Volunteer with TSHA
If you would like to volunteer in a friendly, relaxed, environment, then TSHA is the place for you! These jobs only take a few hours a month, but your services are invaluable to us.
TSHA is a non-profit, United Way Agency. We offer a variety of services to the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community. If you are interested in volunteering, please call Kirsten Wilson at 918-832-8742 (v/tty).
We need volunteers in the following areas. Do any of them sound like something you'd enjoy doing?
Creativity (flyers, posters, scrapbooking)
Special Events (Deaf, Deaf World, Souper Sunday, Camps, etc...)
Do you want to practice your sign skills while using (or learning) your office skills? Individuals are needed to work the front desk while the receptionist takes a lunch break. Since we do not close our office during the lunch hour, this is a vital area to our agency. The volunteer is asked to commit to at least one day (for one to two hours) a week. It is important that this volunteer be able to come on a regular basis. In addition, this position would ensure that waiting room materials are kept neat and up-to-date.
Volunteers are also needed on an occasional basis to cover the front desk for special occasions. These occasions may include staff development days, staff holiday parties, vacations, etc.
Front desk duties include: answering and routing phone calls and greeting walk-in clients.
Do you have basic computer/office skills? A volunteer is needed to help with our Sertoma Hearing Aid Recycling Program (SHARP). This program provides hearing aids to senior citizens who, because of limited means, cannot afford to purchase a hearing aid. The SHARP board meets the first Thursday of every month to decide which applicants can be approved. Correspondence must be sent to all parties involved informing them of the board’s decision. This volunteer position would also involve mailing out SHARP information packets to interested individuals, as well as filing information. This position is flexible and not limited to a specific day of the week.
Are you creative? You may be the person to fill our need! We need a volunteer to create flyers about upcoming events. All you need is basic computer skills. Someone is also needed to put information, pictures, and articles into our scrapbooks. A "creative flair" would be an asset for either of these positions. Both positions are flexible and do not require a weekly commitment.
Organization is the key and you may be the key to keeping us organized! We have several areas that need to be organized and kept up-to-date. A volunteer is needed to ensure that information provided to the public is kept current. Copies must be available to hand out at presentations or mailed to interested parties. Someone is needed to keep our bulletin boards and monthly activity calendar up-to-date. This volunteer would also be responsible for keeping the storage cabinets neat and stocked and file correspondence for the Information and Referral Manager.
Newsletter and Bulk mail: Several volunteers are needed to assist in mailing out TSHA’s newsletter and other bulk mailings throughout the year. The newsletter is mailed out monthly. There is no specific date set for the newsletter to be sent out, though it is generally around the beginning of the month. Volunteers are needed to help with collating and labeling. In addition to the newsletter, various other bulk mailings are done during the year. Volunteers are needed and you would be contacted on an "as needed" basis. This is a flexible position.
Do you like working outside? We have landscaping needs. The grounds surrounding the TSHA building need a little TLC. This is a small area of grass, hedges and plants. Mowing, weed-eating, and watering the bushes and flowers is just the right work for someone who enjoys being outdoors.
Are you a handy person? TSHA needs someone with a gift for replacing lights, fixing leaky pipes, and other light maintenance.
Special Events
Parent Workshops
TSHA is planning to hold several workshops during the year for parents with Deaf children. A volunteer is needed to help the Information and Referral Manager plan these workshops. This is a flexible position. Volunteer hours and days can be worked around your schedule.
Deaf, Deaf World Workshops
On occasion TSHA is requested to hold a Deaf, Deaf World Workshop. This workshop is used to raise the awareness of the general public in regards to difficulties faced by the Deaf or hard-of-hearing community. Volunteers are needed to staff tables during this event. You do not need a high level of sign skills to help with this workshop!
This workshop is not on a set schedule. The volunteer would just be called on an "as needed" basis. Deaf volunteers greatly appreciated! Each workshop would take about 1 1/2 hours.
Holiday Party
Every December, TSHA presents a Holiday Party for Deaf children, hard-of- hearing children and their siblings. This event is made possible by donations from the community and the on-site help of a variety of volunteers (both individual and civic groups).
The Children’s Holiday Party is one of the most popular events of the year. Children look forward to fun, games, prizes, food, and visiting with a Signing Santa Claus. Superior signing skills are not needed- just a fun, holiday spirit is all you need! Volunteers help run games, make crafts, serve refreshments, set up, tear down, etc.
Summer Camps
During the summer months, Deaf children are usually separated from their Deaf friends and classmates. This can be a difficult time for the children because they are usually at home in neighborhoods where no other children can communicate with them. Every summer the children look forward to TSHA’s Summer Camp. Two camps are offered. The first is a camp for Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing children and their siblings. This camp serves children ages 7-13. The second camp offered is the Independent Living Camp for teens ages 14 and up. Both camps offer field trips, information, and activities geared especially for the ages of the attendees. These camps would not be possible without the help of many volunteers. Volunteers are needed to help the children with projects, activities, field trips, and just to ensure their safety. The volunteers have almost as much fun as the kids during these camps!
Souper Sunday
Souper Sunday is TSHA’s annual fundraising event. From the time the doors open for the auction, until the last bowl of soup is served and the last item from the auction picked up, 800 plus people will pass through the doors at the Convention Center. Volunteers are needed in several areas: setting up the event, working the auction, serving food (soups, breads, desserts, and drinks), and clean-up duties.
Another important part of this fund-raiser is the Silent Auction. You can help this auction be a success in a variety of ways. You can help by decorating a flower pot and filling it with goodies! Another way to help is by donating an item. "Hand-made" items are always a hit. Whether you buy and item or donate something you made yourself, your help will be appreciated.
If you have an interest or talent outside of these areas, and feel that you could help our agency in some other way, please contact us. We would be happy to meet with you to discuss your ideas! Call Kirsten Wilson at (918) 832-8742 (v/tty) or e-mail her at kwilson@tsha.cc.
