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Individual Volunteering

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Individual Volunteer Opportunities

We work with a network of nonprofits throughout Dauphin, Cumberland, and Perry counties to connect volunteers with opportunities. Click on the blue bars below to see what Individual Volunteer Opportunities are currently available.

To sign up for an opportunity, contact the agency directly.

Administrative Support

UPMC Harrisburg is looking for long term volunteers to do clerical work, greet visitors, and staff an information desk.

Contact Shonda Chapman at [email protected], 717.782.3353, www.upmc.com/locations/hospitals/harrisburg/about/volunteer

Animal Lovers

Capital Area Therapeutic Riding Association (CATRA) needs volunteers to help with a wide variety of activities and chores including animal care, therapeutic riding support, horse grooming, small animal care and grounds/site maintenance. All work takes place outside or in facility barns. Opportunities are available 7 days a week with schedules varying depending upon season. No experience required. Monthly orientation programs offered.

Contact Maiya Harris at [email protected], 717.298.7035, catra.net/volunteers.

Audio Services

Vision Resources in Harrisburg needs volunteers to record themselves reading publications, to be aired on a radio station for listeners who are blind. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age and will be subject to a reading audition. The opportunity is available Monday through Friday during regular business hours. On the job training will be provided.

Contact Chloe Miller at [email protected]; 717.238.2531, ext. 102; vrocp.org.

Blood Drive Support

American Red Cross is looking for volunteers to manage the registration and refreshment areas of blood drives to create a friendly and welcoming environment for donors. This is a minimum 6-month commitment (no community service hours accepted). For their latest COVID-19 policies, visit www.redcross.org/volunteer.

Contact Cindy Matthew at [email protected] or 717.714.1258.

Breakfast Program

The Salvation Army Harrisburg Capital City Region needs volunteers to help serve breakfast to 75-100 clients every week day from 6:30-10 a.m. If the volunteer is not able to help with clean-up, the shift would end at 8 a.m. when meal service is done. Duties would include: cooking, serving, taking attendance, cleaning and visiting with program participants. Parking is available.

Contact Carly Dubetsky at [email protected], 717.233.6755 x 137, www.timetosignup.com/salvationarmyhbg/.

Building Maintenance

PA Council of Churches needs volunteers to do maintenance tasks such as landscaping, painting, window washing and cleaning.

Contact Debbie Magliette at [email protected], 717.545.4761 x 6, www.pachurches.org.

Caseworker (Disaster Recovery and Military/Veteran)

American Red Cross needs volunteers to provide follow up casework services for individuals who’ve experienced an emergency or for military members, their families or veterans. This is a minimum 6-month commitment (no community service hours accepted). For their latest COVID-19 policies, visit www.redcross.org/volunteer.

Contact Cindy Matthew at [email protected] or 717.714.1258.

Disaster Action Team Members/Local Disaster Responders

American Red Cross needs volunteers to distribute food and essential relief supplies to individuals displaced by fires, floods and other emergencies. This is a minimum 6-month commitment (no community service hours accepted). For their latest COVID-19 policies, visit www.redcross.org/volunteer.

Contact Cindy Matthew at [email protected] or 717.714.1258.

Duty Officers/Disaster Dispatchers

American Red Cross needs volunteers to manage local disaster responders virtually from their home. This is a minimum 6-month commitment (no community service hours accepted). For their latest COVID-19 policies, visit www.redcross.org/volunteer.

Contact Cindy Matthew at [email protected] or 717.714.1258.

Food Pantry

The Salvation Army Capital City Region needs volunteers to help with in-person client choice food shopping in the pantry, check in clients, help with basic paperwork, show clients to shopping area, assist per client needs. In between clients (or while clients are shopping), remain in food pantry to sort/stock foods and to answer any questions. There are also a variety of tasks in the warehouse including sorting through rescued produce, stocking the pantry, and more! Choice in-person shopping pantry appointments are on weekday mornings and afternoons, along with some evenings and weekends. Parking is available.

Contact Carly Dubetsky at [email protected], 717.233.6755 x 137, www.timetosignup.com/salvationarmyhbg/.

Food Pantry Coordinator

Jewish Family Services needs a volunteer to organize a food pantry, conduct inventory and seek nonperishable food donations to replenish the pantry when stock is low. This opportunity requires 2-4 hours per week, Monday through Friday. Scheduling is very flexible and can be done at the volunteer’s convenience and discretion.

Contact Elaine Strokoff at [email protected], 717.233.1681, jfsofhbg.org

Fundraising

Capital Area Coalition on Homelessness (CACH) is looking for volunteers who are well connected to help raise funds for a local non-profit organization that fights homelessness.

Contact Mike Weisberg at [email protected], 717.497.5791, www.cachpa.org.

Gardening

Tri County Community Action needs volunteers to work at Sunflower Fields community garden in Harrisburg, which provides fresh, sustainable food to community residents. Volunteers will assist with planting, tilling soil, weeding, turning compost, maintaining garden structures, organizing tool shed, cleaning and transforming garden plots, and maintaining garden plots of food. Volunteer hours are flexible. This is a great opportunity for organizations and groups.

Contact Samantha Garvey at [email protected], 717.232.9757 x 117, cactricounty.org/volunteer.

Gift Shop Help

UPMC Harrisburg is looking for long term volunteers to staff the gift shop.

Contact Shonda Chapman at [email protected], 717.782.3353, www.upmc.com/locations/hospitals/harrisburg/about/volunteer.

Hospice Patient and Family Support/Care #1

Bayada Hospice helps people with advanced illness and at end-of-life have comfort, grace, and dignity. Volunteer opportunities include providing companionship to patients, caregiver respite to families and loved ones, making tuck-in calls to our families, providing veteran-to-veteran support, pet therapy, or just spending time with patients.

Ally O’Neal at [email protected], 570.994.1514, www.bayada.com.

Hospice Patient and Family Support/Care #2

Homeland Hospice utilizes volunteers in many different ways to provide additional support to patients and their families. This may include:

Companionship Volunteer: visit to listen, read short stories and play music
My Life, My Legacy Project: listen to a patient share their life story and writing it down
Soup and Casserole program: make homemade meals
Casserole Courrier: deliver soups and casseroles
Vet-to-Vet Visits: visit with veteran patient
Vigil: provide a presence in the last hours of life
Care Cards: make homemade cards to brighten a patient’s day
Shear Delight: provide basic haircuts
Veteran Café: host once a month gatherings of veterans
Pinning Ceremonies: recognize the military service of hospice veterans
Phone Calls: follow-up with patients and families to be sure their needs are being met
Pet Visits: share your 4-legged friend and visit with patients
Music Support: share your vocal or instrumental talents with patients
Memory Pillows: help a hospice patient’s family by making a pillow from a favorite shirt

Hours are flexible and volunteers indicate where they would prefer to serve. Training is provided.

Contact Laurie Murry at [email protected], 717.221.7890 x114, www.homelandathome.org/volunteer/.

Hospice Patient Support/Care

Promedica Hospice provides care and support to people and families living with advanced illness.  Volunteer opportunities can include, helping patients face their challenges by providing friendship and a listening ear, providing bereavement support to familes, veteran to veteran volunteers, and providing support in the last hours of life by being part of the vigil team. Volunteers are also needed for administrative support, pet therapy and crafts. Hours are flexible with locations in Cumberland and Dauphin counties.  Training is provided.

Contact Joanna Zigerell at 717.440.4563, [email protected] or visit www.promedicahospice.org.

Hospice Remote Volunteering

Homeland Hospice utilizes volunteers in many different ways to provide additional support to patients and their families. This may include:

Memory Pillows: help a hospice patient’s family by making a pillow from a favorite shirt
Care Cards: make homemade cards to brighten a patient’s day

Contact Laurie Murry at [email protected], 717.221.7890 x114, www.homelandathome.org/volunteer/.

Hospice Veteran Support

Volunteers who have served in the military can become involved in Homeland Hospice’s Vet-to-Vet program.

Companion Visits: veteran volunteers have the unique ability to relate and connect with the veteran patient thereby creating an environment where life review and healing may occur.
Vet-to-Vet Café: safe environments where veterans can socialize and share their stories.
Veteran Pinnings: visit to provide personalized recognition to a patient who served in the military

Hours are flexible and volunteers indicate where they would prefer to serve. Training is provided.

Contact Laurie Murry at [email protected], 717.221.7890 x114, www.homelandathome.org/volunteer/.

Housekeeping

The YWCA Greater Harrisburg seeks volunteers to do tasks such as cleaning, laundry, and other general housekeeping jobs. Volunteers must be 18 or older.

Contact Jennifer Sands, [email protected], 717.234.7931, www.ywcahbg.org/

Information & Referral Volunteers

CONTACT Helpline needs volunteers to answer phones and provide information to callers. The phones are staffed 24/7 with flexible scheduling during daytime, evening and weekend hours. Volunteers also have the option of answering calls at home after a probation period. Interested volunteers must be willing to complete a 40 hour training to learn about available resources and develop active listening skills.

Contact Christine Marriott at [email protected], 717.652.4987, contacthelpline.org.

Language Services

Immigration and Refugee Services of Catholic Charities needs volunteers that are patient and culturally sensitive ESL classroom aides to assist with adult English classes. Volunteers do not have to be bilingual or multilingual. The volunteers aid and assist the teacher with administering the lessons. This might include working with small groups, helping model natural English and participating in class discussions. Classes meet virtually on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings and evenings. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old. Training and additional support is provided.

Contact Katie Martin-Momose, [email protected], 717.329.6139, www.volunteermatch.org/search/org911099.jsp

Marketing Support

Capital Area Coalition on Homelessness (CACH) needs volunteers to provide marking support. A volunteer is needed to update and maintain a non-profit website. A volunteer with experience in public relations and marketing is needed to raise awareness of the organization. Having corporate connections is a plus. Hours are flexible and can work remotely.

Contact Mike Weisberg at [email protected], 717.497.5791, www.cachpa.org.

Meal Delivery

Jewish Family Services needs volunteers to deliver Kosher meals to homebound seniors in the Harrisburg area. This opportunity is 1-2 hours on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. Volunteers must have an insured personal vehicle and good driving records.

Clearances also required. Contact John Jantos at [email protected], 717.233.1681, jfsofhbg.org.

Meal Packaging

Jewish Family Services needs volunteers to pack food for Kosher Meals on Wheels. This opportunity is 2-3 hours every other week (or to substitute as needed) on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Volunteers will work with an experienced volunteer until comfortable with the process.

Contact John Jantos at [email protected], 717.233.1681, jfsofhbg.org.

Nature Center Volunteer

Wildwood Park Nature Center needs a front desk volunteer to greet visitors, answer phones and help with a small gift shop on weekends. Free parking is available.

Contact Savanna Lenker at [email protected] 717.221.0292 x 4, explorewildwoodpark.org.

Outdoor Clean-up

Wildheart /Love the Hill is looking for volunteers to do outdoor beautification projects in Allison Hill.  Volunteers are needed to help with trash removal, litter pick-up, basic landscaping work, and gardening work on their new urban farm. This is a great opportunity for both groups and individuals wanting to get involved.  Check out our regular volunteer dates on our website or schedule your own.  Volunteers needing court-mandated community hours are welcome. Weekend work available.

Contact Tannon Herman at [email protected], 405.234.0866, www.lovethehillpa.com.

Patient Care/Support Advocates

UPMC Harrisburg is looking for long term volunteers to be patient advocates, transport patients, rock babies, operate a concierge cart and deliver mail.

Contact Shonda Chapman at [email protected], 717.782.3353, www.upmc.com/locations/hospitals/harrisburg/about/volunteer.

 

Pet and Music Therapy

UPMC is looking for long term volunteers with musical talents to entertain and provide stimulation for patients. The hospital is also looking for volunteers to bring their pets to Dogs in the Lobby Day or provide visits to the floors.

Contact Shonda Chapman at [email protected], 717.782.3353, www.upmc.com/locations/hospitals/harrisburg/about/volunteer.

 

Pet and Music Visits

Homeland Hospice utilizes volunteers in many different ways to provide additional support to patients and their families. This may include:

PAWS Program: Homeland Hospice patients love to have visits from 4-legged friends! Pet visits provide entertainment, stimulation and happiness.
Music Volunteers: Volunteers with either vocal or instrumental talents are enjoyed by our patients. This is also a great opportunity for a small group! Visit patients in personal homes or skilled facilities.

Hours are flexible and volunteers indicate where they would prefer to serve. Training is provided.

Contact Laurie Murry; 717.221.7890 x11; [email protected]; www.homelandathome.org/volunteer/

Poverty Simulation Volunteers

Tri County Community Action is looking for volunteers in Cumberland, Dauphin and Perry counties to assist with our poverty simulations. These are true-to-life role-playing experiences for groups and organizations to see first-hand the challenges, decisions, and life of someone in poverty. Volunteers would act out various situations with people who are experiencing the simulation. Volunteers will be briefed on their role prior to the event with instructions on how to effectively act out their part.

Contact Samantha Garvey at [email protected], 717.232.9757 x 117, cactricounty.org/volunteer.

Sorting/Packing (Diapers)

Healthy Steps Diaper Bank needs volunteers to wrap and pack donated diapers in preparation for pick-up by agency partners. This opportunity is available on Monday mornings and on Saturdays. No experience necessary.

Contact Rebecca Cason at [email protected], 717.526.8143, healthystepsdiaperbank.com/volunteers.

Transportation/Escort

Vision Resources of Central Pennsylvania (Harrisburg) needs volunteers to drive and escort blind and visually impaired clients to doctor appointments and the grocery store. Flexible schedule, clean driving record and background clearances needed.

Contact Cheryl Cuddy at [email protected], 717.238.2531, vrocp.org.

Tutors

Tri County OIC needs tutors and classroom aides for in-person daytime and evening classes in Harrisburg. Interested volunteers should be friendly, patient and enjoy working with adult learners, many of whom are ESL students. Training and ongoing support are provided.

Contact Annette Reiff at [email protected], 717.238.7318, tricountyoic.org/volunteer.

Weekend Volunteer Opportunity

Ronald McDonald House needs volunteers to cover four-hour weekend shifts at a medical facility. Volunteer duties include answering the phone, keeping common areas straightened, stocking supplies and interacting with families of sick children. Interested volunteers must be compassionate and have good people and listening skills. Training is required and provided by the agency.

Contact Alyssa Noel at [email protected], 717.533.4001 x 158, rmhc-centralpa.org/volunteer/.

Writers (Grants)

Capital Area Coalition on Homelessness (CACH) is seeking volunteers with professional communications skills and business writing experience to write grants. Hours are flexible and can work remotely.

Contact Mike Weisberg at [email protected], 717.497.5791, www.cachpa.org.

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