TO VOLUNTEER OR NOT?

Volunteering is a way for future health professionals to learn first hand about problems facing different populations in our community. During the 2008-2009 MUSC students participated in volunteer service throughout the Low Country in a variety of ways offering a surplus of 18,116.45 hours of support.

If volunteering in the Charleston community interests you or your group, but you cannot decide where to start, call us at 792-5138 or stop by the MUSC GIVES BACK office located at the Harper Center. You can even browse our website at www.musc.edu/muscgivesback for suggestions where you can GIVEBACK!

SCHEDULED VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

October 30, 2009 
Trick or Treat in the Park, 958-6485
reedc@ci.charleston.sc.us
City of Charleston offers a safe trick or treat experience and more to kids 12 and under.  Volunteers are needed to assist with games and activities for participants.  Friday, October 30, 2009 from 4-6pm.  Please call or email Crystal for more details with the contact information provided.

October 31, 2009
American Lung Association of South Carolina, 556-8541
Fight for Air Run/Walk at Edwin S. Taylor Pier (Folly Beach)
rdowns@lungsc.org or www.asthma5k.org
We need volunteers to help with event set-up and to stand along the race route and point participants in the correct direction.  Registration will begin at 8am and the walk will begin at 9am. If you are interested in forming a team, please contact us. We are fighting for the entire community to breathe as easily and healthfully as possible.

November 14, 2009 
First Inaugural Aids Walk- Ryan White Program
ashley.redmond@rsfh.com
The walk will be from 9am-12 at Hampton Park and volunteers are encouraged to participate!  You can donate as a team, walk in the event or individually participate by contacting Amy Painter at painterr@musc.edu.  The Ryan White program focuses on effectively delivering HIV/AIDS care and services to develop, strengthen, or expand access to high quality HIV primary care services.

November 14, 2009 
Ninth Annual Community Health Day Conference and Expo, 722-4802
lorna_beck@fcfetter.com
We need dancers or individuals with knowledge of exercise who have the capabilities  to lead a group within dance exercises.  We also have a need for individuals to maintain registration tables, collect evaluation forms, and distribute lunches for the event.  This health day conference will incorporate educational sessions on diabetes, obesity, healthy eating, and conduct free screenings from 8:30am-1:30pm.  Please come volunteer with us!

December 13, 2009
Strides for Autism , 864-241- 8669
www.scautism.org/strides  or susanl@scautism.org
Charleston-area residents will walk in support of the South Carolina families affected by autism at Hampton Park,
adjacent to the Citadel Military College.  The event will last from 12:30pm-4:00pm.  We would like to invite you to
join us for this exciting event, and assist us in promoting the event.  Our goal is to raise awareness of autism
spectrum disorders and raise funds for the South Carolina Autism Society.  Please call Susan Leiby for add’l
questions or concerns.

CHILDREN'S HEALTH

Mayor's Office of Children Youth and Families, 769-7715
greend@ci.charleston.sc.us
Be a mentor is a community wide initiative to recruit volunteers as mentors and connect them with children. Various mentoring opportunities are available, Charleston, Mount Pleasant, North Charleston, West Ashley etc.  Contact us for more information.

Charleston Book Buddies, 770-262-6658
cvl@coastalcommunityfoundation.org
Join Book Buddies and help all Charleston's Students to become readers! This structured, phonics-based program includes comprehension, vocabulary development, and the reading of a variety of books. Volunteer your time at one of the following locations:
James Simmons Elementary School 1:30am-2:30am T, Th
Mary Ford Elementary School 9am-11am M-Thr
Mitchell Elementary School 8:30am-10:30am M-Thr
Please contact Kathy Thomas for additional questions at 770-262-6658.

Junior Doctors of Health, 792-0955
jdoh@musc.edu
Are you interested in combating childhood obesity or mentoring students toward health profession and biomedical science careers? Join Junior Doctors of Health where a group of student volunteers uses the interactive JDH curriculum to promote Healthy Eating and Exercise in a local Charleston County Elementary schools. MUSC Students from any program are welcome to participate! For the Fall 2009 Program, students will  attend a brief orientation session in September on campus, and help coordinate 3 sessions with local Charleston Elementary students. 

SC Gear Up, 803-255-2542
www.scgearup.com or Cynthia.bennett@scchamber.net
SC Gear Up Speakers Bureau: This program is designed to schedule volunteers to speak with students and parents about the importance of education and making right choices. Discussions will focus on decisions and consequences, goal setting and time management, and career/education choices. Volunteers are needed to work with the students as mentors/tutors. Volunteer applications and Speaker Bureau applications can be emailed upon request. Please feel free to contact Cynthia Bennett for any additional questions.

Carolina Youth Developmental Center, 266-5218
bsutherland@cydc.org or www.cydc.org
Volunteers are needed to help decorate the children's rooms. Duties will include painting, hanging, shelving, organizing, and decorating. Please contact Betsy if interested. Dates and times will be determined based on student availability.

Twenty First Century Community Learning Center After School Program, 937-6423
Cynthia_epps@charleston.k12.sc.us or www.ccsdschools.com
After school academic enhancement and enrichment program which provides educational, social and recreational alternatives for elementary, middle and high school students. Volunteers can provide assistance with homework and art and recreational activities.

Noisette Foundation Lunch Buddies Program, 554-6399
foundation@noisettesc.com or krenstonprice@yahoo.com
Kids want a mentor/friend to look up to! Spend 1 hour each week on your lunch break with students at North Charleston, Mary Ford, and Chicora Elementary Schools and Morningside Middle School.

Big Brothers Big Sisters, 266-5256
www.becomeabig.org or lolayiwola@cydc.org
Want to make a positive difference in the life of a child? Being a Big Brother or Big Sister is about the magic of little moments. Brighten your world through friendship with a child. A variety of Volunteer opportunities are available to fit your schedule. Call about volunteering 3 to 4 times a month in your community or one hour a week at a local school. No special skills are required and training is provided.

HALOS- Helping and Lending Outreach Support, 953-3715
kate@charlestonhalos.org
Your assistance is needed to organize our Resource Closet, our storage unit, and in organizing events to raise funds/or supplies for various programs. Volunteers may assist with specific administrative tasks like mailings, or by serving as a liaison between their group or social network and HALOS. We also need childcare providers during workshops, and help with food preparation or pick-up.

Outreach Learning Center at St. Matthews, 579-0420
ChristyEstephenson@gmail.com 
www.connectinghands.org
Volunteers are needed for the following programs:
1. AS Kids (after school program): Help with homework Mon-Th 3:00-5:30PM during the school year.
2. ESL for adults. Knowledge of another language is not necessary.
Training is provided. Classes meet Tues, Wed and, Th from 9:30-11:30AM and Mon/Wed from 6:30-8:30PM

Communities In School, 740-6793
cwinders@cischarleston.org
We need tutors and mentors! Please contact us if interested in making a difference in the life of a child for as little as 1 hour of your time per week.

Heart Health- MUSC Children's Hospital, 792-4717
catjan@musc.edu
Heart Health is a pediatric weight management program. We offer fitness sessions for our participants and need volunteers to work out with the kids. Help overweight kids learn to move their bodies and lose weight! Work with 4-5 children at a time within gym setting (this doesn't happen often). Sign up for your preferred time! If you are interested in volunteering please feel free to contact Janet at 792-4717.

Eagle Harbor Boys Ranch, 843-688-5995
www.eagleharborkids.org or liz@eagleharborkids.org
Brighten a child's day by simply sending an encouraging card or you may have an idea on your own! We have many volunteer opportunities to help make a difference in a child's life, such as: tutoring and mentoring, as well. Please contact for more information.

The Dee Norton Lowcountry Children's Center, 723-3600
csmith@dnlcc.org or dnlcc.org
Child Advocate volunteers work directly with the children, playing games, reading books and generally spending time with them. Shifts are usually two hours anytime between 8:30-5 Monday through Friday; however we are very flexible and will work with your schedule. Some volunteers come a few times a week, some come in once a week and some once a month, so it is really up to you to dedicate your own hours. An orientation/training and background check is required.

Lowcountry Orphan Relief, 747-4099
cathy@clf1670.org
Volunteers do not need any special equipment. The work is mostly sorting and sizing clothing that has been donated. When we get requests from the agencies that have the children, volunteers fill the orders, picking out clothing, coats, pajamas, shoes and socks, underwear, toiletries, books and school supplies that have been requested for the children.

March of Dimes, 571-1776
mrepik@marchofdimes.com
Volunteers needed to attain data from events into database. Data-Entry office work and follow up with potential donors and volunteers.

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Trident Area, 937-6456
ejackson@bgclubta.org
We are constantly in need of gifted volunteers such as yourself to help out at our Boys & Girls Clubs sites.  Volunteers will help out at our Boys & Girls Club sites. Volunteers can also participate within a range of activities, from tutoring, cooking, art activities, etc. Fill out our volunteer application at www.bgclubta.org and we will get you started in making a difference in the lives of youth in our community.

Clark Academy Mentor Program, 740-6793
cwinders@cischarleston.org
Are you interested in helping a high school student graduate?  Do you like talking to and spending time with teens? This year take part in the Clark Academy Mentor Program!  Communities in Schools of Charleston are recruiting volunteers to mentor students at Clark Academy High School.  This program will serve students all over Charleston County and will require one  email a week and a visit to their mentee of a minimum of 4 hours per week. Please make a difference in the life of a student!  Call for additional information.

PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Special Olympics South Carolina- Roller Skating Program, 795-6226
LucySwaffield@bellsouth.net
Coaches are needed for a roller skating program that will be held at Music in Motion Family Fun Center in Summerville. You will conduct practices and prepare athletes for competitions. Also, the Special Olympics Walking/Running Club, Mt. Pleasant Golf, Mt. Pleasant Tennis volunteer opportunities as well. Please contact Lucy Swaffield for additional details.

City of Charleston Dept. of Recreation, 769-8284
daviss@ci.charleston.sc.us
Photography class: Mid-October, Saturdays
Volunteers are needed to assist special needs athletes with new photography course. Donations and sponsorships are also welcomed to help provide the cameras. There is no experience needed! Also, there will be various one day events, movie nights, talent show, holiday modge podge, evenings in the park, etc. for volunteers to participate.   There is no experience needed!  Please contact Shelli Davis for additional information about the various programs. Pl ease visit http://www.calendar.yahoo.com/shellicityofcharleston to learn how to volunteer!

Charleston Miracle League, 763-2513
MiracleLeagueED@gmail.com
Charleston Miracle League 2009 Spring Season!!
Volunteers needed on Sep. 19-Nov. 7; Every Saturday from 9AM-1PM Charleston Miracle League needs volunteers to buddy with our baseball players! Being a Buddy is a great way to work with a child or adult with a disability while having fun!

Disability Resource Center, 225-5080
jmarsh@drcilc.org
This need is urgent! We could use volunteers on Wednesdays and Fridays to assist with refurbishing equipment and reorganizing our closets and cabinets. Please contact for additional information.

Down Syndrome Association of the Lowcountry, 795-6226
g_k_carpenter@comcast.net
Down Syndrome Association of the Lowcountry is looking for volunteers for shifts to help with coffee and water during an educational conference October 14-16 2009. Times Vary for volunteer shifts including:
Wednesday 14th 8-12:30pm, Wednesday 14th 12:30-5pm, Thursday night beginning at 6:30, Friday 16th 8-12:30pm and Friday 16th 12:30-5pm 

WOMEN'S HEALTH

Center for Women, 763-7333
www.infoatctwomen.org
We are an educational and developmental center dedicated to making personal and professional success an everyday occurrence in the lives of women in the lowcountry. We would love for you to visit our website and submit a volunteer application as we have events for this coming year. Please see www.c4women.org

SENIOR HEALTH

Sweetgrass Court Memory Care, 971-7756
ttolliver@5sq.com
Volunteers needed to spend time with our residents, assist with Bingo, Join the Adopt -A-Grandparent Program and other activities as well.  Come make a difference in a Senior’s life!! For additional information please contact the office.

Charleston Area Senior Citizens, Inc. 722-4127
VolunteerCord@CharlestonAreaSeniors.com or charlestonareaseniors.org
M-F morning assistance with health screening and health education, help with home delivered meals (no vehicle needed), conduct exercise and/or craft classes. M-F, 9am-2pm accompany outreach workers to do home assessments. Pick up food and donations. Quarterly: conduct training on services for staff on relevant aging issues (normal and abnormal signs of aging, symptoms of strokes etc.) Various one-time events.

Respite Care Ministries, 478-2796
respitecare@comcast.net
Volunteers are needed to socialize with our memory impaired participants and to assist them in our daily activities and projects. Come share in our fun and bring our wonderful participants moments of pure joy!

Franke at Seaside, 856-4727
eanderson@frankeatseaside.org
Volunteers needed to assist residents in writing their life history. A booklet is available to make the conversation meaningful. Other opportunities also available. Contact Betsy Anderson for additional information.

Carter May Home, 402-9115 x79 or x57
nmoss@catholic-doc.org
We are looking for students who would like to volunteer to be a companion to our youngest resident. She has memory impairment and could really benefit from friendly visits. This is a wonderful opportunity for the student to gain knowledge and experience working with people with memory impairment. The length of the visit would vary, but probably would be no longer than an hour at a time.

Carolinas Conversations, 792-4642
popec@musc.edu orwww.onzeminor.musc.edu/about/
We train students in a 1-hour session on evidence-based approaches to communicate more effectively with older people and how to conduct conversational interviews for our project. We hope students will have time for as least two interviews over the semester, a few more if you are enthusiastic about community-based interviewing and love having conversations with older people. The people donate their interviews for research purpose to the Carolinas Conversations Collection. The conversations are about their experiences with health, illness, and health services over their life times and insightful for students becoming health professionals.

LOW INCOME and INDIGENT

Fields to Families, 881-6798
info@fieldstofamilies.org
Please help us reach our less fortunate neighbors by participating in our Health and Nutrition Outreach Program. 
We are in search of individuals to prepare the soil and plant the crops, and maintain the garden to provide those in need with fresh, healthy, nutritious vegetables.We are looking for interested people to work on existing outreach projects or create new ones in order to educate the lives of those we serve.

Noisette Foundation Prison Ministry, 554-6399
foundation@noisettesc.com
Provide faith-based Outreach to Ex-Offenders who are seeking a healthy new life. Group Mentoring and Faith Sharing at Star Gospel Mission, Fridays, 7-9 PM. Help someone reach their potential!

Charleston Habitat for Humanity Building and Restore, 722-7145
laurel@charlestonhabitat.org or www.charlestonhabitat.org
Restore Operations Assistant Needed! Do you have 3 hours to spare every week? We need people who can help with managing our Restore (re-use, re-sale, and recycle store). We are open Mon-Fri. from 10am-5pm and Sat. from 9am-4pm. If you could help for any 3-hour period, once a week, this would be a HUGE help! The Restore is our resource for raising funds and awareness for our housing mission!

Sea Island Habitat for Humanity, 768-0998
volunteer@seaislandhabitat.org or seaislandhabitat.org
Sea Island needs volunteers on the construction site Tues- Sat, at the Restore Mon-Sat, and at the office Mon-Fri. Please contact us with any additional questions; we'd loved to have your help!

C.A.R.E.S. Clinic, 876-7097
cares.clinic@gmail.com
The C.A.R.E.S. Clinic is a student-run clinic, in which the students see uninsured patients from the greater Charleston area. We need students from PA and MD programs to interview and to examine patients before presenting to our volunteer physicians. We also need volunteer physicians to help keep our clinic open. We also have pharmacy students who are welcomed to volunteer. We need additional pre-clinical students to help run the office. "PT students are also needed to volunteer to see patients on Tuesday nights." Please sign-up online at www.thecaresclinic.org

Crisis Ministries, 723-9477 ext. 124
bcashman@charlestonhomeless.org
Supervise and help guests with job searching and resume writing and other computer need at our Homeless Employment and Learning Program Center. Duties: Employment Specialist on certain expectations that must be kept in the lab and additional general staff for the lab. Make sure our guests are using the lab for the right purposes. Qualifications: Working background on Microsoft programs.

Lowcountry Food Bank, 747-8146 ext. 113
efisher@lcfbank.org
Volunteers needed to inspect, sort, sanitize, and repackage donated food for distribution to 300 plus non-profit agencies. Serving the poor and hungry of coastal South Carolina. Volunteers are needed to help with donor acknowledgement letters on Tuesday Nights from 5-7 PM.

GENERAL COMMUNITY

MUSC Medical Center and ART, 792-3580
kuderk@musc.edu
Join us for un-limited volunteer opportunities to serve all areas of the Medical Center and Ashley River Tower. Go to www.muschelath.com/volunteer

Keep Charleston Beautiful- Clean City Clara Education Program, 879-7501
scalesj@ci.charleston.sc.us or visit www.keepcharlestonbeautiful.org
We are looking for motivated people to help with our litter prevention program. Volunteers visit local schools with our staff and assist in the program by bringing Clean City Clara our pelican mascot to life. Programs run throughout the Fall Mon-Fri. You can help out just once or come every week. It is a fun and fulfilling opportunity.

American Cancer Society- Hope Lodge, 958-0931
Sundi.herring@cancer.org
Join us at Hope Lodge if you would like to make a difference in the lives of cancer patients and their families. Volunteers are needed weekdays (various shifts available) to assist with checking guest in/out, answering phones, sharing fellowship, etc. Volunteers (individual/group) are needed weeknights to provide nutritious meals.

Parents Anonymous of SC, Inc., 747-0480, x 26
www.paofsc.org
Volunteers are needed to facilitate mutual support groups for Parents Anonymous of SC, Inc. in the Tri-County area. Training is required and provided at no cost. Meetings are held weekly. Volunteers must provide own transportation. Parents Anonymous is the oldest child abuse prevention organization in the US. Join us today to help strengthen families in the Tri County Area!

Meals on Wheels, 881-9350
akral@ecmow.org
Meals on Wheels are in need of volunteer regular and substitute drivers to deliver meals to our homebound recipients. Driving routes are Monday - Friday. Please contact for any additional information.

People Against Rape, 745-0144
parvolunteer@knology.net
People Against Rape is looking for dedicated and passionate people to become volunteer victim advocates for the Tri-County area. Volunteers answer PAR 24-hr Crisis Hotline and accompany sexual assault victims @ the Hospital. Check out our website, www.peopleagainstrape.com.

Adopt-A-Highway (Community Pride), 722-5940 ext.132
acrouch@clemson.edu or www.communityprideinc.org
We need groups of volunteers to adopt a two-mile section of road to clean. We schedule four cleanups a year and ask groups to complete a report card after the cleanup and return the card to us. After we get a signed agreement form and the group participates in a cleanup, SCDOT will put up a sign at the adopted section with the group's name on it. SCDOT provides trash bags, safety vests and gloves for groups to use. Contact Angela Crouch for additional information.

Ronald McDonald House Charities, 723-7957
www.rmhcharleston.org
Volunteers are always needed to prepare meals, including nightly dinners and Saturday brunches! House volunteers are also always needed. Call or visit website to get started!

211 Hotline, 566-7186
www.tuw.org
Want to meet some like-minded people? Feel like you're a compassionate, empathetic person with good listening skills? We're looking for volunteers to help answer calls on our 24-hour hotline. Extensive training provided in counseling techniques and crisis intervention skills. If you can volunteer approximately 4 hours a week after the training, this might be the place for you! Call 566-7186 or e-mail 211@tuw.org for more information.

Habitat for Humanity: Charleston (Women Build), 722-7145
laurel@charlestonhabitat.org
We are forming a team of women who will work together to co-sponsor the building of a home during National Women Build Week in May of 2010. We meet monthly, the next meeting will be November 1st; plan events and fundraisers with a goal to raise $30,000 by May 2010! We also build together on Habitat's Build sites and meet monthly to plan, eat and socialize together!! Please contact Laurel Prichard for more details and RSVP purposes. Call 722.7145 or sign-up on line at www.charlestonhabitat.org

HOSPICE HEALTH

Southern Care Hospice, 569-0870
sladuke@southerncareinc.com
Southern Care Hospice is a special kind of caring for terminally ill patients and their families in our area. If you have a little time to donate and would truly like to make a difference in your life and others, become a member of our Circle of Care.

Odyssey Healthcare, 554-4048
dtoth@odsyhealth.com
Consistent volunteers will visit and occasionally stay with resident in order to permit the caregiver short respite breaks.  Also, visiting individuals within the community who may be isolated or lacking social stimulation. Please feel free to contact us for any additional questions or concerns.

Lutheran Hospice, 296-3647
kbarham@lutheranhospice.org
Volunteer Administrative assistant needed to help answer office phone Tues, Thurs, and Friday mornings each week. Training is provided.

Carolina Hospice Care, 849-5910
katie.hume@carolinahospicecare.com
GOT VOLUNTEERS? WANTED: GOOD HEARTED VOLUNTEERS to visit and bring a smile to our beloved patients, as well as administrative volunteers. They are happy to see you! "Be the change you want to see in the world" -- Ghandi Contact Katie Hume for additional information.

Winyah Community Hospice, 554-7161
Rclary@winyahcare.net
Volunteers greatly needed to provide direct patient care, administrative work, and bereavement support through the Tri-county area. If you have a few extra hours, you can truly make a difference in our patients lives. Look forward to meeting you! Training is provided. Please contact Rachel Clary for additional questions or concerns.

Sweetgrass Court Memory Care (Oakdale Heights), 971-7756
ttolliver@5sqc.com
Volunteers needed to spend time with our residents, assist with Bingo and other activities. Come make a difference in a Senior's life!! For additional information please contact the office.

A Caring Heart Hospice, 637-1558 or 225-2331
Kathy.coffey@acaringheart.org
Volunteers are needed! Help patients and families with a few hours of your time. If you have a love for people, or would like to enhance your bedside manner/communication, while struggling to become a healthcare professional, please call Kathy for more information.

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