PORT TOWNSEND — The Ecumenical Christian Helping Hands Organization, or ECHHO, is in need of volunteers to help serve the needs of Jefferson County’s growing elderly population.
“Our volunteers are almost entirely retired people so they age out and become our clients,” said ECHHO Executive Director Sarah McMahan. “We really need this constant cycle of volunteers.”
McMahan said ECHHO is most in need of a treasurer because current Treasurer Ken Danvenny is retiring. Danvenny has served as treasurer on a volunteer basis for the past five years.
For that position, ECHHO is looking for a volunteer available about 15 hours per month, who has owned a small business or been responsible for finances for a department, and can help assist and advise the ECHHO board on budget issues.
“Ken served on a volunteer basis but the board understands we may need to open this up as a paid position,” McMahan said.
The board will make that decision within the next few weeks.
According to McMahan, treasurer isn’t the only role that needs to be filled for ECHHO to continue offering free services.
Providing rides is an important part of volunteer work for clients with limited mobility. Rides can be anything from running errands to providing a way to and from doctors’ appointments or surgeries.
Volunteers also help with such minor home repairs and maintenance as mowing lawns or fixing leaky faucets.
ECHHO also lends out medical equipment, such as hospital beds and walkers, for free to those who need it and volunteers deliver that equipment to customers.
McMahan said sometimes volunteers are simply company for someone who lives alone.
“We have one client who likes to go out to lunch and have offered to just take a volunteer out for lunch,” McMahan said.
Volunteers can work as much or as little as they want and can turn down any request to volunteer. Mileage and other expenses can also be reimbursed if needed, according to McMahan.
ECHHO’s current group of volunteers is spread thin, McMahan said, because the demand is growing.
In January, ECHHO served about 170 people throughout Jefferson County. In June, the nonprofit was providing services to 217 people.
“It’s grown every month,” McMahan said.
In January, ECHHO drivers took clients to 267 doctor appointments. In June, that number had jumped to 355 trips, totaling 6,540 miles driven.
“I live alone and I don’t live in town but it gives me a sense of security that ECHHO is here to help me,” McMahan said. “I know it does the same for a lot of older single people.”
McMahan has used ECHHO a number of times to get to and from doctor appointments and the numerous surgeries she’s needed to deal with injuries from a 1989 car crash where she was hit by a drunk driver, she said.
“I have never been so proud to be part of an organization,” McMahan said. “This is our way of making a difference in the world.”
Those interested in volunteering can contact ECHHO by calling 360-379-3246 or stopping by the office at 1110 Jefferson St.
Donations can be mailed in checks to the office address or made online at www.echhojc.org.
ECHHO is also now accepting car donations. For more information on how to donate, call the office number.
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Jefferson County Editor/Reporter Cydney McFarland can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 55052, or at cmcfarland@peninsuladailynews.com.
