Volunteer Service Opportunities
On average, 2,800 volunteers contribute more than 45,000 hours of service in Dublin. That’s equivalent to the work of 20 employees. And, this doesn’t begin to measure the enormous value of what volunteers give. For everything you do, from the visible impact at events, to those working behind the scenes, the City of Dublin says thank you.
Holiday Volunteering
Dublin community members celebrate many holidays this time of year, often with a focus on giving back. With school breaks and family gatherings, it can be an excellent time to volunteer together. Here are a few tips and resources to get you started.
- Volunteering is primarily about meeting real needs in your community. Before collecting donations or showing up to volunteer, check with your organization to make sure you are targeting the right needs and following their procedures.
- Keep your commitment, knowing that your organization is counting on you to be there.
- Ask how you can continue to support the organization in 2025!
Find Your Project
- Looking for a local nonprofit? View some of our area nonprofits on this page under “How to Give Back All Year-Round.”
- Many faith-based organizations organize volunteer projects and have specialized volunteer needs this time of year. Check with your local place of worship to see how you can help.
- Retirement and senior-living communities may appreciate some extra cheer. Volunteer groups may present programming, bring small gifts and notes of kindness or assist with onsite decorating and other facility needs. Reach out to the facility staff first to determine what their needs are and if you are the right group to meet them. If you would like a list of area retirement communities, email volunteer@dublin.oh.us.
- Want to get younger kids involved? Participate in an anywhere project through Seeds of Caring. Register and purchase the listed supplies and then partner with your kids to complete the service.
- Check in with your neighbors, especially elderly and vulnerable individuals. Shovel a driveway, drop off a meal or combat loneliness by stopping in for a visit.
- Are you ready to make a resolution to extend your volunteerism into 2025? Check out our “Where to Care” guide about central Ohio organizations looking for volunteers or complete your volunteer application with the City of Dublin.
Thank you for making the City of Dublin a more resilient community through your engagement in volunteerism and philanthropy!
K.I.D.S. — Kids In Dublin Service
Join us for our next Kids In Dublin Service project as we learn and serve with the City of Dublin Horticulture team. Learn more below and please let me know if you have any questions!
When: Saturday, Dec. 14 | 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Where: City of Dublin Service Center Building, 6555 Shier Rings Road
Register: Each child needs a separate registration HERE. If you have questions or need help, please let me know.
Project Details
- Prep native seedlings for spring plantings in the Dublin community
- Clean out the City of Dublin greenhouse
- Learn about how the City is moving away from using pesticides
- Create your own winter greenery container to take home
Reminders
- We understand things come up, but please only register for the project if you plan to attend; AND then remove your child from the signup if you can no longer attend as we have limited space for this project.
- The Kids In Dublin Service program is open to K-5th graders in the City of Dublin or Dublin City Schools district
- Each child MUST register for the service project individually
- Each child MUST bring an adult to stay on-site with them for the entirety of the project. For this project, we will have a separate area for parents to stay
How To Get Involved with the City of Dublin
K.I.D.S. — Kids In Dublin Service
These service projects are opportunities for Dublin’s littlest volunteers from kindergarten through fifth grade who reside in the City of Dublin or Dublin City School District. A parent or guardian should accompany the child. Check back for more opportunities. Reach out to volunteer@dublin.oh.us with any questions.
Teen Buddy Program
The Dublin Teen Buddy Program seeks to combat loneliness and isolation by fostering a sense of belonging for Dubliners, young and old. Teen volunteers are vetted, trained and matched with older adults based on mutual interests and shared life experiences to form lasting intergenerational friendships. This program runs fall 2024 to spring 2025, with various gatherings planned throughout the year.
- High school teens interested in making a difference in the life of an older adult, forming intergenerational social connections, and creating new friendships, complete a volunteer application here.
- Older adults interested in making new social connections, serving as a mentor to a Dublin teen and creating new friendships, please reach out to Shannon smaurer@dublin.oh.us or 614.410.4446 for more information or to get registered.
SAVE THE DATE for mandatory Teen Buddy training Oct. 8 at 5:30 p.m.
Teen Guide to Volunteering
Getting involved with the community early in your life can help set you up for a lifetime of giving back. Check out a variety of ways that young people can volunteer in Dublin.
DOWNLOAD: Where To Care Guide
Nonprofit Language Bank
Are you fluent in a language other than English? Language is a common barrier for recipients of nonprofit services. Dublin’s nonprofit community is developing a language bank — a database of volunteers fluent in another language, which nonprofits can tap into when serving clients in need of translation. Email Christine at cnardecchia@dublin.oh.us to learn more and volunteer.
Heritage Interpreters
Love history and educating others about the people that lived before them? Be part of our 2025 Heritage Interpreter volunteer program! Volunteers provide tours and open houses at historic parks in the City of Dublin on weekends in the summer and fall. Virtual and in-person trainings begin in early 2025. Let us know you are interested by contacting Outreach & Engagement Coordinate, Sarah Esala sesala@dublin.oh.us. You can also visit an upcoming open house at Ferris-Wright Park & Earthworks.
Culture Corner
Help celebrate Dublin’s diversity by teaming up with volunteers and staff to create educational and creative displays highlighting the many cultural holidays celebrated in Dublin. The Culture Corner is on display at the Dublin Community Recreation Center as well as digitally on the City of Dublin social media sites. Email Shannon at smaurer@dublin.oh.us to get involved.
Giving Garden
The garden will be closing soon for the 2024 season.
Located next to the Dublin Development Building on the grounds of the Historic Coffman Homestead is The Giving Garden. This eight-bed garden produces fresh veggies and herbs, which are tended to by City of Dublin volunteers. The purpose of the garden is to grow nutrient-rich veggies for the grateful clients at the Dublin Food Pantry. It’s a win-win-win for a piece of public land being put to great use for those who need a fresh, healthy dose of goodness. Planting typically takes place in mid-May, and care is needed through October. If you are interested in helping with the 2025 season, email volunteer@dublin.oh.us.
‘Keep Dublin Green’ Kits
Keep Dublin Green Park cleanup kits are a great flexible option for groups to give back to the community by cleaning litter from Dublin parks. The kit includes trash and recycle bags, gloves, safety vests, a first aid kit and even a scavenger hunt. To reserve a kit, please complete this interest form, and we will be in touch with next steps.
Recreation Program Assistants
Volunteers are needed days, evenings and weekends at the Dublin Community Recreation Center, assisting instructors with recreation classes for preschool and youth participants. It’s a great way to keep your heart smiling and help kids grow! To volunteer, email volunteer@dublin.oh.us.
Dublin Bicycle Ambassadors
Adults interested in turning their leisure biking time into a service to the community may inquire about this program that encourages safe biking, offers extra eyes and ears out on our bike paths, and assists City staff with bike-related events. To learn more, email Christine at cnardecchia@dublin.oh.us.
Office and Project Assistants
Our offices are always in need of project champions. We are especially interested in matching volunteer skills and interests with City initiatives and projects in need of helping minds, whether with technology, with programs and planning, wellness and research, or communication and engagement efforts. To learn more, email volunteer@dublin.oh.us.
Volunteer for Community Events in Dublin
Our Community Events don’t happen without your help! Consider donating your time to support our world-class events.
How to Give Back All Year-Round
Giving never stops! Finding ways to donate your time and resources now and in the year to come can be just as beneficial to your community.
- Give Your Time. Turn your energy into a meaningful gift by deciding to volunteer with a friend or family member. Write them a note explaining what group you can give back to together, or donate to the organization on their behalf.
- Donate. It’s an oldie but a goodie. Many Dublin groups could benefit from your generosity, including the Dublin Community Foundation, which invests in local nonprofits around the city.
- Volunteer Right Here. The City of Dublin is always looking for new and returning volunteers to find a project they are interested in that helps contribute to the health of Dublin. Try something new, like being a Dublin Heritage Interpreter, Giving Garden volunteer or many more options.
Area nonprofits to consider:
- Adaptive Sports Connection – Therapeutic recreation program and sports group for people with physical and cognitive disabilities
- Colony Cats & Dogs – Local animal shelter and adoption center
- Connections Delaware County – Volunteer and community training center
- Cozy Cat Cottage – Shelter for felines
- Glitter Girls Guild – Providing support and spreading joy to families in the local community who are directly affected by an ongoing medical hardship
- Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption – Foster care and adoption resource group
- Dublin Food Pantry – Volunteer or donate food, hygiene products and other resources.
- Lindy Infante Foundation – Youth sports league
- Miracle League of Central Ohio – Youth sports league
- Groups often need player buddies and coaches during springtime
- Noor Islamic Cultural Center – Cultural center for Muslims
- One Dublin – Assists with emergency household bills, clothing, household items, school supplies, mattresses and referrals to other community groups.
- Rainbow Dublin – LGBTQ+ Alliance in Dublin
- Red String Journey – Local Dementia awareness organization
- Sedona Grace Foundation – Aimed at keeping pets with their families (Remember: You can donate pet food to food pantries so others in need won’t have to use table food for pets)
- Smoky Row Food Pantry – Pantry at Smoky Row Brethren Church
- Stems For Seniors – Organization that repurposes wedding flowers into individual bouquets to be delivered to local Meals on Wheels recipients.
- Syntero – Specialized team of social workers and mental health providers deliver services for older adults and for family members and caregivers
- Plain City Food Pantry – Pantry at 156 West Main St., Plain City; connect at 733.0909
Public Records Request Overview
In order to support faster response and better tracking of requests, the City of Dublin uses JustFOIA to collect, respond to and manage public information requests.
Why JustFOIA?
JustFOIA is a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) online application that helps streamline the open records request process for the community and improve efficiencies in getting requested information quickly and accurately.
The application lets community members submit requests for all city records, including police reports. Commonly requested information includes accident reports, copies of resolutions and body-camera video.
Mission
We are and always have been a proud local democracy. In our service, we strive to provide the best quality of life and environment in which our residents and businesses can thrive. We seek to ally our proud traditions with the best innovations of the future.
Vision
Dublin, Ohio, is the most sustainable, connected and resilient global city of choice.
Core Values
Integrity, Respect, Communication, Teamwork, Accountability, Positive Attitude & Dedication to Service.
The City of Dublin operates under a set of seven key core values: integrity, respect, communication, teamwork, accountability, positive attitude and dedication to service. Staff members use these seven values as the basis for daily decision-making, including the decisions that go into the budget process.
- Integrity. We are open and honest. We honor our commitments to the community and each other. Our actions are consistent with what we say.
- Respect. We treat our coworkers and members of the community with courtesy and dignity. We embrace diversity and acknowledge the needs, responsibilities and inherent worth of each individual.
- Communication. We maintain an environment in which employees feel free to share ideas and information. We promote open interaction throughout the organization to ensure knowledge and understanding among all employees and our community.
- Teamwork. We create a climate in which all employees work together and support the individual talents and contributions of team members. We celebrate successes and see mistakes as opportunities for growth; we will never willingly let a member of our team fail.
- Accountability. We are responsible to our community and each other for our personal and organizational decisions, actions and performance results. We are committed stewards of our City’s assets and resources.
- Positive Attitude. We focus our efforts on constructive behavior, attitudes and solutions. We promote an environment that people love going to every day – a place where each individual can find a sense of belonging, inspiration, enjoyment and meaning.
- Dedication to Service. We pursue innovation and continuous improvement in all we do. We are committed to efficient, effective and responsive service delivery that makes a difference in the lives of those we serve.
Leadership Philosophy
We are members of an organization that succeeds because of teamwork, dedication, diversity and the innovative spirit of all of our members. Together, we build a culture of trust, service, mutual respect, inclusion and open communication. We hold ourselves mutually accountable to promote and sustain continuous learning and to develop the learning potential that exists in every member of our team.
City Code
The complete Dublin City Code is available online at American Legal City Ordinance website. Information staff at the Dublin branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library are available to help navigate this website.
Revised Charter of Dublin, Ohio
This Revised Charter, as adopted on March 19, 1996, became effective on July 4, 1996.
Zoning Code
The Zoning Code for Dublin is Chapter 153 of the Dublin Code of Ordinances. The Zoning Code sets land development requirements and establishes different uses within individual districts. Zoning regulations address the physical development of a site, such as building height, lot requirements, setbacks from lot lines, minimum numbers of parking spaces, sign types and sizes, and other related regulations.
City Hall
5555 Perimeter Dr.
Dublin, Ohio 43017
Phone:
614.410.4400
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Dublin, Ohio, USA
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