WANTED: Bed Start Volunteers
Sharing beds and furnishing with Love to our neighbors in need
For more information
Contact: BEDSTART.VOLUNTEER@GMAIL.COM
Thank you for your interest in volunteering for Bed Start. BEDSTART is a 501c3 Charity made up of 100% volunteers. BED START provides beds and household items to families that are in need. This includes veterans, refugees, domestic violence victims and other in housing crisis.
BED START is in great and easy way to volunteer thru CRUMC.
BED START ‘s Pickup & Delivery Days:
WEDNESDAYs from 4:45 pm – 7:30-ish and/or SATURDAYs 7:45 am – 11:45-ish
If you are volunteering for a Delivery/Pickupcrew, please let us know which day(s) you are coming so we can match you with a crew. Advance knowledge of your participation helps us plan the number and size of the deliveries we make.
VOLUNTEER POSITIONS NEEDED
DELIVERY / PICK UP DAY SUPPORT
1) BED START DELIVERY CREW MEMBER
A delivery crew typically will have one or two household deliveries pre-loaded in a delivery trailer. The crew will drive to the apartment/ house of the family in need on a predetermined route. As a crew we will move the items from the trailer in to the residence. The crew will then go to 2-4 pickup locations and move these donated items in to the trailer. Items can range from light pillows to heavier furniture. A crew will be assigned to make sure there are appropriate numbers and strength to unload. No one will ever be asked to move any items beyond their ability.
2A) BED START DELIVERY CREW — RIDE ALONG SHEPHERD
Bed Start is more than deliveries! Bed Start is about also about making connections with those in need. While delivery crews and crew leaders are busy organizing and unloading trailers, we need volunteers that don’t move a thing, but that will just talk to speak with families. As a Bed Start Shepherd, you would speak to the family and learn about any additional needs they may have. You would then call or text the family with information and/or contacts for other services that are available. And if appropriate, even invite them to a Custer Road service.
2B) DELIVERY FOLLOW UP CONTACT leader
This Bed Start position would be primarily by phone. The contact leader will gather information on other organizations/services that can aid these families. The contact leader will coordinate the follow up calls with the ride along shepherds and /or independently provide them this information IF NEEDED. This position will need to develop contacts and will initially work/train with the Bed Start Director.
3) TRAILER PRE-LOADER
There is a great need for volunteers for this position. A trailer Pre-load is on Thursday and/or Fridays prior to the Saturday morning delivery routes. When the Trailers return with donations on a Wednesday night, the donation must be removed from the trailers and reloaded in to the shed or the trailers for outgoing Saturday delivery routes. There will be a BED START COORDINATOR at the parking lot with a list of which items should be loaded in the Saturday trailers or moved to the shed. This position can include multiple volunteers at the same time.
4) SHED ATTENDANT
This position will stay at the shed during delivery route days (Wednesday nights and Saturday mornings). The shed attendant will assist with greeting volunteers as they arrive, assist with maintaining the inventory lists, received donations as they come in, organize and store donations and materials in the shed. Help pull items for deliveries prior to teams starting routes. When the teams return will assist in gathering inventory lists and sort items based on protocols established. We could use TWO attendants on Saturday mornings, 8am-Noon, and ONE attendant on Wednesday evenings 4:45-7pm.
BED START SUPPORT POSITIONS
5) INVENTORY DELIVERY/PICK UP coordinator
On each Bed Start delivery / pick up crews have a list of items. However, during the delivery/pick up, items might be added or not available for pick up when crews arrive. Each crew leaders will make a note of the changes to the schedule. We need an Inventory coordinator to collect via e-mail on Wednesday and Saturdays, all lists of changed items, compile a master list of the extra items and email the list to Bed Start for scheduling with the next deliveries.
6) APARTMENT LIAISON
The apartment liaison will serve as a point of contact for the residents in various high referrals apartment complexes in the BEDSTART service area. Based on high demand and a dip in volunteers, Bed Start does not currently have the physical man power to follow up with a Bed Start recipient in a timely manner after a delivery. The liaison might need to follow up with the apartment manager, contact the referring organization of the Bed Start recipient, or forward a need request to another contact or organization. This position would be primarily a communications position and would not necessarily require in person contact.
7) TRAILER MAINTENANCE
Bed Start has multiple trailers and equipment that are used by different crews each week. We need a volunteer that will routinely do maintenance/inspections on the trailers and delivery equipment. This may include checking tire air pressure/ wear on tires, lubricating the trailer hitches, changing light bulbs/ checking wiring connections or inspecting dollies. (May help other non-Bed Start trailer in parking lot too)
8) HANDY PERSON — DONATION REPAIR coordinator
Occasionally our donations will need some tender loving care (aka Minor Repairs) once they are returned to the Bed Start shed. This volunteer would perform the repairs such as door/drawer/hinge reattachment, replacing missing handles/screws/bolts or even just gluing something. Tools and supplies are available, or you can use your own. The repairs can be performed on your schedule at the shed in CRUMC’s parking lot.
9) BEDDING/LINENS SORTER
On many pickups, Bed Start receives a bag or box full of Donated Bedding. Our Bedding volunteers sort, fold and label the bedding when it is returned to the shed, so it can be included with an outgoing delivery. This task can be performed on your schedule and even in your own home. The bedding will be placed in a specific location with labeling tape. You can sort and return the bedding items to the shed at your convenience. Sign up to sort here.
10) KITCHEN ITEMS SORTER
Bed Start regularly receives sizable donations of Pots, Pans and Kitchen Utensils. When these are returned to the shed our kitchen item volunteers organize, sort and label into sets to be included with an outgoing delivery. This task can be performed on your own schedule, also in your own home. The donated items will be placed in a specific location with labeling tape. You can sort and return the kitchen items to the shed at your convenience. Sign up to sort here.
11) CARE PACKAGE/STARTER KIT COORDINATOR
Organize packages for households that are supported by Bed Start. Identify the need for care packages and coordinate for delivery. (AN EXAMPLE for kitchen, bath, or pantry, might include resource guides and cleaning supplies. OR pre-sort and assemble a package of pots, pans, dishes, glasses, and flatware. This package may go out with a delivery crew or could be delivered AFTER a delivery by the coordinator.
WEBSITE / COMMUNICATIONS
12) WEBSITE ADMINISTRATOR
Our WEBSITE Administrator will make actual updates to the website as well as suggestion for improvement. This is a much-needed communications position. Needs include updating information on deliveries, current donation needs, listing current needs for volunteers, photos, videos or stories from the families and more. If the information is current and informative, we can use the site for advertising and recruiting.
BED START PROGRAM SUPPORT COORDINATOR
13) OUTREACH MINISTRY LIAISON
Deliver small items that have been donated that are better suited for various support agencies
14) COLLIN COUNTY HOMELESS COALITION MEMBER
Liaison, or conduit for coordination of Collin County resources & Custer Road UMC. Must have a passion in homelessness and housing.
15) GRANT APPLICATION WRITER
Identify Collin Co. Homeless Coalition, HUD, etc. grant opportunities, assess which ones are suitable for Bed Start, and apply for those grants.
16) BED START ADVOCATE
Provide input to other support agencies regarding Bed Start capabilities and the need for continuous support. Communicate with churches that are local to Bed Start delivery areas to promote giving and loving for those in need in their communities; socialize the concept of providing a hand up, not just a hand out; promote shifting the support culture from “provided support to them” and “working with them” to a culture of “being a part of the same community”
17) HEALTH AND SAFETY COORDINATOR
This position would be involved with stocking supplies, monitoring procedures, and training of volunteers. Stay current with government regulations and Custer Road UMC guidelines for health and safety.