Finding Online Volunteering During the Pandemic

Hello AED members!

The second blog is going to be focused on finding online opportunities. In a pandemic, it is extremely hard to find in-person volunteering, so we have gathered some virtual volunteering opportunities for you guys to check out.

Be My Eyes

• Help blind and low-sighted people with visual assistance through live video calls

• Description: As a blind or low-vision person, whenever you need visual assistance, our volunteers are happy to help. Through the live video call, you and a volunteer can communicate directly and solve a problem. The volunteer will help guide which direction to point your camera, what to focus on or when to turn on your torch.

Chemo Angels

• The Chemo Angels program offers support to those who find themselves in the most challenging situation of their lives – battling a cancer diagnosis and undergoing IV chemotherapy or intensive immunotherapy treatment. Our volunteers support their “buddy” throughout their journey with cards, uplifting messages, supportive words, and lots of positive energy. The encouragement our Angels provide helps give patients the comfort and confidence of knowing they are not alone in their fight. The goal of Chemo Angels is to help fuel a positive attitude and aid in the road to recovery. Volunteers find that providing emotional support is the most rewarding experience.

Project Sunshine

• Project Sunshine brings volunteer-led programming to pediatric patients and their families in a variety of medical settings. We recognize the tremendous weight of managing a child’s illness or injury, whether it requires short-term or long-term care. Every child with a medical challenge is unique, and our programs seek to adapt to the individual needs of each child. Our two types of programming, ‘Direct Service‘ and ‘Sending Sunshine,’ are tailored for patients’ developmental and psychosocial needs during treatment. We provide family-centered opportunities for joy, connection, socialization, and memory-making.

Some things to keep in mind when finding online opportunities:

-Is it a long term commitment?

-Are they asking you to join their organization and/or pay for a certain membership?

-How much time is the activity going to take?