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Volunteering
Interested in giving back to the community through volunteerism? Below, please find a listing of local organizations that are seeking volunteers.
Want us to include your organization? Please send an email to millsa@amherstma.gov with information about your organization and the types of volunteers you are looking for.
Town Boards and Committees Review the various webpages below for information or attend a meeting of the committee/board in which you have an interest.
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Amherst Regional Public Schools Volunteer opportunities in the ARPS District include chaperoning, observations, interning, student teaching, practicum/pre-practicums, academic tutoring, lunch/recess monitors, afterschool programs, athletic coaching, performing arts productions, studies for research and ARPS Family Center outreach programs and events. | |
Amherst Senior Center Greeter, reception help, data entry, computer support and instruction, durable medical equipment loaning, Lunchroom helpers, drivers for Meals on Wheels and/or medical appointments, bread and produce fresh food market helpers. Please contact Hayley Bolton at boltonh@amherstma.gov | |
Amherst Recreation Contact the Recreation Team to volunteer for annual events. | |
Amherst Public Shade Tree Committee The Amherst Public Shade Tree Committee preserves, protects and promotes town shade trees. Street trees provide beauty, shade, breathable air, pure ground water, stable soil and habitat for wildlife. Join monthly plantings, usually the second Saturday of April through October, or, volunteer to help with outreach and advocacy. | |
Jones Library - Informal Conversation Partner Want to make a new friend and learn about another culture? The Jones Library is looking for volunteers who can meet with an adult English language learner for an hour twice a week. Conversation partners provide English practice for high-level students - no training needed! Contact Lynne in the ESL office if you are interested at 413-259-3093. | |
Center for Women & Community Volunteer programs include:
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Amherst Survival Center Driving/Picking up Food Donations: Food recovery volunteers drive to supermarkets, businesses and local farms to recover food donations and bring the donations back to the Center. Fresh Food Distribution: Organizing and handing out donated fresh produce, pastries and bread. Also responsible for keeping the back delivery area neat and clean. Food Pantry: Stocking shelves, pantry preparations. Kitchen: Cooking and serving lunch; cleaning up dining area. Also looking for people willing to be “on call.” to help serve lunch/wash dishes. Floaters: Help with giving new people tours, stocking shelves, taking out the trash and recycling. People in this role may also be assigned to help in a variety of areas in the Center. Community Store: Accepting and sorting donations, keeping store organized and orderly. Reception: Greet people, answer phones, give tours, answer questions, keep the coffee pot full! Food Bank Deliveries Intake: unload of 4-6,000 lbs of goods. | |
Not Bread Alone Not Bread Alone depends on a consistent and reliable core of volunteers to set up, cook, serve, clean up, and welcome guests. Volunteers include community and church groups, individuals, students, retirees—anyone, old and young alike. |
Amherst Historical Society The goals of the Amherst Historical Society are to collect, preserve, and display an extensive variety of objects that give residents and visitors an appreciation of the many aspects of life in Amherst. Central to these goals is the presentation of exhibits, lectures, and public events, as well as educational programs that engage people of all ages with the challenge of interpreting artifacts and records from the past. For volunteer opportunities, please contact Gigi Barnhill by calling the Historical Society: 413-256-0678. | |
Emily Dickinson Museum Volunteers at the Emily Dickinson Museum fulfill a vital role in helping to preserve and share Emily Dickinson's poetic legacy. They contribute expertise and enthusiasm, helping programs to run smoothly, assisting young visitors with crafts and activities, weeding the Dickinson gardens, and putting the essential pieces and finishing touches on special events. | |
Yiddish Book Center The Yiddish Book Center is seeking volunteer docents to greet and orient visitors, answer questions about events and membership, provide support to our staff, and process donations. Volunteers should be comfortable working with groups, speaking with visitors, using a cash register, and should have an interest in Yiddish culture. | |
Eric Carle Museum Seasons of most need tend to be May-August, December, and school vacation weeks. Volunteer positions at The Carle are guest service-centered, with team members who are friendly, outgoing and comfortable speaking with guests of all ages and abilities. The Carle request that all volunteers commit to one 3.5-hour shift per week (weekdays or weekends) for a minimum of six months, during the museum’s regular hours of operation. | |
Hitchcock Center for the Environment Help create a wonderful experience for the Hitchcock Center's visitors, keep the organization strong, and make the landscape and gardens beautiful. The Center relies on volunteers’ help, expertise, and energy and make sure they receive excellent training and support. There are numerous volunteer opportunities for various age groups and interests. As a volunteer, you’ll spend time with our other wonderful volunteers and our talented staff. You’ll delight in and share our guests’ enthusiasm for this wondrous place. You’ll be part of our family! | |
Amherst Cinema Volunteer ushers check and tear tickets at theater entrances, greet patrons with a smile, and assist them to a seat if necessary. You may also help clean the theaters between busy rounds, and assist in simple tasks at the concession stand. On weekday mornings during the academic year, Amherst Cinema becomes an educational facility for over 1,200 Pioneer Valley third graders. Dozens of volunteers assist the students’ teachers and the cinema's Education Specialist teach literacy through media. |
Big Brothers/Big Sisters Mentoring a child through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County is a fun and meaningful volunteer experience in your community. All it takes is spending a few hours a week with a young person, doing things you both enjoy. What better way to have a positive impact in your community than by PLAYING! ‘Bigs’ and ‘Littles’ enjoy activities together like playing catch, making crafts, hiking, playing board games, fishing, cooking, going to movies, bike riding, and more! There are nearly 200 children in Hampshire County currently waiting to be matched with someone like YOU! | |
Boys and Girls Club The Amherst Boys & Girls Club is all about putting kids in a position to find their direction. As a result, the club is always looking to introduce our members to new people, new experiences, and new resources that help them learn, grow, and define themselves as people. These can include, art, athletics, culinary skills , education, mentoring, and professional development. | |
Stavros Center Stavros's mission is to help persons with disabilities and deaf people develop the tools and skills they need to take charge of their own lives. The center accomplishes its mission this through programs and services designed to meet the needs of persons of any age or disability as they work to achieve the life goals that are important to them. Some volunteer opportunities have flexible schedules while others have specific times and dates requirements, yet others require training. How and when you volunteer is up to you. | |
Kestrel Land Trust Volunteers help Kestrel's small staff with a wide range of activities, from getting outdoors to check on the condition of conserved lands to helping coordinate events that connect people with nature through the arts, history, and recreation. Volunteering is a great way for you to get closer to the land–and to other people like you who care about it. | |
Brookfield Farm Meet at the harvest shed, at the barn, at 8 am or 1 pm Monday - Friday, and Brookfield Farm will plug you in to a useful volunteer activity. The farm has volunteer opportunities for all ages and abilities. | |
Hospice of the Fisher Home Trained volunteers are an integral part of the Hospice of the Fisher Home’s team, both at our hospice residence and in patients’ homes. |
These links are provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by the Town of Amherst of any of the products, services, or opinions of the corporation, organization, or individual. The Town of Amherst bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality, or content of the external site or for that of subsequent links. Contact the external site for answers to questions regarding its content.