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Volunteering at Handi Kids
We need your help! Volunteers are a vital part of our programs. From care giving, instruction, side walking and companionship, to just being an extra pair of hands, there are so many ways volunteers enhance the quality of services we provide. Volunteers are needed year round. Know that Handi Kids relies upon volunteers to help defray the cost of our programs and we receive no government funding. Most importantly, no child is turned away due to financial restrictions. Volunteers are essential to our day to day operations.
Who Can Volunteer?
Handi Kids accepts volunteers over the age of 14 years. Each volunteer must complete a volunteer application form and attend an interview. Please be aware that background checks are required for all volunteers.
Consider volunteering on your own, or perhaps organizing a group. Some possibilities could include:
Church Youth Groups
Internships/service for School Credit
Community Service
Organizations
Sororities and Fraternities
Company Volunteer Opportunities
How Can I Help?
There are so many ways to volunteer your time at Handi Kids:
Assist children at one of the many Handi Kids programs:
Summer Day Camp: a 9-week program during July and August, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm with an extended day option to 5:00 pm, Monday –Friday.
Saturday Camp: a 12-week program in the Fall and Spring, 8-week program in the Winter. Programs run 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
School Vacation Camp: programs are offered during Christmas, February and April school vacation weeks, along with the Martin Luther King holiday. Sessions run 9:00 am – 3:00 pm, with an extended day option to 5:00 pm.
Annual Events: including the annual Halloween party, holiday breakfast with Santa, Valentines Party and Easter Egg Hunt!
Teen Dances: held monthly on Fridays
Provide your support at a special event or fundraiser:
Hearts Program (January/February)
Annual Golf Tournament
Halloween Motorcycle Run
November Toy Ride
Become a volunteer at our Riding Center or equestrian programs:
Therapeutic Horseback Riding & Hippotherapy: In our therapeutic horseback riding and hippotherapy programs, volunteers aid an instructor and/or therapist by physically or emotionally supporting each student as he or she rides (walking along side or “side-walking”). This program runs throughout the year on Tuesdays through Sundays, including evening lessons. More than 150 volunteers are needed every week.
Carriage Driving: For those students who feel uncomfortable participating in mounted riding lessons, carriage driving offers a unique alternative. In this 45-minute private lesson, students gain knowledge of safety, horses, harnessing, and driving skills. Volunteers are needed here to aid the instructors and ensure the safety of the riders.
Stable Management: Help maintain our riding center facility. Volunteers are needed for stall and paddock cleaning & maintenance, grooming/bathing/clipping the horses, and for maintenance of horse-gear and tack. Help us care for all the barn-yard animals or lend your hands for landscaping projects!
Horse Shows or Special Events: Help us to prepare for special equestrian events. Volunteers are needed for bathing, clipping and braiding the horses.
Teach a skill to a child
Can you dance? Do you play an instrument? Can you teach a child to use a computer? Can you build a piece of furniture? Do you have a specific skill or expertise that you could teach to a child?
Assist with Cub Scouts or Girl Scouts or even become a scout leader!
How you wish to volunteer at Handi Kids (what activities)
Days/times you are available to volunteer
A small donation of your time will mean so much to a child!
“My name is Ashley Poland and I am 25 yrs old. I am a survivor of the Station Night Club fire. I burned both of my hands and broke both of my legs in ten places. The doctors told me that I might never be able to walk again. I beat the odds and am walking :) which I am very thankful for. I now dedicate my life to helping others. Especially when the docs tell them that they will never walk or talk. Handi Kids is the best place ever. Everyone there helps these students and volunteers gain self esteem, smile and enjoy life. Seeing the smiles on the riders is amazing. When I first started volunteering I was sidewalking with a student who didn’t do much of anything except pull the horse’s mane. That student now knows how to tap the horses to make them walk. I find this to be amazing. I look forward to every Saturday to see these riders become more confident. Thank you so much for Handi Kids.”
