NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — The region’s volunteer center is looking for people to volunteer for vaccination clinics as well as other services to the community during the pandemic.

VOLUNTEER Hampton Roads works with about 200 organizations in Hampton Roads and the Eastern Shore.

Over the last year, they’ve worked to help nonprofit organizations that have been significantly impacted by COVID-19 get volunteers to assist during a critical time for the community.

“We’ve been very busy,” said Stephanie Gorham, who is the executive director. “There have been a lot of volunteer needs, even with the pandemic and isolation. A lot of our nonprofits still need essential services like making meals, delivering meals, getting essential supplies to the community. So, we’ve been very busy.”

Gorman says many have stepped up to help whenever they’ve put out a call especially for vaccination clinics. However, some volunteers are starting to feel fatigued from giving back so much over the last year.

“Volunteers were hesitant this year to do a lot of different opportunities,” she said. “When we put out the announcement we were helping with FEMA, we had a huge response. This is not the first clinic we’ve worked with but every time we’ve put out a call, we’ve had an amazing response. It’s been wonderful but as the weeks go on, our recurring volunteers are getting fatigued so we’re hoping new recruits come out.”

With April being National Volunteer Month and next week being National Volunteer Week, Gorham wanted to thank those who have given back so much.

She’s also asking for help to volunteer at sites like FEMA’s mass vaccination clinic at Military Circle.

Trey Teich, who is a volunteer at the Military Circle clinic, says it’s been an exciting opportunity for him.

Before the pandemic, he volunteered at a homeless shelter.

“At the shelter, I was making a positive difference and all the sudden, the pandemic came in and ended it,” he said.

Getting the opportunity to help at the vaccination clinic is rewarding to him and many others who also help.

“It’s very important. I love helping people and the ability to get folks through the process means the world to me. It’s very important to volunteer and help folks. We’re all coming together as a community,” he said.

Teich encourages those who might be skeptical about talents they have to offer to volunteer anyway.

“Virtually everyone who has come here has been in a good mood. They’re happy to get a shot,” he said. “Don’t consider not volunteering because you can’t do the work. We have a variety of positions that are available.”

Gorham says they’ve placed around 400 volunteers at that site alone.

“I like to say it’s vital to nonprofits,” she said about volunteers. “But, it’s also vital to the community. To have a more resilient community, you need volunteers to serve there.

They’re also looking for help for Meals on Wheels, to deliver food to those who are homebound.

To volunteer, click here.