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Raise Your Hand To Volunteer

Philadelphia Cares guides hundreds of unknown community heroes that dedicate part of their time to help others, without receiving a dime.  

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There are different reasons that lead a person to work for the sole satisfaction of helping others, and in Philadelphia there are many volunteers working in different fields and places where help is needed.

“The event we held on October 18 was a one day event and 6,000 volunteers participated in restoring schools, but throughout the year our organization is in charge of attending to those who want to volunteer.  We inquire about their interests and refer them to any of the programs that we are promoting during that month. The programs change every month because at times the organizations do not need assistance; for example, during the month of October, we are working with 65 volunteers”, said Patricia Mackay, in charge of the Philadelphia Cares Development Office.

Thanks to the funds provided by foundations, corporations and individuals, the association has been operating for 15 years now, with the objective of connecting volunteers with the voluntary work they are seeking:  It can be with children, with the elderly, restoring schools, teaching English to immigrants or improving parks.  If the person has a special ability, he or she can provide computer classes, for example, to someone who needs this to apply for a better job.

“People want to volunteer because they want to give back to their community and we don’t care who you are, any help is useful; there is no time limit, so you can volunteer for an hour a week or an hour a year”, Mackay stated. 

Daniela Romero, Coordinator of the Nationalities Service Center English Language Program, another organization that works with Philadelphia Cares, says that volunteers are from 10 to 70 years old, the only requirement is that they dominate the English language and we train them so they are able to teach.  “Normally the volunteers are people interested in the immigrant community”.

“If it weren’t for the help provided by my 33 volunteers, we would have to close our doors because every day 136 elderly people come here to receive our services and there are only three of us to attend to them”, said Wanda Rodríguez, Activity Coordinator for the Carmen Aponte Center for the Elderly in Norrisquare.

“I have been a volunteer for 4 years.  I come here every day at 8:30 am and leave at 2:00 p.m, I prepare and serve food and feel very good about it”, said Elva

Magliano, who arrived here from Argentina 9 years ago, and at the age of 67 feels satisfied to cooperate and help others at this Center. 

Other anonymous heroes are the woman of “Madrinas” (godmothers), a program organized by the catholic agency “Casa del Carmen”.  “We godmothers visit Casa del Carmen for two hours every Wednesday and make cloths for needy children, almost always children of immigrant women”, said Aída Luz Santiago, 76, who has been with the program for 6 years now. 

“I make the cloths with great care, as if it were for my grandchild and it is very satisfying to know that you are helping people that really need it and I am filled with joy when the mothers thank me”, Santiago commented.

“Volunteers serve food, keep watch at the entrance, participate in activities and plant the vegetables we use to cook and to save money since we have a tight budget.  I feel proud of my group of volunteers”, said Rodriguez.

The Ronald McDonald House, where shelter is provided for the family members of children who are under 21 years old that must remain in the area to receive medical treatment in a nearby hospital, is another place requiring a lot of volunteer work.

“Few Hispanic volunteers work at the house; however, many Hispanic families stay with us and the demand for bilingual volunteers is therefore very high”, said Linda Parry, Director of volunteers at the House.

Here, volunteers prepare food for the family members, do domestic chores, help operate the house by answering the phone and filling out paper work”, Parry explained.

“In my opinion, they receive more than they give.  Making a difference in someone’s life is incomparable.  We have people that have been volunteering for 25 years. There are teams of partners that work together and in the end become a family”, Perry stated.

If you want to learn more about volunteering in Philadelphia, please visit http:www.philacares.com

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