Volunteer Services &
Donation Opportunities

Volunteering at Piedmont Geriatric Hospital is a rewarding experience. Our many volunteers help provide services to not only the individuals we serve, but also to our staff. We are fortunate to have such wonderful volunteers. Come make a difference in your community and volunteer with us. Our volunteers learn new skills, make new friends, and feel good about what they are doing.

Volunteer Services

The Volunteer Services program at Piedmont Geriatric Hospital aims to improve the quality of life for our individuals while they undergo treatment. Our goal is to empower the individuals we serve by enhancing their stay here at Piedmont Geriatric Hospital and supporting them in their transition to the community.

Piedmont Geriatric Hospital is located approximately 50 miles west of Richmond, at the intersection of U.S. Routes 360 and 460. The grounds of the hospital contain an outdoor recreation area, picnic facilities, two fishing ponds, and paths that are suitable for easy walks. PGH’s service area includes Northern, Central and Southern Virginia, with a bed capacity of 123 patients. It is the only State facility in Virginia exclusively for persons 65 years of age and older, who are in need of inpatient treatment for mental illness and/or dementia.

Every volunteer contact is potentially a life-changing experience for patients and their families. A volunteer’s compassion and unselfish dedication can be inspiring for the staff, as well as beneficial to the patient.

  • Volunteers provide spiritual fulfillment for the residents, through prayer and Bible study. Churches are welcome to present an entire worship service.
  • Volunteers plan entertainment and special events for the patients, i.e., picnics, talent shows — and unbelievably– fashion shows and the Senior Prom!
  • Volunteers assist the patients and staff as chaperones when the patients are taken on day trips to shop, sight see, and just have a day of fun.
  • Volunteers write letters to family members, read to the patients, or simply listen attentively or share stories about the “good old days,” and laugh at the appropriate times.

Types of Volunteers:

  • Regular volunteers perform administrative tasks or participate in interactions with individuals on a consistent basis.
  • Group volunteers consist of church, civic, and student groups who come to help with an event such as holiday parties, concerts, ice cream parties, Bingo, religious services, or other special events.
  • Fundraiser volunteers help identify and raise funds for special needs that PGH has.

Participate in Operation Santa Claus: begins in October to ensure all patients receive gifts for Christmas.

  • Operation Santa Claus is an impressive program that provides each patient at PGH with individually-wrapped gifts on Christmas day. This program is possible only through the compassion and generosity of donors whom we rely upon to provide items otherwise unavailable to our patients. Programs of this nature positively impact the quality of life of patients at Piedmont Geriatric Hospital and we are most grateful for any and all assistance.
  • If you elect not to participate in Operation Santa Claus, it is our hope that you will remember that there are other areas in need of donations. As a facility that provides recovery-based healthcare, discharging patients back into their respective communities is the ultimate goal of treatment at PGH. Many of our patients are indigent or have very limited personal funds therefore; every effort is made to provide each patient with a “travel bag” containing basic toiletry items (soap, shampoo, comb, deodorant, etc.) upon discharge. These items may be placed in small canvas bags and will be ready-to-use when the need arises.

For more information about how you and/or your group can make a difference in the life of PGH’s residents, contact our Volunteer Services department at 804-766-3270 or write to: Volunteer Services, 5001 East Patrick Henry Highway, Burkeville, Virginia 23922.

You may want to invite Volunteer Services to your church, civic or community organization to share more information about PGH’s Volunteer Services Program and to answer your questions.

Volunteer Application Form

Donation Opportunities

Donations are accepted at all times and are tax deductible. Please call us if you would like more information.

We accept:

  • Holiday gift donations
  • New and used clothing. Men and women’s clothing – all sizes
  • Coats, hats, gloves and mittens
  • Blankets and throws
  • Health and beauty supplies
  • DVD movies and CD’s
  • Books
  • Magazines
  • Calendars

Frequently Asked Questions

How old do I have to be to volunteer at PGH?

Volunteers at PGH need to be a minimum of 16 years old and have parents’ permission.

What’s the first step towards becoming a volunteer?

The first step to becoming a volunteer is to complete the volunteer application. The application can be mailed to Volunteer Services at P.O. Box 427 Burkeville, VA 23922 or emailed to Andrea.Moran@dbhds.virginia.gov. Once the application is received, you will be contacted.

How frequently do I need to volunteer?

We prefer regular hours but understand that everyone has busy schedules. With that in mind, we work with each volunteer to create a schedule that works for everyone.

What is included in the background check and drug testing process?

The background check is done on site by our Human Resources staff. We use an electronic fingerprinting system that is connected to the Virginia State Police. We also conduct the drug testing on site. This drug test is an oral one that takes five minutes.

How will I learn about the duties I will be performing as a volunteer?

All of our volunteers go through an orientation program before volunteering. This program provides information about our facility, the volunteer role, policies that relate to volunteering, and provides an opportunity to meet your PGH supervisor and take a tour. Also included in the orientation program is the fingerprinting and drug testing processes.

Contact Information

Volunteer Services
5001 E. Patrick Henry Hwy
P.O. Box 427
Burkeville, VA 23922
Phone: 804-766-3270
E-mail: Andrea.Moran@dbhds.virginia.gov