Whether you’re looking for an extra pair of hands to help with your benefit auction event, more pasta for your public supper or a few extra hours of community service, it’s easy to find what you’re looking for using the Daily Bulldog’s volunteer board. Simply write us at editor@dailybulldog.com, include a contact email or phone number and we’ll post it for you here.
“Volunteer Opportunities” should be specific requests for assistance and include some sort of time element. “Links to Community Service Organizers” should include contact information for organizations that generally need volunteer help. Please email us when it’s time to delete your post.
Volunteers and organizers, please be aware that it’s a big Internet out there. Caution when dealing with anyone out of Franklin County, Maine, is advised, and never post anything here you wouldn’t want the Internet to know.
Volunteer board categories are: [Volunteer Opportunities][Available for Community Service][Links to Community Service Organizers]
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
My name is Michele Girard and I am a votes organizer for Planned Parenthood Votes in Maine. We are looking for volunteers to do 2-hour calling shifts Monday-Saturday to support reproductive rights here in Maine! If you are interested in volunteering please email: michele@360campaignconsulting.org
Are you a good listener? Want to help others? Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Services (SAPARS) is looking for volunteer advocates to respond to its 24-hour helpline and make a difference in the lives of people affected by sexual violence. Volunteer advocates receive extensive training and support to prepare them to effectively respond to callers. Volunteer advocates are notified of calls through their cell phones from the answering service, allowing them to be on call from their homes or another location where they have a private space to talk. Volunteer advocates must be over the age of 18, empathetic and dependable, with access to an e-mail account and reliable transportation. All potential volunteers must complete the training and a screening process which includes criminal and DHHS background checks. No prior experience is necessary. Call Kayce at 784-5272, or visit www.sapars.org to learn more!
Enrich Your Life … Become a Volunteer! There are seniors in Wilton, Farmington and the Jay/Livermore Falls areas that need extra support. If you would like to do visitations or help with grocery shopping/errands, please contact the SEARCH program- Stephanie Crowe (207) 200-0844 or email scrowe@ccmaine.org to find out how you can enrich your life as a volunteer.
Neighbors Driving Neighbors, a non-profit serving the towns of Mt. Vernon, Vienna, Fayette, Belgrade and Rome is seeking volunteer drivers. Many of our neighbors, due to age or ability are not able to drive and, therefore, rely on others to provide transportation to appointments and other services. Volunteer drivers will be screened and trained, and will be asked for references. There is no reimbursement for mileage; the work is 100% voluntary! For more information, go to neighborsdrivingneighbors.org, email neighborsdrivingneighbors@gmail.com or call NDN at 860-0677.
SeniorsPlus is seeking Money Minder volunteers in the Farmington Area. Volunteers assist clients in balancing their checkbooks and writing out checks. For more information please email volunteerservices@seniorsplus.org or call 795-4010
Sparrow’s Nest Theater in Industry is always looking for volunteers for our productions-construction and set building, backstage help, props, costumes, and lighting/technical help. Please considering sharing your time and talents! We’re a fun, friendly, welcoming group! Please join us! Call 778-2468 or Welcome to Sparrow’s Nest Theater or message us on Facebook.
Maine CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) – Maine CASA is in need of volunteers to be guardians ad litem (GALs) in child abuse/neglect matters throughout the state. GALs are appointed by a judge and serve as the voice of a child in the courtroom. Maine CASA provides training and on-going guidance to CASA GALs.
Volunteers must be at least 21 years of age with a high school diploma or GED, complete the Maine CASA application, submit to criminal and DHHS background checks, and participate in the Maine CASA’s certification training. Maine CASA offers training in March and August of every year.
If you are interested in serving the needs of Maine children as a guardian ad litem, please contact Darren Defoe by email (Darren.Defoe@courts.maine.gov) or phone (207-213-2864) or visit us online at www.CASAofMaine.org and www.facebook.com/MaineCasa.
Western Maine Homeless Outreach is looking for volunteers to oversee guests while in our homeless shelter. We are located on Wilton Rd in Farmington. Primary needs would be, ad hearing to shelter rules and regulation. Oversee that all guests are in compliance with regulations and that the shelter is run smoothly while on your shift. Please contact Andy at 491-4100 or email at aparlin@wmhomelessoutreach.org
SeniorsPlus, the designated Western Maine Agency on Aging, seeks volunteers for several of its programs. A list of current volunteer opportunities follows. For more information, contact Volunteer Coordinator Heather Chandel, at SeniorsPlus, by phone at 207 513-3710, or by email hchandel@seniorsplus.org.
Dining site volunteers: healthy meal assistance including set up, serving, cleanup and donation collection at the sites. In Farmington on Mondays from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. At Meadowview and Heritage Court in Lewiston on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. No experience necessary. All training provided.
Meals on Wheels drivers/deliverers: deliver nutritious meals and social contact to the homebound in Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford counties, one or more days per week from the Lewiston production kitchen. Most routes take about one hour and a half, Monday through Thursday mornings between 9:30 and 11:30 am. Must have a valid Maine driver’s license.
Kitchen Helpers/Packers: assist with preparation of meals or packing of delivered meals at the Lewiston production kitchen, one or more days per week, Monday through Thursday mornings from 8:30 to 11:00 am.
Dining site volunteer needed to set up serve and clean up. Serve your community and meet some new people. No experience necessary. FMI hchandel@seniorplus.org or 207-513-3710
If you desire to increase literacy in people’s lives, we have a variety of volunteering opportunities. On our website, you will see job descriptions for the following available volunteer positions. All volunteers are required to attend a 2 hour orientation: at the Literacy Volunteers Office (Mt. Blue Adult Education Offices). Call 207-500-3131 for a schedule. Equal opportunity; no discrimination based on race, religion, nationality, gender, age, sexual orientation, or disability.
1. One to One tutoring Program-Tutors:
To provide one-to-one or small group tutoring to adults over 18, who need help with reading, writing, math, technology, or English as a second language to each goals. QUALIFICATIONS: High school diploma or equivalent
Expectations: To commit to tutor at least 1 hour a week for at least one year, complete one 2 hour tutor training session, attend at least 3 ongoing training sessions of choice within a year, work with a learner as a peer and involve the learner in all major decisions about instruction, participate in progress monitoring and data collection system.2. One to One Tutoring Program-Resource Manager:
Management of assessment materials, leveled books, and instructional materials. Qualifications: Attention to detail and organizational skills. Sample Tasks: Copying, printing, organizing, tracking inventory. Estimated time commitment: 1 Wednesday morning a month for 2 hours. Location: Literacy Volunteers office at Mt. Blue ABE offices3. Traveling Libraries Program- Team Leader:
Lead the Traveling Libraries Team to support the 7 sites where books are being shared. Primary Responsibilities: Oversee Maintenance of 7 sites, maintain a communication loop with team members via email and phone calls when needed, facilitate book deliveries to sites, attend at least 3 meetings a year at the LV office. Estimated time commitment: 2 times a month for 2 hours of your choosing.
Volunteer Driver Needed. Seeking a Volunteer Driver for the Rangeley Townhouse Meals Site to pick up and deliver meals locally. Needed on Thursdays at 11 a.m. for approx. one hour. Must have valid Driver’s License. If interested, or for more info, please call Shirley at 864-3986.
Make a Difference for those living with Alzheimer’s disease. SeniorsPlus, the Western Maine Agency on Aging, is collaborating with the Maine Chapter of the Alzhiemer’s Association to form a volunteer social engagement committee that will plan monthly community activities for people with dementia and their caregivers. Volunteers are needed to make a positive difference in the lives of persons living with Alzheimer’s disease. Volunteers are sought for the Alzheimer’s Association’s new Central Maine Social Engagement Committee. Committee volunteers will plan and present one to two social events monthly for eligible persons diagnosed with dementia and their care partners. Contact Mark Pechenik at 207-772-0115 or by email: mpechenik@alz.org to sign-up for this event.
Volunteer at the Western Maine Homeless Shelter 547 Wilton Road Farmington, lower level of the Living Waters Community Church. Call Western Maine Homeless Outreach at 207-491-4100 or email: Alivernois@wmHomelessoutreach.org.
Literacy Volunteers of Franklin & Somerset Counties. If you’re interested in providing one-on-one confidential tutoring with adults in a public location, with free training provided (required), give us a call. Training: 18 hours of Basic Reading Tutor Training in workshop format over several sessions. Required commitment: At least one hour a week for one year. Other volunteering opportunities available! Call Barbara Averill, Executive Director, at 207-500-3131 or email literacyvolunteersfs@gmail.com.
Shout out to Volunteers in the greater Farmington area. Did you know over 50 percent of our nursing home residents never receive visitors? Want to make a real impact within your community? Then maybe hospice volunteering is for you. Volunteers of all talents are needed to provide care and comfort for hospice patients and their families. Male volunteers are needed too! As well as Veteran volunteers for our Veteran to Veteran program! Hospice volunteering is not about a patient’s demise, it is about their Living! “Being a hospice volunteer has been an incredibly fulfilling experience for me. Many people comment that it must be depressing, but I enjoy and look forward to my weekly visits. Often just saying “hello” makes the residents’ faces light up. I’m loving being a hospice volunteer.” – Amy Lesko, Livermore. For more information, please contact Adult Ed program at 897-6722 ext 202 or Kelly Herlihy, Volunteer Coordinator, 621-1212 / kherlihy@beaconhospice.com.
Franklin Community Health Network/Franklin Memorial Hospital is looking for volunteers for the Gift Shop and Valet Parking. Do you have some extra time on your hands? Are you looking to help those in need…we could use your help. As an active volunteer we provide a free lunch for each shift you volunteer, free flu shots, awards banquet and many other perks for giving time to our organization. To become one of over 150 volunteers at FCHN/FMH please call Jodi Cordes, Director of Volunteers at 779-2635 or go online to print out an application at http://www.fchn.org/support/volunteering.
Touch of Class Thrift Shop. Are you retired or have a few extra hours a week and looking for a meaningful volunteer opportunity? Please contact Lynne at the Touch of Class Thrift Shop at 778-4492. The Thrift Shops were created to employ and support local individuals with intellectual disabilities. We could use your help in sorting all the beautiful donated items from the community. Call Lynne 778-4492
Senior Living Center. Do you have a talent that you would love to share with a fun loving group that enjoy a variety of entertainment? Do you have a hobby that you would love to show people that other people would enjoy, be it painting, sewing, etc.? Did you take a trip that you would love to share your adventures with? Do you love to be around the elderly to sit and talk or play a game? We have the setting for you. Please contact Shelley Seavey at Edgewood Rehab and Living Center at 778-3386 for more information.
LINKS TO COMMUNITY SERVICE ORGANIZERS
There are many volunteer opportunities at Western Maine Community Action (WMCA) in East Wilton. Opportunities in reception, inventory management, data entry, and maintenance along with many others are available. Please contact Anna Frechette, HR and Finance Manager at 1(800) 645-9636 or afrechette@wmca.org
There are many volunteering opportunities at Franklin Memorial Hospital and the Franklin Community Health Network through the volunteer program, as well as the Auxiliary, which raises funds for the hospital. For more information and a listing of volunteer opportunities, visit the FCHN volunteer page here. For information about the Auxiliary click here.
There are a variety of opportunities to volunteer with Wheels for the World, a ministry of Joni Eareckson-Tada, which collects wheelchairs (mechanical only), walkers, canes, and crutches (metal only) to help those in developing countries who cannot get around to go to school or work. Volunteers can donate equipment, hold a wheelchair drive, raise funds for the organization, help with picking up equipment throughout the state of Maine, or sew wheelchair bags. For more information about the organization and a listing of additional volunteer opportunities, visit the Wheels for the World page here. For information and questions about local volunteer opportunities, please contact the Chair Corps State Representative Bernadette Harvell at 491-8972 or email wftw.maine@gmail.com.