STATE COLLEGE — When it comes to giving back in Centre County, one local organization has built a bridge between compassion and action. Volunteer Centre County, founded in 2018, serves as a one-stop platform for residents looking to make a difference. Whether by donating time, goods or simply spreading the word about community causes, Volunteer Centre County is there.
“We got started as the result of an intergenerational leadership summit that Dr. Matt Kaplan at Penn State organized,” said Executive Director and Founder Ann Echols. “There were about 75 nonprofit organizations present, and the number one thing they said the community needed was a single place people could go to find where to give back.”
That idea became Volunteer Centre County, a hub connecting more than 130 local nonprofits with residents eager to serve. Through its website and app, users can discover volunteer opportunities, browse wish lists for donated goods, find nonprofit job openings and even share community news and events.
“It’s a one-stop place where people can see all the ways to give back in Centre County,” Echols said. “Whether it’s helping animals, supporting food programs or donating household goods, it’s all right there.”
The organization emphasizes non-monetary giving, focusing on acts of service and generosity that keep the local safety net strong.
“We don’t handle money,” Echols said. “Centre Foundation and others do a wonderful job with financial giving. Our role is to highlight the other ways to give such as your time or goods.”
Volunteer Centre County also helps residents learn about the region’s nonprofit network. Organizations like Centre Volunteers in Medicine, Centre Safe, Housing Transitions and the Habitat for Humanity ReStore are all helpful for newcomers adjusting to the community.
“Giving back isn’t just about helping others,” Echols said. “It’s also deeply fulfilling for the giver. Research shows volunteering can improve well-being and build meaningful connections with others who share your values.”
Echols credits much of the platform’s success to Executive Assistant Deb Baysinger, who works behind the scenes to keep listings updated and community partners engaged.
“Nobody wants to go to a website and find a four-year-old post,” Echols said. “Deb does a wonderful job calling our partners, checking on their listings and keeping everything fresh. She’s a godsend.”
Today, the platform includes a “Spread the Word” section where nonprofits can share updates or upcoming fundraisers, as well as a growing “Jobs Board” that features openings in the nonprofit sector. Four pillars — volunteer opportunities, donated goods, community news and nonprofit job postings — form the backbone of the site’s service.
The organization continues to grow, adding 14 new community partners in the third quarter of 2025 alone. Echols hinted that even more is on the horizon.
“We do have wonderful plans coming in 2026,” she said with a smile. “Stay tuned for good things.”
With the holiday season approaching, Echols hopes residents will make time for giving, whether through volunteering, donating needed supplies or ordering directly from nonprofit wish lists posted on the site.
“If you search ‘wish list,’ you can see all the organizations that have one,” she said. “You can even order from Amazon and have it delivered straight to them.”
Echols also pointed to the many unseen needs across the community, from food insecurity and affordable housing to animal care and senior support.
“When people can’t afford to feed their pets or keep their homes warm, local shelters step in,” she said. “Our partners work so hard to meet those needs, and they always need supplies like pet food, cleaning items and paper products.”
As Centre County looks toward the spirit of Giving Tuesday, Echols believes that generosity has a way of connecting hearts and lifting communities.
“My hope is that as Centre County residents, we can take care of every soul in our community,” she said. “Make life better for all of us. Not just a few of us, but all of us.”
For more information, visit www.volunteercentrecounty.org or download the Volunteer Centre County app to explore local opportunities to give back this season.
