Volunteer
Want to make an impact in Marion County? Help kids make healthy choices with FANS!
Are you a parent with a kid in elementary school? Would you like to help us with the gardens at your child’s school? Contact us to get started.
Make a Meaningful Impact in Marion County Schools
Volunteering with Fitness and Nutrition in Schools (FANS) means giving your time and talents to help students build healthier habits that last a lifetime. Whether you are assisting in a school garden, supporting a wellness event, or mentoring student leaders, your involvement takes steps to help reduce the likelihood of childhood obesity, chronic disease, and helps to create a culture of wellness in our schools.
FANS volunteers serve in elementary, middle, and high schools throughout Marion County.
Opportunities are available during the school day, after school, and occasionally during special events.
What It Means To Volunteer With FANS
Volunteering with FANS means:
- Supporting hands-on nutrition and gardening education
- Encouraging students to be physically active
- Assisting with wellness programs and school health initiatives
- Helping create a positive, health-focused school environment
- Serving as a role model for healthy living
You don’t need to be a health professional or educator. Training and guidance are provided. What matters most is a willingness to support students and promote healthy habits.
When Volunteers Serve
Volunteers may serve at:
- Public and private elementary schools
- Middle and high schools
- School gardens and greenhouse facilities
- Cafeterias during nutrition initiatives
- School-sponsored health fairs and wellness events
FANS partners with both public and private schools throughout Marion County. In public schools, volunteers must complete district-level registration and background screening and may serve within structured garden classes, greenhouse programs, and curriculum-integrated activities. In private schools, volunteer coordination and requirements are determined by each individual campus, and opportunities may include classroom garden support, smaller-scale garden projects, or family garden workdays.
All placements are coordinated in partnership with Marion County schools and the Marion County Hospital District.
When Volunteers Are Needed
Volunteer opportunities are typically available:
- During the school day (morning or afternoon blocks)
- After school for FANS Clubs and enrichment programs
- During seasonal planting and harvest periods
- On designated wellness event days
Schedules are flexible and coordinated based on school needs and volunteer availability.
Volunteer Opportunities and Responsibilities
School Garden and Greenhouse Support
Volunteers help students learn where food comes from and how healthy food is grown.
Examples of activities may include:
- Assisting students with planting seeds and maintaining raised garden beds
- Supporting greenhouse operations at middle and high schools
- Helping supervise harvesting activities
- Preparing harvested produce for cafeteria use
- Reinforcing lessons about nutrition and healthy eating
Public school garden programs may include larger raised-bed gardens or greenhouse facilities with produce served in cafeterias, while private school gardens may vary in size and structure depending on campus resources.
Garden volunteers may serve weekly, monthly, or seasonally.
Physical Activity and Classroom Wellness Support
Volunteers assist in promoting active movement and physical education engagement.
Examples may include:
- Assisting during special PE enrichment days
- Supporting classroom movement activities
- Helping organize school-wide fitness challenges
- Encouraging hydration and healthy daily habits
These opportunities typically occur during school hours or at scheduled wellness events.
Nutrition Education and Health Awareness
Volunteers help reinforce lessons about making healthy choices.
Examples may include:
- Assisting with healthy taste tests
- Supporting nutrition education demonstrations
- Helping with campaigns promoting water intake and reduced sugary snacks
- Supporting awareness initiatives related to vaping prevention and tobacco cessation
These activities may take place in classrooms, cafeterias, or during school-wide events.
FANS Club Mentorship (Middle and High School)
FANS Clubs are student-led groups that promote health initiatives on campus.
Volunteers can:
- Support student planning meetings
- Help coordinate health awareness campaigns
- Assist with organizing school-wide wellness events
- Provide mentorship and encouragement to student leaders
These opportunities are typically after school.
Event and Community Support
Volunteers may also assist with:
- Health fairs
- School wellness days
- Family engagement events
- Community outreach initiatives
These events are scheduled periodically throughout the school year.
How To Get Started
When you volunteer with FANS, you help:
- Increase student engagement in physical activity
- Expand access to fresh, healthy foods
- Reinforce lifelong healthy habits
- Support improved academic performance through wellness integration
- Strengthen the overall health of Marion County
Every hour you give helps create healthier schools and healthier futures.
The Impact You Can Make
All volunteers must complete required school district volunteer registration and background screening before participating.
Once approved, the FANS team will work with you to identify opportunities that match your interests, skills, and availability.
By volunteering with FANS, you become part of a community-wide effort to support the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model, and ensure every student has the opportunity to thrive.