drink before returning to their next passport station. The evening usually wraps up around 8:00 p.m.

Why families volunteering together matters

Volunteering as a family creates time to connect without the distractions of everyday routines. Instead of simply talking about kindness and generosity, children get to see those values in action.

As families work together, younger volunteers can learn about teamwork, responsibility, compassion, and the importance of caring for their neighbors. Parents and grandparents also have the opportunity to model what community involvement looks like.

It is a simple experience, but the lessons can last far beyond one evening.

Related resource:
How Volunteering Can Improve Mental Health

Small tasks create a bigger impact

Sorting clothes or organizing shelves may feel like a small job, but each completed task helps The Sharing Center serve the community more effectively.

Organized donations can be processed more quickly. Well-maintained shelves create a welcoming shopping experience. A tidy thrift store helps shoppers find affordable clothing, household items, and other essentials.

Proceeds from The Sharing Center’s thrift stores also help support programs that address hunger, homelessness, and financial hardship across Seminole County.

By giving a few hours of your time, your family helps strengthen the work happening throughout the organization.

Learn more:
Myths vs. Facts: Understanding Homelessness and Hunger in Our Community

A volunteer experience designed for families

Family Fun Night offers an accessible introduction to community service, especially for children who may be volunteering for the first time.

The activities are practical, age-appropriate, and completed alongside an adult. Children must be at least 5 years old, and anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Families must register before attending and sign up for the available shift. Because space may be limited, advance registration helps ensure each group has an assignment and a positive volunteer experience.

Make service part of your family routine

Families volunteering together can build stronger relationships while creating a more connected community. Family Fun Night gives you the chance to share a meal, complete meaningful work, and show younger generations that everyone has something valuable to contribute.

Whether it is your first time volunteering or service is already part of your family’s routine, each monthly event offers another opportunity to make a difference together.

Register for an upcoming Family Fun Night and turn an ordinary evening into meaningful time spent helping your community.