December Volunteer Newsletter
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Happy December!  Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and Chanukah!  In this newsletter you'll find a spotlight on a Patient Navigator volunteer, highlights from our big 150 person Thanksgiving distribution and upcoming opportunities.  

 

Enjoy!
Volunteer Spotlight

Name: Harriet Merkowitz
Occupation: Was a bookkeeper during the day, and volunteer at night - now she's volunteering whenever she can.
Time with JFS: 1+ Years
Volunteer Position: Patient Navigator

Harriet volunteers with JFS' Patient Navigator program helping seniors get to and navigate through medical appointments. She began just over a year ago because she was very interested in the program.  Her reasoning being that it was something she has always wished would exist when thinking about her own parents who live 200 miles away. When asked what she enjoys about volunteering as a Patient Navigator she said, "The clients are inspiring.  They often have multiple health issues.  This does not stop them from going forward with their lives.  How can I complain - they don't.  I want to be like many of the clients I have served - when I grow up."  In her free time she likes to read, exercise and volunteer in various dissimilar organizations, all the while giving her time to be with her family.
 
Thanks Harriet for choosing JFS to be one of your volunteer sites, we greatly appreciate your hard work and so do the clients!! 
Thanksgiving Food Distribution

On Tuesday November 26th, JFS partnered with Horizon Technology to provide 150 families with grocery bags filled with all the Thanksgiving staples like turkey, cranberry sauce and lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. The Thanksgiving distribution could not happen without the help of Horizon Technology who supports this initiative in numerous different ways.  The most impactful is their commitment to full office involvement where over 20 volunteers helped throughout the work day by picking up groceries (including over 3000 pounds of turkey!), transporting them to the school, and packing 150 bags full of tasty goodies.  This wonderful event  helps to provide access for low-income families to celebrate the holiday with a feast on the table.


 

Car Insurance
 
This is just a reminder that we need a copy of your certificate of car insurance. Because of the holiday last week I am extending the deadline till Monday December 9th.  

Many of you have expressed confusion as to why JFS is requesting a copy of your certificate of auto insurance so I wanted to clarify that this is for liability purposes and is actually an added protection for you.  If you are on your way to a JFS volunteer opportunity and something were to happen, your insurance would kick in first and then JFS' would kick in second.  Per our insurance policy we need to make sure you have coverage, hence the need for a copy. If you have further questions on this, please feel free to reach out.  You can e-mail, mail, even take a picture of it and send it, whatever is easiest for you.
T-Shirts!

Our new database is enabling us to keep better track of the impact you are making in the community, including number of hours you have volunteered. During the month of November, volunteers donated 308 hours to JFS and the Metrowest community! As mentioned in the last newsletter if you have volunteered for over 20 hours you are eligible to receive a JFS T-shirt.  Here is a list of the volunteers who have reached 20 hours this month: 
  • Ken Brown
  • Laryssa Da Silveira
  • Evan Gessman
  • Jordana Pereira
  • Emma Rogers
  • Savanah Rumbika
  • Peter Smith
  • Mark Toronto
  • Michelle Wilen
Thanks everyone for all your hard work!  Come on by anytime to pick up your t-shirt.  

Note: This only reflects the hours performed since we started using this database, I know there are many of you who have volunteered for over 20 hours prior to this, if you fall in that category please contact me and I will get you a t-shirt. Also, if you are unsure of how to enter your hours into the system please let me know and I can help you figure it out.

 

Upcoming Events & Opportunities

Patient Navigators

JFS is looking for volunteers to become Patient Navigators like Harriet (above). Patient Navigator is a flexible volunteer opportunity where volunteers accompany seniors to medical appointments. Responsibilities include discussing with seniors prior to the appointment what questions they may have, accompanying them to the appointment making sure all their questions are answered and documenting the visit on the required forms.  Travel to doctors offices in the Metrowest area as well as some in Boston.  Approximately 7 hours of training prior to volunteering. 4-12 visits per year, approximately 2-6 hours each appointment. This is a rewarding opportunity that can work with your schedule.
If you are looking to do more or have friends who are interested in volunteering, send them my way! Happy Winter!

Thanks again!
 
Sincerely,
 
Sarah Roth, MSW
JFS of Metrowest
508-875-3100 x320
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