Volunteer Opportunities

The City of Rancho Santa Margarita is a small city with the soul of a small village. Volunteer opportunities of all types abound throughout the City.

ZeroTrash RSM

In April 2014, when Brad McGirr was Mayor Pro Tempore, with the assistance of the Bell Tower Foundation, the ZeroTrash initiative was launched. Volunteers of all ages gather in front of the Cinepolis theaters on the first Saturday of every month at 10:00 a.m. and proceed to remove hundreds of pounds of litter from our streets, parks, and wilderness areas. Visit the ZeroTrash RSM website or Facebook page to learn more.

RSM CARES - The Bell Tower Foundation

The Bell Tower Foundation supports local cultural, educational, civic, recreational, and social needs in RSM, along with fostering community spirit and connecting volunteers. You can reach them through their Facebook page or visit the  Bell Tower Foundation website for more information.

Age Well Senior Services

There are daily opportunities to volunteer through the Meals on Wheels and congregate meal program, which is based out of the Bell Tower Regional Community Center. Please contact the Age Well Senior Services Site Director at (949) 709-7592 for more information.

RSM CERT

CERT is a national program under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that includes eight hands-on classes delivered in 3-hour sessions. Offered annually by the City, CERT Training is free for RSM residents. CERT was designed to enlist community members as a volunteer resource to assist organizations in a time of need. Staying current on CERT training, maintaining and updating your CERT kit, or volunteering to become a CERT instructor are some ways you can make a difference when the time comes. Please review our CERT Team Requirements for more information. With your permission, the City’s CERT program managers will maintain your contact information and inform you of additional training opportunities or assistance at events or during emergencies.

Friends of the Library

The Rancho Santa Margarita Friends of the Library bookstore offers a large selection of gently used books, audio, and videos at bargain prices. Visit the Friends of the Library website for more information or stop in to shop, volunteer, donate books, or join Friends of the Library. All money raised benefits the Rancho Santa Margarita Library. 

Lion's Heart

Lion's Heart is a 501(c) (3) organization that mobilizes teens (grades 6-12) and now families (K and up) to volunteer in their communities and track their volunteer hours. The national nonprofit connects students with local service opportunities that help them build a strong community service portfolio as well as get them out in the world, learning empathy and compassion for others, and feeling great about themselves. Members can track hours, earn leadership awards, and export their service portfolio to use on scholarship, college, and career applications. Lion's Heart is nearly 6,000 members strong, with new chapters forming every day across the United States. The South Orange County chapter is currently the largest, with hundreds of members serving RSM. Lion's Heart is a certifying organization for both the President's Volunteer Service Awards and the Congressional Award. Visit their website lionsheartservice.org for more information and to find out about their upcoming Online Information Meetings to learn more!

Rotary Del Sol

Rotary is the world's largest service organization with more than 1.2 million members in 32,000 clubs in 165 countries around the world. The Rotary Club of Coto de Caza/Rancho Santa Margarita has been serving the canyon communities since 1983, and the Del Sol club was founded in 2004. Made up of business professionals who live and work in the RSM/Coto area, members work together on community, youth, and international service projects. The club meets weekly to plan service projects, enjoy interesting guest speakers, and share a meal and fellowship. Guests are always welcome. Learn more on Facebook.

RSM Chamber of Commerce

The Rancho Santa Margarita Chamber of Commerce hosts programs and events throughout the year, including the annual Rancho Family Fest, utilizing community volunteers in a variety of roles. Visit the RSM Chamber of Commerce website for more information.

Mission Viejo Animal Care Services

The City of Rancho Santa Margarita contracts with the City of Mission Viejo for animal care and sheltering services. Volunteer opportunities abound through various programs and organizations dedicated to the care and well-being of animals. For more information about Mission Viejo Animal Services, please visit www.cmvas.org or call Animal Services Center directly at (949) 470-3045.

Volunteering at the Center: Volunteers work side by side with shelter staff, caring for animals and helping with education and outreach to the community.

Mission Viejo Animal Services Youth Explorer Program
For youth aged 14-18, the program focuses on various careers within the animal field, including entrepreneurship, Grooming, Veterinary Science, animal behavior and training, Animal Tracking, Animal Law Enforcement, Animal Rescue, Field Biology, Marine Biology, and Animal Handling. 

Dedicated Animal Welfare Group (DAWG)   Mission Viejo Animal Services works closely with Dedicated Animal Welfare Group (DAWG), a nonprofit organization committed to providing care to animals that come into the shelter. 

Volunteers are a gift to the community!