Robert G. Ingersoll said, “The hands that help are better far than lips that pray.”
At the Freethought Society (FS), we strive to prove that atheists are valuable members of the community. FS is proud to offer the Helping Hands Committee as a volunteer opportunity as well as a recipient service. Please email the form to volunteer@ftsociety.org.
Helping Hands Committee volunteers will be matched to offer assistance to recipients, if they reside in an area that is conveniently located. Please read over the volunteer duties and match them with your personal skills and areas of interest. For more information or to add your name to our volunteers, please email volunteer@ftsociety.org.
For insurance purposes, volunteers will be subject to background checks.
FS will not ask the religion of a person in need of assistance. FS Helping Hands Committee members/volunteers will treat all applicants without prejudice or bigotry. The religion or non-religion of an applicant will not be a consideration in offering needed assistance.
Recipients will be accepted on a volunteer availability basis. If volunteers are available, applications will be accepted. Services are provided when Helping Hands Committee volunteers are available in the area.
Applicants will be advised that services are available only if a core volunteer group can be established. Completion of an application does not guarantee that services can be provided. For more information or to add your name to our volunteers, please email volunteer@ftsociety.org.
Helping Hands Committee Volunteer Guidelines
Helping Hands Committee volunteers will never be asked to extend financial assistance to the efforts of this committee. If a purchase is made by a volunteer, the receipt must be sent to the Freethought Society (FS) for reimbursement; or, financial assistance can also be presented to FS for a tax-deductible receipt instead of reimbursement.
Volunteers will only be expected to offer assistance to recipients of the Helping Hands Committee in the following areas:
- Grocery Shopping (only necessary trips and limited to one or two stores per visit)
- Changing bed sheets (once a week)
- Washing dirty sheets and clothing and returning them to recipient’s home
- Cleaning (dusting, washing dishes, sweeping, etc.)
- Providing transportation to doctor appointments, hair salon, hospital, bank, post office and other miscellaneous grooming/medical appointments.
- Taking special requests and attempting to fulfill the needs of the recipient. For instance, a volunteer may be asked to pick up and drop off movie rentals and bring items of entertainment to recipient (puzzles, books, etc.).
- Spending time visiting and communicating with the recipient and offering friendship. Most “shut-ins” are lonely and need human connections. This can be achieved in person or over the phone. Recipients also enjoy getting cards, letters, and postcards from volunteers.
Helping Hands Committee Recipient Guidelines
Recipients are asked to limit their expectations of volunteers to the items listed on the “Helping Hands Volunteer Guidelines.” Please do not ask volunteers to provide financial assistance in any way.
If possible, please have a grocery list and errand list ready for upcoming visits from volunteers. Only necessary items should be purchased as to avoid unnecessary trips to stores.
Recipient is responsible for scheduling doctor appointments and grooming appointments, and making sure that a volunteer on the rotation schedule is available and willing to assist with transportation needs.
If bill paying assistance is needed, recipient is expected to organize and track due dates. Freethought Society checks to pay bills must be covered by the recipient’s designated accumulated funds.
A pleasant attitude is appreciated by volunteers.
A sincere “thank you” is always helpful to keep volunteers interested in staying involved with the Freethought Society Helping Hands Committee.
For more information or to add your name to our volunteers, please email volunteer@ftsociety.org.
Note: The Freethought Society will not ask the religion of a person in need of assistance. Helping Hands Committee members/volunteers will treat all charity cases without prejudice or bigotry. The religion or non-religion of an applicant will not be a consideration of offering needed assistance.
Recipients will be accepted on a volunteer availability basis. If volunteers are available, applications will be accepted. Applicants will be advised that services are available only if a core volunteer group can be established.
Sole Searching
The Freethought Society (FS) is pleased to continue another project to benefit the homeless community. Donate your gently worn shoes at an FS event or at a monthly meeting. All donations will be acknowledged with a “thank you” and receipt that can be used for tax deduction purposes.
Large boxes filled with shoes will be delivered to a homeless shelter in Pennsylvania. Please note that shoes with high heels are not appropriate for donation.
The more sturdy the shoe, the better! Boots, work and sport shoes are best. Please do not donate over-used and/or dirty shoes.
Thanks in advance for looking through your closet and locating shoes that you no longer enjoy wearing. Consider yourself sole-searching. There is no such thing as an out-of-style shoe in the homeless community. All flat-style shoes can be of use and will be greatly appreciated.
Please “step up” to participate and imagine what it is like to “walk in the shoes” of a homeless person.
Jump into the Jean Pool
The Freethought Society (FS) is proud to continue the “Jeans Only Clothing Drive.” Donate your gently worn jeans at an FS event or monthly meeting. Jeans are too heavy to ship, so an inperson donation is necessary. All donors will receive a receipt for tax purposes. When FS fills a large box with donated jeans, the box will be delivered to a homeless shelter in Pennsylvania. This type of “Jean Therapy” can benefit many people who are in need of sturdy clothing. FS seeks all sizes, including jeans for children, young adults and seniors. Please do not donate stained, ripped or torn jeans. Ask your family, friends and neighbors to donate to this effort.
Watch Meetup, the FS Discussion Group, Facebook and the quarterly newsletter for announcements about the next opportunity to donate. Local businesses can be asked to participate in this collection. Let’s find merchants who are willing to help. Please contact FS to request a poster that can be used to gather jeans from the public-at-large.
Partnering to Help the Homeless
The Freethought Society’s (FS) Helping Hands Committee has partnered with a local homeless shelter to provide needed items. Safe Harbor is a homeless shelter located in Chester County, Pennsylvania.
Safe Harbor is located at 20 North Matlack Street in West Chester, Pennsylvania. The facility has been open for over twenty years. During frequent visits to the facility, no religious literature or symbols are displayed. Safe Harbor is known specifically as a secular non-discriminatory 501(c)3 non-profit organization. There is no religious testing for services, the facility does not promote, endorse or support any particular religious belief. All visitors are welcome.
There are many jobs to do at Safe Harbor. Volunteers are needed for laundry duty, health advocacy (scheduling doctor appointments, providing transportation to doctors and hospitals, etc.), cleaning, and maintenance of the facility. Please visit www.safeharborofgwc.org to learn more about volunteer opportunities.
Twice a year (in celebration of Spring and/or Winter), FS would like to provide some of the following items needed at Safe Harbor:
Cleaning Supplies
- Windex, bleach, toilet bowl cleaner, Clorox wipes, all-purpose spray cleaner, dish detergent, Brillo pads, Magic Erasers, cleaning rags
Women’s Needs
- Panties, sports bras, socks, slippers, feminine hygiene products, pajama pants
Personal Care Items
- Deodorant, razors, shaving cream, Tylenol/Advil, cold medicine, cough drops/lozenges
Food Items
- Individual snack packs, coffee, creamer, cups, sugar/sugar substitute packets, powdered juice mix, iced tea mix
Men’s Needs
- Boxers, undershirts, socks, hooded sweatshirts, sweat pants, pajama pants
Miscellaneous
- Bus tokens, paper towels and napkins, tote bags, duffle bags, backpacks, hats, scarves, gloves
Donations can be given at any FS meeting. The items will be delivered to Safe Harbor. A tax-deduction receipt will be provided to donors requesting one.
Hurricane Sandy Emergency Relief Fund
The Freethought Society partnered with Texas Freethought Convention and other non-theist groups to collect funds for the victims of Hurricane Sandy. More information is here: https://www.ftsociety.org/2012/10/30/hurricane-sandy-emergency-relief-fund/