Volunteers are needed to be hospitality assistants at David's House in Lebanon. The job includes greeting guests who are patients, or family members of patients, at the Children's Hospital at Dartmouth. (Courtesy David's House)
Volunteers are needed to be hospitality assistants at David's House in Lebanon. The job includes greeting guests who are patients, or family members of patients, at the Children's Hospital at Dartmouth. (Courtesy David's House) Credit: Courtesy of David's House

Lebanon — Volunteers are needed to help answer phones and greet guests at David’s House, the nonprofit organization that provides housing and support for families with children getting care at the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock.

“The hospitality assistants are usually the first point of contact a guest has with David’s House,” said Jill Ross, program manager at David’s House.

The hospitality assistants at David’s House are responsible for some receptionist duties — including booking stays for families and writing thank-you notes for donations — but they also have a chance to connect with the families who are staying at the home.

“Hospitality assistants get to spend a lot of time with caregivers, siblings and sometimes the young patients who have to stay at David’s House before or after an appointment,” Ross said. “Helping families during what can be a very stressful and uncertain time for them is very rewarding to our volunteers.”

Because families return for appointments over months or years and many people volunteer long-term, hospitality assistant often form an ongoing connection with families staying at David’s House.

“It is comforting to the families to have people here that they remember and recognize,” Ross said. “It’s very touching to see the relationships that can form.”

Hospitality assistants generally work two-hour shifts between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. or an evening shift from 6-9 p.m. on weekdays. On weekends and holidays volunteers are welcome to donate their time, but there are no set shifts. Volunteers are asked to commit to two hours per month, although many people volunteer more often.

A staff person from David’s House is always working at the same time as the hospitality assistants, so volunteers always have someone on hand to help with any issues that might arise.

“Some days are busier than others, with the phone ringing often or many guests checking in, while other days can be very quiet on the guest front so volunteers can help with other projects around the house if they’d like,” Ross said.

The most important requirement is that volunteers like connecting with the patients and family members who walk through the door of David’s House.

“Being flexible and acting with compassion is important, as our guests are often dealing with situations that mean they need a lot of TLC,” Ross said.

The hospitality assistant position is open to adults or teenagers working with an adult. It’s also possible for friends or a couple to take a shift together.

People who are interested in volunteering should fill out the volunteer application at www.davids-house.org. For more information, contact Ross at 603-643-2298.