Members of Doylestown Presbyterian Church give back to those in the community in a variety of ways. Below is a list of upcoming opportunities through DPC to help those in need. In addition to those organized directly by the church, there are many ways to volunteer to help others on a more regular, ongoing basis as an individual or with your family. For more information, scroll to the bottom of the page.
On May 20, the town of Moore, Oklahoma outside of Oklahoma City was devestated by a 200 mph/F-4 Tornado. In addition to the lives lost to this horrific natural disaster, many found their homes, cars, and belongings to be destroyed. While they are not yet ready for or equipped to handle volunteer help, relief agencies in Moore are currently asking for financial donations to meet the immediate and long-term needs of the victims of this storm. If you would like to donate through PCUSA, please visit the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) website here.
Please keep this community in your prayers as they struggle to find peace and strength in the upcoming days, months, and years.
Volunteer at a Wrapping Presence crafting session this summer to help make decorations and other fun goodies for Wrapping Presence events in December. Wrapping Presence is an outreach program of Doylestown Presbyterian Church that goes in to nursing homes during the holidays and gives residents the opportunity to "shop" for Christmas gifts for their loved ones and select presents to be wrapped in festive paper and bows. There is no cost to the shoppers or to the facility, and all gifts and services for Wrapping Presence are donated.
All of the crafting workshops are held at Doylestown Presbyterian Church in the Celtic Cross Room.
A group of DPC members will volunteering with The Other Carpenter on Saturday, June 15 to assist low-income homeowners in West Philadelphia in the maintenance of
their homes.
We will meet in the church parking lot at 8am, and typically return to the church by 3pm. Anyone is welcome to join, even if your experience is limited! There is currently a waiting list for this trip. To be added to the list, contact Sherrie Murphy in the church office at 215.348.3531 x225 or
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Interested in helping with Hurricane Sandy relief efforts on the Jersey Shore? A group will be making a day trip to Manasquan, New Jersey to help with repairs on Saturday, June 22. Work will include cleaning, painting, moving, etc. This trip is open to individuals ages 18 and above. If you are interested in attending or have questions, please contact Erin Rizk at
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or at 215-345-5980.
The 4th annual Work and Cultural Trip to the Native American reservations of the Navajo and Zuni in New Mexico is scheduled for October 19-26, 2013. A brochure with a reservation form is available in the church office, on the literature tables in Andrews Hall and the Church narthex, and in the Library. This is a unique opportunity to learn more about DPC's continued involvement and commitment to helping people in need on these reservations. There have been 42 members and friends of DPC who have already been part of the trips the last 3 years. A limit of 14 new participants will be accepted. Returning participants will be accepted, if space is available. Please contact Mary Lee or Brian Reiff (215-348-9293 /
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) if you have any questions, or stop by the Southwest display in the Sacred Grounds Café on Sunday, February 3rd. We anticipate that there will be a Work and Cultural Trip to the Southwest in 2014 designed for families with children ages 12 and older.
The Aid for Friends program enables shut-ins to remain in their homes by providing food, friendship, emergency aid, and advocacy. Over 250 meals are prepared at DPC each month. The meals are packed on the third Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m. in the Andrews Hall kitchen, and volunteers are always needed. For more information or to volunteer, contact the church office at 215-348-3531. Look for our sign-up sheets on the bulletin board in Andrews Hall to donate casseroles, vegetables, stewed tomatoes or applesauce. Reminder: Casseroles should be cold when dropped off in the kitchen due to the danger of bacteria growing in hot food.
To access the Aid For Friends recipe booklet, click here.
What: Each month, DPC members volunteer at Care and Share Thrift Shoppes. Tasks include greeting shoppers, operating the cash register, folding and bagging items, helping customers, and many more.
Where: Souderton, PA
Age Group: Adults
Other Details: The third Friday of each month is the ½ price sale day at Care and Share, which allows those in need to get clothes affordably. The store is always packed, and most of the proceeds go to charity. Our congregation is responsible for bringing 14 volunteers each month, so your help is greatly needed and appreciated!!
For More Information: Contact Erin Rizk in the church office at 215.348.3531 x232 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information or to sign-up for this opportunity.
Did you know that the packaging from many of the things we buy at the grocery store each week can be used to help support the Red Bird Mission School in rural Beverly, Kentucky, which provides Christian-based education to grades K-12?
We collect the following to send to the Red Bird Mission School:
General Mills Box Tops
Campbell's Labels for Education
Tyson Chicken Products A+ Labels
Empty Inkjet Cartridges
Aluminum Foil Flip Top Tabs
Capri Sun Packages
Please drop off your items in the designated boxes by the Narthex entrance of the Sanctuary building or by the Fellowship Hall entrance on the first floor of
Andrews Hall.
For more information on the Red Bird Mission School, visit their website at http://school.rbmission.org/.
We are now accepting donations for the New Britain Food Larder every week. You may drop your items off inside the entrance of Sanctuary Building on Mechanics Street. There are green bags in the coat room for your use, or you may feel free to bring your own!
The most needed items at this time are:
Coffee & Tea | Jelly | Laundry and Dish Detergent | Toothpaste | Toothbrushes | Toilet Paper | Sugar & Flour | Condiments | Canned Fruit | Canned Juices | Juice Boxes | Pancake Mix & Syrup | Rice | Cleaning Supplies | Deodorant| Shampoo | Shaving Cream | Razors | Spaghetti Sauce | Cake Mix & Icing | Canned Beans | Canned Tomatoes | Canned Meats & Soups | Saltines
In addition to outreach opportunities organized directly by DPC, there are many ways to volunteer to help others in our community on a more regular, ongoing basis as an individual or with your family. A list organizations needing volunteers and information about how to learn more about getting involved can be found below.
Ann Silverman Health Clinic provides free medical and dental care for uninsured low-income adults and children in the Central Bucks. They depend on over 200 volunteers to operate, three-quarters of whom are licensed physicians, dentists, nurses, or dental hygienists.
Volunteers are asked to make a minimum of one year commitment to the organization, including a minimum of 3 hours per month twice a month for the first three months and 3 hours per month for the remaining 9 months.
For more information, visit their website.
Ages: 17 and older
Broad Street Ministries in Philadelphia is always looking for volunteers for its Breaking Bread program, which they offer five days a week and at which they provide a hot meal and a variety of social services. Volunteers would be asked to help prepare and serve food, as well as help with the clothes closet, mail service, and handing out personal care items.
Volunteer times include Tuesdays (3pm – 6pm); Wednesdays (3pm – 6pm); Thursdays (10am – 2:30pm); Saturdays (10am – 1:30pm); and Sundays (7pm – 9pm). Help is also needed for sorting mail on Mondays (2:30pm – 5pm). For more information, please click contact Melissa DeFreece, volunteer coordinator, at 215-735-4847 /
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Ages: 16 and older. Ages 12 and above are welcomed with parental supervision.
Bucks County Housing Group in Doylestown is in need of volunteers to help in their food pantry on Wednesdays (5:30pm – 8pm); Thursdays (10:30am – 1:30pm); and Saturdays (10:30am – 1pm). For more information, contact Kate Bianchini, volunteer coordinator, at 215-345-4311 x101 or
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. If you are interested in other volunteer opportunities at Bucks County Housing Group, including helping with the Monday night Kids Club, please get in touch with Colleen Brink at 215-345-4311 x101 or
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. More information can be found on the BCHG website.
Ages: Adults
Code Blue provides emergency shelter to homeless individuals in Central Bucks County on extremely cold nights. Doylestown Presbyterian Church serves as one of these shelters one month out of the winter. In addition to needing volunteers to help staff the shelter when it is open, Code Blue also needs assistance with things including administration, finance, supplies, transportation, community relations, volunteer coordination, training, homeless outreach, and risk management. If you are interested in assisting in any of these areas, please contact Code Blue at 215-371-3945 or
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Ages: Adults
Cradles to Crayons collects new or gently used toys, books, clothing, etc., for children living in homeless or low-income situations in Philadelphia. Volunteers help to sort and pack donations. Families are welcomed Wednesday – Fridays from 10am – 12pm or 1pm – 3pm, as well as on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month from 6pm – 8pm. There are also Saturday volunteer opportunities one to two times a month. For more information, please contact Sarah Busbey at 215-836-0958 or at
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Ages: 6 and older
Habitat's ReStore is located in Chalfont and sells new and gently-used home improvement goods, furniture, home accessories, building materials and appliances to the public at a fraction of the retail price. The proceeds are used by local Habitat for Humanity affiliates to help build and renovate more homes and communities. If you'd like to volunteer at the Habitat ReStore, tasks include unloading deliveries, cleaning and testing donations, stocking merchandise and assisting customers. For more information, please visit their website or contact Lynnda at 215.822.2812 x302 or
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Ages: 16 and older
Doylestown Presbyterian Church has a strong relationship with Hunting Park Christian Academy, which provides a Christian-based education to children living in inner city Philadelphia. There are many ways to get involved, including tutoring in reading or math; teaching a lesson in art, music, or gym; giving a presentation at career day; assisting with mailings or other office work; or leading a biblical lesson during chapel time using drama, music, or dance. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Jen Deane, director of development, at 215-324-9180 or
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Ages: 16 and older
Philabundance is a food bank in Philadelphia that contributes to a broad spectrum of social services through food cupboards, emergency kitchens, shelters, daycare and senior centers and beyond. There are a variety of ways to volunteer, including in the Hunger Relief Center, the Community Food Center, and the Fresh for All program. To learn more about these opportunities, visit their website or contact 215-339-0900 /
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Presbyterian Children's Village provides a comprehensive range of prevention, child welfare, therapeutic, and educational services and programs to help heal the spirits of children, families, and communities in crisis. There are a number of volunteer opportunities, including tutoring, presenting at career night, and providing administrative support. For more information, visit their website or contact Betty Wu at 610-525-8396 or at
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Ages: Adults
Tabor Children's Services' Adolescent Initiative Program (AIP) is geared towards teens ages 16-21 who are aging out of the foster care system and focuses on the skills necessary for self-sufficiency. Mentors are always needed for this program. For more information, visit their website or contact Jill Jackson at 215-348-4071 x250 or
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Ages: Adults
VITA provides quality educational programs that help individuals gain skills that enhance their ability to deal with real-life situations, meet personal goals and become more self-determining and self-sufficient. Through literacy and decision-making programs, Vita brings learning to life for Bucks County adults, families and at-risk youth by helping them to develop skills that create opportunities for themselves, their families, and, in turn, the community. Volunteer opportunities exist in teaching Basic Literacy, English as a Second Language (ESL), and Decisions for Living (DFL). Volunteers are trained in each program to work with adults in the community or the Bucks County Correctional Facility. No prior teaching experience or knowledge of a foreign language is needed. For more information, please visit their website or call 215-345-8322.
Ages: 21 and older
A Woman's Place provides a full range of assistance and support services for victims of domestic abuse and violence and their children. Volunteers are needed in areas like administrative work; communications; thrift store assistance; and fundraising. These positions require volunteers to take the C.O.R.E. Training, which is 10.5 hours of instruction that focuses on A Woman's Place projects, programs, and domestic violence issues in the community.
There is also the opportunity to volunteer as a children's advocate; hotline counselor; legal advocate; peer counselor; shelter advocate; support group facilitator; and teen chat line operator. These positions require 42 hours of direct service training, which emphasizes in-depth understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence as well as skill building in supporting victims of domestic violence. These volunteers are trained to work directly with victims.
The Teen Volunteer Program is open to young people in grades 7-12. Volunteers must attend 6 hours of training, which discusses the issues of teen dating violence as well as the impact of domestic violence on children and families. Volunteers can help in areas including administrative work; children mentorship; and as a thrift store attendant.
For more information, visit their website or contact Lisa Armstrong, volunteer and membership manager, at 215-343-9241 x124 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Ages: 12 to adult
