Get involved in West Hartford!

If you want to get involved and give back to the community, there are lots of ways to do just that. This web page is a handy guide to the volunteer opportunities found throughout the Town of West Hartford web site. For additional information, call Linda Hanson at (860) 561-7567 or Melissa Morton (860) 561-7569.

Boards & Commissions

Volunteers serve on over 30 government boards and commissions. Share your expertise and get involved. Send or fax your resume to the Town Clerk stating your party affiliation and the position you are interested in. Fax (860) 523-3522 or call (860) 523-3143. Address: Town of West Hartford, 50 South Main St., 06107.

American Cancer Society's Relay for Life of West Hartford

Relay For Life is an overnight community event in which teams of 8 to 15 people of all ages take turns walking around a track for 24 hours. There is a carnival like atmosphere, with music, games, and activities, which encourage people to camp out overnight. One of the highlights of this event is the Survivor Lap during which we ask all cancer survivors to step forward and begin the event by walking the first lap around the track. Later that evening, around 9:00 P.M. all the stadium lights go out and the track is lined with luminaria (bags with sand and candles inside), which are lit in memory of those who lost the battle and for those who have survived cancer. Throughout the event there are games and entertainment to please all audiences. Relay For Life allows us to educate your community about cancer and will be 24 hours you will never forget.

The 2008 Relay For Life of West Hartford will be held June 13 - 14, at Northwest Catholic High School, 4 P.M. to 10 A.M. We are always looking for volunteers to be on the planning committee, be team captains, and to help out day of the event. We hope to see you soon! Contact: Debra Robertson at 860-206-4181.

Ballet Theatre Company

Ballet Theatre Company --- Ballet Guild volunteers assist in production aspects of their performances at the Hoffman Theater, Carol Autorino Center. Various tasks include: work on costumes, helping dancers with costume changes during performance, helping the children in the annual Nutcracker production, back stage helpers, ushers, boutique, mailings, and fundraising activities. Nutcracker performances are in December, Repertory performances are the beginning of June. Tracy Dorman, Executive Director (860) 570-0440. Ballet Theatre Company, 20 Jefferson Avenue, West Hartford, CT. 06110-1200

Celebrate! West Hartford
two-day festival

If you would like to join the team that makes this event possible, click on the link and choose "Volunteers." Volunteers are needed for two or more hours for setup, the 5K road race, the arts and crafts show and in the food/amusement areas. Contact Terri Dolbec at (860) 523-3226.

Community Organizations

From garden clubs to civic groups, this web page contains a listing of over 50 community organizations in town. For more information, call the person listed with the organization.

The Foundation for West Hartford Public Schools

The Foundation for West Hartford Public Schools - Flexible hours, friendly folks and a fun environment makes this an ideal volunteer opportunity for you! The Foundation is looking for volunteers to help with special events, database work, mailings and involvement in our distribution and development committees. The Foundation for West Hartford Public Schools was established in 1997 and our mission is to provide support for educational projects, programs and initiatives that will enhance and promote the excellence of public schools here in West Hartford. Join our team. E-mail the office at fwhps@westhartford.org or call 561-8755. We look forward to hearing from you!

Homework Center tutor

Hillcrest Area Neighborhood Outreach Center has openings for volunteer tutors. Hours are Monday through Thursday from 3:45-5:30pm. Please call the Volunteer Office at (860) 561-7567 for more information..

Noah Webster House

Volunteers serve as interpreters dressed in period costume who take visitors back to the 1770s. Parent-child pairs are welcome. Training is provided. In addition to tour guides, volunteers serve as hosts to greet visitors and show the video on the house, cashiers in the gift shop; helpers with special events, installing exhibits, mailings, gardening, and cleaning the museum; and as researchers. A 18th century dance troupe is also available, with complete training. Contact Gloria Nelson, Outreach Coordinator, at (860) 521-5362 ext. 14 or Marsha Anderson, Director of Education, (860) 521-5362 ext. 13.

Park Road Playhouse

Performers and technicians alike are all members of the community - doctors, lawyers, homemakers, plumbers, postal workers -- a wide range of talented people who work as volunteers, simply for the fulfillment and satisfaction of producing theater. Contact Lin Hirsch at (860) 586-8500.

Plant A Row for the Hungry

Volunteers are needed to help the park staff with planting on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. through 12:00 p.m. Additional volunteers are needed to help tend and harvest the garden throughout the growing season, which usually lasts through October. Groups or individuals interested in volunteering with the Plant a Row project should call Jane Gottier, Horticulturist, Westmoor Park at 232-1134, weekdays 9:00 a.m. -2:00 p.m.

Senior Centers

Volunteers are used as instructors, office assistants, computer helpers, the mailing team for the senior center newsletter and other projects for nonprofit organizations, hospitality-kitchen helpers and legislation monitors regarding senior issues. Volunteers also participate in committee work such as planning trips and tours, the Thursday afternoon senior dance, special events and the get-well committee. Contact Gina Marino at Elmwood Senior Center, (860) 236-5693; and Ned Skinnon at West Hartford Senior Center, (860) 236-1229.

Town of West Hartford
Volunteer Services Office

The Volunteer Services Office actively recruits volunteers from the community to provide support services to elderly residents, children and families including the friendly visitor program, grocery assistance, medical escort services, telephone reassurance, as well as food drives, special projects, and the Hillcrest Area Neighborhood Outreach Center. Contact: Linda Hanson, (860) 561-7567.

United Way of the Capital Area

United Way of the Capital Area's on-line volunteer matching software called Volunteer Solutions links potential volunteers with opportunities that match their interests, schedule and location preferences. Use of the Volunteer Solutions database is completely free of charge to potential volunteers and to the non-profit agencies listing their requests. Simply enter West Hartford zip codes to see the opportunities in our area. West Hartford has four zip codes: 06107, 06110, 06117 and 06119.

WHC-TV, West Hartford's community television

Any member of the West Hartford community can become involved as a volunteer. Volunteers put incredible energy and skill into producing programs for the community and most of them come to WHC-TV with no previous training. Young and old, they get training through WHC-TV's workshops and on the job training. Contact Kate Dixon at (860) 561-1260.

West Hartford Public Libraries

Volunteer opportunities include assisting at the main and branch libraries, book deliveries to homebound residents, and the Friends of the Library. Contact Joseph Cadieux at (860) 561-9889. Book donations can be made to the library and monetary donations can be made to the West Hartford Library Foundation. Contact Pat Holloway at (860) 561-6970.

West Hartford Symphony Orchestra

Music-lovers from all walks of life and all ages should consider becoming involved as volunteers for the new West Hartford Symphony Orchestra. Positions needed are: musicians, database manager, ticket-takers, ushers and usherettes, advertising sales, fundraising, distribution and mailing, graphic design and hospitality/social planning. Please contact us through e-mail at volunteers@whso.org or call (860) 521-4362. Click here for the summer audition schedule.

<back

©2000 Town of West Hartford. Designed by The Computer Company, Inc