The Niles Star

A scraper? Lakeland Hospice is looking for you

SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK
• How do you live United? United Way of Southwest Michigan is kicking off their quarterly live united volunteer days with an opportunity to go into classrooms in your area and read to elementary and pre-school children the week of October 19th. Check it out on their website at www.uwsm.org.

ADULTS
• Are you a scraper? Lakeland Hospice volunteers can help keep a scrap book of patients’ obituaries. They can also work with families to create special memories. You will be able to set your own hours for this volunteer position.

• Help children from low income families have a good Christmas.  Your help is especially needed this year in Cass County. Plans are being made and the Cass County Department of Human Services and the Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan are looking for that special person to lead the project.  There are also plenty of opportunities to help in smaller ways. Contact the Volunteer Center for more information and stay tuned to the column as we bring you specific ways you can help.

• Gateway improves the life and independence of individuals with disabilities. Mid November through mid December they want to offer a cooking class on Wednesdays from 10-11:30 a.m. The class will learn how to prepare, bake and decorate Christmas cookies and candy. All they need is an instructor. Sounds like a delicious assignment!

• Senior Nutrition Services provides high quality meals helping seniors to maintain their independence and remain living in their own home. Running the organization involves many volunteers including those able to help with computers, work on fundraisers, or write grants.

• Help make affordable housing a reality by working as a construction volunteer for Harbor Habitat for Humanity in Benton Harbor. Now through Nov. 24 volunteers can work 4-7 hours on Tuesdays. Volunteers should be at least 18 years old.

• Helping Our Youth Achieve (HOYA) in Benton Harbor offers middle and high school students in Benton Harbor tutoring utilizing an on-line, self paced system. Tutors are available to provide additional explanations and assistance from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Volunteers should enjoy teens and learning, and have a good sense of humor.

• Be a girl’s hero. Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan is looking for at least 10 troop leaders in Southwest Michigan to lead girls organized by grade level into troops. Guide girls through activities that are girl-led and include cooperative and hands-on learning. Frequency of troop meetings varies depending on leader and troop members.

• Be a volunteer for the young leaders program at Harbor Harvest Urban Ministries in Benton Harbor.  This program has been developed to use evidenced based activities to build academics and social skills.  Classes run Wednesday evenings.

• The leaves haven’t even turned color, but Krasl Art Center in St. Joseph is gearing up for the holidays. You can volunteer starting in November to make sure the soup’s on by serving homemade soup and desserts and help keep the serving area tidy.

• You may be used to getting in your car and going where you need to go. Many people struggle with transportation especially those with medical problems. You can help veterans, senior citizen, people with chronic illnesses (such as those on dialysis) and those receiving hospice care. You can also deliver meals to the homebound. Visit the Volunteer Center web site or call us to learn about specific needs in your area.

• The Red Cross of Berrien County provides relief to victims of disaster and helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. If you are available anytime between 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday you can help enter data at their offices in Benton Harbor.
Give of yourself… donate your blood!

ADULTS & YOUTH
• Niles-Buchanan YMCA offers programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body. Volunteers over 15 can keep score for the elementary girls volleyball league on Saturdays from 9 a.m. through noon.  In return you will experience the thrill of volleyball on a whole new level.

• Junior Achievement of Michiana could use your help in their office. Can you do basic office duties including filing, computer data entry, copying, and preparing packets?  Your volunteer hours could be flexible Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Volunteers should be at least 15 years old.

• Volunteering is fun and has many benefits. Some of you may have already heard about Walt Disney’s promotion to Give a Day Get a Day. (www.GiveADayGetADisneyDay.com). Essentially if you volunteer for a day during 2010 you can get a free day pass for the park (for the first million people who register). This is in conjunction with the Volunteer Center’s national organization, HandsOn Network. This will not go live until Jan. 1, 2010.  We will keep you updated on this exciting initiative as we learn more details.

Doris Higgins is the executive director of the Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan. Reach her at: director@volunteerswmi.org, 210 Main St., Suite 237, 605 Pleasant St., Niles, MI 49120. Call 683-5464, or visit www.volunteerswmi.org.