Volunteer
One of the unique characteristics of MEMO:Cuba are the many ways in which volunteers can be involved directly in both Canada and in Cuba. If you would like to get involved with any of the volunteering activities listed below, let us know by filling out the form on the Contact Us page and describing in the comments section where you believe you could use your gifts and abilities to help with the work of MEMO. MEMO staff will get in touch with you as soon as possible!
Picking up Equipment | Special Projects | Inventory | Pill Popping | Linens in Love | Packing Containers | Work Teams to Cuba | Fundraiser Events
Picking up equipment and supplies from Health Care and private facilities:
This is the most common way to volunteer with MEMO. This can be done anywhere in Canada and shipped directly to the MEMO headquarters in Thunder Bay. If you have items to send or know of a place that MEMO can contact to receive unwanted hospital equipment, do not hesitate to contact!
This often requires muscle as it can be quite physically demanding depending on the specific project. Usually it means removing some heavy equipment from hospitals such as x-ray machines or mammography equipment. Of course, simply removing old equipment is not as easy as it sounds and requires some technical skills. If you have such skills, MEMO can put you to work!
Taking Inventory in the Warehouse
As items arrive in the warehouse, they need to be counted for the shipping documents. Sometimes this might involve cleaning the donated equipment and clothes before sending to Cuba. It also includes repairing broken yet easily fixable items at thewarehouse.
Volunteers gather together for an evening of popping pills from the packages and putting them into ziploc bags, to be carried in the luggage on the next trip to Cuba. Read more here.
Collecting clean linens from motels, hotels, hospitals etc. that will be shipped down in the cracks of the sea containers going to Cuba. Read more about this program here.
This is a big part of MEMO:Cuba. It occurs about three times a year for a good day's work each time. A good back is definitely required! Read more about packing containers to get an idea of what kind of work is expected. Check here to see when the next packing day will be!
MEMO holds annual fundraisers to raise money for the cost of shipping containers and other projects that are undergoing. In order to keep costs down, volunteers are needed for setting up, serving and other areas. Click on Fundraisers to read about the most recent event.
Several trips are planned every year to return to Cuba. Some of these trips require technicians to install equipment or instruct Cubans in using the equipment. Some trips require medical personnel to help with procedures, teaching and just caring for the patients and staff at the hospitals MEMO is working in. And still other trips require individuals with a willingness to get dirty and work hard - including painting or cleaning. If you are willing to get stretched beyond your comfort zone and can provide your own funding (or raise your own support), you are welcome to join MEMO in Cuba. Drop an email to find out when the next trip is planned or keep looking to this site for news and announcements of upcoming trips!