Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteering at the Minnesota Lions Eye Bank is a wonderful and rewarding way to share skills and expertise, meet new people, and be a part of a community committed to improving quality of life through eye donation.
Our volunteers are crucial to our mission and anyone who would like to donate time and talents is welcomed—and encouraged—to apply. Volunteer applicants need to complete an application, interview, reference check process, and, upon acceptance, training for the position.
The Minnesota Lions Eye Bank offers:
- Flexible scheduling
- Training for volunteer positions
- Volunteer recognition
- Complimentary parking
We have a variety of volunteer opportunities available.
Special Events
Throughout the year, the Minnesota Lions Eye Bank hosts or participates in many special events, including donor and family recognition services, health fairs, and the Minnesota State Fair.
Exhibits
Volunteers are needed to staff informational exhibits throughout the year at locations around the community such as hospitals, conferences, churches, and schools.
Speakers Bureau
Volunteer speakers help the public understand how eye donation can help restore sight and advance research and training. The eye bank is often asked to present at civic and service organizations, hospitals, churches and schools, and eye bank events. We welcome individuals who wish to share personal stories of donation and transplantation.
Administrative / Clerical
We have regular and one-time opportunities to help the eye bank with filing, organizing materials, and mailings.
Eye Tissue Recovery
Eye donations are recovered by individuals trained and certified by the eye bank as procurement technicians. If you are able to support eye donation through sensitive and professional care of donors, we may have an opportunity for you to serve as a procurement technician. Volunteer procurement technicians are needed in all areas of Minnesota except the greater Twin Cities, Duluth, Rochester, and Fargo-Moorhead areas.
For more information about volunteer opportunities, please contact:
Jodi Altenhofen
Community Services Liaison
Direct Line: 612-624-0446
Toll-Free: 1-866-887-4448
Email: magnu007@umn.edu
Spotlight on Volunteers
Supporting a Mission for Vision
The Minnesota Lions Eye Bank sincerely appreciates the generous support of individuals, groups, and organizations, especially the ongoing support of Lions members who offer time, talents, and financial resources to champion of eye donation and restored sight.
The eye bank is also indebted to the gift-in-kind support and professional services of:
- Broadcast and Design Group, Inc. of Edina, Minnesota
- Cindy Christian Rogers, Minnesota-based freelance writer
- Christopher Ward Photography of Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Creative Images of Saint Paul, Minnesota
- Fabulous Catering of Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Peggy Lauritsen Design Group of Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minnesota Lions Eye Bank salutes the community service provided by the Bangu Tsunami 93/94 Girls Blue Soccer Team, a Minnesota-based Nike Premier Soccer Club.
Team members, as well as some parents and siblings, recently gathered at the eye bank in Saint Paul to put together more than 600 guest packets for family members of eye donors who attend Donor and Family Recognition services.
Front – Left to Right: Sarah Rich (Hastings), Maddie Nelson (Woodbury), Rachael Van Keulen (Woodbury), Jill Richgels (Inver Grove Heights), Kaelyn Korte (Credit River Township).
Middle – Left to Right: Sophie Gelbmann (Woodbury), Lauren Nash (Woodbury), Rachel Gratz (Eagan), Mallory Getchell (Coon Rapids), Chelsea Rich (Hastings), Maddy Getchell (Coon Rapids).
Standing – Left to Right: Mackenzie Lewis (Woodbury), Lauren Miller (St. Louis Park).
Also volunteering but not pictured: Hannah Werth (Bloomington), Tori Fuglister (Edina), Rebecca Roberts (Lino Lakes), Bianca Diaz (Woodbury).