JustServe.org provides Pickerington residents and people across the country with an opportunity to find ways they can help their community.
The website, established five years ago by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is a free service.
Former Pickerington City Councilman Brian Wisniewski introduced the website to council members on March 1.
The mission is to provide opportunities for volunteers to find projects in their community that need a helping hand and that match the volunteer’s skills and interests.
“The purpose was to provide an organizational structure and website which would make it more convenient for members of the church to find places to serve in their communities, and meet their skills, interests and availability,” Wisniewski said. “It was also meant to be a gift to communities and organizations, available to them at no cost.”
The pilot project launched in California in 2012. Today, more than 26,000 service projects have been posted on the website, and approximately 60 cities have partnered with JustServe.
The program lists a variety of recurring events and one-time-only volunteer opportunities. Nonprofit organizations can even post their events on the website. Guidelines for submitting humanitarian and community service projects for approval are posted on the website. These projects should not directly involve volunteers in fundraising, politics or for-profit ventures.
Wisniewski said JustServe is a great resource for parents looking for ways to perform community service with their children or for anyone looking to get more involved in their own community.
“We encourage individuals, community groups, faith organizations, etc. to register on JustServe.org and become a volunteer,” Wisniewski said. “Volunteers are encouraged to submit project ideas for the community of Pickerington or anywhere in the central Ohio area. Those projects are then reviewed by a local project administrator before they are posted on the website.”
Already, the website features volunteer activities for the Pickerington Farmers’ Market, Meals on Wheels of Fairfield County, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio, American Red Cross of Central Ohio, Touching Little Lives and many more.
“In an age of so many divisions, community service is something anyone can get behind, regardless of race, religion or political affiliation,” Wisniewski said. “There are so many great organizations doing very important work and providing critical services, much of which often goes unnoticed. JustServe is working to help promote these organizations and their work by helping match them up with volunteers.”
The JustServe website states that “we’re convinced that by serving with each other in our local communities, we’re paving the way for much broader changes.”
“Our individual efforts don't need to be huge – a little bit of change here, a few hours there – but even small efforts quickly add up to make a real difference,” Wisniewski said.
Mark Your Calendar
Upcoming Parks and Recreation events
Friday Night Flicks: June 3-July 29
- June 3: Inside Out
- June 10: Minions
- June 17: Little Giants
- June 24: The Boxtrolls
- July 8: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
- July 15: Heavyweights
- July 22: The Good Dinosaur
- July 29: Norm of the North
Summer Concert Series: June 5-July 31
- June 5: Yesterday & Today
- June 12: Jacked Up
- June 19: Chaz Mechenbier Hang Time
- June 26: British Invasion
- July 4: Parrots of the Caribbean (part of Independence Day celebration)
- July 10: Satisfaction
- July 17: The Tubs
- July 24: Chris Logsdon
- July 31: Wet Bandits
Session 1 Swim Lessons: June 6-17
Summer Playground Half Day Camp: June 6-July 15
Session 2 Swim Lessons: June 20-July 1
Family Luau: June 16
July 4th Celebration: July 4
Session 3 Swim Lessons: July 11-22
TRY-athlon: July 19
Youth Fishing Derby: July 16
Pool Olympics: July 21
‘A New Voice’
Melissa Wilde
The newest member of Pickerington City Council: Melissa Wilde
Melissa Wilde is a community builder, so it is fitting that she is working to better the City she lives in as a new member of Pickerington City Council.
Wilde – a small business owner, mother of three, Girl Scout leader and school volunteer – enjoys serving.
Running for City Council was a logical choice for a woman who holds a master’s degree in public administration and a bachelor’s degree in political science.
Serving and wanting an opportunity to be “a new voice” and “add diversity to the decision-making process” were among the reasons that Wilde ran for City Council.
“I saw this as an opportunity to utilize my passions and training to serve my neighbors while encouraging young women to become interested in serving as elected officials,” Wilde said. “I did not enjoy the campaign process at all and certainly had moments where I wondered if I made the right choice, but my time on City Council so far has been an incredible experience. I really enjoy learning about our City and everything that is going on in our City, county and state. It has exceeded my expectations.”
Wilde has lived in Pickerington with her husband, Eric, for nine years. Her service goals center on her desire to see Pickerington “thrive as a community.”
“I want to see more opportunities for our residents to work and play here in our city,” Wilde said. “I want to see our businesses geared toward our specific population both for job creation purposes and for resident enjoyment.”
Wilde said she intends to support current efforts by residents to grow “community spaces.”
“I would love to see a community center in Pickerington. We have a great deal of kids who are currently being taken outside Pickerington to train for numerous sports, including swimming,” Wilde said. “I would love to see community spaces available to hold conferences, trainings or other events.”
Wilde also would like to see an expansion of the current library to the north side of the City and to make sure that existing parks and spaces are fully utilized.
“We need to continue to invest in and care for these spaces that bring neighbors together. When we invest in community spaces, we build connections which serve to breed pride in our community, awareness of need with a desire to serve, improve and protect our home,” Wilde said. “Along those lines, I am also interested in promoting services that connect our local nonprofits or even specific members of our community who may need help with those willing to serve their City.”
As a member of Council, Wilde wants to help Pickerington continue to move in a positive direction.
“Many communities fail to thrive because they lack vision, leader unity and/or collaboration between various entities within the City and regionally,” Wilde said. “What I have seen in the past few months has been encouraging.”
Wilde said there are still areas in which the City can improve, but she is optimistic about the direction in which Pickerington is moving, despite obstacles in its path. Finances and planning for future growth are among the challenges facing a City that is becoming more diverse.
“We embrace diversity, and because we embrace this, we need to address the needs of each population. This is anything from transportation for our senior population to ESL classes,” Wilde said. “We need to make sure we are caring for every member of our community and making sure each of their voices are heard and needs met.”
In order to meet the needs of each resident, Wilde said, it is important for residents to engage with members of City Council.
“I love hearing about all the great ideas people have and helping them figure out how to accomplish their goals, whether it is through connecting them to the appropriate channels or engaging the City to seek out solutions,” Wilde said.
Residents can connect with Wilde by attending council meetings, scheduling an appointment to talk or through her Facebook page, “Pickerington City Councilwoman Wilde.”
