Special Events Volunteer
The P.O.R.T. Program has a need for volunteers to help in the office, with fund raising, and with various other special events or projects. P.O.R.T. keeps a list of volunteers who would like to be involved in this way, and these volunteers will be called when short-term help is needed. These events include such things as answering phones during the Children's Miracle Network Telethon and helping out with games at the annual Peds Hem/Onc/BMT picnic.
Respite Volunteer
By spending time with a child who is hospitalized, respite volunteers offer parents the opportunity to attend to other children at home, take care of necessary errands, or to amply escape for a much needed break while their child is hospitalized. Volunteers working in this capacity might be asked to work with several different families during their involvement as a P.O.R.T. volunteer, and the involvement with each particular family would generally be short term. Respite volunteers are involved on an "on-call" basis.
Family Support Volunteer
Family support volunteers provide support, empathy, friendship and lend an ear to the parents of a child diagnosed with cancer or a blood disorder during a most critical time. The tasks of a Family Support Volunteer will vary according to the needs of the individual family, but may include: visiting with the parent at the hospital while the child is hospitalized, maintaining phone contacts with the parent on a weekly basis, occasionally providing respite for the parent by sitting with the child in the hospital while the parent attends to other children, takes a break, etc. These volunteers also keep in close contact with the P.O.R.T. Program Coordinator regarding the family, and can be helpful in identifying needs the family may have (i.e.: financial difficulties, need for specific information regarding the disease or treatment options, counseling services, etc), and brings the needs to the attention of the P.O.R.T. Program Coordinator.
Outpatient Clinic Volunteer
Clinic volunteers work closely with the Child Life Staff in DeVos Children's Hospital Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinic. These Volunteers are mainly stationed in the playroom and assist with diversional activities for the patients. Clinic volunteers commit to one consistent shift per week, typically in a 2-3 hour block between the hours of 9am and 5pm.
There are so many ways for so many people to get involved in the P.O.R.T. Program. We would love to talk with you about your areas of interest and the strengths and talents you might be able to bring to the program.