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Volunteer Services
Social Services Volunteers of Nassau County, Inc.
The Social Services Volunteers of Nassau County, Inc. is a not for profit, charitable organization as defined under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Volunteers work in partnership with the Nassau County Department of Social Services to provide assistance for families and children, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
The Social Services Volunteers Center is located in the Lannin House at Field 6A within Eisenhower Park, adjacent to the Park's administrative offices and the Rose Garden (lower center portion of the map). View the map (PDF)
Administrative Volunteers fulfill many functions in the Volunteer Coordinator's Office. They assist with recruiting, keep statistical records, and help develop and supervise a variety of activities such as camp and holiday programs. Graphics, artistic, or writing skills are sought to help with promotional materials for fundraisers.
Boutique Volunteers raise funds to meet the critical needs of families that cannot be fulfilled through governmental programs. The boutique team holds monthly sales in the HHS building. Volunteers manage the boutique and are involved in the selection and merchandising of its unique assortment. Donations of saleable merchandise are also solicited from the community. This is an interesting and challenging assignment for those who enjoy a team project.
Camp Program Volunteer Services assists in sending children off to enjoy a summer camp experience. Children in Foster Care or Temporary Assistance are eligible for camp. The volunteers also offer a scholarship to a child in need of a camp respite.
Clerical Volunteers provide a variety of assistance to staff in filing, typing, answering telephones, or preparing informational materials. Hours are flexible and can be arranged to suit the volunteer and program. Many people use this experience to prepare for paid employment. Business organizations often use volunteer experience to fulfill the job requirements.
Playroom Volunteers work and play with children, ages 3 to 8 potty trained, in an environment designed to enrich children's lives while their parents wait to be interviewed by staff. This is good experience for college internship students interested in the child care field and is enjoyable for retired individuals, particularly teachers and individuals with health care experience. Volunteers are needed between 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Holiday Volunteers assist families who are in receipt of financial assistance with limited resources to provide them with holiday gifts and food baskets. Social Services Volunteers, aware of this problem, have organized several programs to bring some measure of happiness into family life at holiday time. The commitment of many volunteers is needed to brighten the holidays for our neediest families.
Thanksgiving Assistance involves sponsoring food drives (collecting non-perishable items) in order to provide meals for individuals and families. Additionally, food certificates are distributed to those in need so they can shop for their own holiday items in local supermarkets. We encourage organizations, schools, civic groups, and community organizations to sponsor drives and to purchase food certificates for those families and individuals in need. Each year over 300 families and individuals benefit from this program.
Holiday Programs have been developed by the Social Services Volunteers to help people in need during the Holiday Season. We invite you to join with us to assist families in obtaining essential household items, clothing, and food. Your efforts will meet their needs and make every Holiday Season a special one for many of our less fortunate neighbors.
Toy Distribution Program begins the middle of October and runs through the end of December. Providing gifts and toys to over 1, 500 children is a major undertaking and requires the assistance of many people. Committed volunteers are needed to sort, package, and deliver toys which have been donated by schools and organizations throughout Nassau County.
Foster Children's Holiday Party is sponsored and hosted by the Social Services Volunteers. Music, clowns, entertainment, and a buffet luncheon make this event a truly festive occasion for children who are in foster care. Santa and Mrs. Claus also pay a visit. Prior to the event, volunteers assist in the sorting and wrapping gifts. On the day of the party, volunteers welcome guests and distribute presents. Students from schools also dress as elves, help entertain the children, and give out small items. Other student groups provide face painting and do crafts with the kids.
Adopt A Family Program allows you to make a difference in the lives of a family in extreme need. You receive a family profile and a wish list of what the family would like. Donors often provide gifts of winter clothing, toys, household and other personal items. Volunteers assist in matching potential donors to families in need, gathering donations, and making deliveries to the recipient families.
Dress To Impress provides new and gently used clothing for men and women who are seeking or have secured employment and cannot afford appropriate business attire. All gently used clothing has been dry cleaned prior to being distributed. Volunteers can help by soliciting organizations for clothing donations.
Back to School Program needs volunteers to network with communities throughout Nassau County to donate school supplies for children who otherwise would go without.
Orientation and training for all programs is provided by staff or experienced volunteers. A minimum commitment of one-day per week is needed for most programs, but hours are often flexible and can be arranged.
All active volunteers are members of our charitable organization, The Social Services Volunteers of Nassau County Inc., incorporated in 1984. The boutique and other fund-raising projects, as well as contributions from the community, have made it possible to help our neediest clients in emergency situations. Food, transportation, household essentials, baby equipment, and clothing are some of the items provided over the years.
Thank you for your interest in these programs. If you have any questions, or have any other ideas that may benefit families and children, please contact:
The Social Services Volunteers of Nassau County, Inc.
60 Charles Lindbergh Boulevard
Uniondale, N.Y. 11553
Telephone: 516-227-7415