Volunteering is good for others
Make a difference
Contribute to the community
Make neighborhoods safer and more beautiful
Volunteering is good for YOU
Stay physically and mentally active
Be needed and important
Have fun!
Below is a list of volunteer opportunities for older adults in Pierce County.
Find one that suits you or call the ADRC for more suggestions.
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AARP
Contact Cheryl Reed, (866) 227-7457
Volunteers learn how to teach 55 Alive Driving Courses or assist people with their income taxes.
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ACTIVITY LEADERS AT SENIOR NUTRITION MEAL SITES
Contact Pat at (253) 474-1200
Do you enjoy crafts, games, or have experience leading exercise? The Senior Nutrition meal sites located in Pierce (and King) County need activity leaders to assist with a variety of programs. Criminal background check is required.
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CASA - Court Appointed Special Advocates
Contact Lin Spellman, (253) 798-3837
Each year hundreds of children end up in court. They have committed no crime. Unfortunately, the same can't be said of their parents or guardians. Some abuse and neglect their children. When that happens, it is up to a judge to make decisions about where they will live and who will care for them. Many of these children are newborns or toddlers. All are too young to stand up for themselves. When a court must intervene to help, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) enter the picture. These are ordinary people doing extraordinary work for the abused and neglected. There is no pay, but it will be one of the most satisfying experiences of your life. You will give power to the powerless.
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CATHOLIC COMMUNITY SERVICES - VOLUNTEER CHORE
Contact Jodi Moody, (253) 502-2741
Individuals or groups volunteer to do whatever they can to help very low-income seniors or disabled. Typical jobs: driving people to store or doctor; yard work; minor home repairs (even changing a lightbulb for someone in a wheelchair); taking garbage cans out once a week; reading mail for a blind person; etc. Volunteers dictate their own time and geographic constraints.
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MULTICARE - CELEBRATE SENIORITY
Contact Elizabeth Nelson, (253) 697-7385
Good Samaritan's Celebrate Seniority Program is a membership and volunteer program for people ages 55 and better. The Celebrate Seniority volunteers focus on community outreach in East Pierce County. Some of the volunteer opportunities are in our Grannies Attic Thrift Shop, blood pressure screens at local senior centers, South Hill Mall and other sites, Helmet and Life Jacket screenings and sales, mailings, tutoring, quilting, knitting, support for Mobile Health Services and much more. We also staff many special events such as the Fair, Meeker Days, local safety fairs, and Foundation events.
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CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAM
Contact Judi Holley, (253) 798-3624
This program is sponsored by the Pierce County Sheriff's Department.
Open to residents of Pierce County seeking to learn more about crime prevention in a variety of different categories. Volunteers will be trained in their specific category of interest, and then will be assigned to share their knowledge with seniors at local senior centers and meal sites. Criminal background check done on all volunteer applicants.
http://www.co.pierce.wa.us/pc/abtus/ourorg/sheriff/volunteers.htm
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FOOD FOR FOUR LEGGED FRIENDS (Formerly Seniors with Pets Assistance)
Contact, (253) 677-5096
Volunteers help organize food and prepare for food delivery to pet owners. Some deliveries made by Home Delivered Meals while others are provided by volunteer delivery drivers. Call Martha or Martin at (253) 677-5096 or animalfoodbank@aol.com.
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FOSTER GRANDPARENTS
Contact Andie Daisley, (253) 502-2743
Seniors work with at-risk children and youth with exceptional needs. Duties include mentoring and tutoring and helping in schools, child care centers and other community sites throughout Pierce County.
Eligibility: A program for low-income seniors 60 years of age and older. A small stipend is provided.
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HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Call for info, (253) 627-5626
It takes more than board and committee members and construction volunteers to build a home. You also can help with grant writing, brochures, partnering with Habitat families, and fundraising.
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HOMEBOUND COMMUNITY OUTREACH SERVICES
Pierce County Library System
Contact Karol Barkley, (253) 536-6500, extension 192
Provides home delivery of library books to homebound seniors.
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LIVING WELL WITH CHRONIC CONDITIONS
Contact Barbara Myers, (253) 798-3807 or bmyers@co.pierce.wa.us
'Living Well' workshops are led by trained volunteers throughout Pierce County. Leaders help participants set their own goals and develop step-by-step plans to improve health. Volunteers often have chronic conditions themselves.
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MULTICARE HEALTH SYSTEM
Call for info, (253) 403-1005
Volunteer to direct patients and guests, help with some mailings, and assist with a variety of other diverse projects.
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PAINT TACOMA-PIERCE COUNTY BEAUTIFUL
Contact Sally Shawl, (253) 383-3056, extension 105
Organizes groups to paint houses of low-income elderly or disabled. The paint is provided, groups provide time and paint brushes. Houses are assigned in mid-June and painting typically concludes in mid-August. Exterior painting only. Check out www.associatedministries.org for more information.
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PIERCE COUNTY OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM
Contact Nellis Kim, (253) 798-3789
Ombudsmen are trained to check on the well-being of residents in nursing homes, assisted living homes and adult family homes. They provide friendly visits for the residents, help families to keep an eye on their family members, act as a disinterested third party negotiating between the nursing home and the family when there are disagreements, and contact DSHS to investigate suspected cases of abuse or neglect.
nkim@co.pierce.wa.us.
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THE RETIRED AND SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM (RSVP)
Contact Molly Feider, RSVP Project Manager, at (253) 682-1832
The Retired Senior Volunteer Program, sponsored by United Way of Pierce County, maintains information about many volunteer job opportunities on file. Potential volunteers can find out about a wide variety of opportunities by calling this number. They can help to select a volunteer position that matches their interests, skills, and availability. Program provides limited mileage reimbursement and secondary accident and liability coverage while volunteering. Info on www.uwpc.org.
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SENIOR COMPANION PROGRAM
Contact Julie Kerrigan at (253) 272-8433
Program is offered through Lutheran Community Services. Seniors 60 and older are paid a stipend to help other seniors. Stipend does not affect eligibility for benefits such as SSI, food stamps, etc.
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SENIOR MEAL SITE VOLUNTEERS
Contact Pat at (253) 474-1200
Assist in the kitchen, be a host or hostess, set tables, be a server, or help us clean up. Opportunities available at many different meal site locations throughout Pierce County. Times and days are flexible. Meal sites generally operate 9am to 2pm Monday-Friday. Cost of food handlers card is reimbursable. Criminal background check is required.
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SENIOR NUTRITION
Contact Pat at, (253) 474-1200
Enjoy food? Like working with other seniors? The Food and Nutrition Educator volunteer position may be for you. Works under the direction of the program dietician. Volunteers lead nutrition activities or cooking demonstrations at Senior Meal Sites. Dates and locations are flexible. Criminal background check is required.
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SENIOR SCENE NEWSPAPER
Contact Bonnie Dickson, editor, (253) 722-5687
Needs volunteers to write articles, take pictures, do fact checking, editing, proofreading, and delivering the newspapers throughout Pierce County. Also needs volunteers to assist with producing the yearly Where-To-Turn resource guide.
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SERVICE CORPS OF RETIRED EXECUTIVES (SCORE)
Contact, (253) 680-7770
Volunteers are retired business executives who assist new and small businesses to get started and to get over hurdles in their path to success. E-mail at score@bates.ctc.edu.
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SHIBA - Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors
Contact Lori Wada, Program Coordinator, Office of the Insurance Commissioner; (253) 534-3209
Volunteers assist individuals and families with health insurance questions, programs and needs including Medicare, Medicaid, Basic Health, Long Term Care Insurance, Dental and Vision coverage. Volunteers provide direct counsel to callers, give presentations to small groups, assist with computer work, and help with various office tasks. Extensive introductory training is provided as well as monthly updates. (The SHIBA program is program of the Office of the Insurance Commisisoner of the State of Washington.)
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TACOMA AREA LITERACY COUNCIL
Call for info, (253) 272-2471
Volunteers tutor adults in literacy of English as a second language. You need a desire to help others to read. You will be trained in the Laubach method and receive on-going support.
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TOY RESCUE MISSION
Call Katrina Miller at, (253) 460-6711
A variety of volunteer opportunities await you at Toy Rescue Mission for the year-round, on-going program. Volunteers meet regularly every Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday from 10am-3pm and Wednesday evening from 6:30pm-8:30pm and every Saturday morning from 8:30am-10:30am at 607 South Winnifred St, Tacoma, WA 98465.
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UNITED WAY VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES CENTER
Contact, (253) 597-6688
The Volunteer Opportunities Center maintains a large database of opportunities that can link a special skill or talent with an area nonprofit organization in our community. More information at www.uwpc.org.
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