The first step to becoming a Lend a Hand volunteer is signing up for a new volunteer orientation.

Volunteers assist our organization in many ways, all of which help us meet the needs of patients in Central Texas. We offer many great opportunities to volunteer by supporting blood drives and Community Blood Centers, educating the community about the importance of blood and tissue donation, and more.

Volunteers must be at least 12 years of age. Those ages 12 to 14 must be accompanied by a trained parent or guardian at all activities. Those ages 15 to 18 can volunteer with parental consent.

Yes. Your training includes a general orientation, plus additional training specific to the type of volunteer position that interests you. The volunteer manager will continue to be your contact and can help you as questions arise. Updated training on a regular basis will also be provided to all volunteers.

Yes, transportation to your Community Blood Centers, blood drive or to our headquarters is the volunteer's responsibility.

Yes, we have opportunities all over our Central Texas region, and you can request to volunteer in an area close to your home, work or where ever is most convenient.

As a volunteer you Lend a Hand by contributing volunteer service, allowing us to contact you and helping us to spread the word.

We understand that volunteers may become busy with work, school and other commitments. Please inform the volunteer manager if there is a time that you will be unavailable to accept volunteer positions. When your schedule frees up, let us know and we will be happy to work with you again.

You are not a volunteer with the Lend a Hand Volunteer Program. However, you are an important part of our Hands of the Group Program. To learn more about the Hands of the Group program, click here.

You are not a volunteer with the Lend a Hand Volunteer Program. However, you are an important part of our Hands of the Group Program.

To be a part of the Lend a Hand Volunteer Program, and to have your volunteer hours count when assisting with a group blood drive, you are encouraged to attend a Lend a Hand Volunteer Orientation and sign up as a volunteer with this program. To learn more about the Hands of the Group program, click here.

While we encourage everyone to donate, we understand that some cannot. Many individuals choose to Lend a Hand as a volunteer because they cannot donate for one reason or another. You can still save lives and Lend a Hand by donating your valuable time.

Our Community Advocates are volunteers who work in groups based at each Community Blood Center (Georgetown, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Austin – North Lamar, and Austin – Southpark Meadows) to encourage blood donations at their local center and spread awareness of the need, as well as encourage community members to sign up for the Hand It Down Program and support tissue donation.

The primary benefit of volunteering is knowing at the end of the day you saved lives. Additionally, it's a great way to meet new people, make new friends and support your community. Volunteering is an excellent avenue for creating relationships and building personal skills. In addition, The Blood and Tissue Center provides a recognition program for our volunteers based on the level of their participation.

Volunteers report to the Volunteer Manager, Michael Warburton. He can be contacted at 512-206-1189 or by e-mail at volunteer@inyourhands.org. While volunteering at a mobile blood drive or Community Blood Center, volunteers will report to the supervisor in charge at the site where they are volunteering.

It is very important for each volunteer to track and turn in their hours each month so we can recognize volunteers for their contributions. It is also important that as a non-profit organization we are able to accurately report volunteer hours. To turn in your hours send Michael Warburton, Volunteer Manager, an e-mail at volunteer@inyourhands.org or call (512) 206-1189.

There are four levels of volunteer participation, based on the amount of hours that your provide to the Blood and Tissue Center. To be eligible to receive a $25 gift certificate, you must volunteer 25 – 49 hours in one year; for a $50 gift certificate, you must volunteer 50-74 hours in one year; for a $75 gift certificate, you must volunteer 75-99 hours in one year; and to receive a $100 gift certificate, you must volunteer 100 or more hours in one year.

No, these are separate programs. You will be able to redeem items from the High Five On-Line Store for your donor points. Your volunteer hours will be rewarded with gift certificates based on the amount of hours you have provided to the Blood and Tissue Center in one year. If you are a current donor, you can access the High Five on-line store here.

No. Tracking your hours and then providing gift certificates is one of the ways that we thank you for saving lives and donating your time. We appreciate that you might not want to use them for yourself and if you don’t, you can donate them back to The Blood and Tissue Center by opting for a “Giving Back” certificate, but you can’t transfer them to another volunteer or donor.

Yes. There is an option to receive a “Giving Back” Certificate in the amount of your certificate award. You may choose to receive this certificate, and then indicate how you would like to give this money back to The Blood and Tissue based on our needs at the time. You might be donating back to help purchase a new Blood Drive bus, or to purchase new blood center equipment necessary to save even more lives in Central Texas.

At the conclusion of your first year with the Lend a Hand Program, you will receive a gift certificate in the amount dictated by the level you have reached. At that point, you will begin again as you volunteer into your second year.