Volunteer Opportunities

The Otesgo County Commission on Aging currently has the following volunteer job opportunities available:

Commodities Deliveries to Sheldon Place Older Adult Residents

The OCCOA is looking for volunteers to deliver, on a monthly basis, boxes of commodities (shelf-stable food) to older adult residents who live at the Sheldon Place Apartments. Your vehicle will need to be able to hold 12 to 15 boxes that are approximately 12” wide, by 18” long, by 12” deep, weighing approximately 40 lbs. each. You will also need to be able to carry and stack them in the lobbies or community rooms inside the apartment buildings. Sheldon Place commodities deliveries are scheduled on the first or second Monday of the month from 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

To be considered for a volunteer position, please complete a Volunteer Registration Packet and submit it to the OCCOA Volunteer Coordinator as instructed. Questions? Please contact the OCCOA Volunteer Coordinator at (989) 732-1122.

Walk Michigan Volunteer Assistant Assignment Description

Walk Michigan is a Healthy Aging walking program sponsored by Otsego County Commission on Aging in partnership with Area Agency on Aging Region 9 and Michigan Parks and Recreation. The program is based on Walk with Ease, an evidence-based walking program.

The walks are scheduled on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (currently 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.). Monday walks are scheduled at area hiking trails throughout the county.  Wednesday and Friday walks are scheduled at Aspen Park in Gaylord. Walks are scheduled in eight-week blocks, followed by a rest week.  This schedule repeats throughout the year. Due to COVID-19 program restrictions, if the weather is poor, the walks are cancelled.

Volunteers are needed to volunteer one to three times a month, either as an assistant to the OCCOA’s Healthy Aging program coordinator for Monday hikes, or to sub for her occasionally. Volunteers should be physically fit, comfortable in either a leadership or support role, and enjoy walking and visiting with walking participants. The agency provides training, including an online Walk with Ease course, and a training book. CPR and first aid are required. If needed, the agency will provide this at no cost to volunteers.

This  volunteer opportunity is a wonderful way to add meaning and joy to others’ lives by encouraging  walking participants to commit to regular, healthy exercise.  To be considered for this volunteer position, please complete a Volunteer Registration Packet and submit it to the OCCOA Volunteer Coordinator as instructed. Questions? Please contact the OCCOA Volunteer Coordinator at (989) 732-1122.

Tax Preparers

The OCCOA is looking for individuals with experience in state and federal tax return preparation to join the agency’s VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Program volunteer tax team for the 2023 Tax Filing Season. This is a program that serves lower-income individuals living in Northern Michigan. Online training is available and required to become a certified VITA volunteer. The program is expected to run between February 2 and April 15, 2023, with training in December 2022, and January 2023. Flexible scheduling is possible. This is an excellent way to give back to your community and help those who are not able to afford paid tax preparation services. This is an excellent volunteer opportunity for people who enjoy doing taxes, as well as for retired tax preparers, business administrators, and educators. To be considered for a volunteer position, please complete a Volunteer Registration Packet and submit it to the OCCOA Volunteer Coordinator as instructed. Questions? Please contact the OCCOA Volunteer Coordinator at (989) 732-1122.

Computer Club Instructors/Tutors

Older adult volunteers are needed to help expand the OCCOA Computer Club’s instructor/tutor base. There is a need for older adult volunteers (age 55 or older) who have solid computer skills (software and/or hardware) and feel comfortable teaching in a classroom setting.Volunteers should also enjoy working with older adults, have patience, compassion, and good listening skills. To be considered for a volunteer position, please complete a Volunteer Registration Packet and submit it to the OCCOA Volunteer Coordinator as instructed.

Medical Transporters

The Otsego County Commission on Aging is in need of volunteers to drive Otsego County older adults (age 60 and older) to medical appointments. Membership with RSVP is required. RSVP has an age requirement for members; you must be age 55 or older. To be a medical transportation volunteer, you must own a fully-insured, good-working vehicle, have a good driving record, and pass a background check. You should be kind, compassionate, friendly, punctual, reliable, and a good listener. Our clients primarily need to be driven to medical appointments outside Otsego County, inlcuding:  Petoskey, Traverse City, Saginaw, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, Detroit, etc. Flexible scheduling is available; you decide where and how how often you will volunteer. Mileage reimbursement is available, if needed. To learn more, please complete the “Contact Us” page at the top right-hand corner of this website or contact the OCCOA Volunteer Coordinator at (989) 732-1122. You may also contact the Medical Transportation Specialist at RSVP at (989) 732-6232.