Calendar of Events

Our volunteers mean the world to us!  As a two person staff, we depend on our volunteers to help us accomplish so much of what we do.  We always have a new event or project that we are looking for help on.  By joining our list you will get emails about projects and specific volunteer opportunities.

Our volunteers mean the world to us!  As a two person staff, we depend on our volunteers to help us accomplish so much of what we do.  We always have a new event or project that we are looking for help on.  By joining our list you will get emails about projects and specific volunteer opportunities.

Literacy Together (formerly Literacy Council of Buncombe County) has a determined group of students waiting for volunteer tutors so they can move forward on their goals for a better future. Tutor training is via distance learning, and all tutoring sessions are online. We have programs teaching English to immigrants; adult literacy for folks working on a GED; and youth literacy for kids struggling to learn to read.

Update on our work with the Afghan newcomers Asheville has so far received 17 adult Afghan newcomers through Operation Allies Welcome. The first eleven to arrive have been matched with Literacy Together tutors for one-on-one instruction and are also taking ESOL classes at AB Tech – for a total of 15 hours per week of English lessons. The next six have arrived in recent days and are scheduled for registration with both AB Tech and Literacy Together. We’ve been working very closely with staff from AB Tech and Catholic Charities, and along with Catholic Charities, we’ve experienced an outpouring of support from the community. If you’d like to offer the Afghan newcomers any kind of support other than tutoring, please contact Catholic Charities at [email protected]. We are so grateful for the ways people are stepping up to welcome our new neighbors! We also still have over 40 people from other countries who’ve been waiting for weeks or months for a tutor. To sign up to become a volunteer tutor click here.  Thank you, Asheville!

Our Ideal Volunteer Tutor

The ideal volunteer tutor is someone seeking to make a one-year commitment of two hours per week to help someone else make the change of a lifetime. For our volunteer tutors, an education background is helpful, but not necessary. The most important qualities are patience, an open mind, and resourcefulness. Tutors also need to be non-judgmental and sensitive to cultural differences. A GED or high school diploma is required. Ideal tutors enjoy seeing concrete outcomes from their efforts and sharing in the life-changing successes of others. See our full tutor position description here.

Learn more about Literacy Together’s volunteer roles!

Winter weather is expected to hit most of TBC’s service areas this weekend and into early next week. Not only will this impact operations for TBC, it will more importantly affect blood donor turnout, leaving the blood supply in a more unstable position. Community donors are urged to donate blood this weekend ahead of the storm to ensure hospital needs are uninterrupted. Appointments are encouraged but not mandatory. Additionally, blood drives are just as essential as blood donors. To host a blood drive, please call 864-751-5003.

One donation can save up to three lives. REMINDER: Donors who have received the COVID-19 vaccine (1st or 2nd shot) CAN donate blood. More information, including safety measures, can be found on the TBC COVID-19 webpage. TBC is strongly encouraging donors to make appointments to donate blood. Donors will receive a special gift as a thank you for saving lives

Our volunteers mean the world to us!  As a two person staff, we depend on our volunteers to help us accomplish so much of what we do.  We always have a new event or project that we are looking for help on.  By joining our list you will get emails about projects and specific volunteer opportunities.

Our volunteers mean the world to us!  As a two person staff, we depend on our volunteers to help us accomplish so much of what we do.  We always have a new event or project that we are looking for help on.  By joining our list you will get emails about projects and specific volunteer opportunities.

Our volunteers mean the world to us!  As a two person staff, we depend on our volunteers to help us accomplish so much of what we do.  We always have a new event or project that we are looking for help on.  By joining our list you will get emails about projects and specific volunteer opportunities.

Our volunteers mean the world to us!  As a two person staff, we depend on our volunteers to help us accomplish so much of what we do.  We always have a new event or project that we are looking for help on.  By joining our list you will get emails about projects and specific volunteer opportunities.

Our volunteers mean the world to us!  As a two person staff, we depend on our volunteers to help us accomplish so much of what we do.  We always have a new event or project that we are looking for help on.  By joining our list you will get emails about projects and specific volunteer opportunities.

Our volunteers mean the world to us!  As a two person staff, we depend on our volunteers to help us accomplish so much of what we do.  We always have a new event or project that we are looking for help on.  By joining our list you will get emails about projects and specific volunteer opportunities.

Your blood is going to someone who really needs it. To get it there is a process. It takes a team; our phlebotomists collect the blood, our couriers bring it to our headquarters for processing, our lab techs process it, and our couriers then deliver the products to our hospitals. Once they’re there, lives are saved.

Your blood is going to someone who really needs it. To get it there is a process. It takes a team; our phlebotomists collect the blood, our couriers bring it to our headquarters for processing, our lab techs process it, and our couriers then deliver the products to our hospitals. Once they’re there, lives are saved.

Your blood is going to someone who really needs it. To get it there is a process. It takes a team; our phlebotomists collect the blood, our couriers bring it to our headquarters for processing, our lab techs process it, and our couriers then deliver the products to our hospitals. Once they’re there, lives are saved.

Your blood is going to someone who really needs it. To get it there is a process. It takes a team; our phlebotomists collect the blood, our couriers bring it to our headquarters for processing, our lab techs process it, and our couriers then deliver the products to our hospitals. Once they’re there, lives are saved.

Before you even begin thinking about volunteering, ask yourself – Am I well enough to volunteer?

Your safety and limiting the spread of COVID-19 is everyone’s main priority. We encourage you to review and adhere to the recommendations on the Buncombe County readiness site on how best to avoid COVID-19 and what to do if you think you might have it.

The American Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that helps communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies. Activities of the American Red Cross Western North Carolina Chapter include: Blood Services, Training Services, Disaster Services, and Home Fire Campaign.

Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood and one blood donation can save up to three lives. Help support lives in North Carolina by signing up to become a Blood Drive Volunteer today.  

Time Commitment:

Blood drives occur M-F and volunteers are expected to attend one blood drive a month to remain an active volunteer. This position is flexible as volunteers can sign up for shifts that work for their schedule and instructions for shift selection will be sent after responding to the opportunity.

Volunteer Roles:

• Warmly greet donors and assist with registration in reception area.
• Assist with initial intake and hand off through blood donation process.
  • Ensure donors have relevant information and all questions are answered appropriately.
  • Maintain proper sanitizing and cleanliness of reception and hospitality areas.
• Attend canteen area in support of donors.
  • Thank donors for their contribution.
  • Alert staff immediately if a donor shows signs of feeling unwell.
• Inform donors of current and upcoming donation promotions.
  • Make reminder/cancellation calls.
  • Reschedule donor appointments.
  • Perform follow-up activities as directed.

Volunteer Requirements:

• Modeling excellent customer service behaviors.
• Knowledge of technology needed for position (training provided)
  • Donor checkin, donor tablet, rapid pass, donor app.
• Comfortable working with people from diverse communities and backgrounds
• Dependable, punctual, and professional
• Adhere to all Red Cross guidelines
• Ability to remain calm in crisis situations
• Adhere to CDC safety guidelines regarding COVID-19 precautions
• Safety First! Our need for volunteers is constant and our guidelines reflect the latest CDC safety recommendations and follow the national and local government laws. COVID-19 vaccination will be required for in-person volunteer roles beginning January 3, 2022.