Volunteer Opportunities

Help Needed Facilitating a Program: A doctoral student from the University of Findlay is looking for one or two volunteers who can help with a program at Jefferson Elementary. The program is called Pierce's Pals, which is through Pierce's Crew Foundation. During the program, a student who has a developmental disability is paired with a typically developed child to learn from each other. The program is already developed; there is a binder and a script to follow with activities/content ready to go. The program runs from 11:40am-12pm on March 16, 23, 30. If you can help, contact Kaley at hauptk@findlay.edu or 810-837-3303.

University of Findlay Mazza Museum is in need of volunteers to help run prepared stations during their Funday Sunday children's events. Volunteers are needed for the final Funday Sunday event of the season on April 2 - the event will be held at the Toledo Zoo. Contact Heather Sensel at senselh@findlay.edu or 419-434-4777 if you can help.

Youth Volunteers: 8^th grade and up

University of Findlay Mazza Museum is looking for new docent volunteers. These individuals would assist in giving tours of the museum or participate in the STEAM center with activities. Contact Heather Sensel at senselh@findlay.edu or 419-434-4777 for more information or to sign up.

American Red Cross: Service to the Armed Forces: Adult Reconnection Workshop Facilitators needed. (Northern Ohio Only/Remote Volunteer Position) Click here to view a description of the role.  Email Kevin Brooks at Kevin.Brooks3@redcross.org if you have any questions.

American Red Cross: Disaster Relief Volunteers urgently needed. Disaster Action Team members offer help in the face of local disasters and provide avenues for shelter, food and comfort following a fire, flood, tornado or other emergency. Email Kevin Brooks at Kevin.Brooks3@redcross.org if you have any questions. View video for further description.

NAMI Hancock County is looking for a volunteer who might have the knowledge to help clients navigate paperwork and systems related to disability benefits, housing, etc. If you can help or have additional questions, contact Larissa Herbert at larissa@namihancockcounty.org or 567-301-2101, Ext. 203.

Blanchard Valley Health System - Blanchard Valley Hospital: Candy Stripers. The Candy Stripers volunteer together and have an established list of tasks to perform throughout the hospital each time they come in. Up to four Candy Stripers volunteer each weekday from about 3:45-5pm (the program is limited to 20 candy stripers at once). Candy Stripers commit to volunteering the same day each week and can choose which day they volunteer (depending on days available). The attendance policy requires no more than three missed shifts within a 60-day period. Candy Stripers can step off the schedule to participate in extracurricular activities, but their return to the program is based on availability at that time. In other words, volunteers are not guaranteed that same day of the week when they return. Candy Stripers have been volunteering at Blanchard Valley Hospital since 1949. Still today, the Candy Striper program provides hands-on experience to high school-age volunteers interested in the medical industry. All Candy Stripers must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination. 

Youth Volunteers: High School Only (Ages 14-18) 

United Way of Hancock County is in need of volunteers interested in helping out with event planning throughout the year. This would entail reaching out to local organizations, possibly finding venues, and planning and executing details throughout the event process. If you can help, contact Angela at angela.deboskey@uwhancock.org.

Blanchard Valley Health System – Bluffton Hospital – Activities Volunteer: Volunteers in this role interact with patients in the Swing Bed Unit at Bluffton Hospital. The friendly and outgoing volunteer will assist with a variety of activities such as crafts, socializing with residents, nail care (polishing), playing games and making milkshakes to serve. If time allows, the volunteer may also perform an established list of duties in other hospital departments. The schedule is flexible and available evenings/weekends or during normal business hours. The volunteer can determine their level of commitment. All volunteers must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Please contact BVHS's volunteer coordinator for more information at 419-423-5342.

CASA/GAL of Hancock County, under new structure and leadership, is seeking volunteers to serve children as they navigate the court system. A CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) is a highly trained individual who investigates the life of a child who is in foster care or protective custody due to abuse or neglect, dependency, divorce, or other domestic factors. The CASA testifies in the courtroom on the child's behalf, providing a voice for his or her best interest. CASAs must be 21 or older and commit to at least one year of service, and must receive 30 hours of preservice training. Continuing training is provided annually. Email CASA Executive Director Ashley Bell at aibell@co.hancock.oh.us for more information or to get involved.

City Mission of Findlay, 510 W. Main Cross St., is urgently in need of volunteers in the kitchen and to pass out meals, especially at lunch time. There are several days coming up with no volunteers on the schedule. Follow this link to their volunteer page, where shifts are available at various times every day. Groups of 3-5 people are encouraged to consider signing up for a shift together once per month, or come in by yourself anytime you're free.

Youth Volunteers: All minors must have a signed release. Age 16+ welcome 

Family Friendly: Ages 10+ welcome to volunteer with adult supervision. Each volunteer under age 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Our Senior Cheer program is back for its third year! Looking for a great way to help others from the classroom, with a group, or yourself from the comfort of your home? Our Senior Cheer program is back to boost the spirits of hundreds of seniors living in Hancock County care facilities. Last year, between classrooms, church groups, corporate groups, individuals and other organizations, we were able to reach out to seniors at seven facilities with about 1,800 pieces of cheer. (Wow!) That is more than double the cheer we received the year before. Let’s do it again and show them all that we care!

Senior Cheer can be uplifting cards, notes, pieces of art, small gifts — really, you can make just about anything you’d like. You can also send small gifts such as lip balm, sweet treats (no nuts or homemade), large-print word searches, or large-print crossword puzzles or books. If you are able to email pictures of your students, group or yourself with your cheer, we’d love to share our thanks and generate excitement on social media. Click here to learn more. Email Sarah at sarah.mayle@uwhancock.org with questions or to sign up. 

Volunteers are needed at CHOPIN Hall, 1800 N Blanchard St., Suite 125, to use a computer to assist with family intake on distribution days from 12:45-3:30pm Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Help is also needed to sort donations from 8-10:30am on Tuesday mornings. Please contact Ron Rooker at rrooker@chopinhall.org for more information.

Click here to learn how to get involved through the Volunteers United Board / Committee Service program. 

Boy Scouts of America – Black Swamp Area Council is looking for a District Committee Member to provide leadership to the district which encompasses Hancock and Seneca County. This person would attend monthly district committee meetings, provide guidance and volunteer support to help grow Scouting within the community, help identify partnerships which will align Scouting to flourish within the community, and will complete online youth protection training. Contact: colin.earl@scouting.org. 

American Red Cross - Disaster Response (Disaster Action Team Member) - VIRTUAL Duties: Everyday people are forced from their homes due to fires, storms, and other disasters. Home fires account for the majority of disaster responses in Northern Ohio. You can be part of a team that helps and responds to these emergencies. From offering a caring and compassionate ear, to meeting the disaster-caused needs of individuals and households, such as lodging and clothing, and connecting them with long term recovery services, our volunteers ensure that families don’t have to face tough times alone. During the pandemic, for the safety of you and those impacted by disaster, you will mostly respond virtually to provide compassionate and immediate care and assistance to those impacted. On occasion, a larger response may require some on-scene presence and coordination with your Disaster Action Team. Must be age 18+, commit to 24 on-call volunteer hours per month and training to serve in the role. Click here to view video of the opportunity

Findlay ReStore, 1200 Commerce Pkwy., is in need of help on Tuesdays to clean, sort, price and stage donations from 6-8pm, when the public is not shopping. Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040c45aaa82aaafc1-tuesday2

Youth Volunteers: Age 16+ welcome

University of Findlay Mazza Museum is in need of volunteers to help run prepared stations during their Funday Sunday children's events. Volunteers are needed for the final Funday Sunday event of the season on April 2 - the event will be held at the Toledo Zoo. Contact Heather Sensel at senselh@findlay.edu or 419-434-4777 if you can help.

Youth Volunteers: 8^th grade and up

Living History: Do you have a love of history or would you like to portray someone from the 1840s? The Hancock Park District is looking for men and women of all ages, as well as children, to become costumed interpreters at the 1847 McKinnis House and homestead at Litzenberg Memorial Woods. To learn more or sign up, contact Jamie Shane at jshane@hancockparks.com.

Youth Volunteers: 12 and up welcome.

Family Friendly: All ages welcome with an adult.

University of Findlay Mazza Museum is looking for new docent volunteers. These individuals would assist in giving tours of the museum or participate in the STEAM center with activities. Contact Heather Sensel at senselh@findlay.edu or 419-434-4777 for more information or to sign up.

Staff members at the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts, 200 W. Main Cross St., are looking to expand their volunteer base, which has dipped as a result of COVID-19. They are looking for new faces who can serve as greeters, ticket scanners, and ushers. Volunteers also get to watch any show they help with for free. Please contact MCPA volunteer coordinator Tyler Jacobs at tjacobs@mcpa.org or 419-423-2787, ext. 100, for more information or to sign up.

Youth Volunteers: Age 16+ welcome; 12+ welcome with an adult.

Environmental Stewardship & Monitoring Hands-on, in-the-field approaches to monitoring environmental changes and assisting with habitat restoration gives participants a wide range of physical and mental activities in which to participate. VIPs assist with monitoring birds, various insects, amphibians, and plants. Volunteers will work under the guidance of HPD staff. For more information or to sign up, contact Chad Carroll, HPD Natural Resource Manager, at ccarroll@hancockparks.com.

Youth Volunteers: 12 and up welcome.

Family Friendly: All ages welcome with an adult.

Boy Scouts of America – Black Swamp Area Council is looking for a Den Leader – Provide leadership to carry out the pack program in the den. Lead the den at the monthly pack meetings. Work in harmony with the other den and pack leaders. Cooperate with the Cubmaster and pack committee in recruiting new youth. Use the Cub Scout handbook and den leader app to plan and implement den meetings. Keep accurate records, and see that youth receive recognition for their achievements. Establish good working relationship with den families, taking advantage of their skills and talents. Complete online youth protection training. Contact: colin.earl@scouting.org. 

The Findlay-Hancock County Public Library's Read for Life program is seeking volunteers to help with tutoring. Read for Life is designed to improve literacy in Hancock County through volunteers trained to act as tutors on a one-on-one basis with adult non-readers. Potential volunteers must be at least 18 years of age and literate, however no professional training or education is required. Read for Life is looking for volunteers to teach reading, writing, English, life skills and subject areas of the High School Equivalency including math, social studies, and science. Registration is required by calling 419-422-3755 or e-mailing readforlife@findlaylibrary.org.

The Book Cellar, the used bookstore on the ground floor of the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library, overseen by the Friends of the Library, is seeking volunteers to help in the bookstore and to help with the Better World Books project, which helps to fund literacy initiatives worldwide. If interested, please contact Emilee at 419-434-1044.

City Mission of Findlay, 510 W. Main Cross St., is urgently in need of volunteers in the kitchen and to pass out meals, especially at lunch time. There are several days coming up with no volunteers on the schedule. Follow this link to their volunteer page, where shifts are available at various times every day. Groups of 3-5 people are encouraged to consider signing up for a shift together once per month, or come in by yourself anytime you're free.

Youth Volunteers: All minors must have a signed release. Age 16+ welcome 

Family Friendly: Ages 10+ welcome to volunteer with adult supervision. Each volunteer under age 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

While also serving as a food pantry itself, West Ohio Food Bank, 1380 E. Kibby St., Lima, is an essential food distribution center for pantries serving the food insecure in Hancock County. WOFB also serves Paulding, Mercer, Van Wert, Putnam, Allen, Auglaize, Shelby, Hardin, Wyandot and Seneca counties. Volunteers are needed to help sort, clean and repackage food, package food for youth backpacks and senior boxes, deliver food, and more. Morning or afternoon shifts are available; choose the amount of time you are free. Groups are also welcome to volunteer on a Saturday morning or weekday evenings with a week's notice. Children or kids’ groups accompanied by adults are a great help, too! Please contact sarah.mayle@uwhancock.org if interested or with any questions.

Youth Volunteers: Middle school and high school groups welcome.

Family Friendly: All ages welcome if accompanied by an adult.

Blanchard Valley Health System – Bluffton Hospital – Activities Volunteer: Volunteers in this role interact with patients in the Swing Bed Unit at Bluffton Hospital. The friendly and outgoing volunteer will assist with a variety of activities such as crafts, socializing with residents, nail care (polishing), playing games and making milkshakes to serve. If time allows, the volunteer may also perform an established list of duties in other hospital departments. The schedule is flexible and available evenings/weekends or during normal business hours. The volunteer can determine their level of commitment. All volunteers must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Please contact BVHS's volunteer coordinator for more information at 419-423-5342.

American Red Cross: Disaster Relief Volunteers urgently needed. Disaster Action Team members offer help in the face of local disasters and provide avenues for shelter, food, and comfort following a fire, flood, tornado or other emergency. Email Kevin Brooks at Kevin.Brooks3@redcross.org if you have any questions. View video for further description.

American Red Cross: Service to the Armed Forces: Adult Reconnection Workshop Facilitators needed. (Northern Ohio Only/Remote Volunteer Position) Click here to view a description of the role.  Email Kevin Brooks at Kevin.Brooks3@redcross.org if you have any questions.

Blanchard Valley Health System - Blanchard Valley Hospital: Candy Stripers. The Candy Stripers volunteer together and have an established list of tasks to perform throughout the hospital each time they come in. Up to four Candy Stripers volunteer each weekday from about 3:45-5pm (the program is limited to 20 candy stripers at once). Candy Stripers commit to volunteering the same day each week and can choose which day they volunteer (depending on days available). The attendance policy requires no more than three missed shifts within a 60-day period. Candy Stripers can step off the schedule to participate in extracurricular activities, but their return to the program is based on availability at that time. In other words, volunteers are not guaranteed that same day of the week when they return. Candy Stripers have been volunteering at Blanchard Valley Hospital since 1949. Still today, the Candy Striper program provides hands-on experience to high school-age volunteers interested in the medical industry. All Candy Stripers must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination. 

Youth Volunteers: High School Only (Ages 14-18) 

American Red Cross — Blood Drive Volunteer Ambassador — Volunteer blood donor ambassadors ensure that blood donors have a pleasant and fulfilling experience from the moment they arrive to the moment they leave. During a blood drive, whether you are greeting donors, answering questions or thanking them for their donation, your courtesy and professionalism will create a favorable impression that encourages ongoing donor support. Volunteers must commit to 1-2 shifts (4-6 hours) a month but get to choose which blood drives to staff. Click here to view video of the opportunity.

Youth Volunteers: 16+

American Red Cross has many volunteer opportunities available to support disaster response, blood services, international services, service to the armed forces, fund development and volunteer services. Visit www.redcross.org/volunteer to learn more.

Children’s Mentoring Connection is accepting applications for mentors serving youth ages 6-14. (Male mentors especially needed!) Mentors fill out an application and can volunteer in a program that works for their schedule. School programs meet weekly from September through early May for grades 2-6 in schools in Findlay, Cory-Rawson Van Buren and Arcadia. Community-based programs support single parents and grandparents. Volunteers meet with their mentee 2-3 times a month under a flexible schedule. For more information, call CMC Executive Director Stacy Shaw at 419-348-7475 or email stacy@cmchancock.org. Shaw can answer any questions before you consider making a commitment. Also, check www.cmchancock.org for more information.

Youth Volunteers: Volunteers for the weekly school programs may be high school students or older.

YouthMOVE is a group through NAMI for ages 14-26 that meets biweekly to focus on various issues experienced by youth and how we can improve different systems and services in our community. The group includes teens and young adults who can take on a mentor role and meets the 2nd and 4th Monday of every month from 6:30-7:30 p.m. If you can help, call 567-301-2101 or email Deborah at info@namihancockcounty.org

Welcome to a New Life's mission is to provide mentorship for people who are involved in the Hancock County criminal justice system to live crime-free, drug-free, productive lives. Volunteers (mentors) are vital to help these individuals on their road to recovery. Mentors spend about 1 hour/week with their mentee to set goals, provide encouragement, and resources. Training occurs throughout the year, with an initial 2-hour orientation. To become a mentor, you will need a background check, drug test, references, and be able to use a web-based tool for note taking at your weekly meetings. The length of the relationship from mentor to mentee can be from 2 months to life long. To learn more contact Carla Benjamin at director@welcometoanewlife.org or call 419-455-6082.  

Boy Scouts of America – Black Swamp Area Council is looking for a Unit Commissioner – Help mentor a Cub Scout or Scouts BSA unit. Visit with unit level volunteers and attend meetings 3-4x a year. Be aware of the unit leader’s needs and concerns. Serve as the unit leader’s friend or coach while offering encouragement and support. Encourage unit participation in district and council program events. Work with the unit committee to solve problems and improve unit operations. Record your contacts in Commissioner Tools. Complete online youth protection training. Contact: colin.earl@scouting.org.

Findlay Hope House is looking for shelter office volunteers. Duties include answering the door and phone, receiving donations, documenting residents' needs or questions, completing hourly walk-throughs of the shelter, and ensuring that the building is accessible to residents. Occasional light housekeeping may also be required. Volunteers fill three hour shifts on weekends and holidays. Two shifts minimum per month preferred, but on call shifts are also a possibility. Contact Abbie at aacord@FindlayHopeHouse.org to apply.

OSU Extension Hancock County is conducting a financial literacy curriculum in Hancock County schools, and they need volunteers to be a part of the culminating Real Money. Real World. simulation event.  Volunteers will staff various spending booths, assisting students (middle school or high school) as they make spending decisions in areas such as food, transportation, communications, childcare, entertainment, insurance, debt repayment, etc., based on their assigned job/income and family size.  Volunteers are needed for 2- 2 ½ hours during a school day, usually Thursday or Friday.  Volunteers may commit to one or more events.  If you would be interested in helping out with this valuable learning experience for area youth, please contact Jennifer Little, FCS Educator for OSU Extension Hancock County at little.18@osu.edu for specific dates and times needed.

Environmental Stewardship & Monitoring Hands-on, in-the-field approaches to monitoring environmental changes and assisting with habitat restoration gives participants a wide range of physical and mental activities in which to participate. VIPs assist with monitoring birds, various insects, amphibians and plants. Volunteers will work under the guidance of HPD staff. For more information or to sign up, contact Chad Carroll, HPD Natural Resource Manager, at ccarroll@hancockparks.com.

Youth Volunteers: 12 and up welcome.

Family Friendly: All ages welcome with an adult.

Hancock Park District is looking for volunteers to remove invasive hardwood species - woody plants such as bush honeysuckle and privet - that crowd out native plants and discourage their growth. Volunteers work under the guidance of HPD staff, using hand tools and gloves to cut saplings and pull seedlings. For more information or to sign up, contact Chad Carroll, HPD Natural Resource Manager at ccarroll@hancockparks.com.

Youth Volunteers: 13+ 

The Hancock County ADAMHS Board is looking for a handy person who can serve in a part-time, paid role as property manager to board-owned properties. The property manager will ensure health and safety standards of the buildings, complete and/or schedule annual inspections, coordinate contractors and vendors, complete and document repairs, complete maintenance work such as trimming shrubs, cleaning gutters, etc. Hours are flexible, 15-20 hours per week. If interested, please contact Deb Twining at dtwining@yourpathtohealth.org or 419-424-1985.

Volunteer Connections: Family Volunteering Event: Kids will get a chance to learn about volunteering – how they can help others and brighten another person's day. Stations will be set up where children will create an Easter basket gift to be given to seniors who receive Meals on Wheels through 50 North. Kids will create a card and a decoration for their basket, and will place a piece of fruit, donated by UWHC partner agency West Ohio Food Bank, inside the basket. There will be a station where kids can hear a book about volunteering and discuss what makes a volunteer, as well as games, family photos and drawings for prizes. The event is made possible through a partnership with the University of Findlay, West Ohio Food Bank, 50 North and the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library. 

Date: April 1

Time: 9-11am

Ages: 4-12

Location: University of Findlay's Alumni Union, multi-purpose room

One parent must be present per family.

Days of Caring is a volunteering event, organized by United Way of Hancock County, during which volunteer teams complete projects for local nonprofit agencies. Teams volunteer in 4-hour shifts (8am-12pm and 12-4pm). It's a great way to serve your community and do some team bonding! And, if you represent an area nonprofit, dare to dream - submit your projects now. Examples of projects: painting, yardwork, building or repairing furniture, moving furniture, organizing, cleaning and more.

• This year's spring event will take place May 8-12.
• Registration will be open through April 14.
• Teams will receive their project during the week of April 24.

Click here to visit our main Days of Caring site where you can follow the volunteer links for more information to register a team or submit a project.