Opportunities From: Volunteer Missoula

Would you like to build a friendly relationship with an older adult? Many older adults and adults with disabilities are isolated and have no way to get where they need to be. The Caring Companion Program matches volunteers to clients with similar interests. If you have 2 hours per week for a year, you can make a meaningful connection while helping them get to doctor's appointments, get groceries, and get out in our community. Mileage reimbursement is available. Volunteers must be able to drive their own car and have time during business hours.

Many older adults and those with disabilities aren't physically able to shovel snow or have someone they can ask for help. They run the risk of in-the-city fines if it isn’t done, not to mention the safety hazard.

How can you help? Consider becoming a Snow Angel! Volunteer Snow Angels adopt an older person’s sidewalk and driveway for the winter. You wouldn’t have to be able to shovel every single time it snows. If you are out of town, sick, injured, etc. staff will find a substitute. If you’d just like to be a substitute Snow Angel, that would also be very appreciated! Volunteer groups and children are welcome for this flexible opportunity.

Are you ready to drive change? Having access to reliable transportation is essential for independence. For older adults in our community who are no longer able to drive themselves and have no other reliable transportation options, it means they are not able to access essential health care services. At Missoula Aging Services we seek to provide programs that help older adults remain independent and age with confidence.

The Volunteer Driver Program helps older adults access essential health care services, so people can stay healthy and independent as long as possible. This volunteer opportunity would allow you to drive your own vehicle and pick up appointments on the days/times that work best with your schedule. You can volunteer as much or as little as you want, with a one-year commitment. If you're passionate about making a difference and have a few hours to spare, we invite you to be a part of our Volunteer Driver Program. Your time and dedication can transform lives and ensure that no older adult misses out on essential healthcare. Mileage reimbursement is available.

Volunteer to profoundly change lives by delivering nutritious meals to older adults who are homebound! Each Meals on Wheels driver picks up meals and takes them to about 20 people on their chosen route in Missoula County. These clients can't get out to buy food, and some aren't physically able to prepare it, so having meals brought to them is essential. Most of them are socially isolated and their Meals on Wheels driver may be the only person they see each week. Having a weekly connection with an older adult in need makes this volunteer opportunity very rewarding!

Volunteers can choose one weekday per week to deliver meals, or they can be substitute drivers. Subs can decide if they want to take a shift that the regular driver can't do. These volunteer positions require a 6-month commitment. Meals are picked up around 10 am, Monday-Friday, at the Providence Center and usually take about 3 hours to deliver. Drivers can bring children or a friend along to help. An organization can choose to take on an "adopt-a-route" in which team members can rotate who is delivering the meals each week. Mileage reimbursement is available for drivers.

Missoula Aging Services has a program to help older adults and adults with disabilities live independently at home by assisting with seasonal outside chores. The Cleanup Crew Program helps clients who cannot physically complete the tasks, have anyone they can ask, or generally afford to pay someone to help.

The Cleanup Crew program relies on volunteers to help with chores such as:

In addition to volunteering their time, people can also donate yard cleanup tools for the program. Missoula Aging Services welcomes yard tool donations, new or gently used. Our tool library is available to volunteers to use.

This volunteer opportunity is great for group service days and teaching children about service! We just need one 18+ adult to be onboarded as a volunteer per group. This is a very flexible volunteer opportunity. You get to decide when, where and how much you will help the clients of your choice.

For anyone interested in volunteering, donating, or signing up as a client, please call Missoula Aging Services at (406) 728-7682.