Volunteerism in Hartland
“Make Our Mark”
For the entirety of 2026, The United States of America will be celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of The Declaration of Independence. Over that quarter of a millennium, one of our greatest strengths has been that our citizenry aspires to do good for others. This legacy of giving is one thing that unites us in the very divisive era we are currently living through. You can honor the Semiquincentennial and our philanthropic heritage by giving back time and talent in our Hartland community and elsewhere.
As part of the Semiquincentennial, The Hartland Historical Society is sponsoring a project to encourage all kinds of volunteerism but especially for our Hartland organizations. America Gives, a Semiquincentennial task force, is an initiative that challenges individuals and organizations of all kinds to commit to increasing their level of volunteering and impact. One of its goals is to document what it hopes will become the largest amount of volunteer hours ever recorded in the United States. We hope Hartlanders will be responsible for and, at the America250.org website, record many of those hours.
Take a look at the America250.org website and find America Gives. There you can find opportunities for volunteering and easily log your 2026 hours, many of which we hope will be spent helping our community.
As a very active organization in Hartland, the HHS depends heavily on volunteers. At our events this year; at the town hall or email direct to hartlandhistoricalsociety@gmail.com, you have the opportunity to record your volunteer hours of all kinds in our Volunteer Notebook. This record is separate from the America 250 website, which must be completed individually online. We hope to spread the word about what Hartland has to offer in the way of volunteer opportunities by providing a “Volunteer Opportunities in Hartland” list. Find it on our website, at the town hall and at our events. Or request a copy emailed to you from hartlandhistoricalsociety@gmail.com.
America Gives reports that declining rates for volunteerism have not returned to pre COVID levels. Only 28% of Americans say that they volunteered their time to a religious or secular charitable organization in 2025. To do for others is to do for yourself. Studies show that those who volunteer report an improvement in their physical and mental health. Find your meaning and purpose through volunteering. Be an everyday hero. This is the power of volunteerism.
“How much your community benefits you is directly proportional to how you benefit your community.”
Volunteer Opportunities in Hartland
Town of Hartland
• Boards and commissions (Recreation, Land use boards, etc.)
• Elected officials
• Seniors
• Veterans
➢ 860-653-6800; Hilary Wilson at Soa@hartlandct.org
Historical Society, Hartland
• The Hartland Historical Society’s mission is to discover, procure, and preserve whatever historical facts may be available relating to the civil, military, literary, cultural and ecclesiastical history of the town of Hartland. Volunteer opportunities include leadership, hospitality, property maintenance, writing, organizing, research and many more.
➢ Joanne Groth 860-309-8016; hartlandhistoricalsociety@gmail.com
Lions Club, Hartland
• Hartland Lions are responsive to the needs of our local community and the world we share. We are passionate about the causes we serve and the difference we are making together.
➢ Diana Evans at 860-653-6753; DianaEEvans@gmail.com
Fire Departments, East and West Hartland
• Every Tuesday night at 7 pm, available volunteers gather at the West Hartland (152 Center St) and East Hartland (34 South Rd) Volunteer Fire Departments to train together so that in the event of an emergency, they are practiced and prepared to assist.
If you would like to volunteer to be a firefighter, fire police, driver, pump operator, EMT, or as a support member, we invite you to just stop in, make an appointment for a tour, or call for more info. Training is at no cost to you, and help is always needed!
➢ West Fire House 860-379-5536; Hilary Wilson 860-601-1445; WestHartlandVFD@gmail.com
➢ East Fire House 860-653-2880; Connor Davis 860-309-8309 (email address coming soon)
Public Library, Hartland
• The library welcomes volunteers who would like to present/share/teach their special interests or skills to residents; share supportive ideas for the library.
➢ Library 860-238-4400; Pam Langer 860-424-1977; hartlibraryct@gmail.com
North Woods Land Conservancy
• We work to preserve and protect the natural resources and critical habitats of our communities through conservation, stewardship and education.
➢ Tom Kean; northwoodslandconservancy@gmail.com
Hartland Litter Patrol
• Litter Patrollers are dedicated to keeping the land, streets and roads in Hartland litter free.
➢ Monica Cegelka franticmom3@cox.net for tips and suggested routes
Bethany Lutheran Brethren Church
• We believe that love for God expresses itself in love for our neighbors and a desire to serve them. Volunteers are welcome to join us in serving the community through meal delivery initiatives, visitation, youth events, and more.
➢ Pastor Mattias Szobody at 860-803-1931
First Church in Hartland
• Our goal is to serve our neighbors, meeting their needs, for nurturing community, exploring faith, and helping families to thrive in the world today. Our opportunities include: the meal ministry (weekly complete meals for those in need or recovering from illness. "Theme night" such as movies, and monthly family events coordination. Many other facility related tasks (for an hour/an afternoon/or a day) are available.
➢ Pastor Marilyn Collins 860-653-6495; firstchurchinhartland@gmail.com