Last Updated on May 21, 2025
Volunteer Opportunities Here at Charlestown
Ways to Serve
• Create/Run a group doing a hobby you enjoy
• Help support a group to be functional
• Participate in Residents Council
• Review, introduce or project films for Night at the Movies
• Help support the Benevolent Care Fund
• Visit with fellow residents who need a friend
• Volunteer at special events
• Share a talent, hobby or travel stories with residents in continuing care.
• Be a wheel chair escort
• Treasure Sale Volunteer
• Pet Visits to fellow residents
• Collect cans or bags for recycling program
• Donate materials for events or CC activities
There are so many ways to get involved. Contact the Volunteer Coordinator Allison Chlada to get started. 601-8133 or allison.chlada@erickson.com
March 2021 Volunteer Opportunities
Knitting Knockers: Charlestown is officially on the national registry of “Knitted Knockers”. Join the team to make breast prosthesis for women who have undergone mastectomies or other breast related procedures. These will be donated to hospitals as well as women around the world. You can participate even if you don’t knit/crochet by donating materials. Please contact resident Pat Phayer.
Floor Captains: Floor Captains are individuals or couples who would like to help the neighbors in their hall by brightening up their days, helping them with logistics such as filling out paperwork such as dining forms, and just letting people know there is a special person there they can lean on if needed. Some floors already have people in this role and we want to spread this throughout campus so all may benefit. Contact the Volunteer office to assist with this endeavor. Please report if you currently have someone unofficially in this role on your floor so we do not interfere with an already established system.
Break Buddies: We are looking for people willing to be on a call list when a resident needs some extra support from a friend or a “Buddy Break” from life. Possible activities would be: reading, helping those with limited vision read their mail, sitting and chatting, walking together, playing cards or whatever you find to be mutual interests.
The Dining Buddies program: is currently looking for seasoned residents to pair up with newly moved-in single residents for an in-restaurant dining experience. This can be inviting someone to join your group or if you prefer it to be in a one-on-one setting. Contact the Volunteer Office at 601-8133 or Zach Parks at 601-8938 for more information.
Contact Stephanie Knowles in the Volunteer Office: (410) 737-8838, Ext. 601-8133; Stephanie.Knowles@Erickson.com
Birthday Angels Needed!
This is a special group of “Secret Angel Volunteers” who work to put a smile on the faces of Charlestown residents on their birthdays and has been a tradition at Charlestown for over 35 years!
If interested, please contact Rose Sands in Community Resources at 410-737-8838, ext. 601-8172.
Photo Credit:
Dawn Hudson
Photo Credit: maciej326
Blow up a balloon (using balloon pump add ribbon.
“Secretly” post the pre-made card on residents’ door(s) the night before their birthdays.
Supplies are provided (cards, balloons, ribbons, list of residents’ birthday for the month and a balloon pump).
District Coordinator for Brookside and Herbert’s Run:
This volunteer co-chair works with Community Resources and oversees the Delivery Angels for Brookside and Herbert’s Run.
Obtain Monthly Birthday List from Community Resources
Distribute lists to their respective Birthday Delivery Angels monthly (via cubbies).
Oversee the distribution of supplies (listed above) which are stored in the Cross Creek Creative Arts Studios to the Delivery Angels when their supplies run low.*
* Community Resources is responsible for ordering supplies.
* District Coordinators are responsible for notifying Community Resources of their supply needs.
Important tips for becoming a Volunteer Superhero
Choose something that’s a good fit for you
Think about what matters to you, and be selective about where you spend your time. Choosing opportunities that make you feel good while helping other, builds stronger communities, and enriches your own life at the same time.
Learn something new
Volunteering can also teach you valuable new skills that you can use in other parts of your life. Push yourself creatively. Find something you enjoy doing and enhance your skills
Don’t over-commit your schedule
Remember all the other commitments you have in your life, and don’t burn yourself out. Stick to a volunteering schedule that makes sense for you and leaves you time to enjoy the activity.
Volunteering as a group
Group volunteering is a wonderful way to bond with your family, friends or neighbors. Not only will you create lasting memories, but you will help someone in need. The Activities Staff in our Assisted Living and Continuing Care centers can help choose a date and time for an interested group to lead an activity or entertain residents.
Create your very own volunteer activity
If you feel strongly about being a volunteer but don’t see anything on our lists of available volunteer activities, consider CUSTOMIZING YOUR OWN. Think of the skills you have to offer, your former career, the activities that YOU are passionate about. We can help you share your talent, knowledge or skills with other residents – teach a class, demonstrate a talent, give a presentation by creating a “customized” project or program.
Call the Volunteer Program Office: (410) 737-8838, Ext. 601-8133
Did you know… more than 1/3 of our resident population is involved in volunteering?
They actually live the Charlestown motto: “Sharing our gifts to create a community that celebrates life!” Our Volunteer Program provides a variety of volunteer activities to fit your needs and lifestyle.
Would you like to share your time, talents or skills with fellow residents?
Whether you can spare a few hours a week or a few hours a month, we have many on- campus volunteer opportunities and flexible hours available in both Independent Living and Continuing Care.
Ready to begin?
Don’t forget to register with the Volunteer Program Office. This helps us keep our records current.
Contact the Volunteer Program Coordinator to find out how to register:
Allison Chlada, Volunteer Program Coordinator
Volunteer Program Office (Brookside, Terrace Level)
Allison.Chlada@erickson.com
Volunteer Form
You can complete the online form below, which will be sent directly to the Charlestown Volunteer Coordinator, Allison Chlada or you can download and complete the Resident Volunteer Application Form.
Volunteer Opportunities at Charlestown
Volunteer Form
You can complete the online form below, which will be sent directly to the Charlestown Volunteer Coordinator, Allison Chalada, or you can download and complete the Resident Volunteer Application Form.
See additional Volunteer Information on MyErickson
Login to My EricksonMy Erickson is a resident portal. It is provided by Erickson Corporate and is managed by Charlestown staff, mainly Community Resources. See Portal. READ MORE with Your Username and Password Here
Login to My EricksonMy Erickson is a resident portal. It is provided by Erickson Corporate and is managed by Charlestown staff, mainly Community Resources. See Portal. READ MORE
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