Volunteering at a children’s hospital offers a unique and rewarding experience, allowing you to make a tangible difference in the lives of young patients and their families. At MUSC Children’s Health in South Carolina, numerous volunteer programs are available, catering to diverse interests and time commitments. While we receive a high volume of applications and strive to match volunteers with suitable programs, placement is not guaranteed for every applicant. Explore the enriching volunteer opportunities outlined below and find your perfect fit to contribute to the healing environment at MUSC Children’s Health. For comprehensive details on all volunteer programs, please visit the main Volunteer Opportunities page on MUSC Health.
Weekly Volunteer Placements: Consistent Support and Meaningful Connections
For those seeking regular engagement, our weekly placements require a commitment of two hours per week for at least one year, totaling 100 hours of service. These roles offer consistent interaction with patients and staff, fostering deeper connections and allowing volunteers to witness the ongoing impact of their contributions.
Child Life and Playroom Volunteers: Bringing Joy and Comfort Through Play
Become a beacon of joy for children aged 0 to 18 in our Child Life and Playroom programs. Volunteers engage in one-on-one interactions with patients in the atrium or at their bedside, providing much-needed companionship and therapeutic play opportunities. These activities help normalize the hospital environment, reduce anxiety, and promote emotional well-being during challenging times. Shifts are available Monday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., and Monday through Friday from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m., offering flexible scheduling options to fit your availability.
Courtesy Cart Volunteers: Delivering Warmth and Refreshment to Families
Extend a comforting gesture to parents navigating the stresses of hospitalization through our Courtesy Cart program. Volunteers operate the cart, going room-to-room to offer complimentary coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. This simple act of kindness provides a moment of respite and care for those supporting their children through medical journeys. Two-hour morning shifts are available, allowing you to start your day by spreading warmth and support throughout the hospital.
Outpatient Clinic Volunteers: Easing Anxiety in Clinical Settings
Make a positive impact in our outpatient clinics by assisting nursing staff and creating a more comfortable environment for young patients. Volunteers in this role provide diversional activities and play opportunities to minimize stress and anxiety associated with clinical visits. By engaging children in play, you help create a more relaxed and welcoming atmosphere in Rutledge Tower, North Charleston After Hours Care, and Summerville After Hours Care locations, benefiting patients, families, and Children’s Services Departments alike.
Special Care Nursery Volunteers: Providing Cuddle Care for Our Tiniest Patients
Offer comfort and soothing touch to our most vulnerable patients in the Level II and III Special Care Nurseries. Volunteer involvement is crucial for the physical and emotional development of these infants. In instances where parents cannot be continuously present, volunteers provide essential interaction, cuddling, and gentle stimulation necessary for these babies to thrive. Two to three-hour shifts are available daily from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., allowing you to contribute to the well-being of newborns during critical stages of development. This is a deeply rewarding opportunity to provide direct cuddle care and make a profound difference.
Unit-Based Volunteers: Supporting Inpatient Units and Clinical Staff
Become an integral part of our inpatient units by providing essential support to both clinical staff and young patients. Unit-based volunteers interact with children, offer companionship, and assist clinical staff with various responsibilities. Your role may include:
- Providing companionship to patients and their families, offering emotional support and a friendly presence.
- Sitting with patients when parents need to step away, ensuring continuous care and comfort.
- “Rounding” on families to proactively address comfort needs and enhance their hospital experience.
- Assisting with patient discharges, streamlining the process and providing support during transitions.
- Supporting staff with phone calls and call bells, improving unit efficiency and responsiveness.
Unit-based volunteer placements are available on:
- 7East: A general medical/surgical unit for children aged four and older, catering to a diverse patient population.
- 7A: A general medical/surgical unit specifically for children under four, requiring specialized care and attention.
Other Active Volunteer Placements: Engaging Programs with Unique Impact
Happy Wheels Volunteers: Delivering Joy and Gifts on Thursdays
Thursdays at MUSC Children’s Health are made special by the Happy Wheels cart, and you can be part of this heartwarming initiative. Volunteers push the Happy Wheels cart, stocked with new books and toys, through the hospital halls every Thursday morning. Each child has the opportunity to select a special item from the cart, bringing smiles and moments of joy during their hospital stay. The Happy Wheels program significantly brightens the atmosphere and provides a welcome distraction for young patients. Volunteers are rewarded with the genuine happiness of children as they choose their gifts, making Thursdays a day of positive impact.
Outpatient Oncology Clinic Volunteers: Providing Support and Play in Oncology
Extend your compassionate support to children undergoing cancer treatment in our Outpatient Oncology Clinic. Volunteers serve in the clinic playroom, engaging children in one-on-one and group activities, similar to the atrium placement. Your role supports Child Life Specialists by providing a comforting and engaging environment for children during their clinic visits, especially on the clinic’s busiest days.
Short-Term Volunteer Opportunities: Flexible Ways to Contribute
For individuals unable to commit to weekly placements, short-term volunteer opportunities offer impactful ways to contribute to MUSC Children’s Health.
Family Meals Program Volunteers: Nourishing Families During Hospital Stays
Support families staying at the hospital through the Family Meals Program. Volunteers help serve meals to families who are either residing at the hospital with their children or commuting daily for treatment. This program addresses crucial needs:
- Minimizing the financial burden of hospitalization on families, providing practical support during challenging times.
- Offering community members a simplified avenue for involvement, bypassing the standard 4-5 week volunteer application process for immediate impact.
The Family Meals Program has expanded significantly, now serving meals multiple times a week thanks to dedicated volunteer groups, offering various opportunities to contribute.
Heart Health Program Volunteers: Promoting Cardiovascular Wellness
Support children and adolescents aged 2 to 21 enrolled in the Heart Health program. This family-oriented educational program equips young people with tools to prevent cardiovascular problems by encouraging healthier lifestyle choices. For more information on how to get involved, please contact Janet Carter via email or 843-792-4717.
Sewing & Craft Project Donations: Handmade Comfort and Care
Important Donation Guidelines: To ensure the safety of our sensitive patient population, all donated items must come from pet-free and smoke-free environments. Donations must consist of NEW materials and be freshly laundered before donating. Learn more about our donation guidelines (including items on our wish list) for detailed information.
Ryan’s Case for Smiles: Sewing Pillowcases to Brighten Hospital Stays
Join the heartwarming initiative of Ryan’s Cases for Smiles and create cheerful pillowcases for our young patients. Inspired by Cindy Kerr’s son, this program provides vibrant pillowcases to brighten hospital rooms and bring smiles to children’s faces. Local volunteers contribute significantly to this effort. Download patterns from the Ryan’s Cases for Smiles website and start sewing to make a difference.
Scrub Hats: Crafting Fun and Friendly Headwear for Young Patients
Similar to the comforting impact of pillowcases, create fun and friendly scrub hats for children preparing for surgery or undergoing Video EEG tests. These colorful and playful hats help alleviate anxiety and add a touch of personality to the clinical setting.
Therapy Dolls: Creating Tools for Emotional Support and Treatment Preparation
Support the Child Life Department’s urgent need for homemade, blank therapy dolls. These dolls serve as invaluable tools in helping children cope with their hospital experience. Patients decorate and personalize the dolls, fostering a sense of ownership and control. Therapy dolls facilitate communication between children and hospital staff, allowing for assessment of children’s feelings and demonstration of medical procedures in a non-threatening way. Follow these instructions and use this pattern to create these essential therapeutic aids.
Knitting & Crocheting Projects: Providing Warmth and Comfort with Handmade Blankets
New, soft, handmade blankets are always welcomed for full-term babies, older children, and parents. Ideal dimensions range from 30” x 36” to 44” x 60”. While donations of hats and blankets for preemies and newborns are frequent, consider diversifying your contributions by exploring other craft project opportunities to meet varied needs.
Craft Donations: Supporting Creative Volunteers with Supplies
Support talented craft volunteers by donating fabric, yarn, or stuffing. These supplies are greatly appreciated and distributed to individuals dedicated to completing craft projects for our patients, ensuring that lack of materials does not limit their generous contributions.
For further information on any of these volunteer opportunities, please contact The Volunteer Office at [email protected] or 843-985-1020. Join us in making a difference in the lives of children at MUSC Children’s Health through compassionate volunteer service.
