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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.volunteer swmi.org; or e-mail us at volunteer@volunteersw mi.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
• The Volunteer Center has several volunteer options for local DIVAs that will be fun and support the work of the Center at the same time. On Friday evening, Nov. 20 during Luminary Festival in downtown St. Joseph, you can sell tickets for the upcoming 5:01 DIVA fundraiser night.
During the 5:01 DIVA event on Tuesday, Nov. 24, you can assist with spa treatments for guests attending the event at various shops in downtown St. Joseph. $10 tickets for the event will benefit the Volunteer Center and participants will also be encouraged to bring food for Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency’s Stuff a Truck food drive. Volunteer by yourself and meet fellow DIVAs or bring a friend and volunteer together.
Adults
• Help someone along the road to recovery when you volunteer to drive patients to scheduled treatment appointments. American Cancer Society volunteer drivers attend a training and should have a safe driving record, car insurance and be a good listener. Volunteer hours are flexible, but occur during regular business hours.
• Would you like to be a Handy Helper? Cass County Council on Aging invites you to help make seniors‚ homes safer. Do simple repairs and installations such as grab bars, railings, non-skid tape and smoke detectors. Doing weatherization and building wheel chair ramps is also a big need. If you are Mr. (or Mrs.) Fix-it or have some carpentry experience your skills are highly sought after. Licensed electricians or plumbers are also in demand. Days and times are flexible.
• 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.
• 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.
Got blood? Give blood!
Berrien County Chapter of the American Red Cross:
• Wednesday, Nov. 18 – American Red Cross, 303 Riverview Drive, Benton Harbor: 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 21 – Sawyer Highlands Church, 13100 Red Arrow Highway, Sawyer: 10 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
For a complete listing visit www.berrienredcross.org.
Michigan Community Blood Center
• Tuesday, Nov. 17 – Hickory Creek Learning Center, 9193 Cleveland Ave., Baroda: 3 to 7 p.m.
• Friday, Nov. 20 – Great Lakes Eye Care, 2848 Niles, St. Joseph: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For a complete listing visit www.miblood.org.
Adults and youth
• 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.
• 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.
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.
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