FAQ: Volunteering with World Help

Are you considering volunteering at World Help’s distribution center in Lynchburg, Virginia but have a few questions first?

We’re here to help!

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions and answers about volunteering:

Q: Who can volunteer?

Anyone is welcome to volunteer!

We’ve had kids as young as 5 years old come with family to volunteer, and many retired seniors in the community give their time often as well. You’ll find a variety of different tasks you can help with, no matter what your physical abilities or limitations. Keep in mind, however, that most volunteer opportunities do require bending over and standing for long periods of time, so if you need special accommodations, be sure to mention them when you sign up.

Groups of all kinds are welcome, too! Bring your church youth group or small groups, your sports team, or your classmates. If you’re a high school or college student who needs to fulfill community service hours, this is a great and fun way to do it.

Q: When can I volunteer?

Looking to volunteer during a weekday? You can easily sign up online during one of our pre-scheduled volunteer opportunities. These time slots are usually open Monday through Thursday and last around three hours.

Think an evening or weekend might work better? Want to make it an all-day event? Give us a call at 800-541-6691 or email volunteers@worldhelp.net to create the perfect, personalized schedule for you or your group.

Q: Where will I be volunteering?

You will be volunteering at World Help’s distribution center located at 1104 McConville Rd., Lynchburg, VA 24502. Please note that this is a different location than World Help’s main office in Forest, Virginia.

When you arrive, please park in the gravel lot beside the building and enter the side door up the stairs. Someone will be there to greet you and help you sign in.

Q: What will I be doing when I volunteer?

World Help’s distribution center is packed with donated supplies like clothing, medical equipment, hygiene kits, and more. But we need your help to prepare and package these items before they can be shipped around the world to people who need them.

As a volunteer, you’ll help with tasks like:

• Sorting and counting clothes and shoes by size and type

• Conditioning and testing medical equipment

• Assembling hygiene and emergency kits

• Packaging and labeling boxes of relief supplies

• Loading and unloading trucks

Whatever your role, you will play an integral part in shipping critical aid to impoverished people around the world.

Q: What precautions are being taken due to COVID-19?

The safety of our volunteers is our top priority. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we are asking all volunteers to wear masks while they are inside the building unless they cannot do so for health reasons. We also provide gloves, masks, and hand sanitizer for you to use and space volunteer workstations at least six feet apart. Groups are currently limited to 50 people or fewer.

If you are feeling unwell or have recently been around someone diagnosed with COVID-19 prior to your scheduled volunteer time, please contact us to reschedule for the safety of all other volunteers and staff.

Q: What impact will I make by volunteering?

On average, every hour you volunteer helps ship $2,326 worth of aid and impacts 81 people! By giving just a little bit of your time, you can make an incredible difference around the world.

The supplies you help package and ship will be sent to countries like Guatemala, Nicaragua, Cuba, Iraq, Uganda, Nepal, Honduras, Haiti, Rwanda, Peru, Zimbabwe, Jordan, and Zambia.

You’ll make sure the people in these countries receive the help they need as soon as possible. And as our global partners distribute the aid you’ve prepared, they’ll also be able to share the love of Christ — so you make a physical and a spiritual impact, too!

Q: What do I need to bring with me?

We ask that volunteers wear closed-toe shoes. We also recommend that you wear comfortable clothing that’s easy to move around in. You’ll want to bring a water bottle to stay hydrated and snacks in case you get hungry.

Q: Anything else I should know before I arrive to volunteer?

Parking is limited, so if you are volunteering with a larger group, please plan to carpool as much as possible.

When you volunteer at the distribution center, you will be asked to sign in and sign out before you leave. If you registered online, you’ll sign in on an iPad using the same email address that you registered with. This helps our staff keep track of volunteer hours each month as well as how long and how many volunteers it takes to complete certain kinds of tasks so they can plan for the future.

Most importantly, come ready to have fun when you volunteer! We love our volunteers, we’re grateful for your service, and we want you to enjoy volunteering, as well.

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