volunteers

Press Release:

National Home Care & Hospice Month, which was created by Jimmy Carter in 1978, is a month-long celebration that recognizes healthcare professionals who provide care wherever the patient calls home.

HomeCare & Hospice, which proudly serves Cattaraugus, Allegany, Genesee and Wyoming counties, will be taking the time to celebrate their administrators, clinical staff, volunteers, personal care aides and home health aides.

“We have amazing staff who truly provide the best care to our communities,” said Melissa Sullivan, Chief Executive Officer. “We are looking forward to showing our staff even more appreciation throughout the month.”

Special recognition dates are celebrated nationally throughout the month including Home Health Week November 18 - 22.

During Hospice Month in November, local libraries in Arcade, Olean, Wellsville, and Batavia will feature special Hospice displays. These displays will include books from the libraries' own collections, along with informational materials provided by HomeCare & Hospice. Stop by and learn more about hospice care and the valuable resources available to support patients and families.

National Home Care & Hospice Month is a great time to become a volunteer with the organization. HomeCare & Hospice is seeking caring individuals in Allegany, Cattaraugus, Genesee or Wyoming counties who would be interested in becoming hospice volunteers. 

Both patients and their families not only require the help of the medical, aide, spiritual, and social work team provided by HomeCare & Hospice, but also need the support and respite that can be carried out by compassionate members of the community. If you or someone you know is interested in volunteer opportunities, please contact Pat Meek at 585-343-7596.

When facing the challenges of a serious illness, it’s important to remember that the right support can make all the difference. Hospice care focuses on comfort, dignity, and quality of life, ensuring that patients and families are never alone on this journey. Don’t wait until the situation feels overwhelming—call now to explore how hospice can help. Anyone can make the first call to hospice—whether it's a doctor, nurse, discharge planner, friend, family member, or the patient. 

Reach out today and discover how we can support you during life’s most difficult times. For more information on services available, please call 585-343-7596. For more information on the history of HomeCare & Hospice, please visit https://homecare-hospice.org/about/.

Press Release:

Volunteers Needed! Come on down to the ballpark this Sunday, October 13 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., and help the Batavia Youth Baseball Board with some fall cleanup. We will be organizing and cleaning to get ready for winter hibernation before we're back in swing (pun intended) next season!

Check out the Tent Sale from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. for any baseball apparel, gear, and accessories that are being cleared out from inventory.

Any volunteers interested in helping can show up at MacArthur Park on Denio Street, Batavia, this coming Sunday, October 13, from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Press Release:

GLOW With Your Hands organizers are seeking 15 additional volunteers to support the coordination of 1,000 students from across the GLOW region for the 6th annual career exploration event being held on Tuesday, September 24 at the Genesee County Fairgrounds in Batavia.

“The success of GLOW With Your Hands is made possible through the generosity of volunteers in a variety of event-day roles, including tour guides for individual schools, and support at the entrance at the fairgrounds, parking and lunch areas,” said GLOW With Your Hands Co-Chair Karyn Winters said. “We are fortunate to have so many volunteers already registered but we need more to cover all our bases.”

The annual GLOW With Your Hands event provides students with hands-on career exploration in high-growth and high-demand careers. Activities such as welding, bricklaying and heavy equipment operation, and interactions with employers provide students with the insight to explore career opportunities with companies across the region.

“We’re tremendously excited to once again welcome so many companies and students to GLOW With Your Hands. The commitment and dedication of so many volunteers is what makes this amazing event possible,” said Angela Grouse, GLOW With Your Hands Co-Chair.

Registration for volunteers is available by emailing Karyn Winters at kwinters@geneseeny.com or filling out the volunteer form at www.glowwithyourhands.com/manufacturingvolunteers.

Press release:

RESTORE Sexual Assault Services, a program of Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York, is recruiting volunteers for an upcoming training cycle in July. There is an urgent need for volunteers in Monroe, Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties. 

Volunteer Advocates are responsible for taking crisis phone calls from their home and providing information and advocacy to sexual assault survivors at a hospital or police station. Volunteers offer support, information and resources to survivors of sexual violence and their loved ones. The time commitment is flexible, and at the volunteer’s discretion.

All applicants will be screened and must complete 32 hours of training prior to beginning their volunteer commitment. 

The training will take place in a virtual setting. All RESTORE services are dynamically responding to the changing Covid-19 protocols and using a variety of communication methods, depending on the needs and comfort level of the survivor. 

Those interested in volunteering for RESTORE must be at least 20 years of age, have reliable transportation, and be comfortable working with those in a crisis situation. 

For further information about volunteering with RESTORE, email:  restore@ppcwny.org

RESTORE leads the community response to sexual violence through advocacy and education, by providing the safety, support and validation that changes the lives of all those affected.  

RESTORE 24-hour hotline:

1-800-527-1757 (Livingston, Wyoming, Orleans and Genesee counties)

Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York provides high quality, nonjudgmental reproductive health care; promotes responsible and healthy sexuality; advocates for access to comprehensive health care; and supports those affected by sexual violence.

Press release:

Now is a great time to become a 4-H volunteer or start a local 4-H Club with the Genesee County 4-H Program.

The 4-H Program is a youth development program for youth ages 5-18. 4-H connects youth to hands-on learning opportunities that help them grow into competent, caring, contributing members of society.

The Genesee County 4-H Program would not be possible without the time and talents of its volunteers.

Volunteers are essential to the program and allow you to share your knowledge and hobbies with interested youth.  4-H volunteer opportunities range from coordinating monthly club meetings to leading a one-time gardening project. Whatever you have to offer, 4-H has a place for you! 

Genesee County 4-H Volunteer opportunities include:

• Lead a 4-H project in an area that excites you, such as cooking, woodworking, sewing, or animal science;
• Coordinate a 4-H Club by planning monthly meetings and projects with club families;
• Judge 4-H public speaking presentations;
• Lead a 4-H livestock event or contest;
• Coordinate a 4-H activity at the county fair;
• Help with fundraising;
• Become a certified Shooting Sports Instructor.

For more information about joining the Genesee County 4-H Program, please contact the 4-H Office at genesee4h@cornell.edu or (585) 343-3040, ext. 131. Enrollment forms are also available on our website.

Press release:

Have you ever wondered how Genesee County came to be? What was the Holland Land Purchase? What is a Gibbet? If any of these questions peak your curiosity among many others, then volunteering at the Holland Land Office might be perfect for you.

The museum is reaching out to anyone with an interest in local history who would like to volunteer. Any amount of time that can be given is welcome, even an hour a week can make a great difference.

Volunteers can work in many different areas, and interests and strengths will be used to the most optimum affect.

Areas of need include: cleaning, gift shop, docent/tour guide, documenting of artifacts, exhibits and displays, landscaping, etc.

Volunteer hours would be during the normal hours of operation of the museum are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

If you have an interest in volunteering with the Holland Land Office Museum, please contact Director Ryan Duffy at (585) 343-4727 or email him at:   hollandlandoffice@gmail.com

Information can also be found at the museum’s website.

Submitted photos and press release:

It may be a bit early to tiptoe through the tulips but visitors to the Batavia Peace Garden will be delighted to find rows of hyacinth and daffodils in full bloom there. 

As Genesee County residents are sequestered indoors for days on end due to the coronvirus pandemic, it is refreshing to know that passersby can enjoy a burst of color at the Batavia Peace Garden.

With the help of dozens of volunteers, the bulbs were planted last fall. The majority of plants were provided complements of Delre's Greenhouse & Garden Center in Batavia, according to Batavia Peace Garden Director Barb Toal.

"It's nice to know that so many people can enjoy the serenity and beauty of this garden during a time when the whole world is on edge," Toal said. "That’s precisely what the Peace Garden was created for.

"Whether you pass by in your car or take a stroll through the garden with your family, you can’t help but feel good about the colorful blooms and the sweet scent of the hyacinths. But if you do decide to take a walk be sure to practice distance guidelines. At the Peace Garden, all are welcome.”  

The Peace Garden enjoys a variety of blooms annually spring through fall. The season for tulips approaches in mid-May. That is followed by Black-eyed Susan’s, yellow roses, daises, hydrangea and much more.

Volunteers are always needed to help with more planting and garden maintenance.

For information on how you can participate, visit the Batavia Peace Garden online here or contact the International Peace Garden Foundation here.

Press release:

In accordance with the Oakfield Town Supervisor and the Oakfield Town Board, it has been decided that during the coronavirus crisis, we are offering to the ELDERLY and DISABLED residents in the Town and Village of Oakfield the following service:

• Volunteers will get FOOD and ESSENTIAL household items for those in need. The items will be delivered to your home, at which time payment is mandatory (cash or check only). Volunteers will purchase items with their own money so please be prepared to pay them when the items are delivered.

Our volunteers will practice personal protection for both you and themselves. They will not be entering the home, just delivering to the door, with minimal contact and collecting the funds for the purchases. 

If you are in need of this service, please contact the Oakfield Town Office at 948-5835, ext. 101, Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and leave a message. A volunteer will return your call as soon as possible.

(File photo from 2018 Day of Caring.)

Press release:

The United Way of Genesee County will be looking forward to its 13^th Annual Day of Caring on Wednesday, May 13^th.

More than 30 nonprofit agencies are expected to benefit from more than 400 volunteers who will paint, landscape, and perform general beautification projects throughout Genesee County.

Dwyer Stadium will again be the host site to kick off the event and after all projects are completed a wrap-up celebration will be held to share successes from the day.

Registration for projects and volunteers will be available soon.

Those who are new to the Day of Caring and would like to be involved in spending a united day together making the community a better place, or who have a project they would like completed, are encouraged to reach out to the Tammy Hathaway at the United Way of Genesee County at 585-343-8141.

Information from Catholic Charities of Buffalo (serving all of WNY):

The Appeal 2020 workshop for the tri-county region -- Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties --is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, at St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church in East Pembroke. The workshop will be held in the Parish Hall behind the church, located at 8656 Church St.

In attendance will be:

• Deacon Steve Schumer, president and CEO, Catholic Charities of Buffalo;
• Meichle Latham, chief operating officer, Catholic Charities of Buffalo;
• Rick Cronin, Appeal 2020 general chair;
• Richard Suchan, executive director, Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo;
• Kelly Grimaldi, tri-county district director, Catholic Charities;
• Hero of Hope Partner Award Recipient June Seager, county coordinator, Orleans County Office of Children and Family Services;
• Approximately 40 community volunteers, clergy, lay leaders and donors, as well as Catholic Charities staff.

This volunteer training workshop kicks off Appeal 2020 in support of Catholic Charities and the Fund for the Faith in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties.

In addition, a Hero of Hope Partner award will be given to June Seager, county coordinator of the Orleans County Office of Children and Family Services, for her support of Catholic Charities and strong investment in area families, youths and individuals.

Members of the Appeal leadership team and staff will present information about Appeal 2020, including what has changed, how to run a successful parish effort, and ideas for gaining new donors and renewing previous donors.

Donors in parishes from the tri-county region contributed $418,727 to the 2019 Appeal. 

This year’s Appeal week will take place March 28-April 5 throughout the eight counties of Western New York to celebrate the support of those who have made contributions to the Appeal, and to encourage those who have not already donated to do so. 

The funds raised for Appeal 2020 will help support the 51 programs and services Catholic Charities offers across 43 sites, along with a number of ministries through the Fund for the Faith. Catholic Charities provides assistance to people of all ages, races, faiths and walks of life.

Of the 160,000 individuals reached by Catholic Charities last year, the lives of more than 3,600 were impacted in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties.

For more information, please contact Catholic Charities of Western New York at (716) 218-1400, or visit ccwny.org.

Photo: 4-H Clover Drovers Club members with their pillow projects.

Submitted photo and press release:

The Genesee County 4-H Program is seeking new volunteers and 4-H clubs! Volunteers are essential to our program and allow you to share your hobbies with interested youth.

Projects can be as varied as sewing, arts and crafts, cooking, animal science and more.   

You can start a 4-H Club in these five easy steps!

1.)  Complete the New 4-H Volunteer Enrollment Form (available at the 4-H office).

2.)  Attend an orientation meeting with 4-H staff.

3.)  Enroll five youths in your club (ages 5 to 18).

4.)  Have members choose a club name.

5.) Plan monthly club meetings and projects with club parents and members.

New members and volunteers are always welcome to join the 4-H program.

For more information on how to join or start a 4-H club, please contact the 4-H Office at genesee4h@cornell.edu or (585) 343-3040, ext. 131.

The 4-H office is located at Cornell Cooperative Extension, Genesee County, 420 E. Main St., Batavia.

Press release: 

The City of Batavia is looking for residents of the City of Batavia to fill seats on various boards and committees. There are several openings on boards and committees within the City of Batavia, and the city manager is seeking interested candidates to join these decision-making and advisory bodies.

“If you are interested in our community and want to be a part of the future of Batavia, we encourage you to sign up and volunteer for a committee or board,” said Martin Moore, Ph.D., City of Batavia manager. “The work our committees and boards perform help our City to be a better place to live, work and play.”

Signing up for boards and committees is a great way to help the community and to develop your personal leadership skills. Volunteering will also build your personal self-confidence and skill set in team building.

“City Council is asking for help shaping the future of our City,” said Eugene Jankowski, City of Batavia Council president. “A way to do that is to volunteer to serve on one of our committees. We know your time is valuable and your input is always appreciated.”

Current openings include:

Board of Assessment Review

Positions with the BAR are available for volunteers. These members will preside over grievance day and hear formal grievance complaints from businesses and residents of the city regarding their assessments.

Community Garden

Members of the Community Garden meet to plan activities related to the upkeep and maintenance of the community garden.

Historic Preservation Commission

The Historic Preservation Commission is responsible for the protection, enhancement and perpetuation of landmarks and historic districts.

Youth Board

The Youth Board provides leadership development programs for youth, increases youth outcomes by providing a variety of programs, services and activities.

Zoning Board of Appeals

Hear appeals when a person believes a variance should be made for their property.

Applicants must be residents of the City of Batavia. Applications are available at the City Clerk’s Office or online here.

Press release:

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Program is gearing up to provide tax preparation services for the 2019 tax season. The program is seeking a few more volunteers to assist in the preparation of federal and state tax returns for low- to moderate-income individuals.  

This is a wonderful growth opportunity for people interested in learning new skills, meeting new people and is a fulfilling way to help meet essential community needs.

A fantastic training program will be provided at the Genesee County Office for the Aging weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on: Monday, Jan. 13^th; Friday, Jan. 17^th; Wednesday, Jan. 22^nd; Friday, Jan. 24^th; and Wednesday, Jan. 29^th.

Volunteers must pass a proficiency exam before working in teams of two, with tax appointments running from Feb. 3^rd - April 15.

In 2019, a small group of dedicated RSVP volunteers served more than 1,200 households, providing peace of mind along with tax filings. Many people return year after year to get their taxes done. The volunteers are known for their helpful, professional and thorough manner. The program is provided at no cost, but donations are gratefully accepted. 

You don’t have to be a tax expert. If you’ve been known to complete your own tax returns from time to time or maybe consider yourself a “numbers” person, please call Courtney Iburi, RSVP coordinator, at (585) 343-1611 to learn more.  

ALABAMA

Don’t have a team, but want to run in the Corporate Cup on Thursday, Aug. 1^st.

Join the Y’s Team -- GLOW YMCA.

Register for the race at:www.glowcorporatecup.com

Interested in volunteering? 

We are looking for members like you to help us with: setup, traffic control, food and cleanup (*Must be over the age of 18 for traffic control.)

Time: 5-8 p.m.

Contact: Rachel Hale at rhale@glowymca.org

Press release:

The Genesee County 4-H Program is seeking volunteer judges for the following events at this year’s Genesee County Fair:

• Kennedy Building Exhibits: Judging times are Friday, July 12^th, 5 to 7 p.m. and Saturday, July 13^th, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Two-hour time slots are available on July 13^th. Volunteer judges receive a fair parking pass and meal coupon. No experience is necessary! Exhibits may include: crafts, artwork, photography, sewing, baked goods, horticultural projects and more!
• 4-H Livestock Costume Contest -- Saturday, July 13 at 6 p.m. 4-H’ers will be dressing their project animals up in fun costumes & accessories; help us decide who is the most creative, most humorous, has the best craftsmanship, the best team, and overall champion!

Interested in helping? Contact the 4-H Office for more details 343-3040, or email genesee4h@cornell.edu

Press release:

Volunteer drivers are needed throughout Genesee County. The Volunteer Transportation Center Inc. (VTC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing transportation to non-emergent medical appointments through a network of volunteer drivers.

Transportation is provided specifically to those who have Medicaid through a partnership with Medicaid Answering Services, the local Medicaid transportation broker.

“Becoming a volunteer driver is extremely rewarding,” says Luanne VanBrocklin, new program implementation director. “What better way to give back to the community than to give a few hours of your time ensuring someone in need receives the medical care they deserve.”

All volunteer drivers must complete an application process which includes a background check, and extensive training. Volunteers are then issued a tablet on which trips are assigned to them to serve local residents. For each trip completed, there is mileage reimbursement of $0.545 per mile for miles driven. However, there is no cost to the client for the transportation.

“Our goal is to make a difference in people’s lives by giving access to the health care they need,” says VanBrocklin.

If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a volunteer driver, call the Volunteer Transportation Center at (585) 250-5030 or click here to complete an application today. (Administration for Genesee County volunteers is handled in Watertown, in Jefferson County.)

The Volunteer Transportation Center Inc. (VTC), was established in 1991 in Northern New York. Over the last 20 years, this essential nonprofit organization has provided rides to medical destinations. The staff, Board of Directors and volunteer drivers look forward to a time when transportation to services is accessible to all regardless of economic or special needs.

Press release:

On Wednesday, May 22^nd, the United Way of Genesee County will take part in its 12^th annual Day of Caring.

More than 35 nonprofit agencies are expected to benefit from more than 400 volunteers who will paint, landscape and perform general beautification projects throughout the county.

On May 22^nd, the day will kick off at Dwyer Stadium and end with a wrap-up celebration to share successes of the day.

Registration for projects and volunteers will be available soon.

Those who are new to the Day of Caring, who would like to be involved in spending a united day together making the community a better place, or who have a project they would like completed, are encouraged to reach out to the United Way Regional Director Tammy Hathaway at 585-343-8141.

Group photo from 2018 at Dwyer Stadium by Kevin Carlson of Carlson’s Studio in Wyoming, NY.