Area 10 Agency on Aging relies on volunteers who donate their time, skills, and talents to make a difference in the community. To volunteer with us, please fill out our Volunteer Application and either email it or send to 630 W. Edgewood Dr., Ellettsville, IN 47429.

Newest Volunteer Opportunities

• Information Developer. Assists wtih the new 2-1-1 info line, part of a nationwide information network. 2-1-1 helps local residents get information they need for home care, local services, and other assistance.

• Caregiver Support Services Coordinator. Caregivers may be grandparents raising grandchildren, spouses, or baby boomers caring for parents while holding down full-time jobs. Area 10 also has a Low Vision support group and a Grandparents as Parents support group that assists individuals caring for loved ones.

Assistance to the Homebound Volunteer Opportunities

• Nursing Home Ombudsman. Assists the Area 10 Long-Term Care Ombudsman by visiting residents of local nursing homes and acting as an advocate for residents' rights. Must attend a training program and devote a minimum of 6 hours per month.

• Shopping Assistant. Volunteers assist with shopping for groceries and prescription pick-up for homebound elderly persons.

• Friendly Visitor. Volunteers visit the homes of elderly individuals one hour each week.

• Telephone Reassurance. Volunteers call homebound elderly persons a few times each week and provide companionship.

Handymen Needed

• Handyman volunteers perform minor repair work that allows senior citizens to stay in their homes. This especially helps those who are frail, low-income, or disabled. Handymen also install safety equipment. Recipients of these services pay for the materials. For more information, call Area 10 and ask for Liz Jones, or email ljones@area10.bloomington.in.us.

Area 10 Agency on Aging Food Pantry and Nutrition Project Volunteer Opportunities

• The Food Pantry Program provides food to homebound, low-income citizens of Monroe and Owen Counties. Volunteer shoppers select food from the Hoosier Hills Food Bank once a week and help store it for later distribution. Volunteer baggers fill grocery bags for delivery once a month, being careful to accomodate special dietary needs. Volunteer drivers deliver groceries to the individuals on their route once a month. Volunteer callers remind clients about delivery dates and assess the program's effectiveness.

• Nutrition Project volunteers help ensure that seniors receive hot, nutritious lunches five days a week. Volunteers involved in the meal set-up pack the meals at one of five congregate sites. Drivers deliver meals to the homebound and must have access to their own transportation. Servers dish up meals to seniors at the congregate meal sites and help with clean-up afterwards.

The Endwright Center Volunteer Opportunities

• Activity Directors and Sports Coordinators set up activities and teach dance and sports classes. We need volunteers to teach correct weightlifting, proper stretching, effective cardio workouts, and the safe use of exercise equipment. Volunteers are also needed to set up basketball, volleyball, badminton, golf, and exercise-to-music programs. Instructors for dance classes, including square, folk, ballroom, ballet, and line dance, are also welcome. In addition, yoga, tai-chi, self-defense for seniors, and nutrition education instructors are needed. The art, craft, and humanities programs at The Endwright Center need people who have knowledge in these areas and are willing to share it. On-call volunteers for small chores are also needed.

• Computer tutors guide seniors through Windows, Word, Excel, Access, and the Internet. Tutoring is conducted one-on-one in one-hour sessions, Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 3:00 pm.