Ways to Volunteer

"Caring for People is a VNA Tradition"

Whether you have a lot of time or a little, a specific skill you’d like to use or a general desire to help, VNA has a volunteer opportunity for you.

Short Term Volunteer Opportunities
Christmas Caroling
Holiday Gift Giving Project
Holiday Meal Deliveries
Light Up A Life Project
Sewing Projects
Valentine Greetings

Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities
Eldercare Direct Care
Eldercare Telephone Reassurance
Hospice Bereavement Luncheon
Hospice Clerical
Hospice Grief Support Group
Hospice Memorial Service
Hospice Patient Care
Meals on Wheels Delivery Driver

For more information, contact VNA Director of Volunteers at (214) 689-2210

Christmas Caroling
During the holiday season, Hospice volunteers and staff spend a few hours on a Saturday afternoon caroling at the homes of Hospice families.

Holiday Gift Giving Project
VNA staff and volunteers gift-wrap and deliver holiday gifts to VNA Home Care, Hospice, Long Term Care, Eldercare, and Meals on Wheels patients and clients. This year, the Holiday Task Force of the VNA Volunteer Advisory Committee is working toward the dream of providing 4,000 VNA patients and clients with a gift bag containing the following items: Bottle of shampoo (8-13 oz.); Bottle of hand lotion (8-13 oz.); Tube of toothpaste (2.7- 4.6 oz); Toothbrush; White tube socks; Bar soap (3.5- 4.5 oz.); and Wash cloth. Donations of any of the above, in any amount, are welcomed. The 2007 event will be held at Spring Valley United Methodist Church on December 5th and 6th. 

Holiday Meal Deliveries
Thanksgiving and Christmas Day meals are picked up at the VNA office in Dallas County. This volunteer opportunity is popular with families and fills up quickly. With many year-round volunteers going out of town for the holidays, substitute drivers are welcome throughout November and December.

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Light Up A Life Project
Volunteers staff the Light Up A Life tree at the Golden Triangle Mall in Denton, take donations, write names of remembered loved ones on paper doves, place doves on the tree, process order for crystal ornaments, and assist in process of mailing ornaments. In Dallas, volunteers write names of remembered loved ones on tree in VNA lobby, place them on tree, and assist with processing and mailing of crystal ornaments.

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Sewing Projects
Volunteers sew lap blankets, afghans, gowns, and positioning pillows to be used for Hospice patients.

Valentine Greetings
Volunteers make cards to be given to Hospice patients for Valentine's Day.

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Eldercare Direct Care
Volunteers are placed in one-on-one matches with senior citizens who are no longer driving but still living in their own home. Volunteer activities include companionship; assistance with shopping and errands; and escorted transportation to medical appointments. Eldercare volunteers set their own schedule, typically 2-4 hours per week. Evening and weekend assignments are available. Volunteer application, criminal background check, personal references, and one hour training by appointment are required. Direct Care volunteers must have an automobile; be good listeners; and be able to exert some physical effort (such as carrying bags of groceries).

Eldercare Telephone Reassurance
Volunteers make weekly telephone calls to homebound senior citizens. Times are flexible. Volunteer application, criminal background check, personal references, and half hour training by appointment are required. Must have an outgoing personality and ability to communicate well over the telephone.

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Hospice Bereavement Luncheon
Volunteers greet adults whose loved one has died within the last 12 months; lead table discussions; and assist with set up and clean up. Typical time commitment is 3 hours monthly or quarterly. Volunteer application, criminal background check, personal references, personal interview, and 18-hour hospice training are required. Must be sensitive to the needs of the bereaved; understand the psychosocial and physical needs and problems of the bereaved; ability to communicate effectively; and possess emotional maturity.

Hospice Clerical
Volunteers audit Hospice volunteer files for Medicare compliance; assist with mailings; and process volunteer activity documents. Time commitment varies: 2 - 4 hours weekly, monthly, quarterly, or when needed. Volunteer application, criminal background check, personal references, personal interview, and 8-hour hospice training are required. Must be sensitive to the needs of terminally ill patients and their families and be able to communicate effectively.

Hospice Grief Support Group
Volunteers facilitate discussions of bereaved adults and their families.  Time commitment is 2 hours once a week for eight weeks, twice annually. Volunteer application, criminal background check, personal references, personal interview, 18-hour hospice training, and 6-hour support group training are required. Must be sensitive to the needs of the bereaved; understand the psychosocial and physical needs and problems of the bereaved; ability to communicate effectively; and possess emotional maturity.

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Hospice Memorial Service
Volunteers greet attendees; provide readings, music, and prayers; provide refreshments; and assist with set up and clean up. Time commitment is 4 hours annually or semi-annually. Volunteer application, criminal background check, personal references, personal interview, and 18-hour hospice training are required. Must be sensitive to the needs of the bereaved; understand the psychosocial and physical needs and problems of the bereaved; ability to communicate effectively; and possess emotional maturity.

Hospice Patient Care
Volunteers provide caregiver relief; deliver supplies; provide emotional support; run errands; and provide socialization to terminally ill patients of all ages with six-month life expectancy. Time commitment is flexible, typically 2 hours per week based on schedule determined between volunteer and assigned patient. Volunteer application, criminal background check, personal references, personal interview, copies of auto insurance and driver's license, health assessment and TB test, and 18-hour hospice training are required. Must be sensitive to the needs of terminally ill patients and their families; understand the psychosocial and physical needs and problems of terminally ill patients and families; ability to communicate effectively; and possess emotional maturity.

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Meals on Wheels Delivery Driver
Deliver a nutritious lunch meal to isolated, homebound, disabled, ill, and elderly in Dallas County .  Ongoing volunteers needed once a week (Monday - Friday) or on a substitute basis.  Time commitment 1.5 hours.  Volunteer close to home, work, or school.  Volunteer application, background check, personal references, and training required.  Must have a dependable automobile and a caring attitude.

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