Volunteers, We're Looking For You!
If you live in Central Ohio and are one of those special people who give of themselves to help others, the Central Ohio Diabetes Association would like you for a volunteer.
For more than 35 years, volunteers like you have enabled the Central Ohio Diabetes Association to grow and better serve Central Ohioans with diabetes. There are many ways to get involved, so there is something for everyone. And whether you give one hour a month or one hour a week, your support is needed and will be greatly appreciated.
Volunteer Opportunities
Detection
Central Ohio Diabetes Association works throughout the year to find individuals with undetected diabetes. From businesses to senior citizen's communities, Central Ohio Diabetes Association tries to screen people of all ages and all walks of life. For this program we need volunteers who are familiar with or wish to learn diabetes blood testing. Our screenings are ongoing throughout the year--mornings, afternoons, evenings and weekends, so there is a time which suits everyone's schedule. If you would like to help with the detection program, but do not wish to give the blood test, we need people to assist with information forms and to pass out literature.
Mailings and Office Work
Thousands of pieces of mail leave the Central Ohio Diabetes Association office each year to keep people in Central Ohio informed of Central Ohio Diabetes Association's programs and services. How do we handle that tremendous volume so efficiently? Well, we couldn't do it without people like you. Volunteers help us stuff envelopes and label our mailings, so that people with diabetes will be up-to-date on all that's happening at Central Ohio Diabetes Association and in the diabetes field.
In addition to mailings, Central Ohio Diabetes Association needs volunteers to help with office work such as answering phones, copying, word processing and other clerical tasks.
Special Events
What do the UnitedHealthcare Swim for Diabetes, Celebrities For Diabetes, and the Len Immke Memorial Swing For Diabetes fund raisers have in common? They all depend on people like you to make them a success. These programs allow volunteers to have a fun and exciting time while helping Central Ohio Diabetes Association raise money, which is crucial for the agency's numerous programs and services to exist. There is so much to be done behind the scenes and during the event we can find an exciting place and part for everyone who wants to get involved.
Youth/Camp
There is nothing more rewarding than spending a day, a weekend or a week working with the Central Ohio Diabetes Association youth program. These children and teens with diabetes have a great time while learning self-management. Central Ohio Diabetes Association sponsors two day camps and a three-week residential camp. That's not to mention other fun special events such as an Easter Egg Hunt, Halloween and Holiday parties. Central Ohio Diabetes Association's Youth Director is always looking for adult leaders and counselors to assist with the youth programs.
Agency Seeking Volunteers for Friends of Camp Hamwi Committee
The Central Ohio Diabetes Association is actively seeking new members for our Friends of Camp Hamwi Committee. Since 1968, more than 7,000 kids have attended the Central Ohio Diabetes Association’s summer residential camp for youth with diabetes ages 7-17. Camp Hamwi is specifically designed for youth with Type 1 & Type 2 diabetes. Kids enjoy traditional camp activities, but more importantly they learn diabetes self-management skills and vital lifestyle management activities that prevent the development of complications such as blindness, kidney disease and limb amputations.
The Friends of Camp Hamwi Committee assists with obtaining corporate sponsorships, individual and in-kind donations, identifying new sources of funding and helping to market the camp.
The actual cost of one child attending camp is $1,751 (with medical supplies and staff). The food costs alone for camp total more than $15,000. However, to keep the program accessible the fee remains at $395. Even then, nearly 55% of our campers are granted full or partial financial aid.
The role that the Committee plays in helping us keep the cost down and ensure that no child is ever turned away regardless of their ability to pay is very important.
Please consider volunteering for this Committee. If interested or in need of more information? Contact Rick Harrison at rharrison@diabetesohio.org or by calling (614) 884-4400.