THE GIVING HEART - RICHMOND, VIRGINIA |
The Giving Heart 11527 Primrose Lane Rockville, Va. 23146 (804) 749-4726
| The Giving Heart Volunteer Information |
Volunteers are the soul of The Giving Heart. Most of our focus currently centers around The Giving Heart Community Thanksgiving Feast to help provide a "home away from home", or in the broadening of our Giving Bag Project. The Giving Heart offers a huge range of volunteer opportunities for approximately 1000 individuals - from children to seniors, college students to military, families to groups. There is something for virtually everyone and we invite you to check out the descriptions below before filling out an application. Please pay careful attention to the job descriptions for each of our volunteer needs. Age limits - indicated on many of the volunteer roles - are strictly enforced. While groups are encouraged to participate, we may place restrictions to the number within each application submission to allow a variety of volunteers to participate. Such restrictions will be indicated within the volunteer descriptions. Applicants will receive an email confirmation after submitting their application. Please contact us at 804-749-4726 if you do not receive this notice. Remember to set your email spam filters to receive notices from The Giving Heart (vneilson@thegivingheart.org). |
| Thanksgiving Food Prep: (Adults only. Limited accommodation for small groups). Calling all cooks and those who simply enjoy helping around a kitchen (including the clean up). This volunteer opportunity is available on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday during Thanksgiving week. This is a great way to help before leaving town for your own Thanksgiving holiday. Thanksgiving Feast Service Areas: (Adults only). Some positions require the ability to stand. Those unable to do so can indicate that restriction on the application form to better assist us with assigning the various roles. This is an overall application and we will assign your roles as we make necessary adjustments to our needs. No particular position is guaranteed. Service Area positions consist of the following: - Food Plating: Prepares the plate of food to be given to the Table Host for serving. - Beverage Service: Hands out cold beverages to our Table Hosts or provides roaming coffee cart service to guests. - Dessert Help: Prepares dessert plates to be offered to guests. - Volunteer Check-In: Assists in maintaining a timely check-in process for all volunteers. - Distribution Room: Gives out food bags, Giving Bags and other items of need to our guests. - Other: As needed and identified. Thanksgiving Table Hosts: (All ages; minors must be accompanied by an adult. Each application is limited to 4 table requests and MUST include all names as well as children ages). This is our signature volunteer role at the Community Thanksgiving Feast and provides an atmosphere of welcome, acceptance and comfort to all who enter. In this position, we create a "home away from home" and each table becomes a personal dining room. Table hosts are preassigned according to how the applications are received for each of the two shifts. This year we are modifying our table hosting in an attempt to maximize hosting opportunities, but please understand that having someone to host is not guaranteed. By applying early, you increase hosting chances. Tables are set up to hold 10 people, including those on your application form. Remaining seats are filled by the guests - escorted by Huguenot HS ROTC Cadets. Your role as a table host will consist of greeting guests, having one person in your group to bring the food to the table, gather any cold beverage needs and remain at the table for food and fellowship. ALL TABLE HOSTS MUST EAT WITH THE GUESTS. If you are unable to do so (i.e., other commitments later, can't eat the food), please do not sign up for this role. It is our desire to allow guests to feel completely comfortable and joining for the actual meal is a part of that process. Vegetarians who are comfortable sharing a table with meat-lovers, are welcome to simply enjoy the non-meat offerings. Thanksgiving Youth Ambassadors: (New)(Ages 15 to 24) Students are afforded the opportunity to earn 10 hours of community service by participating as a Thanksgiving Youth Ambassador. This inaugural program will select 100 students to help with The Giving Heart Community Thanksgiving Feast from start to finish. Youth Ambassadors will: - Attend mandatory orientation on Wednesday, November 25th from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm at the Greater RIchmond Convention Center. (Note: Early release occurs for most students on this day). - Set their assigned table - Learn how to assist the Table Host during both seatings - Assist the distribution room in set up, creating food bags and other needs. - Work at the Community Thanksgiving Feast from 9:30 to approximately 4:00 pm on Thanksgiving Day. - Become a guest during the second seating to eat and be part of the fellowship. - Help various areas to clean up after the event. Interested youth - ages 15 to 24 - are encouraged to submit an online Youth Ambassador Volunteer Form. Selected Youth Ambassadors will be required to attend the Wednesday orientation from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm. Orientation will consist of a walk-through of what to expect on Thanksgiving, helping with various setups, check-in procedures, sensitivity training and other needs as identified as time approaches. Selected applicants will receive a community service form for 10 hours - AFTER they have completed all portions of this volunteer position. Students who do not appear for the mandatory orientation will not be permitted to work on Thanksgiving. Parents who would like to join their student as a volunteer should indicate on their application that their child is applying as a Youth Ambassador so that we might match you to the same table if parents and other family members are table hosting. (Click here to download a copy of our job descriptions) |