I went there several times. First when you went in and choose what you needed. Then during and…read moreafter COVID. That's when they gave you bags of food in a drive through format. Now I'm need to go again. It's a wonderful help when you need it.

It is amazing geart value and Supreme quality. A life saver for my family. Don't know what I…read morewould due without. I'm going Make it because this plan.

Seeds of Caring is a wonderful organization that engages children ages 2-12 and their families in…read morevolunteering and service opportunities. Even during the pandemic, they were able to pivot to 'anywhere' projects with kits that included suggested resources, context for the project, and what the project was and who the partner organization it was benefiting. There has also been a wide variety of opportunities showcased. It's been great to have a hands-on way to help our community in a way that kids can understand.

The OH Wildlife Center is a non profit that operates the state's largest wildlife hospital. They…read morealso house and rehabilitate native wildlife species. Throughout the year, they offer various educational and special events that are open to the public. I was so excited to take a fundraising yoga class here. Kelly was our yoga instructor and she is also an OWC volunteer. She gave us some great tips for protecting wildlife at home and took us on a short tour after class. We got to meet several of the residents including Waldo the turtle, beautiful red foxes, feisty raccoons, owls and a shy little coyote pup. They provide signage with more information about the animals, and many of them had been injured, abandoned, or kept as pets and released illegally. It was wonderful to see them peaceful and well cared for. They mentioned that they are always looking for more volunteers. Check out their website for more information or to donate.

It was pouring rain when a family member told me there was a baby duck in the garage. At first I…read morethought, "Oh, a duckling," and went out expecting something small and harmless. It was hiding beneath the car -- frightened, alert, and surprisingly difficult to catch. Every time I tried to reach for it, it scrambled away awkwardly, and when we finally cornered it, I noticed its tail was injured. It looked serious. So I did what most people would probably do when they see an injured animal: I tried to help it. For me, it stopped being "a duck" in the abstract. It became this specific little creature I was trying to save. I searched for someone who could help, and that led me to the Ohio Wildlife Center. Their website says, "Wildlife Help Starts Here." But for me, it felt like wildlife help ended there. I understand that wildlife rehabilitation is complicated. They cannot save every animal. There are limits involving resources, suffering, survival odds, and quality of life. Rationally, I know that. But emotionally, I could not stop thinking: I never wanted to be the person delivering this tiny creature to its death. Maybe I should have asked a different question before bringing it in: "What percentage of animals brought here are killed?" But it would not have mattered anyway. When I called, I got an automated response and brought the duck in regardless, hoping for the best. My mistake. Maybe I am applying human standards to an animal. Maybe I am projecting my own instinct to survive onto it. But I cannot help feeling that existence itself matters. If it were me, I would rather have another day alive -- even injured, even imperfect -- than have someone else decide my life was no longer worth continuing because recovery would be difficult, inconvenient, or incomplete. That is the part that stays with me. Not death itself, because death comes for everything eventually, but the feeling that I unknowingly became part of ushering it there. If I had left the duck alone, maybe it would have lived longer. Maybe it would not have survived at all. I do not know. But I walked in believing I was helping save it, and instead I was confronted with the fact that they were going to kill it. What made it harder was how sudden it felt. The moment I walked inside, they took the duck immediately. No pause. No goodbye. Just gone. To them, perhaps it was routine. To me, it was still this frightened little thing I had crouched in the rain trying to protect. Maybe "murder" is the wrong word. Maybe "kill" is more accurate. Either way, the result is the same: death. Nonexistence. The extinguishing of something that, only moments before, was alive and fighting to keep moving. I care about animals. So when you try to do what you believe is the right thing, only to realize the outcome no longer belongs to you, it leaves a mark. And then, on top of all of that, they wanted my personal information. I remember looking at them like they were delusional, "Are you serious?" You are telling me this duck is going to die, yet you still need my details? For what? Do they keep records of where animals came from they've killed? Stats? Maybe. But in that moment, it felt absurd. In an era where everything is collected, tracked, harvested, monetized, and stored, I could not help reacting with suspicion and disbelief. At this exact moment I felt emotionally blindsided and disgusted. This is one of those questions that comes up everywhere -- from medicine to animal care to end-of-life decisions. Wildlife rehabilitators usually focus on survival and minimizing suffering. But the animal wasn't necessarily at risk of dying from the injury itself. I tend to see it more simply -- that existence still matters, even when things are imperfect. That's where we differ.

Conveniently located in Hilliard just off Fishinger, the Arthritis Foundation is an excellent…read moreresource in the community. Currently they are planning the Crystal Ball gala fundraiser. Other community interactions include a Wine and Dine, the Jingle Bell Run and a walk at the Zoo in April. Good people that truly support folks.

I worked for Faith Mission as a Resident Assistant Supervisor and it was a spiritual experience and…read moreuplifting situation for myself and the people I met. I tried to make everyone that I met at the shelter feel better and valued, including the staff. At times the upper management were a lot to deal with, Mr. Williams was my supervisor; a black man, ex marine , republican, who constantly kept a frown on his face and never a friendly word to the staff. I worked in both of the men shelters, and their was always some major scandal with residents or staff that needed hands on repair and one time.... News reporting that end up evicting residents and eventually getting staff fired for alerting the news media. I wrote about these stories in my book; HEY PUDDIN! Some Things Just Don't Change by MYCHAELTODD

The staff is very rude to downright mean as can be to the "guests" at the 217 N Grant location…read more I've witnessed it and have been on the receiving end of their nasty ways. Reporting to higher ups will go ignored and they'll say just that to your face. They'll lie to in order to scream and yell at homeless women at this shelter. If they acknowledge them at all, that is. You will be treated like literal crap and they know that you'll have to take it or be "exited" meaning kicked out into the elements. Always remember your faith and relationship with the Most High Almighty when you're used as a chew toy daily by the front desk staff.

The moose the place to be! They recently just added a full kitchen and menu. Wilson's is the…read morekitchen inside, must be a member to eat here. I have to say there is a wide variety of bar food, apps, and other options. They also have loyalty points everytime you order from your phone. Great food and priced nice

Everyone one there seems be be so welcoming and accepting. There are many things for all to do…read moreincluding kids. They also do many volunteer work for the community.

So friendly and so many options to do things and meet people. Highly recommend attending the many…read moreevents.

Fantastic place to go for lunch!!! We have never had a bad…read moremeal there!!! Always very clean, salads are fresh.

There are 2 distinct views I hold of United Way. They are the before I volunteered with them - and…read moreafter. aka the ignorant one and the knowledgeable one. Before - I thought they were useless and likely highly overstaffed and paid. But then, I heard a recipient of one of their programs and services speak to how her life had been changed. She spoke of her prior life consumed with addition, homelessness and unemployability. Through the services of the United Way - and specifically a program called E3 - she had turned her life around. She had earned a degree, got clean, and would find out later that day - she was hired by our company. I saw so moved that I joined that United Way affinity group that runs the E3 program that very day. Around the same time, I heard that VITA was looking for volunteers - Volunteer Income Tax Assistance - a program I had volunteered with while in Law School. I agreed to give it a try and catch up with the tax changes that had evolved in the 20+ years since I last did VITA. Soonafter getting trained, I learned VITA was another United Way program. Through my ongoing membership and leadership roles, as well as my volunteerism, I've come to learn about the mission of United Way to eliminate poverty. This sparked an interest in me to learn more - so I've intentionally listened to, read, and attended all kinds of programs providing information on poverty - causes, effects, proliferation within our systems, efforts to reduce and eliminate, etc. And in the center of it all is the United Way and its funded partners. At one time, United Way was just a way to donate to charitable causes through workplace payroll withholding. Now it's the connector of so many organizations which serve our community and strive to reduce and eliminate poverty. If you want to do more than just give - they have all kinds of volunteer opportunities. I highly recommend you check them out and learn all about their programs and successes!

I've been doing a lot of volunteer work with United Way of Central Ohio for the past 2 years, so I…read morefind myself there about twice a month. Since my first visit to the facility, what I find really helpful is the easy on and off expressway access and the off the street parking. Those two aspects make it so easy to get to the building and be on my way. When you get in the building, you'll immediately notice that it's very colorful and there are plenty of diverse faces that decorate the halls and walls. I appreciate that as well because it demonstrates to me how important diversity is to the organization. Since it's a secure building in downtown Columbus, there's no ability to wonder in and roam around, but the staff are always very helpful and ensure you find the right person to assist you in what you're searching for. Since I'm there fairly often, I would love it if the added an unsecure or public wireless network so that I can use my laptop online during meeting -- which would be really helpful in some instances. Other than that, I encourage you to check out United Way of Central Ohio and see some of the awesome ways you can get involved in your community.