Volunteers are the hearts and hands of VNA. With their caring,
dedication, and generous help, VNA’s goals become realities.
This page answers some frequently asked questions about volunteering
at VNA:
How can volunteers help?
How much of my time will it take?
Do I need a car to be a volunteer?
What kind of training is offered?
Do I have to make a long term commitment?
Can I choose the geographic location for my volunteer job?
Can I volunteer with my children?
Are there volunteer opportunities for big groups?
As a student, can I volunteer during school vacations and/or get school credit for my volunteer work?
I am under 16 years of age. Can I be a volunteer?
Does VNA utilize the service of court-ordered volunteers?
Do I use my own vehicle to deliver meals?
Who pays for mileage?
Can someone come tell my club/group/business about volunteer opportunities?
Are there VNA volunteer opportunities in all counties served by VNA?
How can volunteers help?
Volunteers are used in VNA’s Eldercare, Hospice, and Meals
on Wheels programs for both short term and ongoing volunteer opportunities.
If you have an interest in volunteering, VNA volunteer program
staff can find the right opportunity for you.
How much of my time will it take?
Time commitments vary by program and specific volunteer opportunity.
Ongoing volunteer opportunities are generally flexible and are
based on the volunteer’s schedule.
Do I need a car to be a volunteer?
Several VNA volunteer opportunities require the use of an automobile
including Eldercare Direct Care; Hospice Patient Care; and Meals
on Wheels Delivery Driver.
What kind of training is offered?
Training is required and provided to all volunteers to ensure that
each new person feels welcome and receives adequate information
about VNA and its policies. All volunteers receive a general
orientation on the nature and purpose of the agency, an orientation
on the operation of the program for which they are recruited,
and a specific orientation on the purposes and requirements of
the position they are accepting.
Do I have to make a long term commitment?
Volunteers may resign from their volunteer service with the agency
at any time. It is requested that volunteers who intend to resign
provide advance notice of their departure and a reason for their
decision.
Can I choose the geographic location for my volunteer job?
Administrative or clerical volunteer opportunities are based at
VNA offices. For opportunities requiring travel to a client or
patient’s home, VNA volunteer program staff do their best
to comply with a volunteer’s geographic request.
Can I volunteer with my children?
Children are welcome for Eldercare visits, Meals on Wheels deliveries,
and some holiday opportunities.
Are there volunteer opportunities for big groups?
Groups are always welcome at VNA. Group projects can be discussed
and planned with VNA volunteer program staff.
As a student, can I volunteer during school vacations and or get
school credit for my volunteer work?
VNA welcomes student volunteers throughout the year and will sign
off for service hours completed in compliance with each individual
school or university. The Eldercare program is a participating
agency in the Service Learning programs at the Collin County Community
College District and the Dallas County Community College District.
I am under 16 years of age. Can I be a volunteer?
Volunteers who are under the age of 16 must have the written consent
of a parent or guardian prior to volunteering.
Does VNA utilize the services of court-ordered volunteers?
VNA utilizes the services of volunteers who are required by the
courts to provide a specified number of community service restitution
hours for office assistance purposes only. Restitution volunteers
are not allowed direct contact with patients and clients.
Do I use my own vehicle to deliver meals?
Yes, volunteers use their own vehicles to deliver Meals on Wheels.
Who pays for mileage?
VNA unfortunately cannot pay mileage expense for volunteers. However,
volunteers in the United States can receive tax deductions from
the federal government on many costs associated with volunteering,
such as mileage and other travel expenses. These deductions apply
only if volunteers are not getting reimbursed for these expenses
by the organization they are assisting and they are itemizing
on their tax form (not if they use the 1040 EZ form). When volunteers
drive their own vehicle to carry out a task for the organization,
the IRS permits them to deduct $0.14 per mile. For more information,
refer to the IRS Charitable Contributions Publication 526 at
www.irs.gov.
Can someone come tell my club/group/business about volunteer opportunities?
VNA volunteer program staff are available to make presentations
about volunteer opportunities and try to accommodate as many
requests as possible. Please contact Betsy Cox, Director of Volunteers,
at 214/689-2210 or coxbe@vnatexas.org to inquire.
Are there VNA volunteer opportunities in all counties served by
VNA?
VNA volunteer opportunities vary by program – Eldercare is
provided in Collin and Dallas Counties; Meals on Wheels is provided
only in Dallas County; and Hospice services are provided throughout
all counties served by VNA.
For more information, contact VNA Director of Volunteers
at (214) 689-2210 or coxbe@vnatexas.org
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