Did you know that there are several environmentally friendly volunteer monitoring opportunities in Schuylkill County? Usually, I promote the stream monitor program. Today, I bring you the rain monitor program.
Rain monitors provide a valuable service by monitoring and reporting local rainfall. This helps the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration track weather conditions, which are particularly important during times of high rain when there is a possibility of local flooding. This information helps local responders plan for potential intervention.
RSVP of Schuylkill County, in partnership with the Office of Public Safety, is recruiting new volunteers in targeted areas to measure precipitation. Responsibilities include mounting and monitoring a rain gauge provided by OPS and measuring and recording all precipitation in your own backyard. The documentation and statistics are submitted to the Office of Public Safety in Pottsville, which forwards the statistics to the NOAA office in State College.
Targeted areas include McAdoo, Tamaqua, Coaldale, Mahanoy City, Delano, Shenandoah, Ashland, Gilberton, New Ringgold/South Tamaqua, Deer Lake, Landingville, Pine Grove, Tremont, Hegins and Pitman.
RSVP volunteers must be age 55 or older. If you think you might be interested in this environmentally friendly activity, please call the RSVP office at 1-800-832-3313 or 622-3103 or e-mail rsvpschco@hotmail.com.
Schuylkill County welcomes Compassionate Care Hospice, a community-based organization committed to providing the highest quality of end-of-life care to patients, their families and close friends. Services are available to patients in their home, hospital, nursing home or assisted-living facility.
The compassionate care team strongly embraces the philosophy that end-of-life care is so much more than just treating the symptoms of disease. They believe that treating the spirit is equally important in allowing a terminally ill patient to die in peace and allow those left behind to be supported through their grief.
Compassionate Care Hospice is opening its newest office on April 1 at 400 W. Columbia St. in Schuylkill Haven and will provide services for families throughout Schuylkill County.
Watch for information on their open house celebration in May.
Schuylkill Elder Abuse Prevention Alliance, Inc., is sponsoring Silver Ribbon Month in May. Order large display ribbons for $10 or free lapel ribbons by April 1 by calling 628-7920.
For information about volunteer opportunities, call Community Volunteers in Action at 628-1426, e-mail jjohnston@co,.schuylkill.pa.us or go to www.schuylkill.us/cvia. Check us out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Community-Volunteers-in-Action.
State park clean-up
Times: April 20
Responsibility: Help spruce up state park for new season by gathering litter in Tuscarora SP in the morning and then move on to Locust Lake SP. Assist with both or one.
Skills: Ability to walk around the park using gloves and litter pickers. Bring water and bagged lunch.
Location: Tuscarora and/or Locust Lake state parks.
Contact: Robin at 467-2404.
Hospice facility volunteers
Times: Flexible.
Responsibility: Read, talk to, play games with patient, etc. Help family with errands, phone calls, meals, child care, etc. Provide specialized therapies like Reiki, music, or pets, or serve in the office.
Skills: No experience necessary. Background check and training required.
Location: Schuylkill facility and in home.
Contact: Eileen, Compassionate Care Hospice, (610) 295-9531.