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Volunteer

Join the hundreds of motivated volunteers who generously contribute their time and energy to the Ten Thousand Villages community. We welcome highly motivated volunteers who exude passion for our people-driven mission and the products we sell. We offer rewarding opportunities at our warehouse in Brownstown, PA., and throughout our retail store network.

Store Volunteers

To learn more about volunteering at the store location nearest you, please contact the store manager directly, or inquire in person at any of our store locations.

Cafe Volunteers

The Cafe at Ten Thousand Villages in Ephrata, PA, has opportunities for energetic and outgoing volunteers to spend one day per week assisting customers, operating the cash register, and making espresso drinks. Hours for volunteer shifts are 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. daily, except Sundays. Contact the General Manager or Volunteer Coordinator or visit the Ephrata store to request an application form.

Warehouse Volunteers

There are also opportunities for groups and individuals to assist at our warehouse in Brownstown, PA., located two miles down the road from our home office in Akron, PA. Volunteers may participate for a few hours, a few days, or on a regular (weekly or daily) basis. We use volunteer support to unpack merchandise, count and check merchandise for damage, and prepare merchandise to be added to inventory before being shipped to our stores.

Hours:
Volunteer groups and individuals work during daytime hours Monday to Friday, 8:15 a.m. - 4:15 p.m.

Group size:
We accommodate groups of up to 15 people, depending on availability of work and of staff supervision.

*Age requirement:
Minimum age for volunteers is 16 years. We can sometimes accommodate groups that include middle school age, if the group provides appropriate adult supervision.

Dress requirements:
Footwear should have a closed toe and heel. No open toe sandals, open heel clogs or flip flops. Volunteers may wear modest knee-length or just above the knee shorts. Sleeveless shirts are permitted but no tank tops, spaghetti straps, halter tops or cropped shirts that show the midriff.

Seasonal changes:
During low volume periods, work may not be available to all interested volunteers. Peak volumes typically occur during May - September, with lowest volumes during January - April.

E-Commerce Fulfillment:
We are also seeking volunteers to assist with E-Commerce order fulfillment on a regular basis at our warehouse. Volunteers are needed once or twice per month on Monday or Tuesday for four hours at a time to pick, inspect, pack and gift-wrap E-Commerce orders for shipment directly to our customers. They may volunteer additional hours during the busy holiday season. Volunteers should be able to take direction and work with a team, have an eye for detail and a sense of humor.

To inquire further about volunteering at our warehouse, please contact us at 717-859-8100.

Short-term Volunteer Program (Warehouse & Home Office)

Ten Thousand Villages has opportunities for volunteers who wish to make a full-time commitment for 2-4 months. Short-term volunteers work mainly in the shipping operations of our warehouse during the busy fall season, picking and packing orders which are shipped to stores and festival sales. They receive housing, lunch and a modest monthly stipend. Occasionally, there are also opportunities for volunteers to work on short-term assignments in our home office.

We have two special opportunities for flexible, fit and vigorous volunteers who can make a full-time commitment of 2-6 weeks:

E-Commerce Fulfillment Volunteers
Volunteers are needed to join our 2009 holiday season E-Commerce fulfillment team at the Ten Thousand Villages warehouse for 3-6 weeks from mid-November to late December. These volunteers will pick, inspect, pack and gift-wrap orders for shipment directly to our customers, and will have a full-time, 5 day per week schedule which may include occasional Saturdays.

Warehouse Sale Volunteers
Volunteers are needed to assist with the Ten Thousand Villages Warehouse Sale in Ephrata, PA for two weeks each July and two weeks each January. The work includes unpacking merchandise and setting up fixtures prior to the sale, assisting customers and replenishing merchandise during the sale weekend, and tearing down the Monday afterwards.

Housing is provided for volunteers who are not local. Noon meals provided for all volunteers.

To learn more about participating in any of the above Short-term Volunteer programs at Ten Thousand Villages, please contact volunteer@tenthousandvillages.com

About Us

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