Health

University of Virginia Hospital Volunteer Services and Auxiliary
www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/volunteer
924-5251

Volunteers work in various capacities in the University Medical Center. Mandatory training. Bilingual volunteers are especially needed. A variety of volunteer activities are available, including direct contact with patients, helping with families and visitors, or working behind the scenes.

Martha Jefferson Hospital
Web site
982-7389

Various opportunities are available at Martha Jefferson. Martha Jefferson accommodates volunteers and they will customize the project to fit the particular volunteer. Work set hours, work from home, or on call. Volunteers are needed for many different departments, such as Cancer Center Services, Clinical Services, Administrative/Clerical Services, the library, the gift shop, the hospitality cart, Surgery Family Lounge, Emergency Department Lounge, Patient Information Desk, Patient Registration Desk, Customer Service Desk, Patient Advocacy Program, and other special projects.

AIDS/HIV Services Group
www.aidsservices.org
979-7714 or 1-800-324-2437
963 2nd Street SE

This local nonprofit group offers emotional and practical support to those living with AIDS/HIV and all others affected by the epidemic. Also works on prevention of AIDS/HIV through education. Volunteers needed for Big Buddy program to provide support and mentoring for clients' children, to help clients with domestic tasks such as shopping and cooking, to work in the office, to serve as a committee member, and to help with fundraisers such as the AIDS Walk in April and the Creative Charlottesville Auction in November.

Charlottesville Free Clinic
www.cvillefreeclinic.org
296-5525
1138 Rose Hill Dr.

Charlottesville is unusual in supporting a free medical clinic for the "working uninsured" who make too much money for other public assistance. Started in 1992 by two UVA medical students, this clinic relies heavily on volunteers from the medical community. Nonmedical and medical volunteers needed. There are daytime and nighttime opportunities as a volunteer. For more information, contact the volunteer coordinator at 295-0008.

Hospice of the Piedmont
www.hopva.org
817-6900
2200 Old Ivy Road, Suite 2

Hospice of the Piedmont provides care for terminally ill patients and their families through interdisciplinary teams of healthcare professionals and volunteers. Emphasis is on controlling pain, enhancing the quality of life and supporting the emotional, spiritual and practical needs of the entire family. Trained volunteers offer companionship and practical support to families, run errands, help with shopping, transportation, etc. Volunteers undergo a total of 27 hours of training (nine training meetings for three hours each time).

American Cancer Society
www.cancer.org
978-7423
1445 E Rio Rd Suite 104

Help with local events in Charlottesville such as the Relay for Life, held in May, and Daffodil Days, held in January. Volunteer opportunities are also available with The Road to Recovery program. Call or visit the Web site.

National MS Society - Blue Ridge
Web site
971-8010
1 Morton Drive, Suite 106

There are many volunteer opportunities available through the National MS Society. Volunteer opportunities range from helping with the annual MS Walk held in April to being a library assistant. Other opportunities include: data entry, bulk mailer, peer counselor, speaker or faciliator for an educational program, support group leader, and much more.

Photo courtesy of the Charlottesville/Albemarle Convention & Visitors Bureau, www.SoVeryVirginia.com