I want to volunteer

The Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley will continue to monitor the evolving COVID-19 health situation as it impacts our community organizations. We have organized a list of immediate volunteer needs for community organizations (see below). This list will change frequently so check back often for updates or sign up to receive email alerts for new opportunities. 

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​Click the red bold title to respond to the opportunity

American Red Cross 

The American Red Cross has a critical need for volunteers to assist blood donors throughout the blood donation process during this challenging time. Some key responsibilities include: greet donors, assist with initial intake and hand offs through the blood donation process, set up and maintain cleanliness in reception & hospitality areas, make reminder calls, re-schedule donor appointments, and perform follow up activities as directed. 

North Iowa Mask Makers

The North Iowa Mask Makers are a group of individuals who assemble masks to donate to healthcare and service workers, and groups of individuals who are extremely vulnerable to COVID-19. The Cedar Valley Maker Space has donated the use of their laser cutter. Many from the community have donated, sewing fabric, sheets, curtains, etc. Several businesses have donated industrial fabrics as well. Consider donating fabric to their cause. It must be approved beforehand. Click the title above for more information.

Health Agencies in the Cedar Valley

Many health agencies are looking for sewers to help make masks due to a short supply nationwide from COVID-19. These fabric masks can be washed and re-used. If you are interested, you will be connected to an organization that needs them and they will provide further support and direction.

Pillar of Cedar Valley

Volunteers will write letters to their residents! If you are interested, you will be paired with one of their residents to correspond with. This would be a great opportunity for families and groups to write encouraging cards to seniors during this time.

The Salvation Army

Volunteers are needed for the lunch meal program two days a week on Tuesday and Thursday from 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Volunteers will help package meal boxes/sacks and help distribute meal boxes/sacks and pantry boxes at the drive thru pick-up.

Northeast Iowa Food Bank
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Every week day help the food bank pack both BackPacks and emergency food boxes for their pantry and partner agencies. The food bank will also be taking the necessary steps to ensure they spread groups out and have hand washing stations, gloves, and hand sanitizer available for those assisting. 
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There are three shifts available:
Morning: 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Mid-day: 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Afternoon: 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Evening: 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. (Tuesdays ONLY)

Virtual Volunteer Opportunities

Want to help the community remotely? The Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley has organized a list of virtual volunteer opportunities from our community organizations. A virtual volunteer opportunity is an activity that is completed remotely using the internet and computer or other device. 

Click this button to view the opportunities

Other Virtual Volunteer Opportunities

Crisis Text Line
BookShare
​Translators Without Borders
Be My Eyes

At-Home Service Projects

Kindness Kit
This kit, offered by Together for Good, has several activities that will help brighten someone's day! *digital version free with coupon code in description

Bookmarks
This is a fun service-learning activity to do with kids while at home! Together, you can make bookmarks (with various paper, popsicle sticks, and other household items). You can later donate them to the public library! 

"Adopt Me" Bandanas
Do you and your family enjoy animals? Gather some t-shirts or fabric you no longer use and make “Adopt Me” bandanas out of them! After you cut out the fabric into bandanas, feel free to color and decorate the bandana! You can also write words like:

“Adopt Me”
“Shelters Dogs are Cool!” or “Shelter Cats are Cool!”
“I’ll be Your Best Friend”
“Help Me Find a Home!”
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Donate to the Cedar Bend Humane Society later! This would also be a great time to talk to your kid(s) about animal shelters and the benefits of adoption.

Simple Safe Service

Courtesy of Learning to Give

Help Neighbors with Yard Work

1. Make a list of the things you know how to do that can help neighbors. You have to have skills, tools, and a way to work safely. You might be good at shopping, but you can't pick up someone's groceries if you can't drive. What can you do? Note: talk about safety; only approach people you know. Here are a few examples of ways you may be able to help:
   • Shop for neighbors who are unable to leave their homes
   • Mow a neighbor's lawn
   • Help an elderly neighbor take their garbage out
   • Sweep a sidewalk
   • Pick up trash around the neighborhood or complex
   • Collect items for recycling 
   • Walk a dog
2. Make a flyer listing the things you'd like to do to help someone in your neighborhood and leave a letter at their door with your phone number.
3. When they call, discuss what you can do, when, and how it helps them out. Make sure your family approves and everything feels safe and fair. 
4. Make a plan and carry it out. Be on time and do a good job. 
   • BE SAFE. Be sure to inform your parents of your location and the times in which you are planning on doing your act of service.
   • Take your own tools (rakes, shovels, etc. as much as possible and wear work gloves) to avoid germ spreading to your elderly neighbors.
5. Check back with your neighbor and make sure you're doing it just as planned. Make adjustments.
6. Learn more with a Learning to Give lesson Personal Responsibility

Reflection: Keep a journal of the people you help and what you do. Write about how it feels and their feedback. The journal will help you with job skills and to remind you of what you can do. 

Shout Out to Teachers

1. Sign in to your online platform and pay attention to all the messages your teacher sent you and the other students. This is how you can prepare best for class and let your teacher know you care. Do your assignments.
2. Make a list of things you know about your teacher. This fall and winter you heard stories about their pets, hobbies, favorite books, and family. You saw how they spent their time and what they liked to wear. Now, use your empathy to reflect on what your teacher likes. Dogs? Reading? Travel? 
3. Draw a picture of your teacher doing something they like. Or write a note to your teacher or make a video. Tell them you appreciate or miss them. Ask them a question that shows you were paying attention to them personally. (How is your dog? What book are you reading?) 
4. Send the letter through the online portal you are using for classroom learning. If you are not using an online portal, send your letter via email or regular mail. 
5. Learn more with a Learning to Give lesson Thank You

​​Reflection: Write a journal entry about how it felt to write your teacher a letter or draw a picture. Were you surprised how much you remember about your teacher? What do you think are the best things about being a teacher? What are the hardest things?

Neighborhood Art

1. Call neighbors, friends, or family members and ask, “What simple thing makes you happy?” Gather ideas. It may be hot coffee, sunshine, a quote from a favorite book, or the sound of a child’s laughter.   
2. Use the ideas you collected to inspire you with words and images. Use art materials to make a window sign or sidewalk art. Add a kind quote or words of love. 
3. Display your art in view of people who walk by to brighten their day.  
4. Learn more with a Learning to Give lesson Neighborhood Interviews 

Reflection: Talk with someone in your family about how gathering information helped you make your messages better. What other ways can you do research? ​

General Guidelines for Volunteers

Created by Volunteer Iowa, adapted by the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley. View the PDF version here.

General Guidelines for Volunteers:
 
DO NOT attempt to volunteer if you have:

• Experienced symptoms that could be related to COVID-19 in the last 14 days
• Been around anyone who has COVID-19 in the last 14 days
• Traveled to any foreign country in the last 14 days
• Been on a cruise or been in an airport in the last 14 days
• Been to an event where more than 10 people were in attendance in the last 14 days
• Visit the CDC website for updated information

 
DO NOT show up to volunteer for any activity without confirming that there is a need for the activity, that it will be conducted, and that volunteer support is needed and expected.
 
DO NOT consider volunteering if you live with or are in frequent contact with people in the higher-risk categories for the virus.
 
DO ask about any risk that may be associated with the task and DO NOT take part if you are uncomfortable with the level of risk.
 
DO practice universal infection control precautions.

• Clean and wash your hands before, during, and after volunteering for a minimum of 20 seconds.
• Avoid physical contact with others and maintain a social distance of 6 feet.
• Cover your cough and sneezes with your elbow or tissue.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

DO call ahead to the service agency and ask if any additional safety precautions should be taken before, during and after the shift.
 
DO allow for extra time for additional screening from volunteer organizations or agencies to make sure you are cleared to volunteer for the task.
 
DO clean any used spaces thoroughly before and after, including table top surfaces and door knobs/handles.
 
DO use proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as a fabric mask.
 
DO maintain the social distancing of 6ft apart ESPECIALLY when interacting with general public through meal pickups and deliveries.
 
DO expect that shifts or opportunities may be cancelled; especially volunteer opportunities working with the vulnerable populations. Please be gracious and understanding.
 
DO register your capabilities and availability or find volunteer opportunities that may be available in your area.

General Guidelines for Volunteer Organizations

Created by Volunteer Iowa, adapted by Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley. View the PDF version here.

General Guidance for Operations:
 
Realize that traditional services may shift.
 
Clean and sanitize gathering spaces or meal distribution sites regularly. Dispose of cleaning materials properly and contain any contaminated materials.
 
Do not compete in the market for scarce supplies that healthcare organizations and providers need every day to perform their duties.
 
If congregating is necessary for your task, consult public health partners and exercise extra measures.
 
Keep 6-10 foot social distance rules in place during tasks if possible.
 
Hang posters in facilities with best practices / social distancing / hand washing etc.
 
Provide sufficient and accessible infection control supplies (e.g. hand-hygiene products, tissues, Clorox wipes and receptacles for their disposal) in all locations.
 
- When in doubt visit CDC or Iowa Department of Public Health for recommendations.
 
General Guidance for your Volunteers:
 
For distribution/delivery:

• For people receiving meals from a distribution point, consider asking people to remain in their cars. If an in-person line forms there needs to be chalk or tape on the ground that reminds people to keep at least a 6ft distance.
• For people who are giving meals, they also need to find a way to maintain at least 6ft if possible, wear a mask, and wash hands frequently. Consider asking people to open their own door or trunk to minimize surfaces volunteers may touch.

• With deliveries, setting meals or supplies on the doorstep and waving and holding conversation from that safe distance to protect the seniors and homebound vulnerable folks is key.

 
Make sure all volunteers understand any risks associated with the task you would like them to do and understand if they are not comfortable with that level of risk.
 
Screen all volunteers and clients as able and before they begin interacting with others.

• It is highly recommended to do temperature checks as volunteers come in for shift, especially if handling food.
• Consider asking a few screening questions such as:
  • Have you experienced signs or symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, or sore throat?
  • In the last 14 days, have you had contact with someone with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, or under investigation for COVID-19, or are ill with respiratory illness?
• Consider having an isolation space ready in case anyone shows up with symptoms.

 
Realize that many volunteers are over age 65 and at a higher risk for contracting the virus.
 
Make sure you have the proper PPE available for your staff and make sure you train them on its proper use before allowing them to do any tasks that require PPE.

• In light of new evidence from the CDC, it is recommended to wear face cloth coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.

Consider asking volunteers to bring their own mask to their volunteer shift.​