Westchester Thanksgiving Meal Delivery Volunteer Guidelines
About DOROT
DOROT’s mission is to address social isolation among older adults and promote intergenerational connections. DOROT is rooted in Jewish values and traditions, and older adults and volunteers are of a variety of faiths, races and ethnicities. DOROT seniors range in age from 60’s to 100+ and include individuals with different levels of mobility and health and wide ranging financial situations. One thing that all have in common is that they are looking for additional social connections. And, that is where you can help.
About Thanksgiving Meal Delivery
For years, DOROT has engaged volunteers to connect with seniors and share companionship. Please drop off the festive perishable meal to the older adult and stay for a friendly visit or make a friendly phone call later on in the day to:
1) check in on the older adult and see how they are doing
2) offer warm wishes
3) share a social connection by asking the older adult about their hobbies and interests, or how they are spending their time these days
Guidelines for Participation
- Please arrive at DOROT between 10:30 am - 12:00 pm to pick up the meal(s) to deliver to an older adult.
- Please proceed to the second floor and a DOROT staff member will welcome you.
- Remember to bring your photo ID that you used to register.
- Because the meal is perishable, before leaving DOROT, you must call the senior to be sure they are home to receive it. Due to the perishable nature of the meal, it cannot be left with the doorman.
- Please deliver the meal or make the visit or call on the same day. You should proceed directly to the senior’s home after picking up the meal.
- The older adult will be expecting you by 1:00 pm on Sunday.
- Because the meal is perishable, before leaving DOROT, you must call the senior to be sure they are home to receive it. Due to the perishable nature of the meal, it cannot be left with the doorman.
- If you’ve signed up for a visit, the visit should take place directly after leaving DOROT. Visit should last approximately 30-45 minutes.
- If you’ve signed up for a delivery and friendly phone call, please schedule a mutually agreeable time to call the senior later that day, before 7:00 PM, from a quiet place.
- During this call, please take a moment to confirm that the senior put the meal in the freezer or refrigerator. Plan to spend approximately 15-30 minutes per call. Allow the phone to ring up to 10 times before hanging up.
- Even if the older adult asks you to come in to help, do not do this. It is prohibited. o If it is not a good time, ask about a better time to call back. If the suggested time does not work for you, please arrange a mutually convenient time.
- If there is no answer (after 10 rings) and no voice mail, hang up and call again another time. Please try 3 times total.
- If there is no answer but there is a voicemail, please leave a message identifying yourself as a DOROT volunteer and let them know you’ll be calling back. Do not leave your phone number in this message.
- If you do not reach the senior after 3 attempts and there is no voicemail, please call DOROT at 914-485-8354 or e-mail infowestcheter@dorotusa.org to let us know. Please be sure to include your full name and the name of the older adult.
- After you participate, please rip up the card with the older adult’s information and throw it away at home.
- Be on the lookout for an email from DOROT with a feedback form and complete it.
Suggested Conversation Starters and Questions for the Calls
- Begin your call by introducing yourself and the reason you are calling: "Hello, is this Mr./Mrs. ___. My name is ___ and I’m a volunteer from DOROT. I am calling because you signed up for the Thanksgiving Meal Delivery. I dropped off the package for you earlier today."
- “Have you participated in a DOROT Package or Meal Delivery in the past? What was that like?” If you have participated in the past, feel free to share your experience.
- "What are some of your favorite pastimes?" Feel free to discuss these and share your own.
- Discuss common interests in volunteering -- has the older adult volunteered? What are some of the more meaningful volunteer activities you each have been involved in?
- Discuss memories of New York. “How long have you lived in New York? What has changed in New York since then?
- Please keep the conversation light. Ask about hobbies, interests or things they like about their neighborhood. Please avoid sensitive topics such as health, family, and politics.
Helpful Reminders
- Speak loudly and clearly and be sure to annunciate your words.
- Be engaged, respectful and do not multitask during the conversation.
- Do not give or ask for any personal information from the senior or make any promises beyond this call. Let DOROT know if the senior has special requests or needs.
- Though it may be tempting, please do not maintain contact with the older adult after the program without consulting with DOROT first. We would be delighted to have you continue your phone visiting but you need to let us know about this interest in your feedback form or by contacting us at infowestchester@dorotusa.org or 914-485-8354.
Thank You!
We so appreciate your volunteer spirit and thank you for participating in this event.