Volunteer
Be a part of a unique tradition that goes back 60 years: become a Witherell volunteer. Volunteers play an important role on our campus. They present art shows and music programs, and escort residents to activities. They staff the gift shop, bring their pets, care for plants in residents’ rooms, and make weekly worship services available. Volunteers range from teens to retirees.
But most of all, volunteers are there for our residents, wanting to share their energy and community connections. Volunteers join in conversation or just hold a resident’s hands. The reward? Knowing they have enriched the lives of the Witherell’s residents.
Positions
If you would like to be a part of it you should know there are volunteer opportunities to suit any interest and schedule. To find out more about volunteer positions, click on the links below.
To become a volunteer, contact:
Mary Tate
Volunteer Coordinator
203-618-4228 or mary.tate@witherell.org
Family Council Board
This is a volunteer group of resident’s family members who meet for discussion and to offer suggestions that positively influence resident life, care, and treatment. They provide support to each other, and support residents and their families.
Escort Residents
Volunteers assist the Therapy staff with patient transport, from our various units to the Rehab gym and back. Other duties may include helping as directed in the gym. Weekday mornings are the busiest times, (9:00 to noon) or weekday afternoons from 1:00 to 3:00. Weekend volunteers in Rehab are welcome from 9:30 to noon.
Recreation
Our therapeutic recreation staff welcomes assistance at their regular as well as special activities. Generally held in the auditorium, these programs range from music to news to games, etc., and help is always needed in transporting residents to and from their units, and assisting residents during the activity. Opportunities exist Monday through Saturday, in both the morning and afternoon. Saturdays are when many of our teen volunteers help out.
Plant Care
Each of the 5 nursing wings, as well as the administration area, needs an individual to water the plants in the residents’ rooms once a week, with pruning as needed. These jobs can be done at any time that suits the volunteer’s schedule
Visiting
Visitors are a window to the world, and many volunteers enhance our residents’ lives through one-on-one relationships. One might come for conversation, or to play cards, or to read to a resident, depending on the mutual interests of the visitor and resident.
Gift Shop
Shop volunteers do the selling. Prices are marked, so staffers either take cash or write up a room charge for resident purchases. Volunteers are always needed during the week which would ideally from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday, with additional hours on Saturday and Sunday.
Pet Therapy
Another way to visit our residents is to bring your leashed pet. Friendly and well-trained dogs are always welcome, at any time (except meal time), and ideally the pet owner will spend a little bit of time with a good number of residents. Cats are also a treat to see. Updated vaccinations are required.
Religious Services
Volunteers transport residents from all the floors to the chapel on the first floor for the four weekly religious services, all at 11 AM. Mass is on Mondays, Rosary is on Tuesdays, a Protestant Service is on Wednesdays, and an ecumenical Eucharistic service is celebrated on Sundays. The volunteers assist during the service with handing out music books, assist residents and return residents to their floors after the service. Volunteer Catholic Eucharist Ministers come on Thursdays and Sundays to offer Communion on the floors. A group of pastoral volunteers from Christ Church Greenwich, leads the service in the chapel on Sundays.
Beauty Shop
Our Beauty Shop, open Tuesday through Friday, is a busy spot, and volunteers help our paid staff with resident transport and other duties, as well as administrative tasks. Helping out with hair styling and cutting requires a license.
Clerical
Volunteers help provide assistance with administrative projects as needed.
Music
Talented musicians are always welcome to come and entertain our residents. They may play at any of our pianos in each wing, or in the auditorium, or bring their own instrument. Many of our musical volunteers are teenagers honing their craft, but adults also commit their time on a regular basis.
Other
Volunteers do fit into other specialized spots. These include working outdoors in the garden, doing a mailing, or presenting a recreation event. One might do an art show, offer a gardening activity, supervise an arts and crafts activity, or do a slide show. We love to take advantage of the special talents of our volunteers.
