With its many civic organizations and charities, Loma Linda has ample places to volunteer. Volunteers can do anything -- from a one-time shot of cooking dinner for a family with a child in the hospital, to spending several days a week down at Loma Linda University Medical Center. Read on for more information.

The Loma Linda Ronald McDonald House offers a home away from home for families with a child in the hospital. The Ronald McDonald House holds monthly sessions to explain to volunteers what their duties will be, and there is a wide variety of opportunities -- from house work to office work to yard work.

For groups (no more than eight people) looking to do something to help, they are invited to cook meals for families. The meals must feed 50 - 60 people, and must be scheduled. The Ronald McDonald House provides cooking utensils and pots and pans, as well as plastic utensils and paper plates for serving.

Volunteers must be at least 16 to volunteer with an adult, and 18 to volunteer solo. Those interested in cooking must be 16 or older.

For a link to an application, click here. For more information, contact Gwen Terry, volunteer coordinator, at 909-558-8333.

The Loma Linda Senior Center is looking for enthusiastic volunteers to answer phones, run exercise videos and movies, register visitors for center programs, set out refreshments and answer any questions. Not only are they looking for volunteers, but they are also looking for recommendations.

For the link to an application, click here. For more information, call the city manager's office at 909-799-2810.

To volunteer at the Loma Linda University Medical Center, one must be at least 18 years of age, have a valid Social Security number, be able to commit to at least 100 hours of service per year, be able to commit to at least two hours of service per week, be in good physical and mental health, and be able to communicate effectively in English, although second language skills are a plus. The medical center is not able to accept court-ordered community service, and teenagers between the ages of 14 and 17 may take part in the Teen Summer Program, with details to come in April.

Volunteer opportunities fall in two categories: direct patient contact (outpatient services, child life activity rooms, emergency department and patient care units) and little or no patient contact (information desk, escort, gift shop, music connection and office assistant). Volunteers with direct patient contact are strictly comforting, and are not able to shadow nurses or doctors, take vital signs or observe procedures. For a list of volunteer programs, click here.

Each volunteer is given comprehensive training, testing and orientations. Evening and weekend shifts are the most popular, so it might take longer to get assignments during those times. Some of the more popular programs may also have a waiting list. 

For more information on becoming a volunteer, click here909-558-8022.

To volunteer with the Loma Linda University Children's Hospital, call 909-558-8022. For a list of programs, click here.

At the Loma Linda VA Medical Center, volunteers help out across the hospital. Volunteers must complete an application, obtain a TB test (provided for free by the medical center), interview with the volunteer manager, agree to a criminal background check and attend a volunteer orientation. Volunteers receive a free flu shot, meal coupon for a minimum of four hours volunteered, no tax paid at the the retail store, skills training and work experience, and career exploration for high school students.

For more information, call 909-583-6011.

The Loma Linda Library is always looking for volunteers to help out around the library. Anyone interested should visit the library's cards and accounts desk for an application. The library is at 25581 Barton Road, Loma Linda. For more information, call 909-796-8621.

The Adult Literacy Program is also looking for tutors. For more information, call Debbie at 909-790-3147.

Subscribe