Volunteer

Do not accept a mission that is not posted on the website.  Patients are not to call you directly for a mission.

1.  Call and/or text the patient as soon as you accept their mission. They are anxious to hear that their mission has been taken and this relieves our mission coordinators from extra calls from nervous patients.  Ask them to “acknowledge”, so you know they have your message.
2.  When you contact them the first time – let them know you have accepted their Mission – give them your mobile phone number.
3.  Confirm to them the pick up place and planned time.
4.  Ask the Patient/caregiver if they have any questions
5.  Maybe – get a description of the patient and ask them what color shirt they will wear.
6.  Maybe – give a description of your vehicle, wear a bright hat or shirt and tell patient what to look for.
7.  Tell them where you will meet them (example) Outside baggage claim level at Door #….
8.  Also, consider using the Houston Ground Angels Flag in your window.
9.  Check to make sure you have gas in your car prior to leaving to pick a patient up.
10. If there is a last minute personal emergency and you cannot do your mission commitment please call 832-301-2816 and speak to Mission Coordinator.
11.  NOTE: Each rider, Patient and family member is required to sign a Liability Waiver. You can see the Waiver Form here. This waiver is for your protection and to protect the Houston Ground Angels organization. When you pick up a patient and BEFORE you leave airport or the pick up location (such as a lodging facility) ASK THE PASSENGER and any traveling companions to SIGN the RELEASE. Keep these forms for your records if you plan to itemize your taxes or keep for a few months and then destroy. We pray there are no incidents but please report any accidents to a Mission Administrator.
12.  Some patients are very sensitive to smell – so PLEASE minimize air fresheners and perfume.
13.  Ask them to let you know ASAP by text/phone if there is a change in their travel plans.
14.  Let them know how long the trip will take in case they need time to use the restroom before you set off.
15.  Keep your eyes on the road and drive safely !
16. Smile (as long as it is appropriate)
17.  Have them confirm and check they have all items (Cell phones, overnight bags) before they leave your vehicle.
18.  During the journey ask if they are comfortable with the temperature in the car and make necessary adjustments.
19.  Do not dive in and ask them about their illness or disease, unless they bring it up. But even if they bring it up, try not to ask a lot of questions.  Conversations starters can be the weather, things about (sports, traffic, floods, the plague) Houston, ask if they will be needing anything such as a grocery store, restaurant near to hotel etc. that you might point out during the ride.
20.  Most of all, please know how much we appreciate you being a volunteers and how much of a difference you are making in someone’s life.  For this, we thank you !

 We ask that if at all possible, a Ground Angel attempt to average one mission per month or 12 missions a year.  Volunteer Ground Angel choose their availability – you do what you can, when you can – which days and times of day. Patients are grateful to our volunteers for all donations of their time.

1.  What volunteer opportunities are there with Houston Ground Angels?

Become a Ground Angel— Volunteers known as Ground Angels are people who on their own schedule offer travel assistance to people getting to their critical treatments.  They gift their time, vehicle, and operating cost to transport patient and their family/caregiver to and from their homes (LOCAL patients only) and those arriving/departing from Houston area airports.

Other ways volunteers can help:

• Send thank you letters to corporations and contributors.
• Take the lead in planning occasional coffees or get-togethers for the volunteers in your area, at no cost to you.
• Help with mission coordination.
• Data entry
• Corporate recruitment
• Volunteer recruitment.

2.  Do I have to volunteer a certain number of hours? 

Houston Ground Angels are web based so your volunteer time is totally at your choosing.  We provide a ride to ambulatory patients arriving at Houston area airports and traveling to a local lodging facility or a Houston medical facility, (mainly in he Texas Medical Center area).  Each ride is called a “Mission” and can usually be completed in about two (2) hours of the volunteer’s time.  Volunteers also pick up patients at local medical facilities or a lodging facility and take them back to an airport for their return trip home. 

We encourage volunteers to accept at least one Mission a month.  Yet, due to the increased number of Mission requests we have, we hope each volunteer will consider more than one a month, depending on your schedule.  Please know, whether if you accept one or more Missions a month, we sincerely appreciate your time and help.  Thank you in advance for all you are doing to support the mission of the Houston Ground Angels.

3.  Do you provide training for new volunteers ? 

For new volunteers who would like to see how to provide a ride, we have active ground angels that welcome a prospective new volunteer to ride along on a Mission with them.  These “buddies” can also meet with you one on one at a local coffee shop.  This is a wonderful way to experience a Ground Angel’s mission and to get to know our patients and other Ground Angels. We also have a great deal of information under the Volunteer tab at the top.  There are also occasional Volunteer meet ups where you can get to know other volunteers, and build new friendships.  We encourage volunteers to come and meet the team.

4.  How can I get started? 

Use the email HGA@groundangels.org  to contact us or call at 832-301-2816 .  Also, please take a moment and review the information under the Volunteer tab at the top of the webpage, as well as other tabs.  We offer a great deal of information throughout our website. 

Thank you for considering supporting Houston Ground Angels and we look forward to meeting you!