The Niles Star

In cooperation with the Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan, the Niles Daily Star 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 website 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.

By admin

Doris Higgins: Calling all train enthusiasts – volunteers wanted

Published 10:39pm Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Spotlight Agency of the Week
Are you a kid at heart who likes to play with trains? Do you enjoy nature, history, and the art of miniature landscaping and scale building designed with an all-natural materials? Then Fernwood needs you and your actual kid to volunteer as train monitors for its G- scale Railway Garden. You can answer visitors’ questions and monitor the trains. It is suggested that children who want to volunteer be at least 9 years old and you are prepared to properly supervise them at all times. So bring a grandkid, bring your mentee, bring a friend and run the trains! P.S. individual volunteers welcome too.

Adults
• Did you know that when you drive you can help older adults stay healthier in their own homes? North Berrien Senior Center as part of Senior Nutrition Services wants you to deliver noon time meals to homebound seniors in North Berrien County. Mileage reimbursement may be available. The meal routes run 10:30 a.m. through 1 p.m. and you can choose what days you volunteer.

• Join the 2010 All Crafts Fair Sept. 4 and 5, sponsored by the South Haven Area Chamber of Commerce. As a volunteer you will pitch in and help with set up, overseeing cleanliness during the event and assist with clean up.

• Cass County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) trains volunteer advocates to speak for the best interests of children who are brought before the court for reasons of abuse or neglect. Volunteers must be at least 21 years old and pass a criminal background check. Days and times you would volunteer vary; however, a court report and appearance must be conducted at least every 91 days.

• The Niles Burn Run on Saturday and Sunday raises money for the Great Lakes Burn Camp by hosting a family friendly charity motorcycle festival every year in Niles. Contact Doug at 362-2371 to learn how you can get involved.

• First Tee, co-located with the Boys and Girls Club of Benton Harbor, provides local youth with activities that promote character development and life enhancing values through the game of golf. This summer more than 150 kids are registered and additional volunteers who like kids and golf are invited to join the action. Golf experience is helpful but not necessary since the program teaches life skills through the game of golf.

• The Van Buren Department of Human Services assists children, families and vulnerable adults to be safe, stable and self-supporting. You can help the office run more smoothly when you assist with filing, copying, sorting as well as updating manuals. You can also help with office mail and greeting customers. This is a great opportunity to use your office skills or build new ones. If you prefer you could also help in the children’s corner supervising youth while their parents meet with workers. This includes engaging children in simple games, crafts, storytelling and other activities. If you speak Spanish that is a plus. Both positions are Monday through Friday during regular business hours.
Blood saves lives. Donate today!

Berrien County Chapter of the American Red Cross
For a complete listing visit www.berrienredcross.org.

Michigan Blood
Monday, July 26 – YMCA Niles-Buchanan, 905 North Front St., Niles, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For a complete listing visit www.miblood.org.

Adult and youth
• The Fort St. Joseph Archaeological Project is a partnership with Western Michigan University, the City of Niles and the Fort St. Joseph Advisory Committee. This project seeks to unlock the secrets of the frontier outpost of New France that lies within the current Riverfront Park in Niles. They will hold an open house Aug. 14 and 15 to showcase this work to the public. You can help demonstrate what life was like in the fort era of 1691 to 1781 or volunteer in other capacities.

• Bridges to Digital Excellence is helping get technology to families. As a prep technician you will clean and test donated PCs. Training provided.

Families
The Coloma Glad Peach Festival-Family Art Fair on Aug. 7 has a volunteer opportunity for you and your family. Twenty more people can choose a shift from either 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. or from 2 to 4 p.m. to help out at an art activity booth. They also have extra supplies this year because of weather issues last year. So if you have a great idea for a project they might even be able to give you an art booth of your own! Don’t miss this chance to spend quality family time helping other families enjoy time together.

Youth
• Are you already volunteering this summer? Great, Youth Summer Serve is a way to recognize your volunteer service to the community. Contact Callie at youth@volunteerswmi.org or 983-0912 and let her know where you are volunteering. If you volunteer at least 40 hours by August you will be invited to a special party at Volunteer Day at the Berrien County Youth Fair and receive a recognition certificate for your service. Let us recognize what you have accomplished! If you are not yet connected to a volunteer opportunity let us know and we can connect you!

• Youth volunteers will engage senior residents of Lakeland Continuing Care in St. Joseph in a variety of organized activities with a team leader on the first Saturday of each month. Volunteers should arrive 10 minutes early for instructions. This opportunity is open to youth in middle and in high school. Contact TheVolunteer Center to learn more.