United Way of Northwest Vermont – Volunteer Connection Listings

Week January 14, 2019

By Sue Alenick, United Way Volunteer Columnist

LEND A HAND IN THE NEW YEAR! – United Way of Northwest Vermont’s mobile-friendly Volunteer Connection connects you to hundreds of local volunteer needs. Search by age, date, county, interests or causes that are important to you. Stay connected to community needs. Go to www.unitedwaynwvt.galaxydigital.com or contact us at volctr@unitedwaynwvt.org or 860-1677.

IT’S THAT TIME AGAIN – Working Bridges Mobile Tax Preparer Program provides free tax assistance for low-wage workers. They are in need of volunteer tax preparers to help working Vermonters receive the Earned Income Tax Credit and other credits they are entitled to. Volunteers work at least 4 hours a week from the beginning of February through early April, generally from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. but occasionally on evenings and Saturdays. Training is provided either online or in classroom sessions, and volunteers must pass the IRS Certification Test. Background check required. Contact Connie Beal at 802-881-4218 or email connie@unitedwaynwvt.org.

MLK DAY – The Janet S. Munt Family Room is looking for volunteers from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to help with different cooking and cleaning jobs. Contact Justine Donahue at 862-2121 or email justine@thefamilyroomvt.org.

SAFE & WARM – Community Health Centers of Burlington needs volunteers at their low-barrier shelter for those experiencing homelessness. Volunteers help guests have access to relationships with the larger community, support guests getting settled in by showing them around, getting snacks, help with meal service at 6:30 each night, provide entertainment such as music, storytelling, conversation, etc. The Shelter offers services through June 15 each day from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. Volunteers can commit to one shift every week or every other week. Contact Anne Leaver at aleaver@chcb.org.

SPEND THE NIGHT – Ronald McDonald House Charities of Burlington needs overnight weekend volunteers to cover Friday and Saturday night shifts. They are also looking for family room volunteers on Baird 5 at UVM Children’s Hospital (3-hour shifts) and volunteers to prepare a home-cooked meal for guests or to bring fresh-baked goodies to the House. Contact Marcia Stone at 862-4943 or email Marcia@rmhcvt.org.

DINING WITH LOVE – Dinners with Love is a network of hospice agencies, restaurants and volunteers who provide free meals to hospice patients and their families on Thursday evenings. Bayada Hospice is in need of volunteers to help them get this program started. Volunteers can take turns picking up food at a restaurant and delivering it to a hospice patient. They are also looking for a volunteer coordinator to oversee the program by scheduling volunteers, coordinating with restaurants and communicating with patients and families. Training provided. Interview and background check required. Contact Beverly Hill at 448-1610 or email bhill2@bayada.com.

PROVIDE A MEAL – Winooski Dismas House needs volunteer cooks to prepare dinner for up to 10 residents, one staff and the volunteers themselves. Volunteers may bring a prepared meal or bring groceries and cook in their well-equipped kitchen. Total time per shift is about 2 to 3 hours. Contact Sue Drollette at 655-0300 or email sue@dismasofvt.org.

A DRIVING NEED – Bridges to Health needs volunteer drivers to transport migrant farmworkers to and from medical appointments throughout Chittenden and Franklin Counties. Flexible scheduling. Background check required. Contact Sarah Braun-Hamilton at 476-2003, Ext. 11, or email sarah.braunhamilton@uvm.edu.