Since its inception in 1971, CHEER has relied on volunteers to carry out its mission of providing a variety of services to people in need. CHEER employees and volunteers serve over 30,000 senior citizens living throughout Sussex County every year. Our volunteers provide home-bound meals, transportation to and from medical appointments, companionship for those who have few friends or relatives living nearby, and assistance with the daily operations of our seven CHEER Activity Centers and the Community Center. Without the generosity of our volunteers, we would be unable to continue many of the programs and services that bring comfort and joy to those in need.
Volunteer Services and Opportunities We Offer:
Home Bound Meal Delivery
Approximately 130,000 meals are delivered each year to home-bound seniors who are no longer able to drive, shop, or cook on their own. Volunteer Meals On Wheels drivers are needed to deliver pre-packaged nutritious meals to seniors in Sussex County. Using your personal vehicle, the delivery requires 1 to 1.5 hours of your time and helps to ensure that no senior goes hungry.
Medical Transportation
This program enlists volunteers to take seniors to and from medical appointments. Volunteers donate their time and use their own vehicles to transport ambulatory seniors who are unable to drive and do not have family members who can take them to the doctor. The senior is picked up from their home, transported to the medical appointment, and then returned to their residence. There is no charge for the transportation, but donations are accepted. Volunteers are able to receive mileage reimbursement.
Kitchen Assistant
Volunteers help prepare and/or serve meals for our congregate seniors in each CHEER Center. We need your special culinary skills in our kitchen to assist with our CHEER lunchtime, home bound meal packaging, as well as special events. Must wear closed toe shoes. No sandals, no shorts.
Phone-A-Friend
With a supplied call list, Volunteers make wellness calls to home bound seniors to check on their health and safety each day. You make a phone friend and you also help with the senior’s well being by communicating any health or safety concerns to the Volunteer Director for follow up.
CHEER Activity Center Volunteer
CHEER Activity Centers offer hot meals and an array of programs and services for mature adults. The Administrative Support-Center Volunteer assists the Center Director or agency staff with clerical support answering telephones, and welcoming visitors to the building. Volunteers provide tours of the the Center, receive and sort mail, documents and packages scanning in members, collecting lunch monies, and assisting where needed by the Center Director. The volunteer may also assist the Center Director in planning and implementing exciting activities for Center members.
Recreation/Arts Instructor
As a Recreation/Arts Volunteer you would assist Center members with arts and crafts, and/or exercise including in the Fitness Center, assist in planning and delivery of various activities, including fun games, setting up for activities, assisting in the Fitness Center equipment cleaning/sanitation before and after use. Should be able to lift up to 20 lbs.
Special Events Assistant
As a volunteer you would assist at special events held for the membership or public. Duties can include, but not limited to, clerical, kitchen assistant setup and cleaning. Events may take place during the day, evenings, and/or weekends.
CHEER Community Center
Volunteers at the CHEER Community Center serve as receptionists and greeters and help with other tasks as assigned, including giving people tours of the building, inputting data into computers, answering phones, and other clerical duties.
Interested In Becoming A CHEER Volunteer?
Click The Button Below, fill out the application and a Volunteer Coordinator will contact you soon.