Support SOS!
Be the Change
Volunteer
SOS Volunteers and Community Partners are the essence of SOS. The local commitment to helping make our District a secure, supported and inclusive community is strong, and evident at SOS.
Annually, over 200 volunteers contribute knowledge and expertise to SOS Programs and the Thrift Shop’s growing success. It is for that reason that we are able to offer so many important community programs and services. Your Volunteer time at SOS is fun and flexible. Volunteering in your community can easily fit any schedule or lifestyle.
Come and join us at SOS, volunteer for the success of our community, whether it’s just one hour or several hours every week/month. We’ll introduce you to our team, give you an excellent orientation and training, and welcome you to the SOS family.
For more information, please email the Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@sosd69.com or call 250-248-2093 ext. 230.
SOS Volunteers
Making an Impact
“My experience as a driver has been very rewarding. I love the opportunity to get to know the clients during our drives and develop a connection with them. I have seen the need for services grow, year by year, as we are in very challenging times for so many people.”
~ Jane Aiers, SOS Volunteer Driver, Christmas Program and Grocery Bus Volunteer
“Every morning, I get a good morning and a smile — it makes my day. It’s really rewarding working with these kids because you watch them grow up. You’re giving back to the community and helping them out, and I work with wonderful people. It’s a happy, positive atmosphere.”
~ Murielle Shannon, TICTAC and Meals on Wheels Volunteer
“Volunteering helped me get to know Parksville when I was new to the area, and I’ve made quite a few new friends through SOS. It’s really nice to see the gratitude in the faces of someone I’ve helped. It feels good to know I’ve made a difference.”
~ Kristine Brown, Christmas Program, Tax Program and Admin Volunteer
“Each week, SOS relies on many volunteers to help those in our community who are in need of physical, emotional, or social support. It has been very rewarding to be part of that effort, and I always look forward to doing a shift. I occasionally wonder what happened to a particular resident I used to deliver to, knowing they may have moved into a seniors’ facility or passed on. I hope I was able to bring good food and a smile each time I knocked on their door.”
~ Richard DeCandole, SOS Volunteer Driver
Current Volunteer
Opportunities
Join our amazing team of caring volunteers! For more information, please email the Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@sosd69.com or call 250-248-2093 ext. 230.
SOS Thrift Shop
Cashier
Process sales transactions for customers through the cash register. Training provided.
Stock Shelves, Tag and Process Donations
Help in the back by processing and tagging donations. Assist with getting donations out on the floor.
Change Room Attendant
Assist shoppers access the changerooms and monitor the area.
SOS Caring for Community at Christmas
Client Registration – Meeting with clients in person to register them for our Christmas program.
Reception and Grocery Gift Card Distribution – Greeting and signing in clients. Issuing Grocery store gift cards to registered Christmas program clients.
Toy Sorting – Sorting donated toys to be distributed to parents and grandparents through the SOS Toy Shop.
Angel Tree – Drop off tree tags at community businesses. Pick up donated toys from businesses and bring them to SOS.
Toy Shop Elf – Working one-on-one with clients in the Toy Shop and supporting them while they select gifts for their children and grandchildren.
Community Events– Attending Community fundraisers such as the Tigh-Na-Mara Toy Drive and Silver Spur Toy Ride and helping with toy collecting and other tasks.
Setup/Tear-Down – Setup/tear-down shelving for the SOS Toy Shop and unpacking boxes from storage.
Christmas Stocking Delivery – Deliver donated Christmas stockings to isolated seniors in District 69.
Co-Chairs – Looking for a little extra responsibility, supporting the program with setup/take down, organizing volunteers and ensuring everything is running smoothly. (Previous Christmas program volunteer experience required.)
Administration – Fast and accurate data entry of client registration details into a database.
Medical Appointment Transportation Service
Volunteer Driver
Provide Safe and courteous transportation for community residents to and from medical appointments, within District 69.
Income Tax Program
Income Tax Preparers
Preparation of basic income tax returns for low-income individuals and families. The program works in conjunction with the Canada Revenue Agency Community Volunteer Income Tax Program.
Income Tax Reception
Greet clients that are scheduled for an appointment in the Income Tax program.
Income Tax Registration
Register qualified clients into the Income Tax program.
SOS Admin Office
Admin Assistant
Assisting the SOS Admin team with a variety of office tasks.
Child, Youth and Family Programs
Tailor / Stylist in the Teen GradWear Program
Assist youth in finding their outfit by providing guidance for fitting and help with alterations if needed. Put outfits away and set up and take down GradWear clothing displays when the program opens and ends.
Childcare Assistants
Hold and interact with babies and help children with arts and crafts, read books and support them while they play. This allows caregivers to take a break during our Child, Youth and Family programs.
Cook in the Weekly Family Night Program
Prepare hot, nutritious meals once per week for families (25 – 30 people) that attend our weekly Family Night program. FoodSafe Level 1 required. Cleanup and replenish supplies.
Youth Mentor
Help facilitate youth program participants’ interaction with each other and encourage their engagement in activities. Help prepare snacks and encourage participants to help clean up afterwards.
Oceanside Better at Home Program
Friendly Visitor
Help seniors maintain their independence and social interaction by visiting once per week either in person or by phone.
Grocery Bus Volunteer
Assist seniors with their grocery shopping; reading labels, reaching grocery items off the shelf, helping at the checkout, helping load the bagged groceries onto the bus, while developing a friendly relationship with the clients.
Grocery Shopper
Help seniors maintain their independence by delivering groceries to their home.
Non-Medical Appointments Driver
Provide safe and courteous transportation for community residents to and from non-medical appointments within District 69.
Events
Events Volunteer
Assist in planning and hosting events, administrative support, set up/take down, and other event-related tasks.
Meals on Wheels Program
Kitchen Assistant
Work in a small team to package up meals for delivery to clients.
Delivery Driver
Deliver hot meals to clients in District 69.
SOS History Book Volunteer
Our SOS History Books preserve and celebrate the stories, milestones, and impact our community has built together since 1968. This special volunteer role updates and creates new pages that continue to honour SOS memories, while getting creative and giving back.
Group Volunteering
How can my group get involved at SOS?
SOS’s Community Partner Initiative is an opportunity for businesses and groups of friends to come together as a group and lend a helping hand at SOS.
Volunteering with SOS in this way is a great team-building experience, interesting and fun. Opportunities could involve representing SOS at special events. To host your own event with the proceeds coming to SOS, click here for more information.
How does this support my community?
Behind the Giving
SOS Thrift Shop is a key funder of SOS programs and services. Thanks to donations, purchases and volunteer assistance, the Thrift Shop supports dozens of vital community programs and services. 95 cents of every dollar raised at the Thrift Shop goes back into this community.
Click below to see a breakdown of where SOS funding comes from, and where that money goes.
The SOS Bring-a-Buddy Program
We’d Love Your Help!
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- 250-248-2093
- sos@sosd69.com
- 245 Hirst Avenue West
PO BOX 898 Parksville, BC V9P2G9
Charitable Number: 107021537RR0001
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