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In cooperation with the Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan, file 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@volunteerswmi.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 Agency of the Week
• University of Michigan’s Buddy-to-Buddy program wants veterans to be advocates for recently returned veterans. You will help veterans link to financial, educational, health care and counseling resources. If you have a passion to help fellow vets, are a good communicator, and are willing to donate your time join this important program. Training is provided and some expenses are reimbursed.
Adults
• Harbor Habitat for Humanity operates a store in Benton Harbor called the ReStore. A ReStore is a retail business where donated construction and home/office related items are sold for 50 to 70 percent off normal prices to the general public and small contractors. The ReStore is also green, helping recycle items that might have otherwise ended up at the landfill. As a volunteer you can help the ReStore generate enough funding to assist with supporting the administrative costs of Harbor Habitat. Currently a volunteer is needed to work on reorganizing the store to create more storage space. You may choose a time between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Saturday.
• You can help community members understand the challenges of people living in poverty. The Earned Income Tax Coalition will be hosting poverty simulation exercises to bring awareness, understanding and action.
Volunteers can sign up now to be involved starting next March in one of the exercises taking place at various locations in Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties. Similar to being in a play you are given a role, but improvise as you stay in character. Help us all learn about ways to make a difference to those in need.
• If you are reading this column you probably live less than an hour from Lake Michigan. Can you hear the seas calling you? Michigan Maritime Museum in South Haven is a unique opportunity to volunteer as a Ship’s Company Crew aboard the replica tall ship Friends Good Will. Volunteers will be screened and will receive a formal training.
Volunteers should expect to spend approximately four hours a week helping maintain the vessel and serving as an interpreter.
• Libraries are magical places for some people. They also provide critical Internet access for many. Buchanan District Library has slots for at least three volunteers to assist staff with shelving books. Training will be provided. They are open Monday through Saturday and the times you volunteer are flexible. If you don’t live in Buchanan, your local library would love your assistance as well.
Got blood? Give blood!
Berrien County Chapter of the American Red Cross
• Tuesday, Dec 15 – Wesley United Methodist Church, 302 Cedar St., Niles, noon to 5:45 p.m.
For a complete listing visit www.berrienredcross.org.
Michigan Community Blood Center
• Monday, Dec. 7 – Van Buren ISD Conference Center, 490 S. Paw Paw St., Lawrence, noon to 7 p.m.
• Tuesday, Dec. 8 – Niles Adventist School, 110 Fairview, Niles, 2 to 7 p.m.
For a complete listing visit www.miblood.org.
Adults and youth
• If you enjoy making jewelry you can assist in teaching a class in jewelry making for people with disabilities. Gateway will offer the class Thursdays in Berrien Springs from 1:30 to 2:30 Jan. 4 through Feb. 8.
Youth
• When you are a member of Teen Service 4-H Club you will have the chance for leadership and community service opportunities. Structured as a 4-H Club, there are opportunities to develop skills as an officer, running meetings, organizing fundraisers and doing community service events. For individuals looking for business experience or who aspire to be entrepreneurs, the club also maintains the 4-H Lemonade Booth at the
Berrien County Youth Fairgrounds. The club meets monthly based on the schedules of the membership.
Holiday volunteering
• Brighten up somebody’s day during the holidays – literally! You and your group are invited to share your spirit of giving by gathering your friends and/or family to help decorate the outside of a family‚s home in your community that can not get out this season themselves due to serious illness. Decorations will be provided. Bring your warm clothes, warm heart and brighten up the holidays for an individual and their loved ones during this season of giving. Since volunteers will be visiting a patient’s home a training will be required to explain Hospice at Home services.
• Make the holidays special for your fellow volunteers. With tight budgets, non-profits are having a hard time finding ways to thank their volunteers. You can create and/or donate cards and other tokens of appreciation to be given to fellow volunteers. The Volunteer Center will distribute them to southwest Michigan agencies and who will give the items to their volunteers.