Community Service is a central aspect of congregational life at First Unitarian Church. The mission of the Community Service Committee is to identify, promote, and coordinate community-service activities that stimulate personal and spiritual fulfillment through shared efforts to enrich our community.

Current and upcoming service opportunities are listed HERE and on the church calendar.

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To volunteer for a planned project or to recommend participation in a new project or event, contact: 

Reading Partners

-Time to sign up for the 2022-23 school year!

Dedicated to improving reading skills of students who are reading 6 months to 2.5 years below grade level. Volunteers work 1 on 1 with DISD students for 45 minutes once or twice a week, following a structured, research-based curriculum. Tutoring this year will be both in person and on line, depending on the preference of the tutor and the needs of students.

Reading Partners works with 19 different DFW schools, supporting students from low-income communities. Sign up to receive training and volunteer at the Reading Partners website HERE.

Contact Claudia Dixon for additional info 214-821-7637 or .

Adopt-A-Shoreline

As shoreline sponsors, we join with other community groups on the Second Saturday of each month at 8:30 am for 1- 2 hours to clean and spruce up oue White Rock Lake shoreline. Our adopted section is located on West Lawther between Fisher Road and Branchfield. This is an excellent way for new members to get to know other church members, for children of all ages to join their families in community service, and for everyone to enjoy the quiet beauty of the lake through the changes of seasons.

Blood Drive

We sponsor multiple blood drives each year to benefit Carter BloodCare, one each in the spring and fall. The BloodMobile sets up at the church on Sunday morning, and blood donors give the gift of life before, during, and after the morning church services.

Contact Sara Miskimins to make your reservation at .

City Square

CitySquare is an agency with multiple innovative programs designed to end poverty.  They provide job counseling and placement, operate a thrift store and a food pantry, employ more than 200 AmeriCorps volunteers, and act as advocates for the poor on legislative issues through their Office of Public Policy.  Volunteers from 1^st UU help at the Food Pantry the 2^nd Tuesday of the month 8:30 1:00pm.

Sign up to volunteer at: http://firstuu.citysquare.volunteerhub.com/  For more info, contact

Eyeglasses Collection

The Welcome Center provides a place for people to recycle their used eyeglasses to the Lion’s Club.

Recycled Cell Phones & Ink Cartridges

We collect and donate unused or old cell phones to groups in need, such as Mosaic Family Center, or send them for recycling.  We receive a small amount of money for used ink cartridges which goes to the church.

Drop off in the Welcome Center.

Family Gateway

Family Gateway provides stability and supportive services to children and families affected by homelessness.  Volunteers are needed to serve meals, for organizing & cleaning projects, or to do crafts & activities with children in our emergency shelter.  Bring your special talents to introduce our children to a wider view of the world.  Play your instrument or teach kids how to meditate or do yoga.  Volunteer opportunities available for families, individuals or groups.  Periodic drives for household necessities will also be publicized.

Online application and background check at www.familygateway.org or contact church member Ellen Magnis – .

Habitat for Humanity

Every few years church members have an opportunity to work on building a home for a Dallas family.  Our last project took place in fall 2015.  As a sponsor organization, we provide funding and volunteers to construct decent and affordable housing in partnership with Habitat for Humanity and the homeowners who invest “sweat equity” in their homes.

This is a major commitment, and requires special fund raising and many hours of service.  One of our most popular projects!

Holiday Gift Drive

To brighten the Winter holiday season, we sponsor the Adult Department of Aging & Disabled Services Gift Drive benefiting adults in the custody of the state. We have the opportunity in early December to select and fulfill their specific gift requests.

Aspire to Learn

Formerly LIFT (Literacy Instruction for Texas) has merged with the Aberg Center.  Over 25% of the adult population is functionally illiterate.  Aspire to Learn provides adult literacy classes. Volunteers receive training to conduct the classes. No prior teaching experience is necessary. Volunteer for as little as two hours per week.

For more info contact John Norfleet at or visit AspireToLearn.org.

North Texas Food Bank

The NTFB Bank addresses the issue of hunger in our community by securing donations of foods and grocery products for distribution through a network of 300 charitable organizations dedicated to feeding the hungry in 13 North Texas counties. Plan to be a part of our monthly food “sorting and boxing” UU volunteer shift! It’s satisfying, fun, good exercise, and helps “get food on the table” for the ever-growing number of persons in our community with real hunger needs. We work a Wednesday afternoon shift at the NTFB warehouse at 3677 Mapleshade Lane in Plano.

Contact for information and to sign-up.  Visit www.ntfb.org.

Thanksgiving Basket Drive

In support of The Wilkinson Center’s mission to transform the lives of families by providing pathways to self-sufficiency, we hold a Thanksgiving Basket Drive ensuring more families will have a Thanksgiving dinner.  Individuals fill a container with the usual (nonperishable) foods needed to prepare a Thanksgiving dinner and purchase a turkey voucher.  A suggested list of basket contents is provided.  This tradition has become a wonderful way to kick off the holiday season.

Partners in Education

This Dallas ISD program is available through our Women’s Day Alliance partnership with Dan D. Rogers Elementary School (Lovers Lane and Abrams Road). Various volunteer positions offer opportunities to make a difference in the 400+ students’ lives. An average commitment is one-two hours per week during the school year. Financial support for supplies and field trips is also welcome.