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"The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention." - Oscar Wilde
Why Volunteer at Community Caregivers?
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"I really appreciate that you can work at your own pace. They call you to see if you can take any clients for the next week. You take it if you can and you don't take it if you can't; there's no guilt. I appreciate the flexibility with this kind of volunteer service."
"The relationship I form with the clients is the real reward. The people are delightful and very, very, appreciative and that makes me feel good." - Nancy McCaffrey, Volunteer
"Like so many members of the 'care giving generation,' I found all my vacation time was going to taking my mom to her doctors' appointments rather than actually taking vacation. I noticed that the need [for transportation] was great, not only for the patients but also for those taking care of them."
"Getting to know the clients is the best part. We definitely form bonds with them."
- Linda Chaffee, Volunteer |
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Ways to volunteer
Become a volunteer
Our volunteers have expressed many different reasons for working with Community Caregivers. In general, they all recognize that giving time to others increases wellbeing and a builds sense of community, and allows everyone to fare better than if each of us had to manage alone.
You may recognize yourself in one of the statements below, or you may have your own reasons for wanting to help out:
- “People helped me so much when my loved one was ill. I want to do the same for somebody else."
- “I like a sense of belonging in the community.”
- “I can’t get out of the house, but I can call someone on the phone. I feel good knowing that I can be of use.”
- “My loved one lives out of town. I can’t be there, but I can help people here.”
- “In my retirement, I want to do something that makes a real difference.”
- “I want to teach my kids about helping others by doing something as a family.”
- “Volunteering is a way to put my faith into action.”
- “Volunteering allows me to meet new people.”
Flexibility
Practically speaking, there is a great deal of flexibility available to Community Caregivers volunteers. They serve clients at their own convenience, and they can specify their own assignment frequency and the amount of time they wish to contribute.
Some volunteers request a regular, repeating assignment. Others want to serve as needed with a variety of clients and tasks. Community Caregivers honors all requests for “time off,” and volunteers are welcomed back whenever they’re ready to help again.
No Guilt
Community Caregivers is a “no guilt” organization. If you are unable to fill a service request, feel free to say “no” and we’ll try you at another time.
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"Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart." - Elizabeth Andrew
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"Volunteering at Community Caregivers has given my retired life greater purpose. It is a chance for me to give back to the community where my children grew up."
"I have most enjoyed the interaction with my transportation clients as I visit with them one-on-one on the way to their destinations."
"I have also enjoyed and learned from my experience as a Navigator volunteer, which involves helping a patient transition from the hospital to a home environment. The purpose is to help the patient stay out of the hospital."
"One of my greatest pleasures has been working on a Caregivers committee and with the staff. The experience has been positive in every way."
- Carolyn Wilson, Volunteer
"Although you generally do not know why a client needs transportation and what a particular client is coping with at the time, it always amazes me how gracious and grateful each client is for a simple ride. It is a privilege to be part of your neighbor's life in their time of need."
- Judith Lenihan, Volunteer |
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Ways to Volunteer
Special Volunteer Opportunities
Learn about becoming a Community Supports Navigator volunteer
Community Caregivers volunteers can choose the type of service that interests them the most. Those who want to provide direct assistance to clients can choose one or more of the following activities:
- Visitation
- Transportation
- Respite for caregivers
- Shopping from a list
- Escorting a client to shop
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- Prescription pickup
- Telephone assurance
- Assistance with paperwork
- Light housekeeping/chores
- Meal preparation/delivery |
In addition to client service, volunteers can serve administrative functions such as:
- Office assistant, one morning or afternoon per week
- Volunteer coordinator, matching volunteers with clients to fill service requests
- Committee member (see Committee descriptions)
- Assistant for fundraising events such as our Gala or Golf outing
To find out more about the responsibilities associated with specific activities, click on the volunteer types listed below. You’ll need to download a free PDF reader to view these “job descriptions,” if you don’t already have one installed on your computer.
Caregiver Respite Volunteer
Volunteer Coordinator
Light Housekeeping Volunteer
Meal Preparation Volunteer
Office Volunteer
Shopping Assistant
Transportation Volunteer
Visitation/Telephone Assurance Volunteer
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"The purpose of life is not to be happy, but to matter, to be productive, to be useful,
to have it make
some difference that you have lived at all." - Leo Rosten
Become a Volunteer
If you’d like to become a Community Caregivers volunteer, just call our office at 456-2898 or send us an email expressing your interest and providing us with complete address, phone and email information. We’ll send you a packet containing an application form and further instructions. If you’re anxious to get started, go ahead and fill out our Volunteer Data Sheet and get ahead of the game!
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