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In cooperation with the Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan, we will publish opportunities for volunteers each week. To find out about these or other volunteer opportunities, please call 983-0912 in the St. Joseph-Benton Harbor area, 683-5464 in the Niles area; visit our Web site at www.volunteerswmi.org; or e-mail us at volunteer@volunteer swmi.org for further information. To arrange an appointment, please call ahead.
Appointments do not constitute an obligation to accept a volunteer opportunity. The Center is a United Way partner agency.
Spotlight of the week
• Blue Star Mothers is giving your family the opportunity to support the troops this holiday season. Come out to their Christmas Open House Nov. 14 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Michigan Lutheran High School at 615 Marquette Woods in St. Joseph. You can write letters and make cards for the troops, drop off items you have collected for care boxes, or help pack the care boxes.
Adults
• Do you have 45 minutes a week to help a high school student succeed? As part of the Benton Harbor High School Test Prep Program you can help juniors prepare for the Michigan Merit Exam. During the week you can help teachers by giving students feedback and coaching as they work on their practice essays. You can also choose to help students with a computerized test preparation program on Saturdays. Help students learn test taking strategies and work on practice tests. A teacher will be available for consultation as needed. Program will run Nov. 1 through March 1.
• Are you a history buff? Southwest Michigan has great museums that offer you a variety of volunteer opportunities. North Berrien Historical Museum in Coloma utilizes volunteers to assist with student tours and to develop activities for group visits. The School Tour Guide schedule is flexible depending on when schools book their tours and typically last a few hours each time. If you are a college student this will give you great experience working with kids. At the History Center at Courthouse Square in Berrien Springs you can usher for the play “The Caine Mutiny Court-Marital,” presented by the Twin City Players in the 1839 Courthouse on various dates in November. If you have never experienced a play in the historic courthouse this is a must see! Volunteers will work the afternoon and evening of a performances.
If you are a carpenter looking for something more hands on, you can build educational displays and help remodel buildings at the Michigan Flywheelers Museum in Bangor. Create your own history at one of these local treasures!
• Interested in accounting or tax preparation as a possible career? Help low-income working families by preparing their taxes for free and making sure they receive earned income tax dollars. This money will be a tremendous help to many families considered the working poor. Volunteers should be over 18 and complete an IRS training that is available on line.
Volunteers can also choose to assist screening clients for eligibility and making sure they have all the necessary paperwork. The Earned Income Tax Coalition has organized seven sites throughout Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties.
• Are you studying nutrition or are you a registered dietitian? Senior Nutrition Services would like your assistance in planning daily menus for the many individuals who benefit from their congregate and home delivered meals.
• Want to make a big difference in the life of a child? Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien and Cass is welcoming new Lunch Buddy Big Brothers and Big Sisters to schools this fall. Eastside School in Niles, Sorter School in Benton Harbor and New Buffalo Elementary School are all accepting new volunteer mentors right now. During the School year, volunteers spend one hour per week at lunchtime with their proteges. Volunteers may choose a different day each week if that works better with their schedules. Got blood? Give blood!
Berrien County Red Cross
Wednesday Nov. 14 – American Red Cross, 303 Riverview Dr., Benton Harbor, 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Thursday, Nov 15 – Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, 601 Ferry St., Niles, noon to 5:45 p.m. For a complete listing visit www.berrienredcross.org.
Michigan Blood Center
Monday, Nov. 9 – Berrien Springs High School Gym, One Sylvester Ave, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 12 – Bridgman Public Library, 4460 Lake St., noon to 7 p.m. For a complete listing visit www.mi blood.org
Adults and youth
Do you own a sewing machine? Do you like to use it? Several programs of Child and Family Services including Safe Shelter and the Link Crisis Intervention Center have projects to help make them inviting environments for their clients. These include sewing simple curtains or cushion covers.
They would also like a tote created for carting around their marketing materials. You bring the talent and they will provide the materials. Community Alliance Against Substance Abuse wants to eliminate substance abuse among youth by bringing together individuals and programs to achieve a common vision. They have a parent Advisory Council and a Youth Advisory Council. Work with other parents and youth to increase awareness and develop programming directed at either parents or youth.
The Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan and the Niles-Buchanan YMCA are partnering to bring you fun activities for National Family Volunteer Day on Saturday, Nov. 21. A dozen agencies will be on hand to educate your family about community issues and provide you with a chance to do hands on volunteer activities. Come make cat toys for animals at the shelter, ring the Salvation Army Bell, make cards to send to the troops and many other activities. Fun activities will be available for all ages. Come join the activities.
Doris Higgins is the executive director of the Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan. Reach her at: director@volunteerswmi.org, 210 Main St., Suite 237, Niles, MI 49120. Call 683-5464, or visit www.volunteerswmi.org.