Volunteer
We always welcome new volunteers to our organization. Volunteers assist with our special events, organize fund raising events in the community, help in the office, and reach out to our Sailors in the Port Support Program.
If you would like to volunteer, please call the CFL office and talk to anyone on the staff at 267.708.0510, or email us at amber@crossingthefinishline.org. We will be delighted to have your help and are sure you will find your experience enriching!
Office volunteer Jack Singer remarks about his CFL experience:
“Volunteering at CFL is really a terrific experience, and I'm glad I can donate the time. The feedback we get from Sailors and their families is extremely positive and makes the experience even more rewarding. I'm so happy I can help! ”
Port Support
Port Support is a volunteer-based committee dedicated to the continuing support of the emotional, psychological and spiritual needs of Crossing the Finish Line’s Sailors before and after their excursions, in a variety of ways.
Port Support’s mission is to embrace the Sailor, spouse and family in a positive relationship to encourage interaction with the CFL organization, facilitate links to informational resources and third party resources, and to help them overcome the loneliness, fear, anxiety, and isolation that accompanies the cancer diagnosis.
This is an example of the support process we offer via Port Support:
- Weekly, volunteers communicate with Sailors after they have returned home from their respite by phone, e-mail, or letter and document their experience and information in the Sailor’s folder.
- Monthly, volunteers communicate with selected past Sailors to check on their status and update folder and database information.
- Yearly, volunteers host an annual Sailor Reception after Thanksgiving to unite Sailors and their families with our Crossing the Finish Line Community.
- Continually, volunteers offer Sailors the opportunity to utilize the services of other organizations that would match their specific needs.
If you would like to volunteer to assist with our Port Support program, please contact us.
Organize a Community Event
Special events play a vital role in the development of Crossing the Finish Line for two reasons. These community events raise funds for our mission and at the same time, build our own community of friends and volunteers! Special events also attract media coverage that helps to educate the public about our services, Sailors and the emotional, psychological and spiritual effects of cancer on young adult patients and their families.
If you are a member of a civic or community organization, special interest club or school and would be interested in producing a fund raising event to help us, our staff would be happy to guide you through the process and offer suggestions for the kinds of events you might consider. A neighborhood garage sale, school dress down day, or sporting tournament are just a few ideas for family and friends to come together for a good cause.
A fundraiser can be produced in memory of a loved one or friend who has died or in honor of someone’s accomplishments. For example, friends and family of Heather Sweeney, who shares her story about her battle with melanoma on this website, host a Night at the Races in her memory. This event, which raises about $3,000, is able to send three families to the Jersey shore or one family to Florida via our Adopt a Family program. Our Community Fundraising Guide can get you started!
Organizer Doug Gregory of Limerick remarks about this evening:
“The night is a great way to honor Heather and spend time with her family and friends all with the focus of helping others who are also going through similar trying times. ”
Please call Amber at our office at 267.708.0510 to learn more and for assistance with the fundraising process.
Other fundraising ideas include:
- Night at the Races
- Car Wash
- Book Sale
- Home Party
- Run/Walk
- Bike Tour
- School Dress Down Day
- Garage Sale
- Craft Sale
- Baked Good Sale
- Sporting Event
