Donna M. Buccellato
Islip,NY
Summary
Dynamic professional with extensive experience in volunteer management and community education, notably at The Interfaith Nutrition Network. Proven track record in employee recruitment and training, alongside successful program development. Skilled in public speaking and proficient in Microsoft Office, driving impactful community outreach initiatives and enhancing quality of life for seniors.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Volunteer Manager
The Interfaith Nutrition Network
Hempstead, New York
04.2023 - Current
- Recruitment and managing of 267 individual volunteers in addition to extensive community and corporate groups.
- Interview, onboard and train volunteers on 16 volunteer stations including; The Soup Kitchen, Warehouse/ Donations Building, and Boutique.
- Provide ongoing in service trainings including topics on homelessness and safety.
- Assist with the Youth Advisory Board.
- Assist guests with various services and advocate on their behalf.
- Submit monthly and quarterly metric reports to the Board of Directors.
- Creation of the Volunteer Yearbook 2023.
- Assist at various fundraising events.
- Provide educational presentations to community and civic groups.
- Attend various community and corporate tabling events.
Director of Recreation
The Villa at Westhampton Assisted Living
Westhampton, New York
11.2019 - 04.2023
- Develop, plan, organize and implement a diverse and varied program of leisure time activities for independent and Memory Care residents, consistent with DOH regulations and community standards.
- Maintain documentation required by DOH for activity planning, resident participation, evaluation and goals.
- Maintenance of facility Facebook Page, including pictures, posts and videos.
Community Educator on Elder Abuse
Victims Information Bureau of Suffolk
Islandia, New York
03.2018 - 04.2019
- Responsible for creating and presenting power point presentations on Elder Abuse to professionals, home care, hospitals, Adult Day Care Centers, conferences, to caregivers and various senior groups in the community.
- Responsible for reporting information needed for Grants including; metrics, locations and participants.
- Assisted the Development and Marketing Department with all fundraising and event planning activities.
- Coordinated Tabling Events and Educational Forums, Creation of Community Outreach Programs.
Director of Activities/Transportation & Volunteer Services
Dominican Village Retirement Community & Assisted Living Residence
Amityville, USA
10.1996 - 06.2016
- Planning, organizing and directing the resident activity and volunteer programs with the utilization of transportation services, in order to enhance the quality of life in the areas of mental, physical and social well-being.
- Promoting an environment conducive to the continuation and strengthening of community integration and fostering a healthy pursuit of intellectual, social, and recreational interests.
- Achieved CARF Accreditation-Exemplary Conformance to standards-2002-2005-2008.
- Supervised and scheduling of 3 Activities Assistants, 5 Bus Drivers, Transportation Supervisor, and 90 community and resident volunteers.
- All financial obligations for the departments including accountability of annual budget, capital expenditures, and monthly petty cash disbursements.
- Coordinated and implemented resident monthly calendar of activities including but not limited to, Intergenerational programs, lectures, theme parties, and social learning opportunities.
- Coordinating and booking entertainment, reservation intake for rooms utilized, Collection and payment processing, generating check requests for invoices received.
- Coordinating and advertising of programs and trips offered by generating flyers utilizing power point and print shop programs.
- Chairing of monthly department meetings.
- Formulated quarterly Quality Improvements for each department.
- Creating of the resident transportation schedules to include daily trips to doctors, shopping and assisting the residents and their families with special transportation requests.
- Formulated policies and procedures for each department.
- Assisted the Development and Marketing departments with fundraising events.
- Guest speaking engagements at local civic groups, colleges and community organizations.
- Overseeing the maintenance and upkeep of 4 facility cars and 2 buses.
- Recruiting community volunteers from Corporations, schools, civic organizations, educational forums, Parishes with the assistance of The Long Island Volunteer Center and Retired and Senior Volunteer Program.
- Creating and updating of the volunteer application, handbook and necessary forms required for volunteers, and the maintenance of all pertinent medical documentation, including Annual physicals and PPD testing.
- Volunteer orientation, training and ongoing in-services.
- Placing of resident, community and corporate volunteers within development, marketing, finance, and administration departments.
- Maintaining regular contact with the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of Suffolk County.
- Updated and revision of Volunteer Handbook as needed.
- Coordination and execution of all volunteer community projects and recognition events.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Gerontology
Molloy University
Rockville Centre, NYSkills
- Activities & Volunteer Program Management
- Employee Management
- Coordination of Transportation for seniors
- Public Speaking
- Community Education
- Activities Department Financial Obligations Assessments
- Progress Notes
- Care Plans
- Specialized Programming for seniors with various levels of dementia
- Employee and Volunteer Recruitment
- Training
- Orientation
- Formulating of Volunteer Handbook
- Job Descriptions
- Policies
- Procedures
- Quality Improvements
- Coordinating Tabling Events
- Educational Forums
- Community Outreach programs
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office
- Sigma Care
- PowerPoint
- Outlook
Accomplishments
- Continual deficiency free standing with the NYS Department of Health
- CARF Accreditation-Exemplary conformance to standards for the Activities, Transportation and Volunteer Departments
Community Service
- Past President-Association of Professional Volunteer Administrators of Long Island
- Former Board Member- Long Island, NYS Intergenerational Network
- ADRC Trained Facilitator for the Alzheimer's Association Family Support Group
- Founding member of the Residential Family Council for Catholic Charities Residential Services Program
Awards
- AHRC Nassau Community Recognition Award
- Workforce Hero Award-The United Way of Long Island
- Imagine Awards 2026 Finalist-Social Impact Category
Computer Experience
Proficient in Microsoft Office & Sigmacare
Timeline
Volunteer Manager
The Interfaith Nutrition Network
04.2023 - Current
Director of Recreation
The Villa at Westhampton Assisted Living
11.2019 - 04.2023
Community Educator on Elder Abuse
Victims Information Bureau of Suffolk
03.2018 - 04.2019
Director of Activities/Transportation & Volunteer Services
Dominican Village Retirement Community & Assisted Living Residence
10.1996 - 06.2016
Bachelor of Arts - Gerontology
Molloy University