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: 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. Call (330) 782-5877, or visit the VSA at 5500 Market St., Suite 106, Boardman between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
SHORT-TERM OPPORTUNITIES
Easter Seals: Will be gift-wrapping at Barnes and Noble, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 27.
Salvation Army: Need bell-ringers and musicians for their Red Kettle Campaign, which begins Thursday and continues through Dec. 31.
Angels for Animals: Needs volunteers to bake apple pies this month and next.
First Night of Youngstown 2004: Volunteers are needed Dec. 31 for the celebration in downtown Youngstown. There are a variety of opportunities such as host/hostess, information booth, site leaders, sales booth or parking attendants.
Children's Museum of the Valley: Volunteer recruitment open house from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Nov. 15 at the museum, 139 E. Boardman St., Youngstown.
National Family Volunteer Day: Nov. 20. If your family, or any group, would like to participate, call the VSA.
CAN YOU HELP?
These organizations need long-term volunteer help:
Children's Museum of the Valley: Volunteers needed to serve as a receptionist or a docent or to assist with general maintenance.
Volunteer Services to Seniors: Caring people are wanted to make reassurance calls to seniors who need to be checked upon or who are lonely.
Alzheimer's Association: A receptionist is needed who will answer the phone and provide information and reassurance.
Second Harvest Food Bank: A volunteer is needed to answer the phone from 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday. Any amount of time given would be appreciated. Also needed is someone to ride in the van and help deliver food.
Forum Health: Help is needed now in the pastoral care office with answering the phone, some filing and providing local churches with information about a patient.
AARP/Faith in Action: A lead volunteer is needed to help recruit and manage others for the Faith in Action Program that assists senior citizens. Should have some computer knowledge, and training is provided.
Emmanuel Community Care Center, Girard: A receptionist/secretary is wanted from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Any time that can be donated would be appreciated.
Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley warehouse: Help is needed folding clothes and sorting items. There is a "Youth Day" from 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays.
Helping Other Women: A volunteer leader is needed to get referrals, interview clients and coordinate other volunteers.
Mill Creek Children's Center: Volunteers are needed to read to the children every other Monday and to help them with the computers on Fridays.
Jewish Community Center: Volunteers can help in the day-care center with children, or assist with seniors' programs.
Citizen Corps: Looking for individuals who are interested in being trained to respond to disasters or emergencies in the community. These volunteers would be backups for the first responders.