Volunteer at Four Seasons
“Volunteers are an essential part of what we do at Four Seasons and are truly the heart of our organization.”
“We could not do what we do for our communities without the invaluable services they provide. Four Seasons Volunteers serve in roles that support our staff and that provide direct support to our patients and families. Their passion and dedication help to co-create the best care experience possible for those we serve and we are forever grateful to have them as part of our team.”
– Sheri Merrill, Employee & Volunteer Solutions Manager
Volunteer Opportunities
Whether your goal is to meet new people, be more involved in the community, or give your time in honor of our care, there are many ways you can help. Many volunteers are family members or neighbors of those we have served – and they want to give back. Our volunteers provide a variety of services to our patients, families, and staff. Whether providing companionship to people facing serious, life-limiting illness, assisting with community outreach or providing office support, Volunteers are an essential part of our Four Seasons team.
If you are looking for ways to give your time to the Four Seasons’ community, please read on to learn more about opportunities for engaging in volunteer service at Four Seasons.
Patient & Family Support
Caregiver Respite in Home Care Setting
- Visit with patients on a scheduled basis for companionship and emotional support.
- Provide respite for caregivers to make appointments, staying with patients in the home. Shifts are up to three-hours, once a week.
Nursing Homes & Assisted Living Facilities
- Visit assigned patient(s) on a weekly basis.
- Provide socialization and supportive presence for patients residing in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities.
Elizabeth House
- Perform tasks to ensure comfort and care in a homelike environment.
- Provide emotional support, companionship, and assistance to patients as appropriate.
- Distribute meals, help stock linen closets, and keep common areas tidy.
- Assist staff in answering patient call bells and visitor questions as needed.
Transportation & Errands
- Run errands for an assigned patient on an as-needed basis.
- Transport assigned patient to medical appointments, shopping, etc. (Must meet minimum requirements for auto liability coverage.)
Pet Therapy
- Visit assigned patients in facilities.
- Visit patients at Elizabeth House.
- Pet therapy animals must be trained, registered and insured.
Hair Stylists
- Visit patients in home care settings and providing haircuts on an as-needed basis.
- All Hair Stylist Volunteers must have appropriate licensure/certification as required by North Carolina state law.
Bereavement Client Care
- Make monthly check-in phone calls to bereavement clients.
- Visit bereaved clients to provide emotional support and social interaction.
We Honor Veterans
- Connect veteran patients with veteran volunteers.
- Assist in honoring our veteran patients with a Pinning Ceremony.
More Opportunities
Administrative Support
- Provide office support for one of our administrative offices. This can be done in-office or from home.
- Administrative tasks may include copying, filing, data entry, mailings, making phone calls, etc.
Facilities & Maintenance
- Deliver paper goods and supplies at one of our offices.
- Assist with light handiwork and maintenance jobs.
Home Stores
- Serve in a fun, team-oriented retail environment in downtown Hendersonville or Arden. Coming soon to Brevard.
- Help to receive, price, and sort donations.
- Work on the sales floor as a cashier or help to keep the store neat, clean, and well-stocked.
Baking
- Bake homemade goodies for special events throughout the year.
Sewing
- Sew, Knit or crochet a variety of different comfort items and quilts for patients.
Gardening at Elizabeth House
- Help maintain Elizabeth House gardens by weeding, dead-heading, and mulching.
- Fill bird feeders and clean bird houses as needed.
Greeting at Elizabeth House
- Greet and welcome visitors in the front lobby of Elizabeth House.
- Orient family and visitors to the facility.
Hospitality Team at Elizabeth House
- Make homemade goodies 1 – 2 times per month to share with Elizabeth House patients, families, and staff from an old-fashioned tea cart.
- Decorate Elizabeth House seasonally for holidays.
Faith & Community Representatives
- Serve as the Four Seasons representative within their congregation and to the local community.
- Ensure awareness and understanding of Four Seasons services and how to access our care.
Special Events, Fundraising, Community Outreach
- Help staff special events and fundraising events throughout the year.
- Assist with prep work leading up to the event.
- Serve on committees to plan, organize, and facilitate events.
Facility Activities
- Visit assigned nursing home or assisted living facility as scheduled.
- Help lead group resident activities such as bingo, art, and music.
Frequently Asked Questions about Volunteering
Q: What is the time commitment involved for volunteers?
A: It’s really up to you and what works for your schedule. Most volunteers will average 4 to 12 hours each month.
Q: What training is required?
A: Orientation is required for all new volunteers. Patient & Family Support training is required for those serving patients and bereavement clients.
Q: Where are the patients that I would serve?
A: Volunteers typically visit patients in their own county or region, but some are willing to travel further. Many of our patients are still in their homes; others are in assisted living and nursing facilities. It is up to the volunteer to determine how far they will travel to visit patients, and in what setting they wish to serve.
Q: Will I be paid or reimbursed for mileage?
A: No, we do not offer mileage reimbursement or payment. However, you may choose to track your mileage and submit to the IRS for a tax deduction. More information on this is available at orientation.
Q: I have suffered a personal loss recently. Can I still volunteer?
A: It is our policy that new volunteers must wait one year to serve patients after they have suffered a loss. Non-patient related opportunities are available to everyone and could be a great way to get started volunteering in this case.
Q: Do I have to work directly with patients?
A: Not at all. There are so many ways you can volunteer with Four Seasons that don’t involve serving patients.
Q: Why do I have to provide proof of Auto Insurance if my volunteer role does not involve driving?
A: It is our policy that all employees and volunteers have a copy of this proof of coverage on file, regardless of the job they perform.
Q: Can minors participate in your volunteer program?
A: Yes, minors under the age of 18 can volunteer in a variety of ways. Please speak with a member of the Volunteer Solutions Team about what roles are available.
Q: May I volunteer for my school’s internship?
A: Yes, our administrative office hosts Work-based Learning and Innovative High School interns on a frequent basis. The training and application are the same for students as any other volunteers.
Q: Can I volunteer to complete hours for court-ordered service?
A: At this time our volunteer program cannot support court-mandated service hours.
Opportunities for volunteers are provided without regard to race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability or veteran status.
How to Become a Volunteer
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Four Seasons! It is a special person that is willing to give the time, talents, and energy it takes to help others at such a critical time in their lives.
There are several steps to complete before becoming a volunteer with Four Seasons. The first is to submit your application. You can do that by following this link: Four Seasons Volunteer Application
Once we have received your application, a member of the Volunteer Solutions Team will contact you to schedule your training. Be on the lookout for an email from FourSeasonsCFL.org.
The next step is to attend New Volunteer Orientation. To learn more about this process, and to register for an upcoming training session, please click here.
Once you have completed orientation and training, your Volunteer Coordinator will sit down with you for a face-to-face interview. This is where you will discuss your schedule, preferred time commitment, and sign paperwork. Proof of Auto Liability Coverage is required for all active volunteers, and two-stage TB screening is required for volunteers serving in patient homes and facilities. A criminal background check and two personal references are also required. Your Volunteer Coordinator will be happy to answer any questions you have about our policies during your training and interview.
Volunteer Blog
I Love Volunteering!
If you’ve ever shopped at the Home Store in downtown Hendersonville, Volunteer Mary Coffey is probably no stranger! Her professional background began with a degree in education and later blossomed into a successful career with Maytag International as a Training and...
Patty Vega Home Store Volunteer Spotlight
Patty came to volunteer at Four Seasons after her husband was cared for at Elizabeth House in 2015. He fought a long battle with cancer and, as she recounts, “The services he received and the assistance I was given allowed me to be strong for him and make his last...
Volunteering Here is Special
I first learned about Four Seasons through my student advisor, Vanessa Capps. Four Seasons was a volunteering option available to me to complete my hours for the Work-Based Learning Program at Blue Ridge Community College. Before learning of this opportunity, I was...
Finding the Right Place: Volunteer Sandy Williams
It was 1986. I was working at my husband’s dental office raising two teenage daughters and was involved in many community activities when my mother was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. I was devastated. At first, our family managed to care for my mother. As an...
Serving & Educating Our Community
Fritz and Christine (Chris) Becker embody the definition of “salt of the earth.” With backgrounds in service organizations, Fritz and Chris bring a unique and valued perspective to their volunteer work at the Home Store. The Beckers are originally from New York. Fritz...
Finding My Life’s Passion
“Ms. Brenda,” as she’s known around the Foundation, is the definition of love and kindness. Born in Wisconsin, Brenda Shearer’s background is nothing short of impressive. She holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction in Reading Language Arts, has co-authored four...
Volunteer Orientation and Training
Interested in finding out more about volunteer opportunities with Four Seasons? Contact us today to speak with a volunteer coordinator at (828) 692-6178 or email volunteer@fourseasonscfl.org.
What You’ll Learn
In new volunteer orientation, you’ll find out about Four Seasons – who we are, where we serve, and how volunteers are impacting lives across WNC. You’ll also learn about how our services are paid for, and the ins-and-outs of hospice and palliative care. By the time we’re through, you’ll have a solid understanding of why Four Seasons is a leading provider of trusted care and how volunteers are integral to our mission.
Interested in working with patients and families? In addition to orientation, you’ll complete Patient & Family Support Training to help prepare you. This training is led by members of our clinical staff and will supply you with the confidence to work one-on-one with patients and bereaved family members.
Please note: Before becoming a volunteer, you’ll supply Four Seasons with two personal references and the consent to perform a criminal background check. Two-stage TB screening is also required for volunteers who work directly with our patients or in a facility.