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The following volunteer opportunities are for individuals 18 years and older. To volunteer, use the contact information included in the details for each opportunity. To have your organization listed, visit the United Way of Wyoming Valley’s Volunteer page at www.unitedwaywb.org.
American Red Cross, Wyoming Valley Chapter
Reception Team Members: greet visitors and answer telephones
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays
Contact: Susan Kalkhuis-Beam at 610-865-4400 ext. 219
Special Events: assist with all aspects of coordination of the chapter’s special fundraising events
Hours: various depending on event
Contact: Susan Kalkhuis-Beam at 610-865-4400 ext. 219
Local Disaster Volunteers: assist with disaster response in own community
Hours: various
Contact: Susan Kalkhuis-Beam at 610-865-4400 ext. 219
Office Support/Data Entry: aid the department with various office tasks
Hours: Monday – to Friday; various between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Contact: Susan Kalkhuis-Beam at 610-865-4400 ext. 219
“Be Red Cross Ready” Facilitators: to provide an educational and enjoyable presentation in schools and communities about being prepared for emergencies and how to care for common first aid situations
Hours: various
Contact: Susan Kalkhuis-Beam at 610-865-4400 ext. 219
Health Fairs/Public Awareness Events: assist with Red Cross informational tables at various events throughout the community
Hours: various
Contact: Susan Kalkhuis-Beam at 610-865-4400 ext. 219
American Red Cross Blood Services
Fixed Donor Site Volunteers: volunteer at blood drives at the Blood Center in Hanover Industrial Park. These drives are on a set schedule; same days/times every week. Volunteers can work as greeter, escort or canteen.
Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Tuesday; 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 7:30 a.m. to noon Sunday.
Contact: Susan Kalkhuis-Beam at 610-865-4400 ext. 219Commission on Economic Opportunity
Food Packers: volunteers pack boxes of supplemental food for area low-income seniors.
Hours: Saturdays; flexible shifts between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Contact: Maura Modrovsky at 826-0510
Homework Helpers: help children in grades kindergarten through sixth grades with homework at the Kids Cafe afterschool program. Volunteers may stay and eat dinner from 4:45 to 5:15 p.m.
Hours: Monday to Friday; shifts available 3-4:30 p.m. at the Kids Cafés at Heights-Murray Elementary School and 4:45-5:30 p.m. at Dodson Elementary School
Contact: Maura Modrovsky at 826-0510
Food Pantry Workers: volunteers are needed to greet families upon arriving at the food pantry, complete registration forms for first-timers, and to pack bags of food for distribution.
Hours: Monday and Wednesday 12:30-4 p.m., Friday 8:30 a.m.-noon
Contact: Maura Modrovsky at 826-0510
Community Counseling Services
Senior Peer Counseling Program: volunteers to provide one-to-one supportive counseling to senior citizens confined to their home or who are uncomfortable in a mental health setting. Must be age 55 or older, able to drive own vehicle. Mileage reimbursement. Orientation training necessary regarding aging issues
Hours: Weekdays, one to three hours per week based on commitment
Contact: Rhonda Tillman at 836-3118
Compassionate Care Hospice
Telephone Support: provide telephone support to patients and caregivers. Must enjoy conversing with people and have a positive outlook. Orientation training necessary regarding the hospice philosophy
Hours: Sunday to Saturday; one to three hours per week based on commitment
Contact: Becky Klepadlo at 346-2241 or 317-8817
Music Therapy Volunteers: provide light instrumental or vocal volunteer support to patients in facility or residential settings. Must have previous experience in a performance capacity in school, church or organized group. Orientation to hospice philosophy training provided
Hours: Monday to Friday; 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Contact: Becky Klepadlo at 346-2241 or 317-8817
Companions: based on patients’ interests: companionship, reading, playing games, encouraging life review, grocery shopping, etc. Orientation training on hospice philosophy needed. Volunteers must have a natural love for people and writing skills to document events of each visit
Hours: Sunday to Saturday; one to three hours a week based on commitment
Contact: Becky Klepadlo at 346-2241 or 317-8817
Eastern PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation
Community Service Volunteers: help reclaim abandoned mine lands and clean up acid mine drainage to make areas safer and healthier. Help to provide cultural and educational opportunities to area youth and adults. All volunteer opportunities are posted on VolunteerMatch.org.
Hours: Monday through Friday; very flexible and varying hours
Contact: Robert E. Hughes at 371-3523
Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center
Greeter: greet and direct patients and visitors entering the facility.
Hours: Monday to Friday; 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Four-hour shift preferred
Contact: Barbara Coyle at 808-3435
Guest Services Volunteers: greet, direct and escort visitors and patients to the medical center. Deliver mail and flowers to patients.
Hours: Saturday and Sunday; four hours service per week. Free parking. Meal provided.
Contact: Barbara Coyle at 570-808-3435
Repeat Boutique Volunteers: Organize and display merchandise. Assist customers. Operate resale shop located at GSWB campus.
Hours: Wednesday and Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Contact: Barbara Coyle at 570-808-3435
Gift Shop Volunteers: Assist customers. Organize and display merchandise. Operate hospital gift shop. Free parking and meal provided.Hours: Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Contact: Barbara Coyle at 570-808-3435
Waiting Area Volunteers: Geisinger is seeking a friendly ‘people’ person willing to provide friendly and reassuring service and information to visitors and family. Free parking and meal provided.
Hours: Monday-Friday; several shifts open between 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Contact: Barbara Coyle at 570-808-3435
Heartland Hospice
Hospice Volunteers: Patient visits, respite for caregiver, running errands, patient phone calls, clerical help in the hospice office. Training provided and required. Background check required.
Hours: Flexible depending upon volunteer availability and patient need; Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., flexible hours on weekends
Contact: Louise McNabb at 570-654-0220
Hospice Community Care
Volunteers: visit patients in their homes, nursing homes and at our in-patient units. Volunteers also make bereavement calls and provide transportation and clerical services. Volunteers must be 18 or older and will undergo a criminal background check.
Hours: 8 a.m.-9 p.m. daily
Contact: Kelly McAndrew at 288-2288
Jewish Community Center
Front Desk Volunteers: answer phones, greet members, accept payments, handle outgoing mail
Hours: Monday to Friday; the front desk is open 8:30 a.a.-7 p.m.
Contact: Rick Evans at 824-4646
Camp Volunteers: camp at the JCC campsite in Idetown during the summer months. Maintenance and kitchen help
Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Contact: Rick Evans at 824-4646
Maintenance Department Volunteers: help the JCC Maintenance Department clean the building and windows, maintain bathrooms, help with set-ups for meetings and programs
Hours: Sunday to Friday; day or evening shifts
Contact: Rick Evans at 824-4646
Little Flower Manor and Saint Therese Residence, Wilkes-Barre
Volunteers: activities, bistro, gift shop, laundry, reception and in-house transportation.
Hours: 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday as needed
Contact: Laura Garron at 823-6131 ext. 256 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
St. Luke’s Villa of the Diocese of Scranton, formally Heritage House, Wilkes-Barre
Volunteers: transport residents to and from spiritual and recreational services and programs.
Hours: 9-11 a.m. Sunday through Saturday; 1-3 p.m. as needed
Contact: Sherre Sabecky at 826-1031 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Salvation Army
Van Driver Volunteers: must have a valid driver’s license and complete an on-line driver’s test provided by the Salvation Army’s divisional headquarters; not required a all times; regular and back-up drivers needed.
Hours: Vary; Tuesday noon-1 p.m. and 2-3 p.m.; Wednesday 4:45-6 p.m. and 8:30-9:30 p.m.; Thursday 4-5:15 p.m. and 7:30-8:30 p.m.; Sunday 7:30-9 a.m. and 12:30-2 p.m.
Contact: Lt. Sharon Tressler or Lt. Ted Tressler at 824-8741
Wyoming Valley Dog Owners Group
Dog Park Volunteer: Help with park maintenance and with fundraising events. Dependable volunteers including those who specialize in specific areas such as grant writing, landscaping, construction, etc. are needed.
Hours: various on an as-needed basis
Contact: Liza Roper at 288-8122