RSVP opportunities are as diverse as the volunteers themselves. 

If you are ready to balance your leisure time with your community involvement here are a few of the sites looking for your skills.

Volunteer Opportunities:

 Is there a Retired Doctor in the House?

The Retired Senior Volunteer Program, (RSVP) is developing an exciting new project called The Retired Medical Specialist Program.  If you are a retired specialist in the field of podiatry, dermatology, endocrinology, ophthalmology or gastroenterology and have some time to devote to community service this opportunity may be of interest to you.  In partnership with the Suffolk County Health Services, RMSP volunteers will render their professional services to clients that receive their healthcare at the Department of Health Services clinics located throughout Suffolk County.  With a small commitment of 5 or 6 hours per week, you can use your skills and lifetime of knowledge and experience to make a profound difference in the quality of others lives.  Liability insurance and training is included in this project.  Call RSVP at 631-979-9490 ext. 11 for more information.  You’ll be glad you did!

• The Ward Melville Heritage Organization’s Educational and Cultural Center in Stony Brook is looking for volunteers to assist with their semi-annual high tea luncheon. If you are friendly and like meeting people, this opportunity is for you. They are also looking for volunteers who are interested in history and science to become instructors for their many education programs. Call Carmela at 979-9490 ext. 16 for more information.
   

• Dominican Village in Amityville is looking for a volunteer to head a knitting group. They are also in need of a volunteer receptionist to greet all visitors and direct them to the appropriate personnel. The hours needed are M-F, 9 am to 12 Noon or M-F, 12 Noon to 4 pm.
  If interested, call Sue at 979-9490, ext. 15.
   

• The Alzheimer’s Association is looking for volunteers to assist with answering phones, mailings and labeling brochures.
   

• Help America’s children become better readers!!! Become an RSVP volunteer assisting children in grades K-3 for the 2008-2009 school year. America Reads is a nationwide, volunteer based reading program designed to have all children read well and independently by the 4th grade. We need volunteers in Northport’s six district elementary schools to read with children for a minimum of one hour a week. Training is provided. If interested, please call Carmela at ext. 16.

• Professional Fund Developers Needed!  -  RSVP seeks a volunteer fundraiser to assist with seeking out grants, foundations to help us grow.  Please call 979-9490 if interested.

• Bide-A-Wee Animal Shelter is searching for animal lovers on the East End.  Call Harold at 288-0754 for more information.

• St. Catherine of Siena Nursing Home needs energized volunteers to wheel clients to physical therapy, beauty parlor, etc.  Great exercise and socialization.  Needed Wednesday and Friday, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.   Call Carmela at 979-9490, ext. 16 for more details.

• Nurturing Souls Needed  -  Madonna Heights in  Dix Hills has a new program called “Morning Star II.”  This program needs volunteers to provide a variety of activity for infants and pre-schoolers.  Senior volunteers are needed for holding, feeding, playing and reading to little ones who attend this day program.  Mon.-Fri.  a.m. hours are available.

• Animal Lovers Needed  -  The Last Hope Animal Shelters in Lindenhurst and Huntington are looking for volunteers who are interested in working with either cats or dogs by taking care of their daily needs.  They are also looking for help with computers, fundraising and organizational ideas.  You can truly make a difference in the life of a lonely, unloved pet.

• Fairy Godmothers and Fairy Godfathers are wanted to work in a variety of volunteer opportunities at the Make-A-Wish Foundation (RSVP’s newest partner!)  Every position from clerical assistance to event helpers to public relations is needed to be filled.  Please call Sue or Carmela for more information.

• Huntington Community Food Council, in Huntington Station, needs volunteers to package and distribute food items to community residents in need.  Two hours  monthly is all that’s needed, plus the desire to help those less fortunate. Contact Carmela (979-9490 Ext. 16) for details.

• The Family Service League’s Ombudservice Program of Suffolk County is seeking volunteers to train as advocates for nursing home, adult home and assisted living residents. Trained volunteers visit residents once a week to help improve the quality of their lives and to ensure that their rights are protected. If interested, please call our office and ask for Carmela.

• Visiting Nurse Service of Northport is in need of office volunteers. The volunteers will assist with filing, paperwork organization, etc. Flexible day-time hours. Please call the office for more information.

• SCORE (Senior Corps of Retired Executives) - is looking for retired business people who have a record of success in professional services and would like to guide and mentor entrepreneurs and people looking to begin or expand small businesses.  As an RSVP volunteer for SCORE you don’t have to take your suits out of storage!   Call Sue (15) or Carmela(16) for more info. 

• Calling all handymen (and women) - Rebuilding LI is in need of skilled carpenters, plumbers, painters etc.  who would like to help low-income families and seniors with tasks in their homes they are unable to do.  All material expenses are paid for by Rebuild LI, a 501 (c) 3. Call Sue at ext. 15.

   

• All Aboard!  The Railroad Museum of LI is in need of tour guides, gift shop help and engineers to drive their train on weekends during the spring and summer months.  Locations are Riverhead and Greenport.  Call 979-9490 ext. 11 for more info.

   

• Tech Geeks wanted – The Community Computer Connections program of RSVP is in need of volunteers to refurbish donated computers for giving back to financially challenged families that can’t afford this essential tool.  Also needed are installers and tutors for the recipient families.  Call Irene at ext. 12 for more info.

   

• Like to Chat?  The Telephone Reassurance Program is looking for   volunteers to operate their phone banks in Westhampton or Smithtown.  Volunteers are assigned a day where they call homebound, isolated seniors to socialize and monitor their well-being.

   

• Doctor, Doctor – RSVP is seeking retired healthcare professionals to participate in a project called “Volunteers in Health Care”.   Call Pegi at 979-9490, ext. 11 for more information.

• The little ones could use your help at LI HEAD Start sites throughout Suffolk County.  Be a part of a preschoolers’ day by assisting in the classroom.  Call Sue and Carmela for more info.

• “Little Doctors’ Program”   -  RSVP is seeking senior health care professionals or educators to conduct educational presentations on the blood and circulatory system to 4^th-6^th grade students in local area schools in Suffolk County.  Assistance with coordinating a blood drive at the school would be part of the volunteer assignment.  Training and materials are given through RSVP’s partnering organization, Long Island Blood Services.  If this opportunity interests you, please call Carmela at the RSVP office at 979-9490 Ext 16.

• VA Hospital in Northport needs “Sunshine Group” volunteers to provide “friendly visiting” outdoors once a week for two hours.  Volunteers are also needed as “writers” for patients in “Poetry Group” Wednesday, bi-weekly.

• Options For Community Living Thrift Shop is looking for a volunteer to help out one day a week.  Their greenhouse in Medford is looking for a volunteer to help with crafts.  An office volunteer is also needed one day a week for 2-3 hours.

• Long Island State Veterans Home  in Stony Brook is in need of volunteer assistance on Fridays for mail delivery, friendly visiting, and escorting wheelchair residents.   If you have just one night or weekend day  free, you can make a huge difference to a lonely senior.

• ‘Feelin Good’ Program is looking for volunteers who like to lead exercise activities, wellness discussions and reminiscence groups at senior centers throughout Suffolk County.  Skills:  creative, energized and ability to be physical.  Training is provided.

These are just a few opportunities RSVP has.  You can also:

• Be a hospital volunteer.

• Work at a soup kitchen or food pantry.

• Assist with home rebuilding chores

• Help refurbish used computers for needy families

• Become an advocate for patients in local nursing homes

• Assist in running blood drives

• Become a tour guide at a historical landmark or museum.

There are many more volunteer placements!

Call 631-979-9490 or email us for more information at info@rsvpsuffolk.org and find out how you can share your lifetime of experience with your community.

Do you need to free up some of your time?  Or maybe more importantly, free up your staff’s time?

RSVP works with volunteers at The Arbors Assisted Living Communities in Islandia and Hauppauge.  The resident volunteers would love to help your agencies by performing needed clerical tasks like stuffing envelopes, labeling, bulk mail, etc.  Call RSVP for more contact information.