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Households of Bethany:

Bethany has several Volunteer opportunities available.

• Affordables Thrift Store is seeking Thrift Store Clerks. Volunteers are needed to sort price, clean, and stock donated merchandise. Volunteers will assist in creating displays, testing electronic donations, cleaning and maintenance of store, and more! Shifts are available Monday-Friday 9:00am to 1:00pm, or 1:00pm -5:00pm and Saturdays 8:30am to 2:00pm or 12:00pm to 3:30pm.  If you have any questions or would like to volunteer please contact RSVP at 515-292-8890.

 

• Front Desk Greeters. Volunteers will greet visitors at the front door and assist them to where they need to go. This position is 10:00am to 2:00pm. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer please contact RSVP at 515-292-8890.

 

• Wheelchair Assistants. The volunteer will assist residents getting to and from the church service by pushing their wheelchairs. This position is on Sundays from 9:30am to 11:00am. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer please contact RSVP at 515-292-8890.

 

• Plant Tender.  The volunteer will water the indoor plants in the main areas, remove dead leaves, re-pot as needed. This position is once a week and anytime that works with your schedule.

If you have any questions or would like to volunteer please contact RSVP at 515-292-8890.

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Care Initiative, Hospice:

Friendly visitors are needed for Hospice clients. Volunteers will offer a variety of support in meaningful ways such as reading, playing music, playing games, or simply listening. Training is provided to begin. Staff is there for ongoing support as you serve. Visits will occur in homes or in a residential care facilities.   Days and times are determined by the volunteer and client. As a hospice volunteer, you will bring presence and companionship to patients and families in Iowa.  For more information, please call RSVP at 515-292-8890.

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Good Neighbor:

Volunteers are needed for the following positions.

For more information, please call RSVP at 515-292-8890.

• Clerical support Monday- Thursdays from 10am- 4pm. Volunteers will assist at the reception area, answer phones, assess client needs, and distribute vouchers. A cheerful attitude and ability to respect the confidentiality of all those who visit Good Neighbors is a must.  You can volunteer for one shift or several shifts. They prefer the volunteer commit to a three hour shift.

• Financial Volunteer, 1 - 4 times per month, to be arranged with Good Neighbor Director and other Good Neighbor Financial Volunteers. Flexible times. Duties include, deposits and write requested check to pay for operating expenses and assistance from the Good Neighbor bank account.  Must be experienced in using Quick Books.

 

Heartland Senior Services:

Volunteers are needed to deliver a hot lunch to the senior’s home. In conjunction with Mary Greeley Medical Center, Heartland Senior Services provides Home Delivered Meals to individuals throughout ALL of Story County. Heartland Senior Services is seeking volunteer drivers for the outlying towns in Story County. You would pick up the meals at Mary Greeley Medical Center West Staff Entrance and deliver to the designated drop off location, and to the clients listed on the route. Monday through Friday 10:00 – 1:00. For more information, please call RSVP at 515-292-8890

 

Mary Greeley Hospital:

Volunteers are needed for the following areas:

• Art Cleaning Volunteers  (Tuesday and/or Thursday afternoons) 

Mary Greeley Medical Center has a permanent collection of art from regional artists in a multitude of media; one of the largest in the Ames’ area.  Duties include: cleaning art, wiping artwork glass and frame while it is on the wall. Other types of art will also be cleaned and dusted, including sculptures.  Volunteers may work individually or with another volunteer.

• Ambulatory Care Services (Mondays from 1-3 p.m.)

Duties include greeting guests, checking-in patients, answering the phone, communicating with staff, patients and visitors, light clerical work, straightening up the waiting area,

and assisting patients and visitors as needed. 

• North Information Desk (Tuesdays from 12-4 p.m.) 

Duties include greeting guests; handing out maps, providing directions and some light clerical work. Main contact is with patients coming to the Radiation Oncology Department, some family members, and staff. This assignment is great for those volunteers wanting to help who can also keep themselves busy with clerical work or reading at times.

Volunteers at this desk work in tandem with a staff transporter. 

• Home Delivered Meals (Shifts available Monday-Friday from 10:15 a.m. to 12 p.m.)

Volunteers for Meals on Wheels help by delivering meals to Ames residents over the lunch hour. Typical routes include 5-10 stops that are arranged as much as possible by geographic location.

• West Information Desk (Friday from 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.)

This volunteer is the first person to greet many patients and visitors to the medical center. It requires very good customer service. Volunteers direct visitors to patient rooms and other areas of the medical center, and answer a multitude of questions.

For more information on volunteer times and locations within the hospital

contact the Ames RSVP office at 515-292-8890 

 

MICA (Mid-Iowa Community Action):

Volunteers are needed for a couple different positions at the pantry. They are looking for a clerical position to assist individuals and families during check-in. And for the food pantry to assist with stocking the pantry shelves and compiling family orders. Both of these positions are available Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Volunteers are asked to work a minimum of a 2 hour shift during those time frames. For more information, please call RSVP at 515-292-8890.  

Overflow Thrift Store: Volunteers needed in the North and South stores to help at the register, and to sort, clean, and stock donated merchandise.  If you like clothing, shoes and toys, the North store is for you. If you like home décor, furniture and electronics, the South store is more for you.  Volunteers are asked to work a minimum of a 2 hour shift.  Shifts are available Monday-Friday 10-6pm and Saturday 10-4pm. For more information, please call RSVP at 515-292-8890.

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Overflow Thrift Store:

Volunteers needed in the North and South stores to help at the register, and to sort, clean, and stock donated merchandise.  If you like clothing, shoes and toys, the North store is for you. If you like home décor, furniture and electronics, the South store is more for you.  Volunteers are asked to work a minimum of a 2 hour shift.  Shifts are available Monday-Friday

 

Raising Readers:

Volunteers are needed for the following areas:

Raising Readers in Story County is looking for volunteers who are interested in tutoring students and promoting early literacy skills. Volunteers will need to complete a background check and attend a training session. For more information and to get involved call RSVP at 515-292-8890.

 

Reiman Gardens: 

Butterfly Wing Docents- Volunteer among the butterflies! Volunteers are needed to help with monitoring the space to ensure that USDA regulations are followed, and the butterflies are contained within the exhibit. These volunteers, also known as Butterfly Wing Docents, interact directly with the public answering questions about the butterflies and plants in the exhibit. All new Butterfly Wing Docents are required to attend one training session.

Both weekday and weekend opportunities available between 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM, 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM. Perfect for individuals and couples. Please call RSVP at 515-292-8890 for more information.

Floral Design Assistants: Act as a representative of the Education department in supporting the floral design instructor (State Fair Master floral Judge Sandy Gossman), facilitating the program, and learning the art of floral design with the potential of leading classes in the future. Floral Design is a monthly course with up to 15 attendees/course. Courses are held the third Tuesday of each month from 7-8 PM, with volunteers working from 6:15-8:15 PM.

Butterfly Monitors for IBSN: The Iowa Butterfly Survey Network (IBSN) is a statewide project conducted by citizen scientists (like you!) to monitor butterfly populations, as they are important indicators to environmental health. Gather data on butterfly populations throughout the summer months on designated public and private properties, entering data in the online database. Survey routes are in field environments and require walking over uneven terrain. Monitors may encounter others during the course of their activities, and should be prepared to answer questions about butterflies and the survey. Monitors will be trained in butterfly identification and IBSN protocols.

• WHEN: Between May & August, complete 6 walking routes at your own pace. They can be done at any time within these months.

• WHERE: You’ll be given nearby location(s) to walk based on where they live and how far you’re comfortable walking.

• HOW TO SIGN UP: Create an IBSN account to get started. Visit https://www.reimangardens.com/volunteers/ to find out more! Scroll down to the IBSN application to apply and learn about training.

 

Youth and Family Docents: Provide a rewarding learning experience through guided tours and school programs. Lead small groups of young learners through various stations throughout the Gardens (Conservatory, Butterfly Wing, Garden Room, Classroom, outdoor gardens, and other spaces). Provide grade-level appropriate content generated by Education staff. Family tours and school programs take about one hour and are available year-round, but are most frequent April-October and are held weekday mornings and afternoons. Training provided online and on site.

• TO LEARN MORE: We will have a lunch-and-learn on Tuesday, March 28, from 12-1:30 at Reiman Gardens for those interested in learning more about this and other education-related volunteer opportunities. Please RSVP to khope@iastate.edu.

 

RSVP Volunteer Driver Transportation Program:

You can make a difference in the lives of Story County residents by becoming part of a pool of volunteers who provide occasional rides to those in need of transportation. Priority is given to seniors needing rides to medical appointments. This service is provided entirely by volunteers who use their own vehicles.  Ames and Nevada drivers are needed to help riders.

Please call RSVP at 515-292-8890 for more information.

 

Salvation Army:

The Salvation Army needs your help with their Food Pantry & Market. They are looking for volunteers Monday - Friday from 12:30 to 3:30pm. You can choose one day a week or multiple days a month to volunteer.  If you aren't available for an entire shift, they are able to adjust to fit your schedule. Your role would be to prepackage the food for their clients, stocking shelves, sorting baked goods and making snack packs for kids. To learn more or get involved call RSVP at 515-292-8890. 

 

Suncrest Home Health and Hospice:

Volunteers are needed for the following areas:

Hospice Pet Visits- If you have a dog with a friendly demeanor and up to date vet records Suncrest would enjoy having you bring them to visit patients. Dogs do not need any certifications, just be well-mannered and always remain on a leash. Volunteers must be vaccinated.

Call RSVP for more information at 515-292-8890

Letter Writing- Here’s an opportunity to make a difference by writing letters to hospice patients. Suncrest Home Health and Hospice in West Des Moines is looking for people to write letters or send cards to patients. So many are feeling lonely and need something to look forward to. 

Contact RSVP at 515-292-8890 for more information. 

Fidget Blankets- Suncrest is looking for volunteers to make fidget blankets to help Alzheimer’s and Dementia patients who become agitated, refocus on something else. Blankets should be lap size and have 5-7 eye catching activities (zippers, pockets, velcro, ribbon, etc). No small objects that could be choked on please! Call RSVP to get involved with this opportunity 515-292-8890.

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Story Medical Senior Care Center:

 They are looking for volunteers who are interested in making a difference in the lives of Senior Care residents. Volunteers are needed for several different activities.   

• Ladies’ Tea on the second and fourth Thursday of the month for one hour. They are looking for individuals who are interested in working with older adults on a variety of creative projects.  The volunteer will help plan and execute the event.  This event offers a great opportunity for the group to spend some time and share a little love with our seniors who come together for a snack, games, crafts and social activities. Volunteers must be compassionate, thoughtful, and interested in being a part of a creative and therapeutic environment

• that fosters meaningful connections and community

• Friendly visitors needed. Days and times are determined by the volunteer and resident. Volunteers are needed for a friendly One-to-One visit. Volunteers will offer a variety of support ranging from providing companionship and comfort, reading, writing letters, reminiscing, playing games, doing puzzles, listening to music, reading, or taking walks.

•  This is a very rewarding and flexible position. Training is provided.

• Juice Cart assistant needed. Day and time determined by the care center and the volunteer. The volunteer provides snacks, beverages, and a smile to the residents.  Overall, the volunteer makes the residents day a little brighter.  This is a flexible position.

• Mens’ Coffee on the second and fourth Thursday of the month for one hour. They are looking for individuals who are interested in working with older adults on a variety of creative projects.  The volunteer will help plan and execute the event.  This event offers a great opportunity for the group to spend some time and share a little love with our seniors who come together for a snack, games, crafts and social activities. Volunteers must be compassionate, thoughtful, and interested in being a part of a creative and therapeutic environment

• that fosters meaningful connections and community.