The summer is such a good time to give back to the community. There are so many opportunities, you’d be hard pressed to not find something that appeals to you.
The American Red Cross believes not all heroes wear capes. They’re looking for volunteers to help them provide excellent and enthusiastic customer service that enhances the blood donor experience and sets the stage for a long-term commitment to regular blood donation in the county.
They’ll be holding a Blood Donor Ambassador Training event from 1 to 4 p.m. July 11 at the Pottsville Public Library. The training will take volunteers who are interested in helping at local blood drives through the application process as well as give them an orientation on what their roles and responsibilities would be. No prior experience is necessary and the applicant will leave with the ability to serve at the registration and refreshment tables. Prospective volunteers must be at least 15 years of age, have daytime availability during weekdays, and be able to get themselves to and from blood drives. Registration deadline is July 8 by calling 215-299-4803 or emailing to byran.payne@redcross.org.
The Tamaqua Community Arts Center is looking for volunteers to help with their fun-packed summer activities. Support is needed with kids’ art camps, classes, concerts, theater and building maintenance. Duties include cutting grass, painting, light building maintenance, assistance with three theater shows, office chores and working with arts during the camps. Camps run from July 11 through 15 and from July 15 through 19. Call Leona at 570-668-1192 to help.
Summer Movie Camp and lunch with crafts are now taking place every Wednesday in June and July at the Schuylkill Mall. The movie “Home” will be presented on June 22 for all ages followed by a free decorate-it-yourself wooden birdhouse craft and lunch in the center court for kids age 12 and under. A $1 movie fee applies per person, regardless of age. No registration is required.
Community Volunteers in Action is the volunteer center for Schuylkill County. Use the preceding contact information for those specific opportunities and search other listings on our website at www.schuylkill.us/cvia. Find us on Facebook. Call us at 570-628-1426 or email to jjohnston@co.schuylkill.pa.us.
Long-term facility
resident advocate
Times: Flexible, about 1-2 hours per month at your convenience.
Responsibility: Make transitioning to an adult day care or long-term care facility easier for a new consumer by being a friendly face and distributing materials on residents’ rights.
Skills: Good listener, compassionate. Free two-hour orientation plus one-day site training required.
Location: Heritage Mill Personal Care in Tower City, Greenwood Hills Personal Care Home in Pottsville, and Golden Years Adult Day Living Center in Shenandoah. Temporary assignments in Providence Place and Evergreen Adult Day Care in Pine Grove, Evergreen Adult Day Care in Mahanoy City, and Eldergarden Adult Day in Pottsville.
Call: Eileen Barlow, MidPenn Legal Services Ombudsman Program, 570-628-3931.
Hospital volunteers
Times: Flexible, choose own schedule.
Responsibility: Variety of assignments available. Greeters to direct patients and visitors in Emergency Room, gift shop clerk to help customers, information desk greeter to guide visitors.
Skills: Friendly, courteous and able to maintain a high level of professionalism. Emergency Room greeter must be able to work under pressure.
Location: Schuylkill Medical Center East and South
Call: Mary Bardell, 570-621-4193