Each day offers new and exciting opportunities to lend a helping hand to friends, family members and the surrounding community. Compassionate individuals with a genuine desire to help can find great reward in volunteering their time and service to others. There are a variety of ways for public health professionals and community members to provide support and service in various health-related projects, ranging from actual patient care to mentoring services for youth.

There are many opportunities to serve as a healthcare volunteer:

Florida Medical Reserve Corps
The Florida Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is a volunteer unit that works together to improve public health in our communities as well as exercises or coursework with other organizations in the community. The volunteers that form the MRC can be called during an emergency to help with response and planning during an urgent situation.

For more information on local Medical Reserve Corps in your area, please view the following video: http://youtu.be/5YlnHteC7wE.

Volunteer Health Care Provider Program
The Volunteer Health Care Provider Program (VHCPP) helps to promote access to quality healthcare for medically underserved and uninsured Florida residents through volunteers. The Florida Department of Health provides opportunities for all who wish to contribute their time to these efforts in administrative support in an office setting, as medical and dental professionals, interpreters, computer experts, photographers and more. This program is active in almost all of Florida’s counties. This past year VHCPP provided Florida families with almost $280 million dollars of medical services across Florida.

View Florida Statutes Chapter 110 Volunteer Program Manual for more information or call 850-245-4104.

Tobacco Free Florida
Tobacco Free Florida creates partnerships with community organizations that educate the public about tobacco use, ways to protect kids from tobacco, and ways to protect the public from coming into contact with secondhand smoke.

To get involved in your community, visit www.tobaccofreeflorida.com/get-involved-intro-page/.

Florida Mentors! Campaign
The Florida Mentors! Campaign is a statewide initiative that urges states employees to participate in the Florida Mentoring Partnerships. With administration by Volunteer Florida and support by the Executive Office of the Governor, Florida Department of Education, state agencies and community-based organizations, the integrated effort encourages state employees to utilize the existing administrative rule authorizing up to one hour per week of paid administrative leave for mentoring, tutoring, and participating in community-outreach activities that meet child, elder, or human needs (Rule 60L-34.0071). Mentoring just one hour per week can have a lasting impact and help students to excel in school and life.

Floridians who are interested in finding out more ways to volunteer locally in your community, should contact their local health department or one of the volunteer organizations listed above.