Here are 5 ways you can help out in Snohomish County
Published 1:30 am Wednesday, March 15, 2017
By John McAlpine
RSVP Program Recruiter
March your way into volunteering!
Volunteer opportunities exist all over Snohomish County. No matter where you live we can probably match you with a job.
Sponsored by Catholic Community Services, RSVP is America’s largest volunteer network for persons over 55 and the only agency where the collective contribution of the senior volunteer is recorded.
RSVP exists to help volunteers 55+ find fulfillment in their volunteer work.
Habitat for Humanity: The Snohomish County branch of this well-known organization has volunteer opportunities available that don’t require you picking up a hammer or saw. There are two retail stores (Lynnwood and Everett) using volunteers, help is needed in the office and there are opportunities to be on committees that support the Habitat mission. The construction phase for Snohomish County starts up again in this summer. Until then, please consider these as worthwhile places to help out.
Volunteer transportation: Have you ever been inconvenienced by lack of personal transportation for a day or two? Imagine life without that luxury. How would you get to the grocery store, the doctor, the dentist? There are people in your neighborhood who live with this situation. Do you have a free morning or afternoon in your schedule? We have clients who could use your help. You must have a clean driving record (a ticket or two won’t stop you), current insurance, working lights, horn and brakes and a desire to help out. Clients enter and exit the vehicle on their own. Mileage reimbursement is provided. You pick when and where you drive. Call or email me to get started today.
SHIBA: If the world of insurance and regulations seems confusing and arbitrary, consider volunteering with SHIBA. A program of Senior Services of Snohomish County, SHIBA (Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors) provides 30 hours of training so you can assist callers with questions about their rights and options regarding insurance. You help them make an informed decision. The work location is in south Everett.
Academic mentors: School is well underway and mentors and coaches are needed. We work with the Boys &Girls Clubs of Snohomish County, the Interfaith Family Homeless Shelter and local schools. All of them need your help for just a few hours a week. A teaching background is not needed for this.
Food Banks: Food banks in Snohomish County can use someone like you right now. Hunger does not take a day off. We have opportunities to volunteer all over the county. No matter where you live a food bank near you needs help. Some use drivers to go out into the community and pick up food. All need help inside the food bank with repacking food, assisting clients and so on.
You can get involved in Arlington, Everett (2 locations), Lake Stevens, Lynnwood, Marysville (2 locations), Mill Creek, Monroe, Mountlake Terrace, Snohomish and Stanwood/Camano.
If you have any questions about RSVP, volunteering or any of the agencies you see listed here, please contact RSVP at 425-374-6374 or email me at johnm@ccsww.org.
