Every new volunteer will be provided with a Volunteer Handbook which details our history, policies and procedures. During your shift, you will push the Kart to each designated area within the hospital where you will offer books to pediatric patients. The Kart can be very heavy, and there is a lot of walking involved, so being in good physical condition is important. You will need to be prepared to briefly explain what Kate’s Kart is and our mission; however, many long-term patients will already know who you are. Specific guidelines are in place regarding distribution of the books and are outlined in the handbook.
Volunteers are scheduled to work on a monthly basis by our Volunteer Schedulers. The schedule is posted 2-6 weeks in advance on the Kate’s Kart website. We ask for a once-per-month commitment. You will be paired with another volunteer for your shift, and it will be up to you and your partner to arrange a time/place to meet. The Kate’s Kart Volunteer Schedulers will set the original schedule; however, it is your responsibility to find a replacement if you should be unable to fulfill your assigned shift. You will have access to a complete contact list of other volunteers who work at the same hospital for your reference.
The amount of time it takes to run the Kart varies depending on which hospital, the time of year, and number of patients. Dupont Hospital and Lutheran Hospital generally take about 45 minutes. Parkview Regional Medical Center can take up to 2 hours.
- Lutheran Hospital runs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
- Parkview Regional Medical Center runs Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
- Dupont Hospital runs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
The other hospitals we serve distribute the books via their nurses and staff, and therefore do not require volunteers. You are expected to adhere to each hospital’s dress code (basically no jeans, shorts or open-toed shoes), and will be provided with an apron to wear while running the Kart.
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