In March 2001, the Shands at the University of Florida Volunteer Services Department adopted two elementary schools in the community. As a Partner in Education, Shands at UF is committed to supporting Waldo and Lake Forest Elementary Schools.

Volunteer Services, the Shands Hospital Auxiliary at UF, and the Gainesville Woman's Club then joined in the Pass It On Program where all of the organizations support the adopted schools together. Volunteer Services coordinates special events and projects throughout the year in support of the adopted schools.

We collect and donate:

• School supplies
• Clothesfor children at Lake Forest Elementary
• Non-perishable food for the Lake Forest Elementary Food Pantry
• Box Tops for Education where specific products help earn the school rewards

We also assist the schools by supporting their various programs. Shands employees and other volunteers participate in the Success for All Reading Program at Lake Forest Elementary and other general volunteering activities at the schools. In the Ambassador Program, we donate basic school supplies to new students at the school. In the Book Swamp Program, we donate new or used children's books to Waldo Elementary School.

Health education support

For clinical support, we show the children charts of muscles and bones and hand out "healthy goodies" such as band-aids and sunscreen.

Shands volunteers also help coordinate a health fair at each school. The fairs provide information about nutrition, fitness for kids, diabetes, blood pressure, safety, and other appropriate topics for kids and their parents.

More Information

For more information about how you can help the Shands Volunteer Services team in the Partners in Education Program, please contact Volunteer Services at 352.265.0360.

Volunteer Services

Welcome

Why Volunteer

Volunteer Opportunities

Benefits

Applications

Orientation Materials (.pdf)

Online orientation quiz

Volunteer Service Areas

Clinical Service Areas

Volunteens

Pet Therapy

Auxiliary

Gift Shop

News

SHANDS BEGINS CONSTRUCTION ON $388-MILLION CANCER HOSPITAL

SHANDS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA CELEBRATES 50 YEARS WITH A GALA

NEW MANAGED CARE VP JOINS SHANDS