How do I become a volunteer?

• The first step to becoming a Commit for Life volunteer is signing up for a new volunteer orientation. To find out when our next volunteer orientation is, click here.

What can I do as a volunteer?

• Volunteers assist our organization in many ways, all of which help us meet the needs of patients in our region. We offer many great opportunities to volunteer by supporting blood drives and Neighborhood Donor Centers, sharing your story as a speaker and more. For details on all our volunteer opportunities, click here.

Is there an age requirement?

• Volunteers must be at least 12 years of age. Those ages 12 to 14 must be accompanied by a trained parent or guardian at all activities. Those ages 15 to 18 can volunteer with parental consent.

Will you provide training?   

• Yes. Your training includes a general orientation, plus additional training specific to the type of volunteer position that interests you. The volunteer coordinator will continue to be your contact and can help you as questions arise. The Blood Center also holds two volunteer conferences a year to keep volunteers’ training up to date and to further educate our volunteers about our mission of saving lives.

Do I have to provide my own transportation?

• Yes, transportation to a Neighborhood Donor Center, blood drive or to our headquarters is the volunteer’s responsibility.

Can I volunteer in a specific part of town?

• Yes, we have opportunities all over our region, and you can request to volunteer in an area close to your home, work or where ever is most convenient.

How do I Commit for Life as a volunteer?

• As a volunteer you Commit for Life by contributing 10 hours of volunteer service per quarter, allowing us to contact you and helping us to spread the word.

What happens if I am not able to serve 10 hours per quarter?

• We understand that volunteers may become busy with work, school and other commitments. Please inform the volunteer coordinator if there is a time that you will be unavailable to accept volunteer positions. When your schedule frees up, let us know and we will be happy to work with you again.

If I am a chairperson for a blood drive, am I part of the Volunteer Program?

• Yes, you are a very important part of the program. To begin receiving the benefits of the Volunteer Program, you may attend a volunteer orientation. For orientation information, click here.

If I am a volunteer for my group’s blood drive (church, business, school, corporate), am I part of the Volunteer Program?

• Yes you are a very important part of the program. To begin receiving the benefits of the Volunteer Program, you may attend a volunteer orientation. For orientation dates, click here.

Do I have to donate blood to be a volunteer?

• While we encourage everyone to donate, we understand that some cannot. Many individuals choose to Commit for Life as a volunteer because they cannot donate for one reason or another. You can still save lives and Commit for Life by donating your valuable time.

What is a Community Advocate?

• Our Community Advocates are volunteers who work in groups based at each Neighborhood Donor Center, to encourage donations at their local center and spread awareness of the need.

What is a testimonial speaker?

• A testimonial speaker is a volunteer who speaks on behalf of The Blood Center about the need for life-saving donations from a personal perspective. They may be a blood recipient; they may have a child, parent or spouse who uses blood or blood products; or they may donate on behalf of someone who uses blood products. Their testimonies come from the heart and inspire others to Commit for Life by putting a face to the need.

What are the benefits of volunteering?

• The primary benefit of volunteering is knowing at the end of the day you saved lives. Additionally, it’s a great way to meet new people, make new friends and support your community. Volunteering is an excellent avenue for creating relationships and building personal skills. In addition, The Blood Center provides a recognition program for our volunteers based on the level of their participation.

Who is my contact at The Blood Center?

• Volunteers report to the volunteer coordinator. The volunteer coordinator can be contacted at (713) 791-6262 or at volunteering@giveblood.org. While volunteering at a mobile blood drive or Neighborhood Donor Center, volunteers will report to the supervisor in charge at the site where they are volunteering.

How will I report my hours?

• It is very important for each volunteer to track and turn in their hours each month so we can recognize volunteers for their contributions. It is also important that as a non-profit organization we are able to accurately report volunteer hours. To turn in your hours send an e-mail to volunteering@giveblood.org or call (713) 791-6262

How do I sign up for a volunteer opportunity?

• After reviewing the opportunities listed on the volunteer calendar, sign up by contacting the volunteer coordinator at (713) 791-6262 or volunteering@giveblood.org. We will then provide more information about the opportunity after we confirm your assignment.