Men, women, teenagers and children can always find places to volunteer in Elmira, NY. Most volunteer opportunities are just a website or a phone call away. Today's volunteers tend to prefer one time and occasional volunteer tasks as opposed to those that require showing up every week at a specific time. Luckily, there's something for everyone, regardless of age, personal responsibilities or time requirements.
* The Elmira Animal Shelter at 842 Linden Place Extension is always on the lookout for individuals who love animals. Among their many volunteer needs are Animal Care Assistants, Adoption Counselors, and Committee Members. Because of the shelter's ambitious goal of being a no-kill shelter, more volunteers than ever are needed for animal care and fundraising efforts.
The Friends of the Elmira Animal Shelter, all volunteers, seek ongoing fund sources and organize spaying and neutering initiatives. They also help with a Foster Care Program.
* The Sullivan Trail Chapter of the American Red Cross has a continuing need for new or returning volunteers. A good way to begin is by donating blood. As a matter of fact, many people think of giving blood as the one and only volunteer opportunity with the Red Cross. In fact, there are numerous needs in any local Red Cross chapter, including the one located in Elmira, New York. Some volunteer positions will require more skills and experience than others.
Blood Drive Volunteer Coordinator
Blood Volunteer Coordinator
Receptionists
Tele-recruiters (contact previous blood donors and schedule their next donation)
Cookie bakers (to feed those who donate blood)
Project Share assistants (work with clients who have received electric or gas utility disconnect notices)
Plant care - Like all non-profits, the Red Cross is understaffed and overworked. A volunteer with a green thumb, to water and otherwise maintain plants is welcome at this agency.
* In addition to regular volunteer needs, the Food Bank of the Southern Tier has a specific need from February through April for individuals to assist in conducting personal interviews for the 2009 Hunger in America Study. This is a six-county study, so there will also be opportunities to participate in this study outside Elmira.
* St. Joseph's Hospital presents numerous volunteering opportunities through its auxiliary, which has helped the hospital since 1954. Telephone callers contact community members regarding fundraising and contact local legislators on behalf of the hospital. Handmade items are welcomed for fundraising, as are baked items.
Other volunteer positions at St. Joseph's include greeting and assisting hospital visitors at the front desk and working in the gift shop. Dietary, the business office, the emergency department, and the pastoral care division all need help.
* Elmira's Arnot Ogden Medical Center also offers auxiliary and volunteer positions. The short list includes manning the reception desk, escorting patients, visiting patients, data entry, helping patients with menu selections, gift shop staffing and fundraising. For the stay-at-home volunteer, there are knitting and sewing projects.
* Steele Memorial Library, part of the Chemung County Library District, is located at 101 East Church Street, Elmira. As with all libraries, staff welcomes volunteers of varying ages who are willing to shelve returned library materials and to shelf-read for the correct location of books and other items available to the public. Unique opportunities exist for weeding the library's outdoor planter and weeding out older magazines to make room for the new. Volunteers with interest and skill in the area of genealogy are needed on an ongoing basis to search out obituary information and enter it into a special computer database.
* The Clemens Center at 207 Clemens Center Parkway, is seconds away from the library. Volunteers can assist with concessions and usher at the year-round events. The bonus is being there to attend events free of charge. This performing arts center boasts nearly 200 volunteers each year.
Additional volunteering opportunities exist at the National Soaring Museum at Harris Hill, Compeer (mental health recovery program), and the West Elmira Fire Volunteer Department at 1299 W. Water Street. Finally, one of the best ways to find places to volunteer in Elmira, NY is to ask neighbors, co-workers, friends and relatives where they volunteer.