Signature Events - Telethon Group Phone Bank
Looking for a fun, rewarding adult corporate or organizational group volunteering assignment? Please consider the group phone bank for one of our telethons – the Fur-Get-Me-Not Telethon with WKYC in the spring or the Dick Goddard APL Telethon with Fox 8 in the fall of each year.
These broadcasts will showcase, during cut-ins and stories on the news, the diverse and meaningful work the APL does to rescue, heal, nurture, adopt and advocate for animals in need. The goal of the telethon is to unite the community and inspire viewers to put their compassion in action and give help, hope and a second chance to homeless animals.
During the telethon, we will have a phone bank of volunteers who will record pledges phoned in by viewers. Phone bank volunteers will be in the Meeting & Education Room and Dog Activity Room at the APL during the broadcast and may serve as the background audience for the event. This is a perfect opportunity for groups of people from a company, an association, a family, and more to staff a phone bank shift together.
- Groups may wear company T-shirts for this fun event.
- Individuals are also welcome.
- Groups are limited to a maximum of 10 volunteers per shift.
- Shifts are 3.5-4 hours long, and training is provided one half-hour before each shift. Shifts are completed on a first-come, first-served basis except for groups from presenting sponsors.
- Participants must be 18 or older, able to dress and appear appropriate for television, able to speak professionally over the telephone, able to follow instructions, and able to write legibly.
- Volunteers must stay for their entire shift, arrive on time for training for their shift, and communicate in advance if they are not able to attend this event for any reason. Volunteers must complete an event waiver be eligible to volunteer for this event. Any health and safety measures, if any, will be communicated in advance of the event.
If you are an individual who would like to participate, then please complete an online volunteer application.
If you are a group of individuals, then please complete the Adult Group Project Request Form and indicate your interest in one or both telethons.
Group Volunteer Opportunities
Group volunteer opportunities at the APL are for smaller groups of adult volunteers and may be limited depending on our needs and the timing of the request. Please keep in mind that group volunteer opportunities do not involve work with our animals or clients, and advance notice is required. Group volunteer opportunities are typically those assignments that are easy to train and that can be completed in a day or less.
Volunteers will perform tasks relating to animal enrichment and other viable, miscellaneous projects. Animal enrichment consists of making treats, toys, and other items of comfort for our animals.
Other projects may be:
- Cleaning cat bins and carriers, laundry, or helping to sort and package donations for Project CARE,
- Helping our foster program and clinic with the preparation of necessary supplies and much more.
There will be time designated for animal visits during the group volunteer visit when possible. Visiting adoptable animals during shelter hours is permissible after your group activity.
Group volunteer opportunities are limited, but they are best held on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the APL. Two-to-three-hour shifts during these hours work best for a maximum of 10-12 volunteers. Weekend days are not available, as they are the busiest adoption days at the APL. Supervisory and meeting schedules are considered also.
Volunteers must be 18 and older and submit an event waiver form. Volunteers must wear rubber-soled enclosed shoes and casual, comfortable clothing. Each group member will be required to arrive and depart on time as scheduled, wear a volunteer name tag, and follow instructions for their group project work at the APL.
We do not have a humane educator on staff to host youth groups at the APL. As an alternative, we recommend our Do-It-Yourself service projects that are done off-site and at your convenience.
Please complete the Group Volunteer Project Request form to express your interest.
