Volunteer Opportunities

Hello Friends,

As volunteers, you are the very Heart & Soul of this community.

Volunteers at the Senior Center provide 65% of the labor required to run the Center and they give over 45,000 hours of service to the community. It is impossible to completely understand the enormity of this gift. The blessing is that those who give also receive. Clinical studies have shown that seniors who volunteer are happier, have an increased sense of well-being, enjoy broader social networks, and live longer!

To find your volunteer niche, call LaDelle Holland at 974-7756 or .

Sunday Afternoon  2:00 - 6:00 p. m. & Evening Shift Volunteers, 4:30 - 8:30 p.m.

You’re invited to join in the Sunday and "evening fun" at the Senior Center! Please consider volunteering as a Customer Service Rep at the Front Desk. Volunteer shifts are Sunday 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. or  Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays from 4:30 – 8:30 p.m. Contact LaDelle Holland at 974-7756 or  to learn more about these exciting volunteer positions.

Computer Skills = Volunteer Opportunities:

Share your skill! The Computer Center is a valuable resource for members. The Center could use some volunteers who would like to help others learn more about computers. We do one-on-one mentoring by appointment. So any help you could give would be in the Computer Center at a mutually agreed time with the person needing help. Only basic computer skills are needed by those who would like to help. Contact Dawn Schultz at 974-1956 or go to the Computer Users Group web page to learn more.

Special Event Assistant:

 Attention friendly, outgoing host or hostess with creative spark and computer skills. We would love to have you volunteer as our Special Event Assistant helping to plan, coordinate, and implement a variety of special events throughout the year at the Center. You’ll work with a caterer to plan menus. You’ll create flyers and postcards announcing events. And you’ll work side-by-side a staff member to host these events. Contact LaDelle Holland, Coordinator of Volunteer Resources, at 974-7756 to volunteer today.

Development Acknowledgement Coordinator:

If you like to thank people for their generosity and interest in the Center, please consider volunteering for one of the most important roles in the Development Office as our Development Acknowledgement Coordinator. You’ll handwrite thank you notes as well as create letters using the computer and mail merge function. This is a three-month, two-hour per week commitment. Contact Sarah Althoff, Deputy Director, at 974-7756 to learn more.

Do you enjoy using a computer to design print materials?

Are you creative? Do you enjoy using a computer to design print materials? Need flexibility in your volunteer commitment? We would like you to share your talent with us! We are seeking someone (or two) to create & design flyers for our upcoming programs as well as other marketing pieces such as event tickets. This may be for you! You may set your own schedule and may use your personal computer at home or one of ours here at the center. We will provide orientation and training. Please contact LaDelle Holland at 974-7756 or .

Pinkie Puppets & Peter the Bear:

 If you’re looking for fellowship as well as a chance to help children, you might consider joining the Pinkie Puppet volunteers. These senior volunteers meet at the Senior Center on Mondays from 9:00 – 11:30 a.m. in the Craft Room to work together to cut, sew, stuff, and package Pinkie Puppets and cloth bears for distribution at the UVa Hospital. This is a JABA/RSVP program. UVa provides all supplies to the group. Staff representative LaDelle Holland.

Hospice of the Piedmont Bearables Program:

Each Journeys Bearable is as unique and special as the child who receives it.

We are looking for additional volunteer seamstresses to help us make bears for children who have lost a significant person in their lives who was receiving hospice care. All materials are provided by Hospice. Construction of the bears is done year-round at your home. This is a very heartfelt way to make an impact on a child who is grieving. Staff representative LaDelle Holland.

MACAA Head Start Hats & Mittens:

Volunteers knit and crochet hats and mittens using donated yarn and needles/hooks for children ages 3-5 who are in the Head Start Program. Yarn, knitting needles, crochet hooks and patterns are all provided by donations at the Center. Knitting and crocheting is done year-round at your own home on your own schedule. Make five sets or make 50 sets – whatever you have the time and energy to contribute is greatly appreciated. Staff representative LaDelle Holland.

Yard Sale Volunteers:

Get involved in our Fall Yard Sale to directly help support programming at the Senior Center! Volunteers help with set-up, watch the sale floor, cashier, bag purchases, carry out purchases plus more. It’s a great way to meet people, do some good work, and have fun.  Contact Ladelle Holland to sign up.

Lawn Care Crew Volunteers:

Miss cutting the grass? Like making sure the Center looks its finest? Then we have the job for you! The Senior Center is currently seeking volunteers to be part of our lawn care crew. The team needs people to mow and trim working on a rotating schedule. We have a push mower and a string line trimmer on site. Interested in helping with this cosmetic, but necessary task? Contact Donald at 974-7756 or .

Virginia Discovery Museum Volunteers

Enthusiastic and caring volunteers are needed for 2 to 3 hours a week at our hands-on children's Museum located at the east end of the Downtown Mall. Front desk volunteers greet visitors, collect admission fees, sign up new members, and distribute information. Gallery volunteers interact with our visitors, help children explore the Museum, and maintain exhibits. Exhibit volunteers construct and paint future exhibits. We provide training, free parking, and free Museum passes. Please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at 434-977-1025, ext. 9 or at vol@vadm.org for more information or to schedule an interview and tour.

American Red Cross Volunteer

The American Red Cross has an urgent need for a friendly and attentive volunteer who will meet, greet and converse with blood donors, and also serve refreshments in their canteen and schedule for the donor their next donation date. They have a regular time slot available every Friday from 8:00 am – 1:30 pm. Training is provided in how to greet the public. Contact Doug Horwitz at the Red Cross at 434-295-LIFE.

Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels is currently seeking volunteers who can deliver hot lunchtime meals to our homebound neighbors on a once a week basis. Volunteer Drivers should be available from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm on the weekday they choose to volunteer. Training is minimal and can included delivering with another driver until one feels comfortable with the route. Please call Meals on Wheels at 293-4364. Just one hour per week of your time can make a big difference in someone’s life.

SENIORS ON THE MOVE!

You are one person, but you can move a nation. Help the Alzheimer’s Association put an end to Alzheimer’s disease by participating in the 2009 Charlottesville Memory Walk. Join the Senior Center Team and walk with a purpose to end Alzheimer’s. Contact LaDelle Holland, 434-974-7756 or

The Alzheimer’s Association’s annual Memory Walk® will take place on September 26 at the Doubletree Hotel in Albemarle County. Nearly 1,000 people from Charlottesville and surrounding counties are expected to participate in this year’s event to raise awareness and funds to fight the disease.

The Alzheimer’s Association’s Memory Walk, nationally presented by Genworth Financial, is the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer care, support and research programs. Held annually in hundreds of communities across the country, this inspiring event calls on volunteers of all ages to become champions in the fight against Alzheimer’s. Champions include those living with the disease, families, caregivers, and corporate and community leaders, who actively support Memory Walk in our community. Participants in Memory Walks across the United States have raised more than $300 million.

Piedmont CASA Volunteers:

Piedmont Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is looking for caring, motivated, and objective individuals who are committed to helping abused and neglected children. CASA volunteers conduct an independent investigation to understand the child's circumstances, report to the court, and monitor the case to assure the child receives needed services and remains safe. No legal background or special experience required. Training is provided. For more information, call Piedmont CASA at 971-7515 or email: pfpcasa@embarqmail.com.

Charlottesville/Albemarle SPCA:

The Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA at 3355 Berkmar Drive is always looking for volunteers. We have opportunities to work directly with the animals or in our offices. You could also volunteer at our Rummage Store location, Purrin at Pantops or PetSmart. Please visit our website or contact our Volunteer Coordinator at 434-964-3330 for more information. Thanks for thinking of the animals.

Abundant Life Ministries:

Abundant Life Ministries is looking for patient, understanding, encouraging seniors to serve as volunteer tutors for students in grades 1 – 12. If you are interested in making a difference in a child’s life, contact Rebecca Goodwin at 970-2077 to learn how you can help.

JABA - Friends in School:

JABA is looking for kid-friendly volunteers to serve as Friends in Schools...Helping otherwise known as FISH. There are many volunteer positions to choose from: Greeter, ESL Tutor, Storyteller, Reading Partner, Gardener, Speaker, Lunch Buddy, Class Assistant, Office Assistant or Library Helper. If you’re interested in volunteering or just want to learn more about the FISH program, contact Tom Gillette at 817-5245 or Patricia Hudson at 817-5229. Be a positive influence on children in our area schools today!

Habitat for Humanity is seeking volunteers for the midweek crew

Habitat for Humanity is seeking volunteers for the midweek crew that works Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. The summer hours are 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. You can volunteer as frequently as you wish. Midweek crew members are involved in a variety of tasks--plumbing, wiring, building porches, framing the house, etc. No experience is necessary; all are welcome to participate. Interested people should contact Jesse Straight at 293-9066.

Volunteers are needed at the Habitat Store to staff the volunteer positions

Looking for a way to make a difference in your community?

The Habitat Store needs volunteers to help with customer service and processing donations.

The Store sells new and used building materials donated by the local community.
All proceeds go towards the construction of Habitat for Humanity homes in the
Charlottesville area.

Our volunteers are integral to the Store's success and we offer a fun, friendly work
environment.

Contact Carla at 293-6331 or E-Mail Carla for more info.
 

Cashier: This position handles sales transactions, answers the phone, and provides general assistance to customers. You should have strong math and customer service skills, a belief in the Store's mission and a desire to brighten peoples' day.

Sales Associate: This position greets customers as they arrive, directs them around the store and answers questions about our inventory. You should have strong math and customer service skills, a general knowledge of building materials and the ability to lift 25-50 lbs. on a consistent basis.

Recycling Coordinator: This position organizes and transports the Store's recycling (mostly cardboard) to the McIntire Recycling Center once a week. You should have an understanding of the recycle process and be at least 21 years old with a clean driving record.

Enrichment Alliance of Virginia

Mentors and other volunteers are needed to assist with an after school enrichment program that meets at Summit House on Rugby Rd. in Charlottesville. This program is inclusive, which means we strive to provide reasonable accommodations for children with special needs. Your support will help us meet this goal. Mentors will assist with pairs of children on Monday afternoons from 3:00 to 5.30. At least one child in each pair will have some disabilities and will need support to have a successful experience in enrichment programs. Mentors will be trained to assist children with activities that are hard for them, such as cutting, and to help them stay focused and on task. As our program expands, mentors may also assist children in other after school programs. Mentors need to be patient and good with children, especially children with special needs such as attention deficit disorder and severe learning disabilities. Mentors may commit to one or more five to six week sessions. The first session begins November 20th. If you have professional experiences directly related to special needs children, such as special education, speech, occupational therapy, or psychology, there may be other opportunities as well as mentoring. Please call Mary Anna Dunn at (434) 823-9100. For more information, visit our website: www.enrichva.org/ and click on Project Access and Enrichment Place links.

Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society

The Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society is in need of reception desk volunteers, Spirit Walk guides, and a head costumer for the Spirit Walk. Interested volunteers should contact us at 434-296-1492. We are located at 200 2nd St. NE, right across the street from a bus stop. We also validate parking for 2hrs at the Water St. garage.
 

The Shelter for Help in Emergency

The Shelter for Help in Emergency is looking for daytime and evening volunteers to help at the shelter with everything from answering the hotline, helping with children’s activities, assisting the women with appointments and job searching to organizing donations and helping with the recycling program. Currently, daytime help is most needed and the hours are flexible. Training will take place two days a week from 9am-12pm for 3 weeks; dates will be set once interest is gauged.

Please contact the volunteer coordinator, Robin Goldstein, if you are interested at 434-963-4676, Ext.5. Please specify that you are interested in daytime training.

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