Volunteer

We owe our success to the 400 plus individuals who volunteer their time. Our volunteers touch the lives of every client of Society for the Blind through personal service, fundraising, reading and more. Below are some of our most popular volunteer opportunities. Please call our Volunteer Coordinator at (916)452-8271 to learn more.

Personal Reader Program

A Personal Touch: Training and technology enable individuals who are blind or have low vision to live productively and independently. However, the printed word can still present a barrier. Consider the printed bills, forms, and other materials you receive in your mailbox. For someone who is blind, reading and filling out these forms without assistance can be difficult. As a personal reader, you will assist a blind individual or a person with low vision in maintaining his or her independence. This includes providing help with tasks such as grocery shopping, reading mail, and paying bills. Volunteer readers are matched with clients based on geographic area and interests. You can also perform this service in an on-call capacity for a series of clients who come into our agency requesting this assistance on an occasional basis. Time commitment: one to two hours per week; weekdays, evenings and/or weekends -- at a time convenient for both the volunteer and the client. Personal readers must also complete a supplemental application and screening process in person at our midtown office.

Bingo

Society for the Blind receives significant proceeds from Bingo sessions at our bingo parlors in Sacramento and Citrus Heights. Games benefiting the Society are played in Sacramento on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday each week from 10 AM to 2 AM. In Citrus Heights, games are played on Sundays from 6 PM to 10 PM, and on Tuesdays from 10 AM to 2 PM and 6 PM to 10 PM. We rely on volunteers to meet the staffing needs for these games. If you like a fun, social and fast-paced environment, we want your help! The time commitment is four to five hours per game, at least two times per month. A written application must be filled out in person at our midtown office, along with other relevant documents.

 

Access News

Access News is a reading service which allows volunteers to record current news, magazines, and other items of interest so that people who cannot read conventional print can listen to these publications by telephone. Access News has over 1,000 subscribers from throughout Northern California. The time commitment is very flexible and material can be recorded remotely at your convenience from locations other than our recording studio. An initial interview and audition are required.

Special Events

Two to three times a year, Society for the Blind hosts special fundraising events and other festivities. Volunteers are needed for the planning and decorations committees, event set-up and clean-up, and various positions during the events.

Our youth program relies heavily on volunteer support for our Braille Challenge, Blind Olympics and other seasonal youth events. These activities are fun and fulfilling for both youth and volunteer participants.

Don't see anything you would like to do? Call us for more opportunities- We would love to have your talents on our team!

For more information please contact: Volunteer Coordinator (916) 452-8271 or email frontdesk@societyfortheblind.org