Purpose:
Help ensure donated items reach the families who need them most. Volunteers in this role assist with picking up donations from community members and delivering them to Family Promise of Lawrence families, creating safe, welcoming spaces for those in transition.
Responsibilities:
- Coordinate with staff to schedule pick-ups from donors and drop-offs to families
- Safely lift, carry, and transport items such as furniture, household goods, and supplies
- Use personal vehicle (truck, van, SUV preferred) or assist another volunteer with loading/unloading
- Treat all items with care and respect, preserving dignity for recipient families
- Communicate clearly and kindly with donors, families, and staff
Role Flexibility:
This role can be tailored to a volunteer's interests and resources:
- Driver: Uses a suitable vehicle to transport donated items.
- Mover: Assists with lifting, loading, unloading, and placement of items.
- Driver & Mover: Combines both responsibilities.
Volunteers typically serve alongside a Family Promise staff member and may work individually or as part of a small team, depending on the size of the donation.
Time Commitment:
- Flexible, on-call opportunities based on donation availability.
- Most pickups and deliveries occur on weekdays during business hours, with occasional evening or weekend needs.
- Volunteers may serve on an episodic or ongoing basis
Location:
- Pick-ups from donors across Douglas County
- Deliveries to Family Promise families or program sites
Physical Requirements
To safely perform this volunteer role, participants should be able to:
- Lift and carry up to 50 pounds independently and heavier items with team assistance.
- Push, pull, and maneuver furniture, boxes, and household items using proper lifting techniques.
- Bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and climb stairs as needed during pickups and deliveries.
- Stand, walk, and be physically active for up to 2–3 hours.
- Load and unload items from vehicles safely and efficiently.
- Work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.
- Follow all safety instructions and use equipment (such as dollies, furniture straps, or moving blankets) as directed.
Reasonable accommodations may be available to support volunteers in serving in this role. Volunteers are encouraged to discuss any questions or accommodation needs with Family Promise staff.
