We have regular opportunities for donating goods, especially with the holidays coming up. We give 200 bags out every year and need several items for those bags along with general donations for our daily hygiene closet. I suggest calling the Hearth (509-455-4249) to get the most up-to-date emergent needs but here is a good list of things we always need:
- travel size shampoo conditioner and body wash
- regular size conditioner, shampoo, and body wash
- pocket tissues
- large boxes of tissues
- cough drops
- travel size toothpaste
- sleeping bags
- winter coats
- winter boots
- small underwear (size 5 and 6)
Our volunteer opportunities are:
Knit and Crochet Group Leader
This group has historically met on Fridays from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. but could be moved to another time.
The position entails restocking and bringing out our knit/crochet cart from the art storage room, greeting people who come for the group time and answering basic questions about crochet and/or knitting. We would love this to be an ongoing weekly class and recommend having a group of people to lead it if possible.
Art Class Leader
We have a large art supply room full of a variety of donated materials. We are looking for people to lead single session and repeated art classes. We can provide suggestions but would love some volunteers to keep the art room organized and plan art classes for our participants.
Sewing Instructors
This is the area we have the most requests in. We have a huge sewing room filled to the brim with supplies including sewing machines, a serger, and a ton of fabric.
We are looking for:
- Hand-sewing classes
- Sewing as art classes
- Simple mending and alterations classes
- Quilting classes
We are also looking for general volunteers to help with cleaning, sorting, cooking, teaching classes, etc.
My biggest need right now is for groups to come and provide a Community Lunch. They occur on the last Friday of each month at noon. We need volunteers to plan, purchase, prepare, and serve lunch for 30–45 people. We do have a full kitchen available for the meal prep if needed and there are three refrigerators on site for food storage. I just had my group for this month pull out—if you all want to be my hero we are looking for a group to do lunch for us September 29th.
I will send another email in a week or so with information about our big holiday volunteer planning. I think you would all enjoy participating in the Santa’s workshop week we have to organize and fill the backpacks we give out for the holidays.
Please let me know if there are any other questions. Any volunteer inquiries and questions can be sent directly to me. They can call or email. We have a volunteer application and background check for ongoing volunteers located on our website for any individual ongoing volunteers.
Volunteer – Transitions (help4women.org)
Sincerely,
Ariel Fitzgerald
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Volunteer and Activities Coordinator
afitzgerald@help4women.org