Needs From: Belmont Office of Community-Engaged Learning and Service

GNRC is doing a letter campaign to isolated seniors, individuals in nursing homes and disabled individuals. If you would like to participate in bringing some joy and encouragement to these individuals, please respond to the opportunity with the number of letters you would like to write. 

We are looking for uplifting and positive letters. You are also welcome to include some artwork. Volunteers will need to provide their own supplies to write the letters and postage to mail the letters. You can write the letters anytime from your own home - we would appreciate if you can have the letters mailed out within two weeks of signing up, so tracking the progress is easier. 

I will respond with address information and more specific instructions on how to write the letters to those who respond to the opportunity. 

In addition to responding here through Belmont's Get Connected site, please sign up in our volunteer system directly by clicking on the links below and include how many letters you would like to write:

August Round: Travel theme (share about your favorite travel locations); letters mailed so they are received between August 1st and 31st.

September Round: Book/Movie theme (share about your favorite books or movies); letters mailed so they are received between September 1st and 30th.Other months will be posted when it gets a little closer.

October Round: Fall or Halloween theme; letters mailed so they are received so they are received between October 1st and 31st.

November Round: Gratitude theme; we recommend mailing letters by November 19th, if possible.  

December Round: Winter/Holiday wishes; please mail letters so they arrive prior to December 31st, for holiday specific letters please mail at least 1.5 weeks in advance to allow time for distribution.

Volunteer Hours for this opportunity can be confirmed if you submit pictures of your letters as proof prior to mailing them to the address provided to you.

As a TN SHIP/SMP (Tennessee State Health Insurance Assistance Program/Senior Medicare Patrol) Volunteer Medicare Counselor you will be assisting individuals who have questions regarding the Medicare program through one-on-one counseling over the phone, in-person, or via email. You will receive extensive training to assist Medicare beneficiaries and will be trained to provide free, non-biased and personalized counseling and referral services to a wide range of health insurance issues.

Project Purpose:

TN SHIP’s goal is to provide free, non-biased, personalized counseling and assistance to Medicare beneficiaries and their families who need the help in navigating their way through the Medicare program. SHIP provides understandable and objective information to Medicare beneficiaries on a wide range of health insurance issues. Volunteers are essential in providing these services.

Key Duties:

Assist TN SHIP/SMP through one-one-one counseling over the phone, in-person, or via email. Attend events to share about the program so more people can benefit from it. Conduct all interactions with clients in a professional manner. Keep any information about the client’s personal information confidential. Complete monthly reports on the individual's you counsel. Refer clients to the TN SHIP/SMP Volunteer Program Coordinator or Coordinator if you have questions on the client’s needs, have a complex case you are not able to handle or have a client you are no longer comfortable counseling.

 Qualifications:

Minimum Age: 18 years Complete the required 18 hours of Initial Certification Training Successfully pass the TN SHIP/SMP Screening Process Sign all required documents including Required update training: 12 hours per year annually after the Initial Certification Training. Update hours can be earned from many sources: webinars, in person updates, and conferences. Skills necessary to be successful in this role: Strong communicator, ease of speaking to others about difficult topics, strong active listening skills, passion to help people, some basic computer skills, website navigation, ability to complete paper and online forms, organized, detail oriented. Some college and/or experience in the health care or insurance field are a plus.

Location of volunteer job:

Senior centers, libraries, in-office at GNRC, other locations that are convenient to Seniors, and can be a work-from-home role once trained and proven ability to cover the topics with comfort and accuracy. Some training can be accesses remotely online. 

Commitment per month: 

Tennessee SHIP/SMP would appreciate a minimum of eight (8) hours of volunteer service each month for this volunteer role.

Upcoming Training:

August 2025 Cohort: https://gnrc.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=930885