Seth Franz can vividly recall his first foray into the world of volunteerism. He was a pre-teen at the time and helped distribute food to the homeless in a Salvation Army van. That experience made a positive impression and provided him a lifetime vantage point for service and contribution.

As a young professional, Franz attended the typical networking events. Everyone showed up in office attire and passed out business cards. Franz liked the initial interaction among peers who wanted to climb the leadership ladder. But he also wanted more—deeper connections, opportunities to bond and give back to the community.

Returning to his volunteerism roots, Franz envisioned something more informal, more fun. In February 2014, he founded Volunteering Untapped (VU) to create the experience he was looking for. What began as a movement of 10 has grown to more than 100 participants showing up to contribute to their community.

“This program was created to give young professionals the opportunity for inspiring, rewarding, and impactful experiences that will help forge a passion for future volunteering—both with our organization and on their own,” says Franz, who by day is co-founder and director of operations for Hone Health, an online telemedicine clinic. “Volunteering Untapped was born out of the realization that young professionals in Baltimore want to give back to their community, but simply don’t know the best way to get involved. We solve that problem.”

Here’s how it works. On the second Saturday of each month, volunteers assemble to help out a different nonprofit in Baltimore. That way, says Franz, participants can better understand Baltimore’s nonprofit landscape and the problems the city faces. Ideally, they will use the experience to launch themselves into deeper engagement with the city. VU has grown to be a reliable resource for Baltimore and its nonprofits with beneficiaries including Kennedy Krieger Institute, the Baltimore Tree Trust, and the Franciscan Center. After the volunteers spend part of the day working, they head out to a neighborhood bar or restaurant for an after-party.

“Seth is a special person who has poured his heart and soul into VU,” says longtime volunteer Taylor Smith. “And it really shows in the program.”

In just shy of 10 years, VU has built a community of more than 6,000 volunteers of all ages in Baltimore who have performed more than 35,000 hours of community service. The organization also has expanded its reach with new chapters opening in Chicago, Philadelphia, and Austin, Texas.

“Through our events, Volunteering Untapped has engaged thousands of people in Baltimore to do everything from building homes to planting trees to feeding the homeless,” says Franz. “For many of these people, we are the first volunteer experience they’ve had in a long time or ever. We accomplish many things through our events, and the most important is serving as a springboard that launches our volunteers into a long life of civic engagement. Our events are a pebble dropped into the pond of each volunteer and we take pride in watching the ripples.”

And while the benefits to the nonprofits they serve are obvious, it does lead to an intriguing question—who benefits more, the charitable organization or the volunteers themselves?

Research is showing that it’s overwhelmingly both.

According to Psychology Today, participants often feel a greater sense of community, contribution, camaraderie, and a sense of purpose through volunteering. Volunteers are happier and healthier than non-volunteers. In fact, later in life, volunteering is even more beneficial for one’s health than exercising and eating well. Older people who volunteer remain physically functional longer, have more robust psychological well-being, and live longer. However, older people who volunteer are almost always people who volunteered earlier in life. Health and longevity gains from volunteering come from establishing meaningful volunteer roles before you retire and continuing to volunteer once you arrive in your post-retirement years.

The very nature of volunteering means choosing to work without being paid for it. As a result, volunteers are most successful when they spend their time on issues they feel strongly about. If you are greatly concerned about the treatment and well-being of animals, for example, volunteering at an animal shelter will help you address a social problem that is meaningful to you.

“If you aren’t currently volunteering—three out of four of us aren’t—there are many online resources to help you find an opportunity,” says Dawn Carr, MGS, PhD, who studies factors that bolster older adults’ ability to remain healthy and active as long as possible. “Committing even as little as one hour a week can have a profound benefit on your own life, and the organizations that rely on such help will be able to thrive….You’ll get more back than you ever imagined.”

Franz has seen firsthand the benefits of volunteering and the bonds it can create. He says he’s had volunteers who have met and married or found new jobs as a result of their service. Other volunteers also attest to the personal benefit and value of giving back.

Mental health advocate Melony Hill benefited from the resources provided from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and offered to be a volunteer. She has since been trained to present on behalf of the organization, sharing her story at schools and the like throughout the region and advocating for mental health awareness on Capitol Hill.

“I had such an amazing experience with NAMI that I said, ‘I have to get more involved,’” says Hill. “It’s a place where I can be of value to the organization and to my people [who struggle with mental health].”

Hill has since started her own company called Stronger Than My Struggles and published nine books to share her story and help end the stigma attached to mental illness.

“I have witnessed firsthand individuals approaching our volunteers and telling them that by sharing their story they saved that individual’s life,” says Kerry Graves, executive director of NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore. That sort of feedback is pretty common, she adds. Graves says that, from what she’s heard, NAMI volunteers are directly responsible for more students in schools seeking counseling services, more police officers meeting community members in crisis with empathy rather than handcuffs, more patients in inpatient settings feeling hopeful about the road ahead, and more family members learning how to support their struggling loved ones.

“Our volunteers are changing lives, changing communities,” says Graves. “And that is priceless.”

Gilda Gordon, a retiree, is another volunteer who agrees she’s not sure who benefits the most—the organizations she serves or herself. Gordon volunteers at Weekend Backpacks, a group that bags food to be delivered to schools for children in need. But it’s her work at Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital (MWPH) that truly fulfills her. She and a friend volunteer twice a week at MWPH where they are “cuddlers” who spend time with ill and distressed infants. Touch is therapeautic for us all, no matter our age. This service helps when parents aren’t always physically available to constantly be with their newborn at such a vulnerable time.

“It’s such a wonderful experience,” Gordon says. “I think we enjoy it more than [the infants] do. When you pick them up and they look at you, you know you’re giving them the life they need. I’d love to take all those babies home, but my husband says no,” she says with a laugh.

It’s no surprise that Gordon and others get a lift out of their volunteer experience. WebMD states that for the 26 percent of adults in the United States who volunteer, one of the biggest benefits is that the more you do it, the happier you become. In fact, studies show that people who start with lower levels of well-being may get an even bigger boost in happiness from volunteering.

Franz sees this joy play out routinely at VU and invites any and all to sign up to volunteer through his organization.

“We love Baltimore,” Franz says, “and we exist to help create a better Baltimore. We think that the best way to accomplish that is to build the best volunteer experience possible. When the volunteers are taken care of, they take care of the nonprofits we serve. When [they’re] inspired by the impact they are having, they want to come back to volunteer with us or with our partner nonprofits, and they are more deeply connected to Baltimore.”

Volunteering Untapped Fake Wedding
Feb. 23. The Baltimore Museum of Industry. 7 p.m. Prices Vary. On a Saturday night last February, John Magiros jumped in front of a crowd of dressed-to-the-nines party-goers at the Baltimore Museum of Industry and called out, “Who’s single and wants to get married tonight?” Magiros then ushered two volunteers forward, gave the “groom” a top hat and the “bride” a veil, and “married” them using Mad Lib-style wedding vows in front of hundreds of strangers. And while the wedding was fake, the mission of the party—to support the local nonprofit network Volunteering Untapped—was very real. At this year’s Black Tie Baltimore Fake Wedding on February 23, the VU leadership team including Jeremy Raichle, Teddy Davidson, Brittany Fowler, and Magiros, will cut out the obligations of attending a wedding—no presents or plus-ones required—while keeping the drinks flowing all night. “It’s all the fun of a wedding with none of the commitment,” says Magiros. “What more could you ask for?”

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Grateful Dead Tribute for Kids
Feb. 2. 800 Key Hwy. 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Free-$50. Deadheads, rejoice! If you’ve been looking for a way to introduce your kids to the mother of all jam bands, you’re in luck: the American Visionary Art Museum and local radio station WTMD are hosting a Saturday morning celebration of all things Grateful Dead. Local cover act Ed Hough’s Dead Collective will perform kid-oriented favorites in the museum’s banquet hall, with plenty of snacks, drinks, and art to go around.

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Jim Gaffigan
Feb. 7-8. 140 W. Mt Royal Ave. 7 p.m. $35.25-204. Whether it’s in his scene-stealing TV roles, his bestselling books, or his four Grammy-nominated comedy albums, Jim Gaffigan always manages to earn a laugh. The family-friendly comic, who launched his Quality Time tour in January, is known for finding humor in the mundane, such as doctor visits, food, and fatherhood. Get your tickets quickly—his show is almost guaranteed to sell out.

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Lunar New Year Celebration
Feb. 10. 600 N. Charles St. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Across Asian cultures, the lunar new year marks the beginning of a new calendar year. To ring in the Year of the Pig, the Walters Art Museum is throwing a free, family-oriented celebration in their sprawling Mt. Vernon complex. Visitors of all ages can explore the museum’s expansive and much-lauded Arts of Asia exhibition, followed by a chance to create their own Asian-inspired works. Make sure to catch the traditional lion dance performance, which is believed to bring good luck in the new year.

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Creature Feature
Feb. 12. The Senator Theatre, 5904 York Rd. 7 p.m. $15-$23. Whether you love them, hate them, or are allergic to them, there’s no denying that animals have a special connection with humans. This month, the Stoop Storytelling Series invites locals to get onstage at the Senator Theatre to share the good, bad, or the ugly about their relationships with four-legged friends (or foes). Get to the theater early to grab a pre-show cocktail and hear live music by (appropriately) Brooks Long and the Mad Dog No Good.

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A Date With John Waters
Feb. 14. 124 Market Place. 8 p.m. $44-110. Perhaps no one embodies the spirit of Charm City more than hometown auteur John Waters. Fresh off of a retrospective at The Baltimore Museum of Art, the beloved director of films such as Pink Flamingos and Hairspray is making Valentine’s Day a little weirder with a monologue about his artistic influences, good taste, and sexual politics. To make date night unforgettable, filth followers can even spring for a meet and greet with the Pope of Trash himself after the show.

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Max’s Belgian Beer Fest
Feb. 15-17. 737 South Broadway. 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Free. According to Lyft, Max’s Taphouse was the most visited bar in Baltimore during 2018, and for a good reason. During this annual beer fest, belly up to the bar and sample a selection of rare European pours that will join the pub’s usual 200-plus bottles and taps for the entire weekend. If you have one dubbel or tripel too many, no worries, the Fells Point favorite will be serving up Belgian-inspired snacks to soak up the suds.

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Charm City Django Jazz Fest
Feb. 22-23. 3134 Eastern Ave. 8 p.m. $25-28. In celebration of this finger-plucking music genre pioneered by Belgian jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt, gypsy jazz musicians from near and far will take over Creative Alliance for two days of blazing guitar runs and jazz heat during this fourth annual jam fest. Revel in the chance to hear the likes of Ellicott City-based wunderkind Samuel Farthing, local jazz group Ultrafaux, and Philly-based accordionist Dallas Vietty and his group Passarinho. creativealliance.org.

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Frozen Harbor Music Festival
Feb. 22-23. Inner Harbor, 34 Market Pl. Prices vary. While most music festivals wait until the warm weather months to host big-name acts and sold-out crowds, the Frozen Harbor Music Festival embraces the cold and parties on anyway. This year, spend the weekend show-hopping to Inner Harbor venues (think Baltimore Soundstage, Rams Head Live!, and Leinenkugel’s Beer Garden) to hear 160 regional and national acts jam out across 10 stages.

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American Craft Show
Feb. 22-24. Baltimore Convention Center, 1 W Pratt St. $5-$50. Times vary. Whether you’re visiting this revered makers festival for an hour or for the entire weekend, the American Craft Show is guaranteed to have something for everyone. The three-day downtown event, which features work by artisans from near and far, hosts wares such as jewelry, ceramics, and furniture at every price point. Be sure to stop by one-of-a-kind booths like Tristan Sopp’s, where you can buy DIY folded-paper animals, and Marc Tickle’s, which features handmade kaleidoscopes.

Five things to eat, drink, see, hear, and do with your Charm City weekend.

 EAT

Feb. 24: Taste Baltimore 3

The Motor House, 120 W. North Ave. 12-4 p.m. $20. 410-637-8300.

Three years ago, Chef Catina Smith of Magdalena Restaurant felt inspired by Baltimore’s small-batch food businesses and decided to create a mini food emporium to highlight local chefs and food professionals. Now in its third installment, Taste Baltimore is back with 15 food vendors, cooking demos by culinary instructor Chef Egg, and live music. Munch on samples from local favorites like The Elephant, new foodies like Wilde Thyme and Sporty Dog Creations, and watch chefs whip up tasty dishes with mystery ingredients in a Chopped-style competition.

 DRINK

Feb. 24: The Big Lebowski Viewing and Costume Party

Waverly Brewing Company, 1625 Union Ave. 7 p.m. Free. 443-438-5765. 

This weekend, the Dude abides in Hampden-Woodberry. On Saturday, the Waverly Brewing starts a new tradition with a screening of the 1998 cult classic comedy, The Big Lebowski. Prepare your one-liners and bowling references, then raid your closet for the perfect costume to channel your inner Dude, Donny, or Walter. Think bathrobes, amber-tinged sunglasses, and Viking helmets, as the best dressed guests can win bar tabs and brewery gift cards. 

 SEE

Feb. 23-25: American Craft Council Show

Baltimore Convention Center, 1 W. Pratt St. Fri. 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. $14-34. 612-206-3100.

Take cover from the rain this weekend and surround yourself with all things bright and shiny. During this three-day indoor craft extravaganza, browse unique wares from more than 650 contemporary American artists, including Baltimore makers like Ronni Aronin’s ceramics, Tigerlillyshop’s fun jewelry, and Erin Draper’s yoga wear. While there’s enough handmade home décor, furniture, accessories, and toys to keep you entertained for hours, don’t miss out on specialty pop-up booths featuring wearable art, interior designs, hands-on activities, and even handcrafted whisky tastings.

 HEAR

Feb. 23: Surf Harp

The Windup Space, 12 W. North Ave. 8 p.m. $8. 410-244-8855. 

When Surf Harp popped up on our radar back in 2016 with its first full-length album, Peel, we were immediately captivated by the vibrant, rollicking sound. This Friday, the indie quintet will release its second album, Mr. Big Picture, and perform the brand-new record—a rambunctious feat that channels the very best of ’80s New Wave and post-punk with a Damn The Man mentality— in its entirety with soon-to-be-favorites like “D.I. Cig” and “I Lost You.” Guest musicians will perform as well, including fellow local talents Chiffon and Jacober, as well as New York regulars Operator Music Band and Zula. Grab a 12-inch vinyl, featuring a snazzy screen-printed cover by illustrator George Wylesol, to listen on repeat.

 DO

Feb. 24: Black Tie Baltimore’s Fake Wedding

Baltimore Museum of Industry, 1415 Key Hwy. 7 p.m. $95-120. 410-727-4808. 

Let’s skip the whole “I do” part and go straight to the reception. At this fake wedding to support the volunteer-and-day-drink nonprofit, Volunteer Untapped, don your best formal attire and spend a lively evening sipping drinks from the open bar, noshing on hors d’oeuvres by Sascha’s Catering, and grooving to live music from Moonshine. And of course, as always, this is all for a good cause, so don’t miss out on the Charity Tinder booth, where you can swipe right to meet local philanthropic partners and get involved with their efforts.

On a chilly Saturday afternoon, hundreds of 20- and 30-somethings are taking a load off with pints of beer and slices of pizza at Peabody Heights Brewery near Waverly. Holiday-sweatered and rosy-cheeked, they all carry a glow about them, which makes sense, since they just finished a morning of do-gooding at The Salvation Army as part of Volunteering Untapped (VU).

“It’s a pretty fantastic concept,” says volunteer Matthew Riggin. “You get to connect with a new nonprofit every month, help out the city, and meet a ton of great folks. Not to mention the beer is pretty good.”

Whether its members are planting trees and rain gardens, cleaning up parks and playgrounds, or playing with city youth, VU is a volunteer-based nonprofit that hosts monthly events across the city. But unlike other programs, the key to VU’s success is that it mixes the civic with the social by hosting after-parties at local bars and breweries.

“We’re trying to create an opportunity for people to connect not just with local nonprofits but like-minded peers,” says board chair Teddy Davidson. “It’s a great opportunity for them to talk and network, while doing good for Baltimore.” Adds Seth Franz, founder and executive director. “We want to change the way young people think about volunteering. We want to be a launch pad for lifelong civic engagement.”

In three years, VU has drawn thousands of volunteers to dozens of organizations like the Baltimore Community ToolBank, Blue Water Baltimore, Habitat for Humanity, and Moveable Feast. To date, they have planted 500 trees, removed more than 50,000 pounds of trash, and dedicated 10,000-plus hours of community service in Baltimore. Their free events sell out in minutes, and not just because of the booze.

“I met some of my best friends here,” says volunteer Alexis Blair. “It’s easy to make strong relationships. That’s what keeps people coming back.”

Don’t miss VU’s anniversary event at Columbus Center on February 11 with Rep. Elijah Cummings.

Supposedly we are the “selfish generation,” but you wouldn’t have known it this past Saturday at the Salvation Army near Hampden, as a group of more than 50 twenty-somethings scrambled around the warehouse trying to find the perfect Easy Bake Oven or Razor scooter to fill boxes for families in need.

Ugly sweaters abounded, Mariah Carey Christmas music blasted out of a stereo, and everyone’s energy (in part because of the Dunkin’ Donuts coffee) was on high.

This was just the latest event put on by Volunteering Untapped (VU), an organization that sends volunteers to an area nonprofit on the second Saturday of every month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. before an afternoon at a local brewery or bar. The idea is to make volunteering fun and accessible—and nothing does that quite like throwing some booze into the mix.

“I recognized that young professionals around Baltimore wanted to get involved in their community, but didn’t know how,” says VU founder Seth Franz, 31, a Federal Hill resident. “I wanted to make it as easy as possible for people to give back. But we hope this also encourages volunteering outside of the program. That is at the core of our mission.”

Counting our Salvation Army excursion, VU has put on 11 events and tallied up 875 hours of community service since its inception in February. The nonprofit has worked with organizations like Habitat For Humanity, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Maryland Food Bank, and Village Learning Place.

And then there’s the second half of the events, of course, where volunteers network at a local watering hole. This past Saturday, while still dressed in holiday garb, we found ourselves belly up at the bar in Union Craft Brewing‘s taproom. We imbibed in delicious pints of Snow Pants Oatmeal Stout and partook in hourly brewery tours. All the while, The Green Bowl food truck was parked outside for necessary sustenance. (Few things hit the spot after a couple of strong beers quite like a pork-and-Sriracha-riddled rice bowl.)

“Young professionals are looking for a way to meet people without having to play kickball,” Franz says. “And if you give three hours of your time on a Saturday morning to make your community better, you deserve a beer.”

Still in its first year, participation increases with every event that VU puts on. Keep a look out for upcoming ones, like mosaic making at Art With a Heart in January, a neighborhood cleanup in Oliver in March, and an event with Blue Water Baltimore in April.