Summer months see a decrease in senior volunteers. Can you help?
Our local nonprofits depend on senior volunteers. Unfortunately, during the summer months many seniors take vacations or take care of grandchildren while they’re out of school, creating a void in volunteer service. Here is a list of opportunities in our community. Any help that you can offer would be much appreciated.
*The Shepherd’s Center of Greater Winston-Salem needs volunteers to provide transportation for older adults to medical appointments or grocery shopping. Training is provided. For more information, call 336-748-0217.
*Senior Services needs office volunteers to help answer phone calls, assist with mailings, and greet visitors in the reception area of its main location at 2895 Shorefair Drive. Various shifts and time slots are available. Apply online at seniorservicesinc.org/administrative/ or contact Britnee Tellez at 336-721-3411.
*Senior Services is looking for volunteers to deliver Meals-on-Wheels. The routes can be delivered any time between 9:45 a.m. and noon Monday through Friday. Routes take about 90 minutes to deliver. There is a particular need for volunteers on Thursdays and Fridays. Volunteer with a spouse or friend. For more information, call Holly Beck at 336-721-3411, email hbeck@seniorservicesinc.org, or visit www.seniorservicesinc.org.
*Senior Services is looking for caring individuals who have experience working with older adults to volunteer with the Call Connections program. Volunteers will be assigned to a program participant to call on a regular basis and create a meaningful connection through conversation. Apply at seniorservicesinc.org/awp/ or for more information, contact Britnee Tellez at 336-721-3411.
*SECU House needs volunteers, including groups and individuals, to provide meals to families staying at the house while receiving medical treatment. The meals can be dropped off at the house; no volunteers are allowed inside at this time. Having the meals at the house allows the families to avoid going to restaurants or grocery stores. To see a list of available dates and get specific information, go to www.familyhousews.org/serve-a-meal or call Emily Kaartunen at 336-793-2822 or email Emily.kaartunen@familyhousews.org.
*Samaritan Ministries seeks volunteers for several areas, including the kitchen area to package and serve meals for lunch and dinner. The weekday lunch shift for volunteers is from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and the dinner shift is from 3-7 p.m. Volunteers must be age 13 or older. For more information, go to www.samaritan-forsyth.org.
*Piedmont Triad Regional Council Agency on Aging is seeking volunteers to be trained to become a facilitator for their health classes. For more information on volunteer opportunities, contact: Evelyn Smith, 336-904-0300 or email esmith@ptrc.org.
*Piedmont Environmental Alliance (PEA) is looking for marketing professionals, media experts, graphic designers, social media gurus, and other enthusiastic volunteers to join the PEA marketing committee. The committee meets monthly. PEA is also seeking volunteers to join our Community Engagement committee that meets monthly to develop and implement actions that promote environmentally sustainable policies and practices. For more information, visit www.peanc.org/vol.
These are just a few of the organizations that would appreciate your time and talents as they serve our neighbors in need. For additional opportunities, visit www.volunteermatch.org.
