Reading Elder/Human Services has a number of volunteer opportunities.

If you would like to volunteer for any of the below positions, go to the website and fill out an application, and send the application and CORI release form to Reading Elder/Human Service, 16 Lowell St. All our volunteers receive training and ongoing support.

For more information call 781-942-6657.

The volunteer opportunities include:

Arts & Crafts Leader

Weekly or monthly craft classes for Reading seniors. Times are flexible.

Bingo Callers

Bingo is Tuesday and Thursday at 1 p.m. at the Senior Center. Time commitment is 1.5 hours per week.

Book Discussion Leader

The group meets one afternoon per month. Time commitment is 1.5 hours per month as well as preparation time for the meeting. The library obtains necessary copies of books each month.

Book Nook Assistant

Time commitment is less than an hour a week.

Bridge Instructor

Bridge classes would be held on Thursdays from 1 to 3 p.m.

Computer Instructors

Times and days are flexible. Time commitment is one to two hours per week. Instruction would include e-mail, search tools, etc.

Council on Aging Board Member

The board includes 10 members. At least two of the members must be more than 65 years old. The terms are three years. Meetings are held the second Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. Please call Paula Schena at 781-942-6643 for more information.

Fix It/ Lamp Repair Assistant

Volunteers are needed to fix items, such as small furniture, small appliances and lamps. Time commitment is usually two hours per month.

Friendly Visitors

Visits that offer companionship to reduce loneliness and increase social contact with seniors can last one hour or longer. Time of day and day of week are flexible though evenings are not usually convenient for seniors.

Gardeners

Times are flexible and the volunteer work includes beautifying the landscape at the Senior Center, such as planting, fertilizing, mulching and irrigating the flowerbeds.

Greeters/Tour Guides

Times are flexible for this volunteer position, which includes greeting Senior Center visitors, conducting tours of the building and explaining Senior Center activities.

Holiday Helpers

Holiday volunteers help decorate the Senior Center, prepare mailings, return phone calls and distribute baskets and meals for holiday programs. Time commitment is October to January. Hours are up to the volunteer though there is a two-hour time commitment per month.

Income Tax Assistants

Volunteers are needed February through mid-April to help seniors prepare their income tax forms.

Kitchen Assistants

Volunteers help one morning per week in the kitchen, help set tables, serve food and clean up after lunch. Time commitment is 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. one day per week or regular volunteers or you may sign up as a substitute.

Money Manager

The Money Management Program pairs volunteers with seniors to help with paying bills, balancing checkbooks, organizing finances and establishing budgets. Mystic Valley Elder Services' Money Management Program coordinator trains and fully supports volunteers. Call Larry Poirier, 781-324-7705 ext. 333 for additional information.

Medical Escorts

Volunteers are needed on an on-call basis during business hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday). Time commitment is up to volunteer. Volunteers drive seniors to medical appointments outside of Reading and can also accompany seniors in a taxi to a medical appointment. Medical appointments take one to two hours or three to four hours if the trip is to Boston. Volunteers may decline to go on the Boston trips.

Office Assistants

Volunteers help prepare large mailings for town departments or help support clinic registrations. Time commitment varies depending on the need.

Receptionists

Volunteers staff the Senior Center's reception desk from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The volunteer welcomes visitors, provides information about events, answers the phone and takes lunch and activity reservations. Time commitment is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. one day per week. Substitute receptionist positions are also available.

SHINE Counselor

SHINE (Serving the Health Information Needs of Elders) volunteers are trained to help Medicare and Medicaid recipients navigate health insurance benefits. Time commitment is two to three hours per week. A SHINE training course is provided. Call Vida Poole at 781-324-7705 ext. 161 for additional information.

Shopping Assistants

Volunteers shop once a week for homebound seniors. They meet with the senior, review the shopping list and purchase the groceries and/or prescriptions with the senior's money. Time commitment is 1.5 hours per week. Time of day and day of week are flexible.

Shopping Escort

Volunteers escort seniors to the grocery story. Time commitment is 1.5 hours per week. Time of day and day of week are flexible though evenings are usually not convenient for seniors.

Walking Group Coordinator

Volunteers lead the walking group in twice-weekly walks. Time commitment is one hour for two mornings each week.

Weather Warriors

Volunteers help seniors rake leaves, perform yard work and shovel snow.