How You Can Help - Volunteer

Volunteers are always needed to assist us in our work. We are looking for volunteers to help in the TeleCare program and in our Groceries to Go program.

What does a TeleCare volunteer do?
Each trained volunteer makes a regular phone call to one to three people at prearranged times. These calls offer friendship and often give the first indication of a developing problem. This is one of a number of services that allows our aging population to live alone at home, knowing that their safety net is literally a phone call away.

This program is geographically divided into calling service areas: West Range (Hibbing/Chisholm), Central (Quad Cities) and East Range (Hoyt Lakes/Aurora/Biwabik). The volunteers, coordinated by a program manager, receive training in listening skills, communication, and community resources.

The calls are made from the volunteer's home to the home of the participant at a pre-determined time each day. If a volunteer is planning to be out of town, a substitute is found so there is no interruption in the service. Most of the service provided by this program is over the phone, but there is some direct contact between the program manager and the participant. Sometimes close friendships develop through the daily calls.

A Groceries to Go Volunteer brings "Smiles on Wheels"

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for our TeleCare program, click here.

What Does A Groceries To Go Volunteer Do?
Some volunteers take the orders at the Elder Services Network office on Order Day. Others shop for the groceries on the assigned day and deliver them. They may help put the groceries away and spend some time visiting with the senior. The volunteers are coordinated by a Program Manager

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for our Groceries to Go "Smile on Wheels" delivery team, click here.

Volunteers Tell Their Stories

ESN Ambassadors Helen Pulkinen, Gertrude Hendrickson, Elsie Wiser: volunteers spreading the news of our programs and services to senior apartment residents, senior center members and the community at large.

"I know I'm old (82), and I'm all bent up and twisted from this arthritis, but I still have my voice and I'm in my right mind (most of the time)." This was the response from a Groceries to Go participant and TeleCare volunteer when asked if she would serve as an ambassador for ESN. Gertrude resides in a senior housing facility and is no longer able to drive to get her own groceries. She is always so appreciative and gracious of the service she receives from ESN. Gertrude makes a difference in other senior's lives by making phone calls. As a TeleCare volunteer, Gertrude was able to counsel and comfort her TeleCare friend as the friend was recovering from a stroke and suffering from depression.

Ambassador Helen is a TeleCare volunteer whose daily calls provided her TeleCare friend the assurance and friendship she needed to live independently for a longer time than expected. Even though the friend no longer lives in the area, Helen still keeps in touch with an occasional phone call and card.

Ambassador Elsie is a Groceries to Go volunteer who grocery shops and delivers groceries to seniors who are unable to shop themselves. Elsie is a very busy person with numerous volunteer jobs which she says keeps her moving and healthy.

Click here if you'd like to volunteer.