There are many ways you can make a difference in the lives of others. We’re sure that no matter which area you choose, you’ll enjoy being a part of the Empath Health family of volunteers.

Office Assistance
Provide office, phone and computer support. Answer telephones and take messages, computer data entry, scan and audit documents and support specialized projects. Computer skills required. 
Hours: Monday- Friday from 8:30 am-5:00 pm.
Locations in Palm Harbor, Clearwater and St. Petersburg.

Welcome Centers
Serve as first point of contact for guests in welcome centers. Contact staff to notify of appointments, provide general information, process donations and other customer service tasks. 
Hours: Monday-Friday from 8:30 am-5:00 pm.
Locations in Palm Harbor, Clearwater and St. Petersburg.

Special Events
Assist in making fundraising and friendraising events successful. Welcome guests, sell drawing tickets and solicit auction items or sponsorships. Visit the Suncoast Hospice Foundation website for more information on upcoming events.

Resale Shops
Support the Resale Shops’ operations. Assist as a cashier, accept/handle donations at doors, sort or price merchandise, create displays or test small equipment, and many other small retail/resale duties, etc.
Stores Hours: Monday-Saturday, 9:00 am-5:00 pm
Locations: Clearwater, Countryside and St. Petersburg

Corporate Volunteer Program
Empath Health partners with corporations and local businesses that encourage volunteerism within their workplaces and are interested in supporting our mission. Projects vary according to a group’s size, location preference, employee skills and interests, the time of year, as well as the needs of the Empath Health members.
Training: Not required for one-time only volunteer projects.

EPIC
Office/administrative assistance, food pantry restocking, special events, telephone support through the Friendly Caller program.
Locations: Clearwater, St. Petersburg and Tampa

Empath PACE and Empath LIFE
Help lead activities with participants. Examples include: sewing, knitting, art, music, games, discussion, writing, gardening, etc.
Locations: Pinellas Park and Tampa

Maintenance and Durable Medical Equipment (DME)
Assist maintenance and/or DME technicians with functions. Perform pressure washing, painting, carpet cleaning, meeting room set-up, and light maintenance or carpentry tasks.

There are many ways you can make a difference in the lives of others. We are sure that no matter which area you choose, you will enjoy being a part of the Empath Health family of volunteers. Patient and Family Support Volunteers can choose to visit patients in their homes, assisted living facilities, nursing homes or our inpatient Suncoast Hospice Care Centers.

Patient Support
Provide support through socialization and visitation to our patients residing at home, in nursing or assisted living facilities or within our Care Centers.  Some administrative duties are available in the Care Centers. Further specialized training is available for those interested in becoming end-of-life doulas and other areas of interest.

Bereavement Volunteer Program
Be a supportive presence to those who have lost loved ones. Make bereavement support phone calls or in-person visits as directed by bereavement staff. Phone calls can be made from a volunteer’s home.

Telephone Support
Communicate with patients and families to provide reassurance, learn of additional needs and be a listening ear. Daytime and evening opportunities available. Some opportunities to place calls from home. Additional training is required after completion of Patient and Family Support Training.

Palliative Arts
Patient and Family Support volunteers comfort patients by providing holistic services in the following modalities

• Reiki – The use of energy therapy techniques to promote relaxation, reduce suffering caused by anxiety/agitation and create a sense of peacefulness. Reiki training offered for Patient and Family Support and Bereavement Support volunteers.

• Licensed Massage Therapy – The use of hands-on techniques delivered by Florida licensed massage therapists to promote relaxation and reduce pain.

• Music – The use of music as a tool, gift or opportunity to bring peace and comfort. Musicians may perform for patients or share musical interests with patients via music CDs or iPods.

• Caring Touch – gentle hand rub techniques used to promote deep relaxation and relief from pain or discomfort. Caring Touch training required.

Pet Volunteer Visits
Specially-trained pets and their owners team up to visit patients and families in Care Centers, nursing homes, assisted living facilities or patients’ homes. These pets can make an instant connection, bring joy and comfort and open a door for sharing pet stories and memories.

Suncoast PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care) / Empath LIFE (Living Independence For the Elderly)
Participants’ Homes – Support participants in their homes. Provide companionship, caregiver respite, errand running, transportation, pack/organize home, facilitate life review, and provide spiritual support.
Locations: Pinellas Park and Tampa

Veterans Serving Veterans
As a Veteran Serving Veteran volunteer, you will have the honor of extending a warm hand of friendship to military veterans with serious illness and those nearing the end of life. This service offers a special bond only those with military experiences share and a way to pay tribute to those who have served our country – your military brothers and sisters. Visit military veteran patients, take part in special pinning ceremonies, present appreciation certificates, share holiday events or help interview veterans who share life and military stories through the Veterans History Project. Learn more about our Empath Honors program.

Delivery Drivers
Be a friendly face delivering supplies to patients at their homes, assisted living facilities or nursing homes. Routes begin from central Pinellas County and are directed back to a volunteer’s home or location of choice.

You Can Make a Difference
Teen volunteers bring unique energy, compassion and skills that support our mission in many special ways. If you are a teen seeking to improve the lives of people in your community, join us. You can make a difference and find new meaning in your life.

Volunteer Opportunities
There are a variety of opportunities to assist with during the day, in the evening or on weekends at convenient locations.

Patient/Family Support

• Lifetime Legacies (interview, film and record patients)
• Companionship Visits (visit patients and families in Suncoast Hospice Care Centers and other long-term care facilities)
• Birthday Celebrations (patient birthday parties and other celebrations)
• Thoughtful Gestures (assist patients with technology and other household needs)
• Adult Day Center activities
• Cheer Teams

Organizational Support

• Office support
• Craft projects
• Special events
• Community Outreach (Veterans, Pet programs and Hispanic community)
• Continuing Education
• Pinellas County Resale Shops (ring-up orders, accept donations, stock floor)

Volunteer Benefits

• Earn volunteer hours for scholarships and school requirements
• Meet new people and have fun
• Explore career paths
• Develop leadership, public speaking and communications skills

Volunteer Application Process
To become a teen volunteer, you must be at least 14 years old and live or attend high school in Pinellas or Hillsborough counties.

Contact Us
Call (727) 523-3440 to learn more information about volunteering in Pinellas or Hillsborough counties.