Home-Based Projects
Home-Based Projects are a great way for volunteers to begin engaging with the aging community. They require time and love, but don’t require the volunteer to leave their home in order to connect with someone who feels lonely.
These projects have proven effective in connecting with seniors who are quarantining or allowing volunteers to make a difference while still social distancing. Home-Based Projects make it easy to involve kids or teenagers in acts of service and to teach them about giving back to the community.
Cozy Blankets
Residents at care centers often feel cold sitting in their wheelchairs or beds. The Cozy Blanket Project allows a volunteer to send them some warmth and colorful cheer. The blankets are made with scissors, patience and love – and without any need to sew! This volunteer project is kid-friendly and accessible to adults with learning disabilities. Once a Cozy Blanket is completed, it can be dropped off to the Heart2Heart office, and our volunteers will gift it to someone at a care center or living at home.
Volunteers are asked to purchase the materials for the project; see “Level of Commitment” below for more details. Fleece fabric comes in a variety of colors and patterns, so feel free to get creative!
The idea for the Cozy Blankets was inspired by Sherri Osborn at The Spruce Crafts. For instructions on how to make the blankets, click here.
This program works great as a corporate or group volunteer event. If you’re interested in hosting a group Cozy Blanket event, we have resources to help get you started! Email Heart2Heart for more information.
Level of Commitment
Each Cozy Blanket takes about an hour to make. Two pieces of anti-pill fleece, at about 1 1/2 yards each, cost about $10. Additional materials include sharp scissors (or a rotary cutter and mat) and a ruler. Volunteers can make as many blankets as they want, and work at their own pace.
Volunteers do not have to be background checked to participate in this program.
Card Making
A handmade card with an encouraging message can go a long way to help a lonely senior feel loved and appreciated. Cards are easy to make, and the sky is the limit as far as how creative you can be. You don’t have to be “artistic” to make a card. The best cards focus on uplifting the recipient with a heartfelt message.
Completed cards can be mailed or dropped off to the Heart2Heart office:
Heart2Heart Outreach
2701 W. Cypress Road
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
Our volunteers will deliver the cards to care centers or to seniors living alone in the community. To participate in this program, click here for guidelines.
Level of Commitment
Volunteers can make as many cards as they want, and work at their own pace. What supplies you use is up to you!
Volunteers do not have to be background checked to participate in this program.
Letter Writing
Letter Writing volunteers send encouragement to seniors through heartfelt letters. These messages are able to reach residents, even if the care center where they live is closed to visitors. Heart2Heart matches each volunteer to a specific resident and sends the volunteer pertinent details about the senior. The volunteers send the letters to their match directly.
Level of Commitment
Pen Pal volunteers are asked to commit to sending at least one letter per month. Seniors often aren’t able to write back, but care center staff always tell us how much the residents look forward to receiving the letters.
Volunteers must be background checked and trained to participate in this program. Please see details about joining our volunteer team below.
Supply Donors
Our Home-Based Projects are always in need of crafting supplies! Heart2Heart will accept donations of new and unused crafting supplies as well as yards of anti-pill fleece for the Cozy Blanket Project. Crafting supply donations also can be used by seniors during one of our Heart2Heart Group Events at Care Centers.
If you have some supplies you’d like to donate, or if you’re like to financially support any of these programs, please email Heart2Heart or call our office at 954-315-2218 for more information.
Join the Team!
Becoming a Heart2Heart volunteer means that you are dedicated to serving the aging community. It means you want to connect in a meaningful to a specific individual or to several people. It means you are committed to a consistent amount of time per month – whether that’s several hours a week or just a few hours per month.
Heart2Heart volunteers who interact directly with seniors must be background checked and trained. Our training is online, through an online portal. We run fingerprints in our office in Fort Lauderdale, and you can schedule an appointment with us after you finish the training on the portal. The first step is to create a volunteer account on our portal. To get started, click the button below.