Where to volunteer
By Don McLoud
Published in News on November 7, 2004 2:06 AM
Volunteer Wayne offers opportunities to serve Wayne County for all ages. This service is provided by Volunteer Wayne and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) at Wayne Community College. Contact Joy Pearce at 735-5151, ext. 336, or at www.volunteersolutions.org/uwwc/volunteer for more information.
O llamar representatives de Latinos por Volunteer Wayne/RSVP: Gaspar Gonzalez, (910) 296-1851, o Willie Cartegena, (919) 735-5010, ext. 116.
At Volunteer Wayne/RSVP, we recognize that all people have time and talents to share, and that communities are strengthened when people connect across their differences through volunteer service. Whether you have just one hour a month, or several days a week to share, we can help you find a rewarding experience where your contribution makes a difference in Wayne County. The following is just a sampling of opportunities in over 60 community agencies in the local area.
ONGOING OPPORTUNITIES
URGENT! BE AN ADVOCATE FOR ABUSED OR NEGLECTED CHILDREN -- Wayne County has been designated by the state as a county of "Critical Need" as a result of the increase of child abuse and neglect. Do you have a minimum of five hours a month to investigate the needs of a child and advocate for the best interests of that child? This program provides advocacy services for children who are involved in the court system as a result of abuse, neglect and dependency. Last year over 425 children were served in the Wayne, Lenoir, and Greene counties through this program.
EMBRACE THE MIRACLE -- Help prepare new mothers for their role as a parent with this ongoing project. Each newborn in Wayne County receives a basket of educational items and samples. Volunteers assist in assembling the baskets and/or delivering them to the maternity ward at Wayne Memorial hospital. Some light lifting -- under 30 pounds -- may be involved. Individuals or groups may participate. Weeks needing to be covered are: Nov. 8-12; Nov. 15-19; Nov. 22-26; Nov. 29-Dec. 3. Volunteers are also needed to assemble 40 Spanish Baby Baskets (days and times optional). Other support activities can use volunteers in baby basket data entry (days and times optional) and to help assemble "Daily Parent" Newsletter (Nov. 1-5; Jan. 3-7). You may also assist with the early childhood education program by helping assemble Parents as Teachers activity kits in the months of November and December (Dates and times optional) or help with "The Fabulous Chinese Acrobats" Performance, a multicultural arts program for preschool aged children, on Monday, Dec. 20, from 8:45 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's School Auditorium (3-4 volunteers needed).
CLERICAL ASSISTANCE FOR MOBILE HEALTH CLINIC -- Just one day a month will be a tremendous help to this invaluable community program. Help ensure low income individuals and families have access to health care. Basic duties include answering phones and scheduling patients.
RING THAT BELL -- Individuals, groups, organizations, churches, community agencies, and companies can join in this agencies' biggest fund raising effort for this year. Volunteers greet store patrons around Goldsboro and Wayne County and man the familiar red kettles, collecting donations. Enable this agency to support their Christmas effort and sustain their ongoing year around efforts of assisting less fortunate individuals and families.
BE A PART OF HISTORY -- Volunteers are need to give guided tours of historic buildings and present living history demonstrations such as open hearth cooking, corn shelling and candle making to school groups and the general public. Volunteers may also be needed to help run the cash register and clean the historic buildings and the visitor center. Volunteers may occasionally be asked to wear a costume, which will be provided by the site. Training will be provided.
RESPITE FOR CAREGIVERS -- At least two caring individuals with patience and understanding of dementia are needed to assist with the Alzheimer's respite program on Monday, Wednesday or Friday from 9-2.
MAKE A WISH -- Be part of a dream come true for a child with a life threatening medical condition. Wish granters and special event volunteers will enable the Make a Wish Foundation to create quality wish experiences from initial family contact through completion for local families. Training is provided.
BLOOD SUPPLIES ARE LOW -- You can give the gift of life. You never know when you or a family member may be on the receiving end. Blood drives are scheduled Nov. 9 (by appointment only), 13, 14, 24, (by appointment only) and 29.
TEACHERS NEED YOU -- A variety of positions are available in several schools in various grade levels. Some require special skills while others do not. Just some of the opportunities are: working directly with students, monitoring halls, grading papers, making copies, and filing. Special needs are preparing 7th grade students for the End of Year Writing Test and one on one attention with bilingual and special needs students.
KEEP CHILDREN SAFE -- Home Alone Program is looking for volunteers to teach first aid, Internet safety, and child abduction prevention. Time commitment varies from as little as six hours (including training) to as much time as you wish with this worthwhile program. Retired teachers, law enforcement, emergency and medical personnel are ideally suited for this opportunity.
Visit Volunteer Wayne on line! You can now find your volunteer niche on line at www.volunteersolutions.org/uwwc/volunteer or www.unitedwaywaynecountync.org. United Way has generously provided this service to encourage more people to become involved in our community.
Seniors can also see us at www.joinseniorservice.org provided by the Corporation for National Service. Volunteer Wayne is funded by United Way of Wayne County. RSVP is primarily funded by the Corporation for National Service through Senior Corps.