Home to West Virginia University (Let’s Go Mountaineers!), Morgantown is a vibrant city with a rich history and a welcoming attitude. Whether you recently moved for school or work, or you’re a lifelong resident, there are plenty of ways to get involved with your community. In this article, we’ll look at a wide range of ways you can get involved through volunteering, outreach, nonprofit organizations, and more.
Getting Involved in the Morgantown, WV Community
There are a variety of ways to support your Morgantown community. Consider your passions. For example, do you love animals? Do you want to help your food-insecure neighbors get the pantry staples and fresh food they need? Whatever your interests, you can channel them into getting involved in Morgantown by:
- Volunteering: Local nonprofits are usually in need of volunteers who can give their time and talents. Depending on your schedule, you may want to look for one-time opportunities to volunteer or something more recurring.
- Donating: If you can’t donate your time right now, giving money or needed supplies is also a great way to support your favorite cause.
- Supporting Local Businesses: In addition to our local nonprofits, Morgantown’s small businesses need your support. Whenever possible, choose one of our many wonderful local WV businesses, including the vendors at the weekly Morgantown Farmers Market.
- Participate in Community Events: All year round, there are fun events happening in the Morgantown area. Show your support by showing up or helping out as a volunteer.
- Engage in Civic Activities: If you live in Morgantown, check Nextdoor or your local neighborhood association to participate in clean-up days and other civic activities. Rotary Club of Morgantown is also a good way to get involved.
For more opportunities, the city of Morgantown provides a variety of community resources including information about the community events and news, the Morgantown public library, volunteer opportunities, and more.
Volunteer for the City of Morgantown, WV
One of the most direct ways to get involved in Morgantown is by volunteering for the city itself. There are various boards, authorities, and commissions you can get involved with to play a more active role in shaping the future of our community. Put your expertise and passion to work for the initiatives that matter to you.
Citizen Boards, Authorities, and Commissions
Morgantown has several commissions focused on different aspects of community life. Some of the notable ones include:
- Cultural Arts Commission: Promotes and supports the arts in Morgantown to keep the city’s cultural landscape vibrant and inclusive.
- Health and Wellness Commission: Strives to improve nutrition, fitness, and mental health in the community.
- Human Rights Commission: Addresses community interaction and fairness concerns to “maintain ways in which a community can live together inclusively, functionally, and justly despite differences, complexities, and conflicts.”
- Urban Landscape Commission: Dedicated to beautifying the city’s public spaces to keep Morgantown a pleasant place to live and visit.
If you’re interested in serving on one of these commissions, you can apply online through the City of Morgantown’s website. Serving on a commission is an excellent opportunity to influence the policies and projects that shape your community.
Morgantown Public Library
Book lovers may find their ideal community involvement at The Morgantown Public Library. Volunteers are crucial to the library’s operations, helping with everything from organizing events to managing book donations.
Volunteering Opportunities at the Library
There are many ways to get involved with the Morgantown Public Library:
- Board of Trustees: Serve as a Trustee on the library’s board to have a say in the library’s governance and strategic direction.
- Children’s Programming: Help organize and run educational programs for children to encourage a love of reading in the next generation.
- Shelving and Book Sorting: The library always needs help with shelving books and managing donations. This is a great way to get involved if you prefer hands-on tasks. Plus, you’ll get first pick of new used books for sale!
Besides volunteering, residents can support the library by donating books or making a financial donation. Every contribution helps the library provide essential services to the community. To get involved with the Morgantown Public Library, fill out their volunteer form.
Morgantown Charities and 501(c) Organizations
Morgantown is home to a variety of nonprofit organizations that address a wide range of needs. Explore some of the notable non-profits in Monongalia County using Volunteermatch.org.
Student and Educational Outreach Opportunities
Being a college town means Morgantown has lots of opportunities for students to serve their community. Volunteering is a great way for students to gain valuable experience, build their resumes, and make a difference in the community.
WVU Center for Service and Learning
The WVU Center for Service and Learning is an official community partner with the City of Morgantown. The center offers a variety of programs that encourage students to engage in service projects, both on and off-campus. Through the iServe platform, an online service management system, students can easily find and apply for volunteer opportunities that match their interests and skills.
Students from other schools in the area can send volunteer requests via email.
Volunteering with Local Schools
In addition to university-led initiatives, volunteers can work directly with one of Morgantown’s various schools and educational programs. The Monongalia County School District offers a volunteer program for adults interested in chaperoning school activities, assisting with classroom tasks, or supporting extracurricular programs. View the list of K-12 programs and schools.
Partner with First Exchange Bank: A Bank that Serves Our Community
At First Exchange Bank, we’re more than just a financial institution; we’re your community partner with deep roots in Morgantown. Banking local means supporting your community by keeping your dollars local. We have a long history of serving the people of North Central West Virginia through various community projects and local initiatives. We invite you to join us in supporting local charities, participating in community cleanup projects, and more.
First Exchange Bank’s Commitment to Community
First Exchange Bank is actively involved in various community projects and local initiatives. From charitable donations to organizing events that bring residents together, our recent community efforts include:
- Charity Support: First Exchange Bank regularly donates to local charities, non-profits and community organizations, helping to fund programs that assist those in need.
- Community Service: One of the five core values of First Exchange Bank is community service. The First Exchange Bank staff regularly participate with local non-profits and charity organizations like Rotary Club, the United Way, Special Olympics, Scouting America and more.
Get Started Today and Make a Difference with First Exchange Bank
We’ve made a conscious decision to remain independent and serve our communities in Mannington, Fairmont, Morgantown, Hundred, Fairview, and White Hall. Whether you’re new to Morgantown or have been here for a while, we hope you’ll check out our personal banking and business banking options. If you have any questions, contact us or visit your nearest bank office location in North Central West Virginia.
