Volunteer opportunities in the county for older adults

Have some extra time to give? There are plenty of local organizations and programs that could use a friendly face and a helpful hand. The following volunteer opportunities are available for older adults in Chesterfield County:

Bensley Older Adults Program Phone: 751-4142

Volunteer opportunities: Assist with leisure/ recreation programming. Administrative assistance is also needed. Volunteer should be mature and dependable with creative or leadership skills and a willingness to work with older adults. CPR certification preferred. Necessary training provided. Interview required.

Chesterfield Department of Social Services Phone: 751-4142

Volunteer opportunity: Tutor women individually or in a small group who are studying to pass the DMV written driving exam or English as a Second Language instruction. Must be patient and accepting of all backgrounds.

Chesterfield Historical Society Phone: 777-9663 Contact: Diane Dallmeyer

Volunteer opportunities: Complete research requests, work on specific or ongoing history related projects, catalog photographs and more.

Miscellaneous: The commitment is as much or as little as fits the schedule of the volunteer. The society's office is open Monday Friday, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. The research library in Castlewood is also open on Wednesday evenings.

Chesterfield University Phone: 751-4142

Volunteer opportunity: Provide administrative support to Chesterfield University, the learning organization for Chesterfield County employees. Tasks may include computer data entry including class registration information, creating letters and reports in Word and Excel, filing, making copies of training materials and other projects as needed. Proficiency in Microsoft Office software, good attention to detail, and ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment. Some college experience preferred.

Chester YMCA Phone: 748-9622

Volunteer opportunities: Help raise funds for YMCA programming; volunteer through the YMCA's Active Adults Program; assist with swim lessons and practices; welcome members to the wellness centers and provide orientation for new members; spend time with children in the childcare center; assist with summer camp; coach, referee, keep score or line fields for sporting events; help with special events.

Miscellaneous: Most YMCAs use volunteers, so if Chester isn't convenient, call your own local branch for details on volunteer opportunities near you.

Fire and Emergency Medical Services Phone: 751-4142

Volunteer opportunity: Assist Chesterfield Fire and EMS with important behind-thescenes clerical support in the divisions of Fire Administration, Fire and Life Safety or Fire Training and Safety. Help with filing, data entry, answering the phone and general office duties in one of the Fire and EMS division offices. Background check is required.

Lifelong Learning Institute Phone: 378-2527 Contact: Monica Hughes

Volunteer opportunities: Volunteer coordinator, office assistant, course instructor and committee members.

Miscellaneous: The institute is open Monday Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Lucy Corr Village Phone: 706-5674 Contact: Jean Russell

Volunteer opportunities:

• Adult Day Care: Interact with participants to encourage socialization, read the newspaper aloud, play word games, work on arts and crafts, play music, talk about current events, assist with lunch or special snacks, decorate bulletin boards for special events and help with trips into the community.

• Activities: Help transport residents to planned activities, attend the activity and encourage the resident to participate, assist with refreshments, assist with bingo and post activity calendars at coordinators request.

• Assisted Living: Work with the staff to develop programming, assist in getting residents to activities, participate in activities, decorate for special events and attend trips into the community.

• Friendly Visitor: Visit one-to-one with assigned residents and talk about current events, interests, past history, family and life experiences. May read to residents or possibly help them to record their story.

Senior Advocate's Office and CCHASM Phone: 768-7878 Contact: Debbie Leidheiser

Volunteer opportunity: Provide companionship and friendship to lonely and isolated older adults in the county through the Friendly Visitor Program. Volunteers must commit to visit a minimum of once every two weeks for a one-hour period.

Shepherd's Center of Chesterfield Phone: 706-9198 Contact: Susan McCammon

Volunteer opportunities: Drivers are needed to take seniors to medical appointments and run errands. If you're handy, the Shepherd's Center has a need for volunteers for its home repair program. There's also a need for office volunteers and class instructors.

St. Francis Medical Center Phone: 594-7807 Contact: Dede Foerster or Betty Mason

Volunteer opportunities: Cancer Institute Information Desk; Cancer Institute resource librarian; Diabetes Treatment Center office assistant; Emergency Department hospitality associate; General Services discharges, lab runs, deliveries, etc.; Main Information Desk - evening and weekend opportunities; Recovery Room assistant; Surgery Waiting Center Information Desk; unit assistant - evening and weekend opportunities.

Miscellaneous: CJW Medical Center is another local hospital that uses volunteers. Call 323-8882 (Chippenham campus) or 330-2082 (Johnston-Willis campus) for details.