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Building Community Beyond Belief, Exercising Progressive Values, and Defending Separation of Church and State

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Volunteer Service

For the Secular Humanists of the Lowcountry (SHL), volunteerism is more than just doing good deeds—it’s a core value that puts our principles into action. By serving others, we strengthen our communities, foster connection, and live out our commitment to empathy, reason, and shared responsibility. Service benefits not only those we help, but also those who serve, offering new skills, meaningful experiences, connection to others, and personal growth. Our volunteers work to create a welcoming, vibrant community for non-religious people in the Lowcountry and to serve the needs of our members. But our commitment to service doesn’t stop there. Volunteerism is a core secular value, and we actively create opportunities for SHL members to make a positive impact in the broader community as well.

Last updated 2025-10-12

Regular Service Opportunities:

Service to SHL Community

SHL is an all-volunteer, member-supported organization with no paid staff. Everything we do — from planning events and building community to organizing outreach and advocacy — happens because members step up to help. We’re always looking for passionate people to plan and carry out activities, as well as those with professional skills such as accounting, web design, marketing, graphic design, social media, photography, videography, and communications. Whether you want to pitch in at an event or put your expertise to work behind the scenes, your time and talents can make a real difference in building and strengthening our community. If you’re ready to get involved, we’d love to hear from you!

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Food Distribution with Park Circle Cares

On the 3rd Saturday of the month, SHL volunteers with Park Circle Cares, a non-faith based, non-profit organization created in 2016 to assist people in the lowcountry who struggle with food insecurity. Park Circle Cares is a member agency with the Lowcountry Food Bank, and distributes 120-150 thousand pounds of food each year. What makes them unique among the many organizations working on the widespread problem of food insecurity in our community is that they only distribute healthy and nutritious foods, 75% of which is produce. Healthy dry goods and proteins make up the remainder. Sign up for the next food distribution on our Meetup page.

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Adopt-A-Highway

Once a quarter, on a Sunday morning while many are in church, we put our values into action by serving the community through our Adopt-a-Highway program. Armed with safety vests, trash bags, and a commitment to a cleaner environment, we spend the morning picking up litter and making our shared spaces better for everyone. It’s a simple, visible way to show that humanists care — and that good works don’t require a pew. Sign up for our Volunteer Network mailing list or for text notifications to be notified when the next service is announced.

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Lowcountry Foodbank

SHL is volunteering to work at the Lowcountry Food Bank, located at 2864 Azalea Dr in Charleston, on the second Tuesday of the month from 1 – 3 PM. Volunteers work in the warehouse, helping to inspect food donations, sort fresh produce, and pack food, ensuring that it is ready to be distributed throughout the community. Sign up for our Volunteer Network mailing list or for text notifications to be notified when the next service is announced.

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Sign up for our next regular volunteer service opportunities on our Meetup page.

Past Volunteer Service:

Nov ’25 Feminist Magic Market

Nov ’25 Feminist Magic Market

On Saturday, November 22, 2025 we tabled at the Feminist Magic Market in Park Circle, spreading joy while raising awareness of our vibrant secular community in the Lowcountry.

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Lowcountry Food Bank (November 2025)

Lowcountry Food Bank (November 2025)

11 members of our community showed up for our monthly volunteer shift at the Lowcountry Food Bank on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. We got divided to different tasks with some members writing thank you cards, some packing Backpack Buddies, and with most of us bagging...

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October 2025 Adopt-A-Highway

October 2025 Adopt-A-Highway

On Sunday, October 26, 2025 nine members of the SHL community worked to make Charleston a bit better by pickup up trash on the side of the road.

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SHL @ Charleston Pride Festival 2025

SHL @ Charleston Pride Festival 2025

The 2025 Charleston Pride Festival, held Saturday, October 11th, may have been cold and rainy, but that didn’t dampen our spirits! We’re so grateful to all the dedicated volunteers who braved the weather to represent SHL and share our message of inclusion and humanist...

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Oct ’25 Feminist Magic Market

Oct ’25 Feminist Magic Market

We tabled at the Feminist Magic Market in Park Circle on Sunday, October 5, 2025. It was a lively day of community connection, creativity, and conversation. We had the opportunity to promote the vibrant secular community here in the Lowcountry and show our support for...

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June 2025 Adopt-A-Highway

June 2025 Adopt-A-Highway

We had a great turnout for our highway cleanup on Sunday, June 22nd. 12 members of our community got out in the summer heat and picked up trash on a section of Azalea Drive in North Charleston. We are moving forward with an official Adopt-A-Highway sponsorship and...

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SHL Celebrates Pride with Park Circle

SHL Celebrates Pride with Park Circle

We are also celebrating Pride this weekend, reveling in the truth that we humans are diverse, beautiful, and can live joyously as our authentic selves. Come by our table at the Park Circle Pride Block Party today between 2 and 8 pm and grab your “Gay Away the Pray”...

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