Give 5: Patch In The Community

Normally I spent most of my day glued to a computer keyboard, but I'm going to unplug for a few hours Thursday.

I have volunteered to help set up 's Lunchtime in the Studio event as part of the Patch "Give 5" program.

Give 5 is Patch’s company-wide initiative to become involved in the communities we serve through volunteer efforts. Today Patch staffers across the country will be found picking up trash, tutoring kids or reading to the elderly. Give 5 days happen -- you may not believe this -- five times a year.

I'm going to help with Core Studio's Dynamic X-Change Healing Arts Program. Core says the interactive lunchtime dance event reaches out to underserved populations.

Later in the month I'm scheduled to help the Decatur Cooperative Ministry set up for a Blue Sky Concert on the Decatur Square.

If you know of other groups that are struggling to find volunteers, let me know at ralph.ellis@patch.com.

The Decatur and Avondale Estates area has a rich culture of service and there are countless ways you can give back.

• You can help at the Decatur Arts Festival over Memorial Day weekend. For information, got to http://decaturartsfestival.com.

• Meals on Wheels needs volunteers to deliver food during weekdays. For information, go to www.seniorconnectionsatl.org.

• The Decatur Cooperative Ministry has a variety of needs. For information, go to www.decaturcooperativeministry.org.

• Thousands of people pitch in during Decatur's MLK Service Day Project. For information, go to the city website. To see what happened last year, visit the Patch photo gallery.
• The Decatur Book Festival needs scores of volunteers to put on the event over Labor Day weekend. To volunteer, go to the festival website.