Your Impact in 2025: Record-Breaking Volunteer Hours

Volunteers Reached More People Than Ever Before

This year, 1,334 volunteers served 277,205 hours to transform lives. One hour of kindness can echo across a lifetime. Our volunteers are more than helpers — they are true changemakers. Over 1,300 remarkable individuals share their wisdom, compassion, and steady hands to lift others up. Together, they’re shaping a community where compassion fuels action and every contribution leaves a meaningful mark.

Supporting Veterans Through Connection and Stability

Veterans across Tampa Bay found housing, resources, friendship, and renewed purpose through the support of dedicated volunteers.

40 Operation: Veteran Connect members supported 3,660 fellow veterans by connecting them with healthcare, nutritious meals, affordable housing, and vital resources to enhance their quality of life.

89 veterans now have a comfortable, furnished place to call home thanks to housing support and furniture deliveries.

“I’ve learned I can’t change the world alone, but together we can,” shares Dan, a blind veteran who spent years homeless before finding his new purpose serving in Operation: Veteran Connect.

Helping Students Learn, Grow & Succeed

Classroom Grandparents continued to make a lasting impact by helping students build confidence and strengthen literacy skills.

203 Classroom Grandparents dedicated 136,219 hours helping students grow, learn, and thrive in the classroom.

89% of students improved their literacy skills.

1,201 students received 1-on-1 tutoring for the entire school year.

Building Resilient Communities for Older Adults

Through preparedness programs, neighborhood connections, and companionship, volunteers helped older adults feel safer and more supported.

1,143 Disaster Kits and vital information were provided to seniors at outreach events to gain safety, confidence to face a storm, and connection to resources.

576 senior neighbors received monthly companionship and preparedness resources in 8 high-risk communities.

20 Companionship Clubs created opportunities for friendship and learning for 500 South Shore seniors through shared support for Low-Vision and Parkinson’s, as well as fun opportunities for laughter and friendly competition, like Chair Volleyball and Trivia.

Meet Robin, a Chore Corps Club member. He changed the Barnett’s AC filters when they couldn’t. With Mr. Barnett on oxygen in the hospital and Mrs. Barnett recovering from a broken hip, Robin’s kindness made all the difference.

Providing Transportation, Friendship & Support

For many older adults, reliable transportation and regular companionship can be life-changing.

67 Senior Companions devoted 53,699 hours to bringing friendship, comfort, and connection to 134 older adults.

“I feel so happy and at ease knowing my mom is in the best hands. Ms. Tia has been such a blessing to our family, and I’m truly grateful to have her with us. Thank you, Seniors in Service, for everything you do.”
– Earnestine, daughter of Senior Companion participant

11 Companion Transportation Volunteers provided 300+ life-changing rides for 90 South Shore seniors, ensuring they could reach vital medical appointments from cancer treatments to surgeries with dignity, safety, and peace of mind.

Meet Clara, age 90, one of our very first passengers for Companion Transportation. She survived Stalin’s occupation in Budapest and now lives without family in the U.S., relying on the kindness of our volunteer drivers to get to her medical appointments!

Improving Health Through Meaningful Relationships

Health Buddies volunteers helped older adults improve their well-being through encouragement, education, and meaningful connection.

171 Health Buddies empowered seniors to take charge of their health, building confidence, boosting independence, and preventing avoidable ER visits.

Through regular phone calls and compassionate support, volunteers helped older adults improve both their physical and emotional well-being. One participant, Joan, reduced her emergency room visits from 10 visits in three months to just two visits over a 12-week period after connecting with resources and receiving consistent support from her Health Buddy.

“My Health Buddy Frank is exceptional. Despite our age difference, we really connected. He’s kind, respectful, and listens. This program was something I needed more than I realized.”
– Lenny, Health Buddies client

Meeting Basic Needs With Compassion

Volunteers stepped up to address food insecurity and support families facing difficult circumstances. Through food pantries, meal programs, and community partnerships, they helped ensure neighbors had access to nutritious food and essential resources.

Volunteers provided 22,896 hours of emergency food support for hungry families.

“Volunteering has brought joy back into my life. I look forward to serving every single week.”
– Margie, RSVP volunteer

The Power Behind the Numbers

The numbers in this report are impressive, but the true measure of success is found in the lives changed through volunteer service. Every ride provided, every student mentored, every veteran supported, and every senior connected reflects the dedication of volunteers who choose to make a difference. Together, we're proving that compassion in action can transform lives and strengthen communities across Tampa Bay.

The impact highlighted here was only possible because volunteers chose to step forward and serve. With more seniors, veterans, students, and families needing support every year, there are still countless opportunities to make a difference.