Volunteer Services

Fingerprints don't fade on the lives we touch

CONNECTING YOU TO YOUR PURPOSE

“We are the human resources department of volunteers—without payroll” Jodi Lefever, Volunteer Director Assistant, says with a smile. “People who are interested in volunteering start with us,” adds Daryl Groff, Director of Volunteer Services. Many people move to Garden Spot Village for the robust volunteer program. Each year more than 400 residents volunteer an average of 45,000 combined hours. It’s truly inspiring! Resident volunteers repeatedly say that volunteering quickly connects them to their neighbors, gives them purpose and inspires them. This vision for volunteering is contagious!

Learn more: New residents and volunteers are encouraged to email, call, or visit Volunteer Services in order to pick up an application.

Complete an Application: Just like when you applied for a job, you will provide valuable information to the Volunteer Services team on your application. This information helps match you to the right volunteer opportunities. You will also need to complete a background check, as required by Pennsylvania law.

Attend Orientation: About seven times a year the Volunteer Services team provides a 45-minute orientation session in the Theater. The next orientation is set for November 10 at 10am. During the orientation, we walk you through the volunteer handbook, share information about volunteer opportunities, explain how to record your volunteer hours and more.

Participate in an Interview: After each orientation, Daryl arranges to meet with each volunteer one-on-one. This valuable conversation allows you to share a little more about your interests, skills and goals for volunteering.

Try New Opportunities: Based on the interests and skills you’ve shared, Jodi and Amanda Feeg match you with volunteer opportunities. They may contact you directly with volunteer opportunities or share your name with other GSV departments.

Find your Niche: Maybe you’ll excel at serving customers at Share & Care, stocking the shelves at Linden, cleaning up leaves and sticks after storms or helping to administer the U.S. News & World Reports Survey. You’ll find a new volunteer opportunity that is unique to you!

“The opportunities we provide are fluid,” Jodi says. “We are constantly updating our volunteer opportunities, as new ones pop up, and old ones fade away.”

Get connected: Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer@gardenspotvillage.org, (6204) or at their office during regular business hours. In addition, volunteers are required to have the COVID-19 vaccine, as well as the annual flu shot.