Martin Volunteers has launched an ambassador program to generate an influx of new volunteers and energize relations with dozens of agencies.

Martin Volunteers is a program of United Way of Martin County and formerly was known as the Volunteer & Community Resource Center (VCRC). It conducts several major projects every year -- such as the White Doves Holiday Project and the School Supplies for Students Drive -- but its main focus is connecting people with meaningful volunteer opportunities.

With that in mind, the Martin Volunteers ambassadors have set two major goals:

- Establish, enhance and renew relationships with 50 agencies. Over the next four months, ambassadors will meet with agency representatives to promote the importance of volunteers registering and reporting hours to Martin Volunteers. They also will inform the agencies of the resources available through Martin Volunteers, such as a certification program for managers of volunteers and the Executive Service Corps – a group of volunteer consultants that can help agencies with planning, human resources, budgeting and management.

- Organize 30 recruitment events to generate an influx of new volunteers. For example, Martin Volunteers will be hosting Tuesday morning coffees (at 10 a.m. starting Jan. 23) and inviting the public to learn about volunteer opportunities throughout the community.

The ambassador program has been spearheaded by volunteers Roger Jesse and Marie Dubois. Other volunteer ambassadors include Donna Alexander, Rachael Johnson, Donna Naglreiter and Harry Pelton.

“Our goal is to be the one source for volunteers to learn about volunteering and for agencies to post opportunities,” said Carol Hodnett, director of Martin Volunteers. “We want to make it easy on the individuals and the agencies – one-stop shopping.

For more information about Martin Volunteers, please call (772) 220-4472 or visit www.martinvolunteers.org.