Columbia Opportunity Resource

Activate at Steel Hands
2024-09-17 17:30 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | Steel Hands Brewing, 2350 Foreman Street, Cayce, SC, 29033, United States
Join us for an after work happy hour at Steel Hands Brewing. Activate is an open opportunity for networking across the Columbia region for all ages and professions. Attendance is FREE and open to the public! Register below.

Fill out my LGL Form!

COR Connections: Hop into Preservation @ the Hangar
2024-10-16 17:30 - 19:30 | Hunter Gatherer at the Hangar, 1402 Jim Hamilton Blvd, Columbia, SC, 29205, United States
Join us at Hunter-Gatherer Brewery at the Hangar as we Hop into Preservation, an evening of networking, local hops, and history. Connect with John Sherrer, Director of Preservation at Historic Columbia, as he shares insights into the importance of preservation in our community and Columbia’s unique heritage. This members-only event is a perfect blend of hometown brews and meaningful conversations about our city’s past and future.
COR members can register using the form below.

About John:
A Columbia native, author, and historian, John Sherrer has worked at Historic Columbia since 1996. As Director of Preservation, John heads the organization’s historic preservation advocacy efforts involving research and programming, management of a 15-property easement portfolio, and historic tax credit fee-for-service projects. John holds degrees from Clemson (BA, MA: English) and the University of South Carolina (MA: Public History) and management certificates from McKissick Museum and the Southeastern Museum Conference’s Jekyll Island Management Institute. John has served on the boards of the Columbia Development Corporation, the Columbia Design League, and the South Carolina Federation of Museums. A Leadership Columbia Class of 2014 alumna, John was a 2023 Ambassador for ExperienceColumbiaSC.

Fill out my LGL Form!

Volunteer: SC Pride
2024-10-18 08:00 - 2024-10-19 23:00 | SC
Join us for SC Pride volunteering on October 18-19 in downtown Columbia. Shifts are available Friday and Saturday morning, afternoon, evening, and late night. Help out with roles like parade assistance, stage attendant, beverage tent, vendor assistance, VIP attendant, event set up, and clean up. Volunteers get a festival t-shirt, access to a break room with water and snacks, and the chance to make a real impact.

When signing up, be sure to note Columbia Opportunity Resource (COR) as your group organization! Pick a shift HERE.

Table for Six: Leaders in Sports & Recreation
2024-11-07 17:30 - 20:30 | 701 Whaley, 701 Whaley Street, Columbia, SC, United States
Join us in the Olympia Room at 701 Whaley for the upcoming Table for Six dinner, featuring influential leaders in Sports and Recreation from across the Midlands. This is your chance to connect with key figures in the industry and engage in meaningful conversations. This event will sell out!
Tickets are on sale now for an evening of conversation with the women and men in recreation from across the Columbia region over dinner and drinks. Happy hour will begin at 5:30pm, with dinner beginning at 6:30pm. Tickets include dinner + two drinks.

GET TICKETS & SECURE YOUR SEAT

Interested in sponsoring Table for Six? We still have exciting sponsorship opportunities available! Click here to view our sponsorship opportunities and reach out to us at info@ourcor.org for more details.

Volunteer: AbleSC Fundable Gala
2024-11-15 17:45 - 21:30 | Central Energy, 2030 Gregg Street, Columbia, SC, United States
Join us on Friday, November 15th, for the AbleSC Fundable Gala, and help make it a night to remember! We’re looking for COR volunteers to assist with key roles such as door greeting, registration, working at the photo booth, wine wall, and selling raffle tickets. Shifts will run from 5:45 PM to 9:30 PM and can be divided into shifts depending on availability. Choose your shift HERE.

COR Connections: Grinch & Gift Wrapping Party
2024-12-04 18:30 - 20:00 | Piecewise Coffee Co., 2001 State St, Cayce, 29033, United States
Join us for our annual gift wrapping party at Piecewise in Cayce in partnership with Richland County Economic Development. We’ll be filled with holiday cheer as we wrap gifts for our two adopted families through Families Helping Families with special guest, the Grinch! This is a members-only event.

Purchase gifts for our families at their dedicated Amazon registries:

Family 501

Family 986

Fill out my LGL Form!

Activate @ Steel Hands Distilling - Vista
2025-02-18 18:00 - 20:00 | Steel Hands Vista Distilling and Brewing, 705 Gervais St, Ste A, Columbia, SC, 29201, United States
Join us for an after work happy hour at Steel Hands Distilling on Gervais St. Get connected with COR as we kick off the new year with our first Activate! Activate is an open opportunity for networking across the Columbia region for all ages and professions. Register below. Event sponsored by Nucor Building Systems.
Fill out my LGL Form!

Volunteer: Mardi Gras
2025-03-01 10:00 - 18:00 | City Roots, 1005 Airport Blvd, Columbia, SC, 29205, United States
Each year the Benevolent Krewe de Columbia-Ya-Yas throw a Mardi Gras Festival at City Roots Farm in Columbia, SC. COR receives $1 for every beer purchase, so stop by and show your support. Each volunteer will get free admission to the festival and 2 beer tokens. We encourage you to come to the festival before your shift or stay after! Help COR fill the most volunteer spots, HERE.

Volunteer: Cottontown Art Crawl
2025-03-08 10:00 - 16:00 | Cottontown/Bellevue Historic District, 1402 Confederate Ave, Columbia, SC, 29201, United States
Join COR at the Cottontown Art Crawl! Help collect visitor insights during 2-hour shifts. You’ll ask simple questions and gather data from art crawl goers. Be part of an event that’s grown from 19 to nearly 200 artists in seven years. Volunteer and support our vibrant art community HERE.

Volunteer: St. Pat's in Five Points
2025-03-12 06:00 - 2025-03-16 19:00 | Harden St
It’s a lucky day to volunteer at St. Pat’s in Five Points! Volunteers will receive complimentary admission to the festival and a festival t-shirt. Don’t forget to add Columbia Opportunity Resource in the “Group or Organization Name” field. Sign up HERE.

Volunteer: Capture Columbia
2025-03-26 17:00 - 2025-04-23 20:00 | SC
Looking to make a difference and connect with Columbia’s future leaders? COR is looking for volunteers for the Capture Columbia program! Help with set-up and clean-up, assist students during events, and create lasting connections while making a positive impact. This is a great opportunity to support local students, recent graduates, and summer associates while they explore the Columbia community and build relationships that can shape their future careers. Sign up HERE.

Capture Columbia
2025-03-26 17:30 - 2025-04-23 19:30 | SC
Capture Columbia is a program designed for college students, summer associates at companies, and recent graduates in the Columbia area to take a deep dive into the community while building personal and professional relationships that may help land jobs and build careers. Best of all– Capture Columbia is completely FREE.

REGISTER HERE

COR Connections @ Hazelwood Brewing
2025-04-01 18:00 - 20:00 | Hazelwood Brewing Company, 711 E Main St, Lexington, SC, 29072, United States
Meet us at Hazelwood Brewing Company in Lexington for an evening of networking, refreshments and an opportunity to connect with Jack Stuart, Economic Developer with the Town of Lexington. This event is free for active COR members OR $15 at the door. Members register below.
About Jack:
Jack Stuart is passionate about building a stronger, more vibrant Lexington, SC by attracting great businesses and improving quality of life. Focused on business recruitment, community development, and strategic growth, Jack works to fill market gaps, support small businesses, and make it easier for companies to thrive in the Town.
Beyond business attraction, Jack is committed to placemaking—creating spaces and opportunities that make Lexington not only a great place to live, but to work, shop, eat, and visit. Whether it’s refining policies, strengthening Main Street, or leading initiatives like ShopLexSC and DineLexSC, Jack is dedicated to shaping a Town where businesses succeed, and people want to raise a family.

Fill out my LGL Form!

Volunteer: Vista Alley Golf Fundraiser
2025-04-12 12:00 - 18:00 | Vista Alley, 711-819 Gervais St, Columbia, SC, 29201, United States
The Vista Neighborhood Association (VNA) and the Vista Guild (VG) are hosting the 3rd Annual Alley Golf Tournament in the Vista on Saturday, April 12, 2025, from 12pm to 6pm. As a volunteer, guide participants at mini-golf holes, explain rules, and track player’s scores. Volunteers are allowed to order food and beverage during your shift. You can even participate in the event after your shift is completed. All proceeds go towards VNA Beautification Committee to help fund arts projects in the Vista. Sign up HERE.

Table for Six: Midlands Media Personalities
2025-04-17 17:30 - 20:30 | Girl Scouts of South Carolina, 1107 Williams St,, Columbia, SC, 29201, United States
Join us for the upcoming Table for Six dinner, spotlighting the most influential voices from across the Midlands. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with key figures shaping the local media landscape and engage in meaningful conversations. This event will sell out!

BUY TICKETS

Table Hosts:
Ashley Jones – Reporter/Anchor, WIS
Brian McConchie – Anchor/Managing Editor, WACH FOX
Bryn Eddy – Editor, Lexington County Chronicle
Curtis Wilson – Anchor, ABC Columbia; Host, On Patrol: Live; Radio DJ, The Big DM
David Stringer – City Editor, COLAtoday
Dawndy Mercer Plank – Former Anchor, WIS
Hannah Wade – Reporter, The State
Julia Westerman – Sports Anchor/Reporter, WIS
Zoe Nicholson – Senior Features Editor, The Post and Courier and Free Times

Interested in sponsoring Table for Six? We still have exciting sponsorship opportunities available! Click here to view our sponsorship opportunities and reach out to us at info@ourcor.org for more details.

Volunteer: Columbia Food + Wine Festival
2025-04-27 09:00 - 16:00 | SC
Looking for a way to experience the Columbia Food and Wine Festival? Volunteer to help make the festival a success, and in exchange, you’ll get free entry to the event. Volunteers get to enjoy all the delicious food and drinks (minus the alcohol) while helping out. There are limited spots available so join a shift HERE.

Interest Group Meetup: Health & Wellness Club
2025-05-03 10:00 - 12:00 | Chosen Uno Training, 2627 Millwood Ave Suite A2, Columbia, SC, 29205, United States
May Wellness: Spring Forward to a Healthier You
Join us at Chosen Uno Training to get moving, feel energized, and take a step toward your healthiest self this spring!
Stick around after class as we head to get smoothies from Tasty As Fit at 11 AM and enter our RAFFLE for a chance to win a fun wellness prize!
Participation is FREE for active COR members and $15 for non-members. Sign up below. Ready to become a member? Join here.
Fill out my LGL Form!

Interest Group Meetup: Lit-erary Club
2025-05-04 14:00 - 16:00 | All Good Books, 734 Harden St, Columbia, SC, 29205, United States
May Book Madness
Join the Lit-erary Club at All Good Books for a cozy “sip and read” afternoon. Bring your current read or pick up something new in-store. When you RSVP, you’ll be asked to submit a book recommendation—we’ll vote on one to read together and discuss at our next meetup.
Stick around and enter our RAFFLE for a chance to win a prize!
Participation is FREE for active COR members and $15 for non-members. Sign up below. Ready to become a member? Join here.
Fill out my LGL Form!

Activate: Midlands Gives Celebration
2025-05-06 17:00 - 19:00 | Steel Hands Brewing, 2350 Foreman Street, Cayce, SC, 29033, United States
Meet us on the patio at Steel Hands Brewing in Cayce for an evening of giving as we celebrate another year of “connecting Columbia”! Feel free to bring a friend to meet fellow members for networking, refreshments and an opportunity to take a complimentary professional headshot. Let’s work together to reach our donation goal during this Midlands Gives giving challenge! Let us know you’re coming below.
Can’t make our event? Consider giving now or during the Aflac Power Hour from 6:00-6:59 PM to help us win a $2,000 prize bonus.
Event sponsored by Nucor Building Systems.
Fill out my LGL Form!

Vounteer: Upper Deck Golf
2025-05-09 06:30 - 2025-05-11 22:30 | Williams-Brice Stadium, 1125 George Rogers Blvd, Columbia, SC, 29201, United States
Join us for an exciting volunteer opportunity at Williams-Brice Stadium! Volunteers will assist with player check-in, ticket scanning, and challenge stations, ensuring a smooth and fun experience for all participants. As a thank-you, volunteers receive a free round of golf, a volunteer shirt, a food voucher, and free parking—plus, flexible shift options. Be sure to mention COR in the ‘How did you hear about this’ field. Choose your shift HERE.

Volunteer: Camp Cole
2025-05-17 09:00 - 12:00 | Camp Cole, 1571 Crossing Creek Road, Eastover, SC, United States
Looking for a meaningful way to make a difference? Join us for a volunteer opportunity at Camp Cole! As we gear up to welcome campers beginning June 1st, we could use extra hands to help prep Dean’s Barn and the new Southeastern Freight Lines Activities Center. Volunteer tasks include cleaning out animal stalls, power washing, painting structures in the goat area and chicken coops, working in the garden beds, and helping to identify and hang signage. In the Activities Center, we’ll be setting up rooms, moving furniture, stocking shelves, and organizing. It’s a great way to give back and help create a welcoming, fun atmosphere for campers. Sign up HERE.

Volunteer: Columbia Fashion Week's Front Row Brunch
2025-08-10 10:00 - 16:00 | Mansion on Blanding, 1329 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC, 29201, United States
Join COR in helping Columbia Fashion Week make their Front Row Brunch event a success. The Front Row Brunch is a signature lifestyle and networking experience for leaders, creatives, and tastemakers in our community. Volunteers will gain hands-on event experience, network with local business leaders and creatives, and be part of an inspiring afternoon celebrating community and culture, volunteer hours, brand merch and priority volunteer opportunities for future events.
SIGN UP

Volunteer: Free Times Best of Columbia Party
2025-08-16 18:30 | South Carolina State Museum, 301 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC, 29201, United States
Help Free Times make their annual Best of Columbia party a success. All volunteers who sign up for one of these shifts will get free access to the full event, which lasts 7:00 – 11:00 PM. This year’s theme is Y2K: Party Like It’s 1999. Themed attire is highly encouraged. Think late ’90s rave wear, Y2K metallics, or early 2000s throwback fashion. Many shifts available from 6:30 PM to midnight.
SIGN UP

Interest Group Meetup: COR Explore Club
2025-09-11 19:00 - 21:00 | Bierkeller Brewing Company, 600 Canalside St Suite 1009, Columbia, SC, 29201, United States
Join the COR Explore Club for Prost & Points, a trivia night outing at local German Brewery, Bierkeller. We’ll team up, show off our random facts, and enjoy great beer and better company.
Fill out my LGL Form!

Interest Group Meetup: COR Health & Wellness Club
2025-09-13 11:00 - 12:00 | Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park, 312 Laurel St, Columbia, SC, 29201, United States
Get moving with the Health & Wellness Club! Whether you prefer to walk, jog, or run our Riverwalk Revive event is the perfect way to enjoy the outdoors and boost your well-being. After we move, we’ll refuel with tasty snacks and refreshing drinks.
Fill out my LGL Form!

Interest Group Meetup: COR Family Club
2025-09-20 13:00 - 15:00 | Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 1900 Main Street, Columbia, SC, 29201, United States
Join us for a Family Day at the Greek Festival! Enjoy a fun-filled day of music, dancing, delicious food, and activities for all ages at the local Greek Festival in Columbia, SC. It’s the perfect opportunity to connect with other families, experience special traditions and make lasting memories.
Fill out my LGL Form!

Interest Group Meetup: COR Lit-erary Club
2025-09-21 14:00 - 16:00 | All Good Books, 734 Harden St, Columbia, SC, 29205, United States
Join us for Literary Club’s September gathering: As summer winds down, we’ll sip, read and reflect on the nostalgic warmth of One Golden Summer – a story full of heart, change, and the glow of seasons past. We’ll kick things off with our cozy sip & read, followed by a lively book discussion. Stick around as we reveal and vote on next month’s read!
Fill out my LGL Form!

Volunteer: COR 20 Year Celebration
2025-09-25 17:00 - 21:00 | Smoked Patio & Bar, 1643 Main Street, Columbia, SC, 29201, United States
Please help COR make their 20th year anniversary celebration a success! Volunteers will help with checking in and floating around where needed.
SIGN UP

Cheers to 20 Years Cocktail Party
2025-09-25 17:30 - 20:30 | Smoked Patio & Bar, 1643 Main Street, Columbia, SC, 29201, United States
Join us for a special evening as Columbia Opportunity Resource (COR) celebrates its 20th anniversary! We’re marking two decades of connecting, collaborating, and creating impact in the greater Columbia region with a celebratory cocktail party. Expect great company, tasty bites, and a toast to the past, present, and future of COR.
Fill out my LGL Form!

Volunteer: Vista Neighborhood Association's Golftoberfest
2025-09-26 15:00 - 20:15 | Bierkeller Brewing Company, 600 Canalside St Suite 1009, Columbia, SC, 29201, United States
The Vista Neighborhood Association (VNA) and the Vista Guild (VG) are hosting the 1st Annual Golftoberfest – Hole in One Fun and Fundraiser for the Arts. The event has 3 mini golf holes which will be set up at the Bierkeller during Oktoberfest. Players will have a chance to win prizes by putting for a Hole in One! Volunteers are needed to assist at the various holes as well as set up. Sign Up Here
