In the Bayside area, there are a great many organizations looking for volunteers, from spending quality time with senior citizens to coaching little league. You won't get paid, but the reward will be in the difference you make.
Here is a listing of organizations in our area looking for trust-worthy, qualified volunteers.
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BCVAC provides service to the Bay Terrace, East Clearview and Fort Totten communities, with two ambulances that are staffed by New York State certified EMTs. They provide ambulance service to all local hospitals 7 days a week. They also provide CPR and First Aid courses to community members at their headquarters in Fort Totten. Costs for the classes vary. Call 718-352-2080 or email info@bvac.org for more information.
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From helping to staff the gift shop to providing assistance to the Curator or the archivist, volunteer opportunities at the Bayside Historical Society are available Tuesday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. Volunteers must be 16 years or older, and students will be able to receive community service credit. Call 718-352-1548 to set up a schedule or visit www.baysidehistorical.org for more information.
Are you into sports? Is your child on a Little League team and you want to help with the games? The Bayside Little League is looking for volunteers for the upcoming season to to run concession stands, keep score, provide field maintenance, coach and more. The application is available now and will be accepted beginning in January, 2011. Please note that thorough background checks will be completed prior to your being hired. Visit www.eteamz.com/baysidelittleleague for the volunteer form.
Bayside Volunteer Ambulance Corps.
There are a few restrictions before you can join the Volunteer Ambulance Corps. You need to either be certified as a First Responder, an Emergency Medical Technician or a paramedic before you can go on rides. If you're not, you can still join if you're interested in being trained in CPR and First Aid. There is also a youth program for people aged 16 and up. For more information, call 718-631-3333.
Le Cats on the Water
Based out of the Le Havre con the Water community in Whitestone, Le Cats, in existence since 2001, raises money and provides services for local ownerless feral cats, a number of which live in the shadow of the Throgs Neck Bridge. The group raises money for a Trap, Neuter/spay and Release program through flea markets and donations. Email LeCats1@aol.com for more information.
Always looking for volunteers, the Queens Library Foundation is the fundraising organization of the Queens Library. Volunteer opportunities include event planning, grant writing, fundraising and web development. They will actively work to place you in the field of your interest and skill level, within the needs of each department. For more information, email RayLynn Nill at rnill@queenslibrary.org.
Services Now for Adult Persons provides a wide variety of opportunities for volunteers to provide friendship and companionship to neighborhood seniors. From book clubs to card games, volunteers mean the world to seniors who would otherwise have no family living in the community. For more information, visit www.snapqueens.org or call 718-454-2100.
St. Mary's Healthcare System for Children
Located at 29-01 216th Street, St. Mary's is one of only a few countrywide organizations dedicated to providing rehab, specialized care and education to children with special needs and life-limiting conditions. They are looking for adult volunteers (ages 25 and up) to work with the children, through tutoring, recreational activities and more. Volunteers can also work in the St. Mary's office or on special assignments. For information, call 718-281-8784 or 718-281-8684.
Theatre by the Bay
Ever have that desire to put on a show? With Theatre by the Bay, based out of Bay Terrace Jewish Center, your dream of being in front of the footlights could become a reality. They don't just look for performers, they also need set builders, painters, lighting people, curtain pullers, you name it. The next production is the musical "Annie," set to be performed in March, 2011. For more information, call 718-428-6363.
Located at 40-08 Corporal Kennedy Street, The Worthy Pause is a thrift shop that sells everything from jewelry to stationary, games, cameras, books, dinnerware and more. The proceeds, however, enable The Worthy Pause to provide assistance to people who help animals. This includes paying veterinary bills for senior citizens or others who can't afford it, contributing money to spay/neuter certificates and food collection. To inquire about volunteering your time, email Miranda@theworthypause.org.