HELPING HANDS Volunteering

Volunteer Services Agency, a United Way Agency, is a local resource for volunteer recruitment, placement and management for people of all ages in the Mahoning Valley. It sponsors three programs: The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, which helps people 55 and older use their life experience skills in their communities; Volunteer Service to Seniors, which provides assistance and companionship to the elderly living independently in their homes; and the Volunteer Center, which helps people of all ages connect with local nonprofit agencies that need volunteer assistance. For more information, call (330) 782-5877, or visit the Volunteer Services Agency at 5500 Market St., Suite 106, Boardman, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
WILL YOU HELP?
Volunteer help is needed for these agencies (short-term opportunities):
Easter Seals/Walk With Me: Volunteers are needed to obtain sponsors and walk in Boardman Park on Oct. 25.
Girard Multi-Generational Center: Help is needed with the annual Halloween party at the center on Oct. 24.
March of Dimes/Star Chef Charity Auction: The auction will be Oct. 12 and people are needed to make calls for auction items, to gather them and to keep an RSVP log.
Tod Children's Hospital/Tod's Miracle Network Telethon: People are needed to sell raffle tickets at Sam's Club on Thursday, Friday and Oct. 12.
Multiple Sclerosis Fall Bike/Skate/Walk: Volunteers are needed to participate in this event 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 18.
Volunteers are also needed for long-term opportunities.
American Red Cross Disaster Services: Volunteers are needed to become military caseworkers for local military families, to do record keeping during disasters, and to help victims of fire.
Associated Neighborhood Centers: Volunteers are needed to tutor children K-2 in reading comprehension and to assist the van driver with disabled riders.
Catholic Charities Agency: People needed to help senior citizens in Mahoning, Columbiana and Trumbull counties with shopping, errands and friendly visits.
Citizen Corps: Volunteers are needed to be trained to help when there is a disaster in the community. Also needed is someone to be a Lead Volunteer for Citizens Corps and make presentations about safety and distribute literature.
Habitat for Humanity: People are needed for construction work, to build collection houses for recycling and to serve the volunteers at a site.
Hope House: Volunteers are needed for child care, maintaining the playroom and toys, computer assistance and light clerical duties.
Jewish Community Center: Help is needed with the youth and senior programs.
Millcreek Children's Center: Volunteers are needed to read to children every other Monday and to help the children with computer work Fridays.
OhioReads: People interested in tutoring elementary children in reading are needed by Paul C. Bunn School and Boardman Stadium Drive School.
Organizacion Civica Y Cultural Hispana Americana: Volunteers are needed to help tutor children after school from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Parent Center/Toy Library: Volunteers needed to assist the Lunch Hour Learning Luncheons and help run the Toy Lending Library.
Potential Development Program: People wanted to assist the teachers and children with school activities.
RSVP: People 55 years and older are needed to share their life skills and help in the community in a variety of ways.
Volunteer Services to Seniors: Needed are dedicated people to assist senior citizens with grocery shopping, errands, reassurance calls or friendly visits.
Other United Way agencies needing volunteers are: Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Salvation Army, United Way and YMCA.