Ways To Help
Volunteer
Become a Volunteer
A Work Of Heart
Thank you for considering volunteer opportunities with FSS. Without the helping hands and caring hearts of our volunteers, we wouldn’t be able to provide many of the programs that enrich the lives of older adults. Our volunteers really do make a meaningful difference. Are you interested in joining the FSS volunteer family and giving back to your community? We’d love to have you on our team. Please contact us at 770-461-0813 or info@fayss.org to connect with us.
“I was looking for more ways to get involved and give back to my community when I stumbled upon Fayette Senior Services! I decided to reach out and was amazed at the opportunities available. Deciding on which area to volunteer was a challenge, but knowing I’m a part of this family has not only made a difference in my life, but I know I’m also making a difference in the lives of those I’m serving!”
– FSS Volunteer
Getting Started
We Want You To Enjoy A Positive Experience, So We Will Make Every Effort To Match You With An Activity That Will Be Rewarding For You And Beneficial To The Seniors We Serve
The first step toward volunteering is to complete the application form. Access the link to submit your application online, print and bring the application to the center, drop it in the mail, or stop by and fill one out at either of our locations. Once received, your application will be reviewed, a background check/driver’s license check will be completed, and we will contact you to schedule an orientation.
Before beginning your volunteer service, you will be asked to:
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- Complete the volunteer application
- Complete a background check and driver’s record check
- Provide two personal references
- Complete a training program for your choice of service
Available Volunteer Opportunities
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- Front Desk Receptionist for Fayetteville or Peachtree City – Our reception area is one busy place! You will play an important role by providing administrative support to our member services team. Customer service is our top priority as we welcome new and current members and assist them with class and event registration.
- Fitness Center Assistant – Help us maintain a friendly, clean and safe environment and provide instruction for our fitness equipment. Fitness center volunteers will receive CPR Certification.
- Computer Instructors – Instruct classes on Word, Windows, exploring the Internet, and more.
- Café Assistant – Welcome our guests and members for lunch and offer hospitality to all. Assist our wonderful kitchen staff with food service duties which include serving from the food line, refreshing beverage stations, assisting guests and members with their trays, and cleaning up.
- Meals On Wheels Driver – Deliver nutritious meals to homebound seniors throughout Fayette County. Drivers can choose a regular weekly route or choose to be a substitute driver to be called on as needed.
- STARs Program Assistant – STARs (Seniors Together After Retirement) spend the majority of their days together at the Life Enrichment Center, making crafts, playing games, eating together, and having a great time. You’ll have a helping hand in the activities and assisting with their day.
- Therapeutic Garden – If you have a green thumb, this is the place for you!Help tend the beautiful garden on the grounds of FSS.
- Special Events Assistant – Help with special events. Provide assistance with event coordination, set-up, decorating, and clean-up.
- Tool Team Member – Help perform minor, routine home maintenance tasks and repairs to help ensure the safety of individuals in their homes.
Benefits of Volunteering
Give back to your community and enjoy making new friendships!
Center volunteers have many perks while volunteering:
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- Free center membership ($30 value for in-county residents and $90 value for out-of-county residents) with 75 hours of annual service
- Fitness Center volunteers receive a free fitness center membership
- Café and STARs Assistants receive a free meal in the café on the days they volunteer
- Free CPR and AED training for Fitness Center and STARs volunteers
- Monthly Volunteer Spotlights in the Enrichment Newsletter
- Quarterly Volunteer Appreciation socials
Volunteering is a work of ‘heart’ and the volunteers at FSS are full of just that!
Behind the Scenes Wonder Woman
It takes a caring person to volunteer their time and talents for the benefit of those around them! Sharon Thomas is just that, a caring individual who volunteers with Meals on Wheels. While she is not one who is comfortable being in the spotlight, we can’t help but shine some light on her! She has the important role of packing the meals prior to delivery. An extensive review of 38 research studies has demonstrated the effectiveness of MOW in improving the diet of home bound seniors while reducing social isolation. This program would not be possible without volunteers like Sharon who work behind the scenes to accomplish the mission of supporting our senior neighbors.
Sharon grew up in Holly Hill, South Carolina with her 2 older brothers and older sister. Her father worked in road construction and her mom was a homemaker. Sharon was the baby of the family with 8 years between her and the next youngest. Because of the age difference, she grew up like an only child as her siblings were already out of the house during her childhood. She has fond memories of sitting on the porch on Saturday afternoons listening to her father tell jokes. They were a family of singers, and more often than not, those joke telling sessions turned into an evening of family gospel singing.
Sharon graduated early from Robert High School. At the age of 16, she attended Morris Brown College where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. She went on to earn a Master of Arts degree in Community Counseling from Clark Atlanta University. While in college, she played clarinet in the Morris Brown College Marching Band. It was here she met her husband, Darrell Thomas, who played the trumpet and baritone. They married in December of 1983 and celebrated their 40th Anniversary this past December in Barbados! They have 2 sons, Darrell II and Brandon; two granddaughters, Braelynn who is 8 and Jaelynn who is 4. They have called Fayette County home since 2003.
In June 2023, Sharon retired from Metro Transitional Center after 30 years of service. The Center is a 232 bed, female work release program with the Georgia State of Corrections. While the women are serving out their prison sentence, they are allowed to reside at the facility in hopes of finding and maintaining employment. This allows them to make a smooth transition back into the community. Sharon’s job as Employment Specialist was to assist women in finding and maintaining employment while they were housed at the facility. She also compiled a pool of jobs through job development with community stakeholders. Sharon’s husband is an educator at North Clayton Middle School, working with students with disabilities. He is also a pastor at Love Fellowship Christian Church in Union City.
Sharon enjoys spending time with her family and traveling. She is an active member of Henry County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Order of Eastern Star. I asked her some “just for fun questions” to get to know her better. If Sharon had to sing karaoke, her song would be Respect by Aretha Franklin. If she had her own late night talk show, her first guest would be Vice President Kamala Harris. If she could hang out with any cartoon character she would choose Wonder Woman because of the way she uses her power and strength for good. Like Sharon, she has a passion for the underdog and seeks to right the wrong! If she had to listen to one song for the rest of her life it would be Jireh by Elevation Worship & Maverick City. A fun fact about Sharon that people don’t know is she reads a magazine starting from the last page to the first page and she LOVES to dance.
Lucky for us, Sharon’s servant heart has led her to volunteer with FSS since August 2023. “I enjoy helping others and seniors are a special population. I enjoy talking to them. They are full of wisdom. It gives me joy knowing that what I am doing is fulfilling a need for someone else. God has blessed me to be a blessing to others.” Thank you Sharon for using your time and talents to make a meaningful difference in our community.
Fayetteville
Fayetteville, GA 30214
Peachtree City
203 McIntosh Trail
Peachtree City, GA 30269